BajaGrrls - 7-12-2004 at 09:00 AM
First off, let me just say that this is my first post, so forgive me if I'm asking a redundant question. I've been following the posts on this board
and have already learned a ton of stuff. In September we're flying into San Diego and driving down to Coyote Cal?s. It looks like we need to obtain
Tourist Cards because we're going further south than Ensenada. Are most people in agreement that it's best to obtain them at the border or is it
better to do it further south? We're driving down on a Thursday afternoon, so I'm guessing that most banks will be open, but I'm trying to figure out
what will be the quickest and easiest approach. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
whodat54321 - 7-12-2004 at 09:14 AM
see the thread 'mexican tourist cards in us' down in the list of threads
elgatoloco - 7-12-2004 at 09:19 AM
The border.
Tommy A - 7-12-2004 at 09:37 AM
As soon as you cross the border, pull overto the right got to the immagration
office(its in back of the main building) then you have to go to the bank in the main building and back to the immagration office
Good luck
Tourist Cards
Bajasurf - 7-12-2004 at 11:39 AM
NO!!!! You will not need tourist cards to go to Coyote Cal's. You need tourist cards only if you are driving much further south past Guerrero Negro.
There you will be checked for tourist cards. I just came back from a 2 week trip and drove all the way to Cabo. I am going to pick up a friend of
mine at Coyote Cal's and she does not have a card and she is in her motorhome. However, if you are driving be sure to have auto insurance and to save
money buy the policy only for the days you will be actually driving your car. In other words, insurance for when you are driving to Coyote Cal's, no
need for the days the car is parked, and then for the day you drive back to California.
Thanks for the advice!
BajaGrrls - 7-12-2004 at 12:16 PM
This is why I'm still so confused. Some web sites say I need the card, and some say I don't. Even Coyote Cal's web site says you need one to travel
10 miles south of Ensenada. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. I'll plan on getting it at the border and hope for a quick transaction!
Better safe than sorry
jrbaja - 7-12-2004 at 12:21 PM
The revision at Las Ca?adas just south of Maneadero used to check for tourist cards. I haven't heard of them even stopping southbound cars lately let
alone checking for cards.
If there are people there checking, you can get them on the spot for about $20.00
Same at Guerrero Negro.
The important part is the insurance and paying attention every second while driving down here.
Tourist cards
Bajasurf - 7-12-2004 at 12:40 PM
I am driving past Coyote Cal's next week on my way to Cuarto Casas where I have a trailer. I drive to this place at least 5 times during the summer.
As I said I just drove past the turn off to Coyote Cal's 2 weeks ago and was not asked for cards until I got to Guerrero Negro which is a couple of
hundred miles past . However, the process at the Tijuana border is very easy and quick, Be sure to have a certified birth certificate( not a copy) and
another I.D. Drivers license will do. Do not drive through yellow or green blinking stop signals. Do not turn right on red stop signals. It is an
easy drive to Coyote Cal's.
Two schools of thought
bajalou - 7-12-2004 at 01:11 PM
1's is the law - It says you need them if you go south of Ensenada or stay over 72 hours anywhere in Mex.
The second is - No one checks so why get one?
Take your pick -
And it seems like the ones that conplain the most about undocumented Mexicans in the USA are the ones most likely to say "Why bother" when in Mexico.
[Edited on 7-12-2004 by bajalou]
BajaGrrls - 7-12-2004 at 02:55 PM
Good point, bajalou!
I'm going to stay on the right side of the law even if I do have to pay money that could be spent on better things. I've also read that if you're
staying less than a week, it's just a formality, but you don't have to pay. Anyone know about this? It's not that big of a deal either way, but
since it's unlikely that I'm going to make it back in the next 6 months, a 180 day permit isn't really necessary.
You might change your mind
jrbaja - 7-12-2004 at 03:00 PM
after the fun you are about to have!
BajaGrrls - 7-14-2004 at 08:33 AM
Thanks Grover! 
I'm really looking forward to this trip. About 6 or 7 years ago I took a surf trip down the Baja coast and I've been wanting to return ever since.
This forum is a great resource.