We are going to Ensenada in Nov. 2011. We will fly into San Diego, take the bus and trolley to the border and walk across the bridge into Tijuana.
We will NOT be renting or driving a car at all. I have heard conflicting info about the tourist card. We will NOT be going anywhere other than
Ensenada and will be there 13-15 days max.
I was told that Ensenada is in the tourist zone and therefore the tourist card was not necessary. Other people say cover your behind and buy one.
What do you folks say, based on the info I have provided? If we should get the card, how much is it?
Thanks,
Funkynassauwoody with a view - 5-7-2011 at 06:25 PM
No, it is unneeded if you stay in ensenada. they say 7 days max, but when "they" ask you for it (100-1 odds they won't) you say this is your first day
in town.funkynassau - 5-7-2011 at 06:58 PM
Thanks for your reply!krafty - 5-7-2011 at 06:59 PM
I agree, you will be finefunkynassau - 5-7-2011 at 07:06 PM
I hope you folks are right! I've never done this before, so am concerned about doing the right thing. I've flown into P. Vallarta and Manzanillo and
therefore had the proper card, but this is different.
Thanks!woody with a view - 5-7-2011 at 07:19 PM
yes, it is different. it's baja!
the right thing
bajaguy - 5-7-2011 at 07:29 PM
If you are staying 13-14 days, get the card........it's the right thing to do, and it's the law (such as it is in Baja)........the cost is about $23
US...........you MAY never need it, but if you do need it, you will have it.DENNIS - 5-7-2011 at 08:33 PM
You'll walk right by the INM office so inconvenience can't be an issue. Go ahead and get the card.David K - 5-7-2011 at 08:49 PM
In print, I have only seen the border zone exemption period if time to be 72 hours...
Longer than that ANYWHERE in Mexico requires a Tourist Card.
A 7 day card is free.
Ensenada (and at least south to Punta Banda/ Maneadero) is in the border zone... perhaps further.
The 72 hour part has never been changed, however... Yes, some officials have apparently said a week is okay without it... but where is that written in
official FEDERAL publications?
Seriously... NOBODY asks for it... but don't break the law after 72 hours... or (as someone above said), just say that was your first day in Mexico!jeremias - 5-7-2011 at 10:25 PM
nobody will ever ask for it..........DENNIS - 5-8-2011 at 06:15 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by jeremias
nobody will ever ask for it..........
Probably not although getting the document would be the "Honorable Guest" thing to do. That's worth something.woody with a view - 5-8-2011 at 06:22 AM
yeah, what am i thinking. i can't stand illegal aliens, unless they go home after their vacation.
get it.BigWooo - 5-8-2011 at 06:28 AM
If serious accident occurs (vehicle or otherwise), and you need to be evacuated ASAP back to the U.S. for medical care, and you don't have proper
immigration paperwork, you're exit from the country could be delayed. The chances that something would happen, or that you would be delayed are
slim... but it has happened to others, why take the chance?
Get the card. It's easy and it's good insurance that you won't have problems.
[Edited on 5-8-2011 by BigWooo]mcfez - 5-8-2011 at 07:06 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
No, it is unneeded if you stay in ensenada. they say 7 days max, but when "they" ask you for it (100-1 odds they won't) you say this is your first day
in town.
I agree here.
I have been going to Mexico (Baja too) for a hundred years and never have I or anyone traveling with me.....been asked to show their tourist card.
Your mod of travel....i am sure that you are a seasoned traveler...I advise you not to wear fancy cloths and/or jewelry. Blend in.funkynassau - 5-9-2011 at 11:21 AM
FWIW hubby and I are Canadian and would have pre-arranged travel/medical insurance etc. before we leave home.
Yes we have traveled a fair bit, and we travel only with one backpack each, not a bunch of suitcases etc. We really do travel light!
Fancy clothes? Not us, we are jeans and t shirt people, my watch came from Walmart we do not attract attention, I'm sure of it.
Thanks for all of the replies!Bajahowodd - 5-9-2011 at 05:49 PM
Bottom line is a combo of what has been written above. Especially, if you are in possession of your passports, and are using only public transit,
there's a 99.9% chnace not having a tourist card will not negatively affect you. Especially given the idea that Dennis mentioned about telling anyone
concerned, if it even ever came up, that you are recent arrivals.
That said, I agree with others here that if you are planning a stay for long as you mentioned, not only would you be flaunting the laws of a sovereign
nation, but you would be illegal immigrants.
Pay the $20+ and feel legal. Just thinking that anyone traveling from Canada to Mexico is likely not destitute and can afford to do the right thing.funkynassau - 5-9-2011 at 07:37 PM
Yes we can afford to do the right thing. We do plan on buying the card, for $20. it would be money well spent if anything went wrong. Murphy's Law
could just be waiting to dump on us!
I think I find it sort of strange that there is not one exact definite way to do things that all would agree on. The casualness surprises me, you
cant do something like that here if you want to enter Canada and arent a citizen, you do it right or you dont get in. I assumed there'd be hard and
fast rules. I'm glad I asked this question, as I dont want to end up in a Mexican jail.
