BajaNomad - Tourist permit

Tourist permit

Lorin - 8-2-2008 at 09:04 AM

I haven't driven in Baja since the late 1990's. At that time, I never bothered getting any sort of tourist or vehicle permit, and I was never asked to show one. My question is, if I were to now drive down to La Paz from San Diego, would I be asked to show any kind of tourist or vehicle permit? If so, where do they ask, passing Ensenada? at military checkpoints? at the border between Baja Sur and Norte? If so, what permits are required, and where is the most convenient place to get such permits? Should they be acquired somewhere in San Diego or in Baja? Thanks in advance. Lorin

DianaT - 8-2-2008 at 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lorin
I haven't driven in Baja since the late 1990's. At that time, I never bothered getting any sort of tourist or vehicle permit, and I was never asked to show one. My question is, if I were to now drive down to La Paz from San Diego, would I be asked to show any kind of tourist or vehicle permit? If so, where do they ask, passing Ensenada? at military checkpoints? at the border between Baja Sur and Norte? If so, what permits are required, and where is the most convenient place to get such permits? Should they be acquired somewhere in San Diego or in Baja? Thanks in advance. Lorin

First of all, welcome!

No car permit for any of Baja, just be sure to get your insurance.

You do need your tourist visa, however. Usually the only place we have been asked for it is at the state border between Baja and Baja Sur at Guerrero Negro. It is required that you have one south of Ensenada.

It is really easy with a passport, and a passport is also the easiest way to come back to the US.

Where are you planning on crossing into Baja? You can obtain the tourist visa at any of the crossings---you just stop right as you cross the border, go to immigration and fill out the form, go to the bank that is right there, pay your fee, and then back to immigration for the final stamp.

Be sure to ask for 180 days and then if you go back and forth you will not need to get another one.

Since we have our FM3s now, I forget the cost of the FMT, but some will answer that.

Have a good trip

Diane

David K - 8-2-2008 at 09:18 AM

Hi Lorin...

Welcome to Baja Nomad!

The Tourist Card (FM-T) is often checked at the Eagle Monument/ State border near Guerrero Negro... and no where else. However, it is technically required for any stay in Mexico over 72 hours or any travel south of the 'border zone' (Maneadero on the Pacific side/ San Felipe on the gulf side).

The best way to get the tourist card is at the Tijuana border, by pulling into the secondary parking area (far right lane signed 'something to declare').

Go to the far right office facing the parking area with your passport OR photo ID + proof of citizenship (birth cert., etc.). A 180 day FM-T is about $22, or free for a 7 day FM-T. You walk about 5 doors down to a bank teller to pay the fee and GO BACK to the INM office for the FINAL STAMP.

You can get a pre-paid FM-T at Discover Baja travel club in San Diego or a few other places... BUT, you still need to stop at the border and have it stamped at the INM office (open 24/7).

JaraHurd - 8-2-2008 at 09:24 AM

When is the best time of day to cross into TJ for this tourist card? Is the early morning best? Is the immigration office open 24-7 or just during business hours? If I cross at 5:00 a.m. will the line(s) be short and the office open?

Last time I purchased a tourist card (last May) I missed the office in TJ cuz I did not see it. I went to Ensensad. No one was manning any of the offices except the bank (of course!). After waiting an hour or so, some people showed up. I was fined $6 for not getting a card in TJ.....I think it required three seperate steps. It was somewhat confusing and my fluent Spanish came in VERY handy. ...

OH..the advice on the FINAL STAMP is very important. I was told by the guy who fined me that it is common for people to leave prior to getting that... .J

Lorin - 8-2-2008 at 09:25 AM

Thank you Diane. I would be crossing into Mexico at the San Ysidro checkpoint. So there is bank right there at the immigration place to pay for the visa. I'm guessing that to get the visa, I would have to cross and pay at normal banking hours. Thanks again. Lorin

DianaT - 8-2-2008 at 09:27 AM

All is open at that border 24/7, immigration and the bank ---- we like to cross early in the morning, way less traffic.

