BajaNomad - Need Plan B - No FMM At Chaparral Until 11/5/12

Need Plan B - No FMM At Chaparral Until 11/5/12

AlanDow - 10-30-2012 at 07:43 PM

Well based on the latest from Baja Bound - that the immigration office at the new El Chaparral north to south crossing will not open until November 5th, I guess it is time to come up with “plan B”, since the old crossing with the immigration office and bank is now closed most of the time, and my wife and I are planning on crossing for our trip to Asuncion this Sunday November 4th.

We have never crossed at Otay Mesa or Tecate – I have seen some posts about getting the FMM in Tecate, and my main question regarding that option is – is the bank in Tecate that is nearest the immigration office going to be open on Sunday to allow us to have our FMM validated (we plan to cross about mid-day Sunday)?

I have seen no prior Baja Nomad posts about getting the FMM at Otay Mesa – is it convenient and straight forward there (do you park in secondary as with the now closed San Ysidro crossing, is the immigration office close by and easy to find, and again is there a bank open on Sunday nearby, etc)? Then the other concern with this option is how easy or difficult is it to get from Otay Mesa through Tijuana to the toll road south, etc?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and help deciding on our “plan B”- it is much appreciated.

bajaguy - 10-30-2012 at 08:01 PM

Alan......check your u2u message

David K - 10-30-2012 at 08:04 PM

How about posting the Otay details for all to see?

Persoanally, we just walked across at San Ysidro/Tijuana last July a week before our trip and bought the FMMs at the INM office (first door when you enter Mexico on foot)... and they accept the money there now, no more walking to a bank teller... however, that is only during reasonable hours, not 24/7. See my July trip report for the details!

willardguy - 10-30-2012 at 08:04 PM

how about ensenada?

Bajaboy - 10-30-2012 at 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
How about posting the Otay details for all to see?

Persoanally, we just walked across at San Ysidro/Tijuana last July a week before our trip and bought the FMMs at the INM office (first door when you enter Mexico on foot)... and they accept the money there now, no more walking to a bank teller... however, that is only during reasonable hours, not 24/7. See my July trip report for the details!

DK-the pedestrian lane has moved. Not sure it's that easy anymore based on what my friends told me last week when they walked across.

bajaguy - 10-30-2012 at 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
How about posting the Otay details for all to see?

DK..........I won't post the info in these forums.......I'm tired of the "legends in their own mind" and the Baja keyboard commandos who have never obtained an FMM at Otay or who have never crossed at Otay and taken Corridor (Blvd) 2000 to the free/toll road to Ensenada giving me crap.......I'm sure you can relate.

David K - 10-30-2012 at 08:30 PM

BajaGuy, please don't let the Internet idiots stop you from posting good stuff... I can relate, but the countless numbers who thank me off line, in person, etc. will keep me sharing Baja the way I have been since I got on the Internet 14 years ago!

bajaguy - 10-30-2012 at 08:38 PM

If somebody wants 'em, they can u2u me

AlanDow - 10-31-2012 at 07:50 AM

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Regarding Ensenada, that would only work if that immigration office is open Sunday (when we are passing through) my assumption is that away from the boarder crossings, the immigration offices are probably not open Sundays - anyone know for sure if Ensenada immigration is open on Sundays?

I also remember from prior posts that Guerrero Negro has an immigration office (and we would be passing through there on Monday) however I also remember reading that if you wait until you are that far south without having previously gotten your FMM the fine is about $100 USD per person.

At this point it looks like Otay is my best bet for getting our FMM for a crossing before Nov 5th (when the El Chaparral immigration office is scheduled to open). Thanks

Ensenada Immigration

bajaguy - 10-31-2012 at 07:57 AM

Not a fact, but I have heard that people have been "fined" for getting FMM (FM-T) in Ensenada......"you should have obtained your papers at the border"....

cliffh - 10-31-2012 at 08:15 AM

Tecate was a chip shot mon, pulled up in 36ft. 5th wheel, couple with us needed tourist cards, let them out at inspection station went around the block parked next imm office on side street. They went through Vagabondo so all they needed was to be stamped Approx 10min wait never looked inside. Enjoying Estero Beach RV park for a few days then off to Buena Vista.

Oggie - 10-31-2012 at 02:12 PM

We crossed last friday at San Ysidro at 4:00pm. I stayed to the left to use to old port, so I could get my wife's prepaid FMM stamped. It looked as though all of the offices by the old secondary were closed. We just headed south.

INM Hours

bajaguy - 10-31-2012 at 02:21 PM

As of July 24, 2012, the Otay Mesa INM (Mexican Immigration) office is open 365 days a year from 6AM to 10PM

Ateo - 10-31-2012 at 02:29 PM

I got a tourist card in Ensenada in 2007 no problemo. There is a legit office just as you enter Ensenada proper next to the shipyards. Or there was one in 2007. I believe there is even a nice blue "migratorio" sign or something pointing the way to the office.

BajaBlanca - 10-31-2012 at 07:21 PM

Ateo - new law says you must get "legal" at the border and you will get fined in Ensenada.

My suggestion is to prepay at baja bound or at the Mexican consulate. Getting stamped can be done anywhere. Once paid, you are legal, as far as I know.

