BajaNomad

Tecate to SQ trip

Curt63 - 10-4-2009 at 09:23 PM

I'm heading down to SQ for some Panga fishing, surfing and quadding this coming weekend. Probably camping at Los Olivos.

Any border, road conditions, checkpoint or other?? I should be aware of?

Any suggestions for a Panguero out of SQ?

Thanks, Curt

wessongroup - 10-4-2009 at 10:28 PM

Can only help as far as La Fonda, new construction was finished through T.J., with a transition onto the Playa T.J. completed, with the exception of the painted lines for the lanes and a few other directional signs not in place.

But, over all was a very smooth drive. Only one spot on the Toll Road, which is down to just two lanes for a short strech, may be a mile it that.. then back to two lanes divided both ways to La Fonda exit...

We came down on the 1st.:):)

redhilltown - 10-4-2009 at 11:23 PM

I guess you are headed south through Tecate? Still lots of construction in valley but now it is more towards the actual wine country and a big stretch is finished more south towards Ensenada...what is completed is really nice! Not as many delays as the construction is in less hilly areas. While not a panga captain per se, Captain Juan Cook is awesome out of SQ. Really really nice guy and you can find him through his postings on Bloodydecks.com via the Mexico/Baja forum. If you are getting your tourist card at Tecate allow for a little bit of time as you have to do the paper work at the border, then walk down the street to a bank to pay, and then walk back up to finish. No big deal by Mexico standards but it can take up to an hour depending on parking and lines at the bank. Don't forget to check the other postings on here about going into Mexico and the border inspections (a bit of a delay through TJ but I am not sure about Tecate.) Have fun!

rts551 - 10-5-2009 at 07:26 AM

What happened to the bank across from the immigration office. It was there last month?

Phil S - 10-5-2009 at 07:54 AM

We figured out a quick way. Join Vagabundo del Mar out of Rio Vista Ca Look up their website. vagabundodelmar.com
They did our FMT after we sent the printed form off the internet completed in return to our home in Oregon in about ten days. Now all we do is walk in to the Tecate office & have them stamp it, and we are off to Loreto next month.
See ya then Ed & Barb

Diver - 10-5-2009 at 07:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
We figured out a quick way. Join Vagabundo del Mar out of Rio Vista Ca Look up their website. vagabundodelmar.com
They did our FMT after we sent the printed form off the internet completed in return to our home in Oregon in about ten days. Now all we do is walk in to the Tecate office & have them stamp it, and we are off to Loreto next month.
See ya then Ed & Barb


Discover Baja will do the same.
Although with the bank about 50' away from the immigration office in Tecate', it doesn't really matter. Besides, I pay for the FMT at the bank with large US bills and get back pesos for my trip at bank rates.
.

oldjack - 10-5-2009 at 08:21 AM

Folks... two weeks ago the bank across the street from the immigration office WAS NOT AN OPTION... they are now sending applicants two blocks into town to the large bank on the sw corner(bancomer???) I didn't pay attention to the name at the time... they have a non-account holder line that is to be used... I was in/out and on my way in about 25 minutes total...

jureal - 10-5-2009 at 12:19 PM

I have never got a tourist visa for my trips to Sn Quintin. Has the regs changed? Here is a link that extends the boarder area to Sn Quintin.
http://www.mexonline.com/visamex.htm

Curt63 - 10-5-2009 at 02:11 PM

Thanks for your comments everybody.

Hey Ralph, How did Kevin do in the GN 200?
Any Jimena damage?

Cheers, Curt

rts551 - 10-5-2009 at 02:17 PM

No Jimena damage. light winds and 3-4 hours of rain.

Kevin crashed hard about a 3rd of the way through. Could not continue. Bike is fixed and the next race is this month in La Bocana.

Bajahowodd - 10-5-2009 at 03:56 PM

jureal- Not certain about the idea that your link to Mexonline was an old page, but even if there was an extension to San Quintin, the rule is still 72 hours. So, your Mexican auto insurance could be jeopardized should you still be in Mexico more than 72 hours. The FM-T for seven days is free, and therefore very much worth the time to stop and get it.