Thanks for all of the replies!DENNIS - 5-9-2011 at 07:44 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by funkynassau
I think I find it sort of strange that there is not one exact definite way to do things that all would agree on.
I think you'll find that we all agree on at least one thing....in Mexico, order and routine are secondary to chaos. Accepting this is basic to peace
of mind. You'll be fine.
Have a great trip.funkynassau - 5-10-2011 at 05:32 AM
Good way to put it! We do lead orderly and routine lives in Canada, for the most part, so we start off assuming everyone else is like that, and
that's just not so.
woody with a view - 5-10-2011 at 05:34 AM
payment for all of this advice will be accepted in the form of a complete report on your trip after you return.funkynassau - 5-10-2011 at 06:19 AM
You betcha I will send a report! It's gonna be a long 6 months til we go there...Barbarosa - 5-10-2011 at 06:45 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by funkynassau
You betcha...
Heh heh.
Yeah, you did confess you're a northern breed.wilderone - 5-10-2011 at 08:23 AM
The only conceivable reason for getting a visa for a trip planned for 13-15 days in Ensenada is that you'll have one if you get bored and decide to
travel further south. Really - if you have that much time, you can see LOTS of Baja. Take the bus to Mulege for a few days. Then a taxi to
Conception Bay for the day - you'll never forget that view. A November trip? Water should still be warm.BajaBlanca - 5-10-2011 at 08:41 AM
It is the law. We don't tolerate illegals in the U.S., so why not follow the law here as well ...... IMHO, the right thing to do is comply with the
law. you are walking towards where the office is across the border, the whole process takes maybe 15 minutes, they speak English very well. But the
bottom line is, it is the legal thing to do. Somewhere in another thread, Pompano posted photos "walking" you thru the whole process. Literally.
and secondly
IF something were to go wrong, do you think people would not say they had seen you for over a week ???? Trouble. Unnecesarily.
That all being said - have a wonderful trip to Ensenada and I highly recommend a restaurant next to the Hotel Cortez called BUGANVILA. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh
what delicious meals and you can sit in the glassed-in gazebo outside and people watch as you dine... mighty fine ...funkynassau - 5-10-2011 at 06:22 PM
We will buy the card, better safe than sorry. It's a long way from Ontario to Mexico and not without expense, so I'd like to do the right thing and
get the card. I dont want or need any hassles, even with the odds in my favour of none happening to me.
Thanks for the restaurant suggestion! I am on a hunt for the ultimate fish taco, anyone know where to find it, in Ensenada?BajaBlanca - 5-10-2011 at 06:27 PM
good decision !!
there is a list of excellent recommendations on a thread here ... maybe if you type in "restaurants" in the search box, it'll appear - I can't
remember who started it - but we all gave our suggestions and a list was compiled for many villages - towns. Was it you , Dennis ?woody with a view - 5-10-2011 at 06:27 PM
Anthony's?
Fish Tacos
bajaguy - 5-10-2011 at 07:47 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by funkynassau
Thanks for the restaurant suggestion! I am on a hunt for the ultimate fish taco, anyone know where to find it, in Ensenada?
Marco Antonio's, on Rayon Street in Ensenada. Grilled Salmon or Tuna!!!!!!
Or Lupita's on the Bunta Banda road.
[Edited on 5-11-2011 by bajaguy]DENNIS - 5-10-2011 at 07:49 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Was it you , Dennis ?
Not me, Blanca, but I'm sure I was in the mix.
Unlike Woody's suggestion, they don't rent or sell real Tacos at Anthony's and don't bother looking for a decent Fish Taco across the street at the
fish market. Those are terrible.
I'll let others here steer you in the right direction.
Are you relying on public transportation in Ensenada?BajaNomad - 5-10-2011 at 08:46 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by funkynassau
I am on a hunt for the ultimate fish taco, anyone know where to find it, in Ensenada?
You folks are incredibly helpful here, thanks for the fish taco suggestions! I read elsewhere that the fish market on the malecon in Ensenada had
good fish tacos. Does anyone here agree with that?
I will check out the links, and write down the names of the restaurants. I will also do more reading here for options.
Thanks! DENNIS - 5-11-2011 at 06:15 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by funkynassau
I read elsewhere that the fish market on the malecon in Ensenada had good fish tacos. Does anyone here agree with that?
I just mentioned the place two posts back.funkynassau - 5-11-2011 at 10:34 AM
I did see that but thought maybe there's more than one fish market, sorry!
As for public transportation, yes we will be taking the bus and walking too, as we do like to walk.DENNIS - 5-11-2011 at 11:20 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by funkynassau
As for public transportation, yes we will be taking the bus and walking too, as we do like to walk.
That's good. Ensenada is a big city.
By the way...are you going to be on the internet while you're in Ensenada? Being able to ask questions as they arise would serve you well.
.
[Edited on 5-11-2011 by DENNIS]funkynassau - 5-11-2011 at 07:00 PM
Yes we will be online while in Ensenada and I'm sure we'll have questions, I always have a question about something
we do not attract attention, I'm sure of it.