Both of you have FUN!

Diane

Oh, we used to get it at the Discover Baja Club and since we live close by, we would walk over and get it stamped. Since we were moving stuff down to Bahia Asuncion, we really did not want to park in the secondary area.

[Edited on 8-2-2008 by jdtrotter]

David K - 8-2-2008 at 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JaraHurd
When is the best time of day to cross into TJ for this tourist card? Is the early morning best? Is the immigration office open 24-7 or just during business hours? If I cross at 5:00 a.m. will the line(s) be short and the office open?

Last time I purchased a tourist card (last May) I missed the office in TJ cuz I did not see it. I went to Ensensad. No one was manning any of the offices except the bank (of course!). After waiting an hour or so, some people showed up. I was fined $6 for not getting a card in TJ.....I think it required three seperate steps. It was somewhat confusing and my fluent Spanish came in VERY handy. ...

OH..the advice on the FINAL STAMP is very important. I was told by the guy who fined me that it is common for people to leave prior to getting that... .J

IF you don't find anyone at the INM office (like a 2 am or ?) then walk through the hallway near the bank teller to the pedestrian entrance (back side of offices) where there will be officials to get your FM-T...

Mexicali INM (Migra) is also open 24 hours, but not sure about a bank teller there also being 24/7.

Tecate bank is across the street from the border gate office, but I think normal bank hours for them. The Tecate border in not open 24 hours (6 am- 10 pm? maybe 12 am?)

Lorin - 8-2-2008 at 09:39 AM

Thank you all who have replied. I'm very grateful to get so much helpful information and so quickly. This is a great resource and I'll probably have more questions in the near future. Lorin

DianaT - 8-2-2008 at 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Tecate bank is across the street from the border gate office, but I think normal bank hours for them. The Tecate border in not open 24 hours (6 am- 10 pm? maybe 12 am?)

I think it is 12 am at Tecate---forgot it closes.

Since we live fairly close, we also used to drive out to Tecate, park on the US side, walk over and get our FM3s. Also, the immigration people there we have always found to be especially nice.

We have had FMTs stamped and even our FM3s stamped with just me in the office as John circled the block---they know parking is impossible.

Also, we always come back to the US through Tecate with an average of a 5 to 10 minute wait --- sometimes no wait at all. It is worth it to us to drive the extra miles and not sit in that awful line---and we live a stones throw from San Ysidro.

Have great trips.
Diane

Oh, I just remembered. When a friend of ours crossed at San Ysidro late at night right after Christmas, the immigration man told him that he was not sure if the bank was open, so he could pay him the fee for the stamp at a little bit of a discount since it was Christmas time. Our friend asked us if this was the usual procedure. He seriouly did not know that it was not legal, but he got the stamp. :rolleyes:

[Edited on 8-2-2008 by jdtrotter]

David K - 8-2-2008 at 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lorin
Thank you all who have replied. I'm very grateful to get so much helpful information and so quickly. This is a great resource and I'll probably have more questions in the near future. Lorin

I am glad you found us Lorin... Do check out the Baja Trip Reprts Forum, here on Nomad... It is a great resource to read (and see) about places in Baja Nomads went to...

I have a list of links to photos of many parts of Baja, as well: http://community-2.webtv.net/vivabaja/tours To help you decide what you would like to see...

woody with a view - 8-2-2008 at 10:26 AM

my insurance states, in micro type,"failure to obtain tourist permit MAY invalidate your insurance."

bajaguy - 8-2-2008 at 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter
....Also, we always come back to the US through Tecate with an average of a 5 to 10 minute wait --- sometimes no wait at all. It is worth it to us to drive the extra miles and not sit in that awful line---and we live a stones throw from San Ysidro..........