David K - 11-1-2012 at 07:30 AM

The rules seem to change from office to office or from trip to trip. It is safest to have the tourist card at the start of your trip then to hope to get one 70 or 450 miles south.

Mula - 11-1-2012 at 07:33 AM

Discover Baja also does FMM's.

bajaguy - 11-1-2012 at 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mula
Discover Baja also does FMM's.

But first, you have to join, then you still need to stop and get it stamped. No advantage now that INM accepts payments. Just stop at INM, fill out paperwork, pay and have it stamped all at one place and one time.....................but people will do what they feel comfortable with.

Ateo - 11-1-2012 at 08:05 AM

Thanks Blanca. Of course my skeptical thinking cap asks, what if someone came in via sail boat to Ensenada.....would they have to drive to TJ to get a card if they didn't want a fine?

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Ateo - new law says you must get "legal" at the border and you will get fined in Ensenada.

My suggestion is to prepay at baja bound or at the Mexican consulate. Getting stamped can be done anywhere. Once paid, you are legal, as far as I know.

Ateo - 11-1-2012 at 08:06 AM

Yep. Makes sense. Do you know if INM accepts plastic (credit card/debit card) or is it all pesos? I think last time I got one I remember having to pay cash pesos. Gracias.

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by Mula
Discover Baja also does FMM's.

bajaguy - 11-1-2012 at 08:09 AM

Pesos..........you can usually get your dollars exchanged right near INM by the guys/gals wearing green or yellow vests selling insurance.

David K - 11-1-2012 at 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo
Thanks Blanca. Of course my skeptical thinking cap asks, what if someone came in via sail boat to Ensenada.....would they have to drive to TJ to get a card if they didn't want a fine?

Quote:

INM located at ports are there FOR boat arrivals... If they issue one for a land traveler, then consider yourself lucky. In the past, they either would not issue them to those in cars or charge a fine.... in the past.

David K - 11-1-2012 at 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo
Yep. Makes sense. Do you know if INM accepts plastic (credit card/debit card) or is it all pesos? I think last time I got one I remember having to pay cash pesos. Gracias.

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by Mula
Discover Baja also does FMM's.

Last July, at Tijuana (San Ysidro), the INM officer accepted pesos OR dollars for the FMM fee. The exchange rate was not as favorable as the Casa de Cambio rate if you do use dollars.

bajaguy - 11-1-2012 at 08:48 AM

It's Mexico.........

Jack Swords - 11-1-2012 at 10:16 AM

Coming in by sailboat, from Latitude 38. Baja Haha is on the way to Cabo now.

"Neil Shroyer of Marina de La Paz reports that "we", by which we presume he means the Mexican Marina Owners' Association, had a meeting with Immigration officials in Mexico City with regard to implementing the new immigration rules. Among the new rules are requirements that boats check in electronically with officials before arriving at their port of entry, that boats be inspected at their port of entry, and that no crew get off the boats anywhere in Mexico before the boats are inspected.

Shroyer reports that they have it in writing from Mexican officials that there will be no problem with this year's Baja Ha-Ha being run as it's always been run, and that they hope to set up an Immigration booth right on the docks in Cabo.

The officials also told Shroyer and others that they will "gradually" move toward implementation of the new rules. Stay tuned to 'Lectronic for the latest on any changes. It should be remembered, however, that the whole federal government will change on December 1 with the new President, so it's possible that the new rules won't ever be implemented."

castaway$ - 11-1-2012 at 06:44 PM

We will be crossing early December and we usually stay a couple days in SD and ride the trolley to the border to get our FMM, shop eat etc..., so is the old immigration office at the pedestrian crossing still going to be open or do I have to change my routine?

Martyman - 11-2-2012 at 08:15 AM

Hi;
I'm headed south on Sunday (11-4-12). So...there is no possibility of getting my tourist papers at San Ysidro at the old or the new crossing? Do I have to go to Otay or Tecate? Thanks, I'm leaving NorCal today (friday).
Thanks
Marty

paranewbi - 11-4-2012 at 01:08 PM

INM Hours

"As of July 24, 2012, the Otay Mesa INM (Mexican Immigration) office is open 365 days a year from 6AM to 10PM"

Does this mean the Bank is open the same hours to pay at?

bajaguy - 11-4-2012 at 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by paranewbi
INM Hours

"As of July 24, 2012, the Otay Mesa INM (Mexican Immigration) office is open 365 days a year from 6AM to 10PM"

Does this mean the Bank is open the same hours to pay at?

There have been some reports that you pay INM directly now, not the bank. Cannot confirm for Otay.

David K - 11-4-2012 at 01:23 PM

Last July we were happy to discover INM now had the ability to accept cash dollars or pesos for the FMM. That was at Tijuana but confirmed at another border as well. However that was a whole 3 months ago and it is Mexico!

[Edited on 11-4-2012 by David K]

Bajaboy - 11-4-2012 at 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Last July we were happy to discover INM now had the ability to accept cash dollars or pesos for the FMM. That was at Tijuana but confirmed at another border as well. However that was a whole 3 months ago and it is Mexico!

[Edited on 11-4-2012 by David K]

by cash dollars I assume you are referring to US dollars :light: