EDITED: Are these clubs worth it? I make it to baja 2 - 3 weeks a year to remote regions. Any advice?
[Edited on 5-24-2010 by Bajamatic]Bajamatic - 5-24-2010 at 03:02 PM
also - just to clarify. IF I join and get my prepaid FM-T, do I STILL have to stop to get a stamp?sancho - 5-24-2010 at 03:21 PM
I personally don't think the Clubs in
general provide much. Although if I
lived in San Diego I may be in Discover
Baja because I believe have people who
give slide shows, etc. on Baja at their office.
I believe you can get MUCH better Insurance
Coverage, that is higher CSL Liability Limits
often at a lower price with Mex Ins Brokers
who are not affiated with a Club.
Getting a pre paid tourist card from a Club,
if in fact they have the New FMM's, which took
May 1, I believe you still have to stop at Mex IMM
to get a entry date stamp. I don't think a pre paid
card means much, it generally only takes a few minutes
at San Ysidro to get an FMMbigzaggin - 5-24-2010 at 03:49 PM
Bajamatic, Sancho is right. They can't mail you a pre-stamped card, so you'll have to stop anyway. And they don't offer the best insurance rates.
BajaBound is cheaper. The other thing you can do is get a tourist card in Ensenada - which I have personally never done. I think it's a bit more of
a pain, but doable.Bajahowodd - 5-24-2010 at 04:16 PM
Yikes! Judging from numerous previous posts, you do not want to even consider getting your card in Ensenada. That said, the "clubs" you mentioned are
for folks who feel better being a member of an affinity group. I can tell you from decades of crossings that I have never spent more than 20 minutes
start to finish, getting my card at the San Ysidro crossing. Even the 20 minute one was when there were tour buses there and I couldn't find a place
to parkDavid K - 5-24-2010 at 07:39 PM
Don't even think of stopping in Ensenada to get a tourist card!
I belong to Discover Baja because the owners are good people and have all the Baja books and maps on hand, at a discount for members. I have written a
couple of Baja articles for their magazine in the past and I do get annual insurance policies through them... (daily policies through BajaBound.com)
Sure they sell the tourist card and sure you have to stop and get it stamped... But, if you don't cross at Tijuana then there IS an advantage of the
pre-paid card... since you don't have to find an open bank, and only Tijuana border has the 24/7 teller of payment right there.
Maps?
Dave - 5-24-2010 at 08:21 PM
David, why would you, of all people, need a Baja map?irenemm - 5-24-2010 at 09:01 PM
If you stop in Ensenada and you tell them you just came down and show your toll ticket they will yell at you and may charge a fine of 56. pesos.
But if you say you came through Tecate at say 6 in the morning and it was closed he will give it to you without a big long lecture. But they are a
pain in Ensenada. Always use the Tecate crossing and a.m. you stopped along the way to see the beauty.
either way drive careful and have funDavid K - 5-24-2010 at 10:50 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
David, why would you, of all people, need a Baja map?
Just where do you think I get mine??? sancho - 5-25-2010 at 09:42 AM
However I believe Discover Baja has
a 90 day policy, which may suit
your planned time in BajaDavid K - 5-25-2010 at 07:38 PM
The one year policy (up to 90 days in Mexico, multiple entries during the year) is less expensive than the 6 month policy!