Diane

[Edited on 8-2-2008 by jdtrotter]

Diane...........time to get your SENTRI......longest wait at Otay....12 minutes

DianaT - 8-2-2008 at 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Diane...........time to get your SENTRI......longest wait at Otay....12 minutes

Thinking about it, but still not sure we like the idea of Blvd. 2000----but I don't want to start that argument again. :lol:

Diane

[Edited on 8-2-2008 by jdtrotter]

Insurance and accidents

thebajarunner - 8-2-2008 at 11:48 AM

Another good reason to have the tourist permit is in case you have an accident, even a very minor one where the cops arrive.
The permit won't help, but lack of a permit will surely complicate things for you.
And, the insurance may be a problem as well.
The permit is easy to get, and worth the trouble.
And if you plan to return to Baja within six months be sure they stamp it for six, then you are set for the next crossing.

jodiego - 8-3-2008 at 07:44 AM

When was the last time anyone had their tourist permit checked at Maneadero?

CaboRon - 8-3-2008 at 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
my insurance states, in micro type,"failure to obtain tourist permit MAY invalidate your insurance."

Woody,
That is the truth ....

People who do not get their visa or tourist permit do NOT have valid Mexican Auto Insurance.

CaboRon

jodiego - 8-11-2008 at 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
my insurance states, in micro type,"failure to obtain tourist permit MAY invalidate your insurance."

Woody,
That is the truth ....

People who do not get their visa or tourist permit do NOT have valid Mexican Auto Insurance.

CaboRon

Correct me if I am wrong, but my undertstanding is you do not need a tourist permit if you are not traveling south of Ensenada. And if that is the case, is your insurance valid or invalid without that permit??

CaboRon - 8-11-2008 at 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jodiego

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
my insurance states, in micro type,"failure to obtain tourist permit MAY invalidate your insurance."

Woody,
That is the truth ....

People who do not get their visa or tourist permit do NOT have valid Mexican Auto Insurance.

CaboRon

Excellent question ....

Contact your carrior ....

It may be expressly written in those pages of tiny print that constitute your insurance contract.

CaboRon

jodiego - 8-11-2008 at 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon

Quote:

Originally posted by jodiego

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
my insurance states, in micro type,"failure to obtain tourist permit MAY invalidate your insurance."

Woody,
That is the truth ....

People who do not get their visa or tourist permit do NOT have valid Mexican Auto Insurance.

CaboRon

Excellent question ....

Contact your carrior ....

It may be expressly written in those pages of tiny print that constitute your insurance contract.

CaboRon

Thanks Ron. I will do that. One more question.....Is there a difference between a tourist permit and a tourist visa?

David K - 8-11-2008 at 08:07 AM

jodiego, here our my answers for your questions:

"When was the last time anyone had their tourist permit checked at Maneadero?"

It has been many years since the Maneadero immigration checkpoint has operated... The last time I remember using it to get a tourist card was about 1980.

"Correct me if I am wrong, but my undertstanding is you do not need a tourist permit if you are not traveling south of Ensenada. And if that is the case, is your insurance valid or invalid without that permit??"

The written law on FM-T (tourist card/ tourist visa) is that it is required for ANY stay in Mexico over 72 hours (anywhere in Mexico)... It has been reported by tourism and STATE officials in Baja Norte that it is 7 days now, but I have not seen any FEDERAL letterhead that shows a change from 72 hours. ALSO the FM-T is required if you go south of Maneadero or San Felipe for any time (even less than 72 hours).

I talked with one insurance agent once about that, and his reply is that they never refused to cover a client based on the lack of possesion of a tourist card... However, why take a risk and why be illegal in Mexico when it isn't too hard to be legal? With the (now) free 7 day FM-T, it isn't a financial hardship for large families to travel in Baja (if for 7 days or less).

"One more question.....Is there a difference between a tourist permit and a tourist visa?"

NO

jodiego - 8-11-2008 at 12:54 PM

Thanks for all the info David.