BajaNomad - Please update me

Please update me

jodiego - 9-23-2009 at 06:35 AM

Hola Nomads. I've been off this board for quite some time, mostly because I haven't made any trips south. But I am planning a short 3-day visit for some surf and camping just south of Rosarito and would like some quick updates. Do they check every vehicle entering Mexico now? Are the routes into and out of baja the same.... take the first right and follow the border fence to La Playa and on to the toll road? Is insurance required now or is it still an option? (read a post that says they check your insurance as you enter baja). Upon our return, should we expect a trip to secondary because we have a motor home? Is a passport the only document needed to return or is there an alternative for my buddy who does not have one. And last but not least, when is the best day to cross back into the USA to avoid those bothersome shoot-outs at the border? Thanks. Hope everyone is doing well.

DENNIS - 9-23-2009 at 08:01 AM

Everything is pretty much as you remember it. No radical changes.
Wednesday is the best day to cross to avoid being caught in a crossfire. That's Wednesday between 2:30 and 3:00 in the afternoon.

Taco de Baja - 9-23-2009 at 08:10 AM

Do they check every vehicle entering Mexico now?
Don’t know. They did not at the end of July. I don't think there are enough lanes or space to really do that.

Are the routes into and out of baja the same.... take the first right and follow the border fence to La Playa and on to the toll road?
Worked for us at the end of July

Is insurance required now or is it still an option? (read a post that says they check your insurance as you enter baja).
MANDATORY! You will go to jail if you are in an accident and don’t have this. Get some, its cheap.

Upon our return, should we expect a trip to secondary because we have a motor home?
Always expect a trip to secondary if you are in a motor home, a fully loaded camper or pick-up.

Is a passport the only document needed to return or is there an alternative for my buddy who does not have one.
Your buddy NEEDS a passport to cross back. It is the law. If he does not have one, he better have all these: birth certificate, SS card, driver’s license, utility bill, pay stub…and expect that trip to secondary. If he is a citizen they will let him back in but count on a stern talking to, and they may even make you wait around a while as punishment. Your buddy should at least APPLY for one so it is in the system. There is a cheaper option for a passport card, if he does not want to pay the cost of a passport book, but it is basically only good for travel between Mexico, USA and Canada.

And last but not least, when is the best day to cross back into the USA to avoid those bothersome shoot-outs at the border?
Every day I have crossed lately have been 1-2 hours.

Martyman - 9-23-2009 at 09:39 AM

If you have surfboards visible...hide your stash well. My friend

puts a sealed film cannister in his peanut butter jar.

DENNIS - 9-23-2009 at 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taco de Baja
Is insurance required now or is it still an option? (read a post that says they check your insurance as you enter baja).
MANDATORY! You will go to jail if you are in an accident and don’t have this. Get some, its cheap.

TdB.....I know you meant "strongly suggested." There is no mandate that one MUST have insurance but, as you mentioned, "Crazy if you don't."

Woooosh - 9-23-2009 at 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Martyman
If you have surfboards visible...hide your stash well. My friend

puts a sealed film cannister in his peanut butter jar.

Why even take the chance crossing back? When I was a much much younger surfer- I use to bury my stash container at my secret surf spot and top it with a rock marker. Worked for many years-even with friends knowing where it was. (worked for firearms too)

jodiego - 9-23-2009 at 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

Quote:

Originally posted by Martyman
If you have surfboards visible...hide your stash well. My friend

puts a sealed film cannister in his peanut butter jar.

WHOA THERE NELLIE!!!! Some camping, surfing, eating, drinking, relaxing......no drugs. Years ago it was no problema, but one would have to be an idiot to try to get anything herbal across the border going in either direction these days. I value my freedom much more than getting high (boy I'm getting old). Anyway, muchas gracias to all for the great information. It's kind of funny, as much as one hears about all the changes in Mexico, nothing really does change. That's what I love about the place.

Taco de Baja - 9-23-2009 at 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by WooooshWhy even take the chance crossing back? When I was a much much younger surfer- I use to bury my stash container at my secret surf spot and top it with a rock marker. Worked for many years-even with friends knowing where it was. (worked for firearms too)

Someplace in the 7 sister’s area is a kilo of pot sealed in red cellophane along with a rusty, but loaded M-16 type gun, and a jacket that a friend found while hiking in the dunes along the coast. He originally found them spread out in a 100 foot line from the coast heading into the desert; first the pot, then the jammed gun, then the jacket. After his heart recovered and he realized that was no one around, and there was no body, he deeply buried everything together….and did not even take a sample.

No Country for Old Men

wessongroup - 9-23-2009 at 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taco de Baja

Quote:

And where would 7 sisters area be? :lol:

Von - 9-23-2009 at 11:57 AM

7 sisters here comes my 7 brothers~~ :lol:

No there not checking every single car going south but having a motorhome you will be morethan likely searched I cross 2xs a week mornings and eve. You only need a passport to cross the border no worries ~~ and ta know not to drive at night dawgrrrr~~ have fun and how far south of Rosarito are ya going? Im at k31~~

Martyman - 9-23-2009 at 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
[Why even take the chance crossing back? When I was a much much younger surfer- I use to bury my stash container at my secret surf spot and top it with a rock marker. Worked for many years-even with friends knowing where it was. (worked for firearms too)

Ohh, don't worry 'bout us. San nicolas hotel room 206, behind the painting