BajaNomad

Last minute questions on TJ to La Paz

mirko - 12-21-2012 at 09:00 PM

We are flying from Tijuana to La paz tomorrow. Crossing the border at Otay Mesa and leaving the car at Delta Truck Parking. So far so good and we are happy with our decision. I am a little confused as to needed documents. We both have US passports. I understand that we need to get tourist cards to enter Mexico. TextMy recollection is that we take a cab to the TJ airport and we get our tourist cards at the airport and they have to paid for in pesos. They also have to be turned back in on our return, a week later. Text. I am having a difficult time finding the appropriate threads this evening in order to get this clarified. I believe this has been answered before. Sorry to be a pest.

Thanks in advance,

Mirko

[Edited on 12-22-2012 by mirko]

Curt63 - 12-21-2012 at 09:22 PM

Your recollection is correct. You can pay for the tourist visa with US$. If you dont turn the visa back in no one ever knows. Its good for 180 days.

Bien Viaje

Bajaboy - 12-21-2012 at 09:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Curt63
If you dont turn the visa back in no one ever knows. Its good for 180 days.

Bien Viaje


You know...I think this might be a changing...while getting my FMT in Tecate, I notice a sign which has a section that is highlighted. It says something to the effect that you must return the FMT BEFORE it expires. Also of note, the immigration agent scanned our passports.

Just a heads-up.....

David K - 12-21-2012 at 09:48 PM

Flying is different than driving. They collect your fmm on your return flight.

Bajaboy - 12-21-2012 at 09:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Flying is different than driving. They collect your fmm on your return flight.


Not when you're flying within Mexico from what I understand:light:

willardguy - 12-21-2012 at 09:53 PM

ever wonder what they do with those collected fmm's? I wonder........:?:

CortezBlue - 12-21-2012 at 10:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Flying is different than driving. They collect your fmm on your return flight.


Not when you're flying within Mexico from what I understand:light:


Agree
You only pay the FMM or whatever it is going to be called now, while traveling into Mexico from outside of Mexico. When flying Intrastate you would have to buy the FMM yourself

woody with a view - 12-22-2012 at 07:48 AM

we went to cabo in october. the airline looked at our passports and never asked about an fmm either direction.

edit: you are already in the country. if you fly from LA or NY you must produce an fmm that the airline will give you.

[Edited on 12-22-2012 by woody with a view]

Curt63 - 12-22-2012 at 08:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
we went to cabo in october. the airline looked at our passports and never asked about an fmm either direction


That was our experience in Oct 2012 Flying TJ to La Paz. They did not collect our FMM.

David K - 12-22-2012 at 11:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Curt63
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
we went to cabo in october. the airline looked at our passports and never asked about an fmm either direction


That was our experience in Oct 2012 Flying TJ to La Paz. They did not collect our FMM.


Excellent!

Marc - 12-22-2012 at 07:05 PM

They do not collect papers exiting Messico by car. Only by air.

David K - 12-23-2012 at 10:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
They do not collect papers exiting Messico by car. Only by air.


... and you would think if they wanted to (or it was important to them) that they would have a booth you drove past on your way back to the the USA? A drop bucket would be fine: "Place your FMM Tourist Cards Here":light:

mirko - 1-1-2013 at 12:39 AM

jUst a quick report.

Back from La Paz, flying from TJ. Drove from OC to Otay Mesa real quick, leaving from ORange County at around 6 AM. Parked at Delta Trucking as recommended here. Smooth as silk. They shuttled us to the border and we crossed on foot. Hit the button at Mexican immigration and got the red, meaning inspection. Mexican guy just briefly looked at one of our bags and off we went. Taxi to the airport was around $12. Airport was a madhouse but I don't think it was anyone's fault. One continious line for all Volaris flight, lasting about 1.5 hours. This was 12-22 AM and it looked like everyone was flying that day. All in all, handled about as efficiently as one can expect. Got our permits at a small kiosk next to the entry to the scanners, after getting Pesos at another kiosk.

Landing in La Paz was easy, since we had already cleared customs and immigration in TJ.

Comming back was real simple. Plane was not full and we were able to move to the first row, which offered more legroom. Plane was not full. This was 12-29-12. Took another cab from TJ airport to border for $15. Very short line to walk into US, maybe 15 minutes. They didn't even ask what we were bringing. Ran our luggage through a scanner and there we were on the sidewalk in the US. Called Delta from cellphone and they were there to pick us up at First Bank, next to the border, in about 10 minutes. $48 for 8 days of parking and they had our car right up front. Out of there in no time. Longer than usual ride home in the rain.

Very happy with our choice of Volaris and Delta Trucking parking in Otay Mesa.

mirko - 1-1-2013 at 12:44 AM

One more thing, I tried to hand back the immigration form we bought from a kiosk in TJ. Immigration officer told me to keep it since it was good for 6 months. He was very nice, patted me on the back. Good lunches and breakfast everywhere in La Paz. Favorite was Los Magueyes. Best dinner was Tres Virgenes. Outstanding, albeit expensive. $100 for two, including a $35 bottle of very good white wine. Memorable baby greeens, pears and strawberry salad with candied walnuts. Caesar salad prepared at our table was outstanding as well. First class place. Our 27th year in a row vacationing in La Paz. What a place!

David K - 1-1-2013 at 08:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mirko
One more thing, I tried to hand back the immigration form we bought from a kiosk in TJ. Immigration officer told me to keep it since it was good for 6 months. He was very nice, patted me on the back. Good lunches and breakfast everywhere in La Paz. Favorite was Los Magueyes. Best dinner was Tres Virgenes. Outstanding, albeit expensive. $100 for two, including a $35 bottle of very good white wine. Memorable baby greeens, pears and strawberry salad with candied walnuts. Caesar salad prepared at our table was outstanding as well. First class place. Our 27th year in a row vacationing in La Paz. What a place!


Excellent report and informative, thank you very much!

Tres Virgenes is indeed excellent, first class quality food... owned by Baja Nomad 'Jesse', we had the best meal and service... last July. :yes:

I like that you were told by an official to KEEP your FMM for future trips which confirms what we have been doing despite reports that they are only valid for one trip during the 180 (or fewer) days they are valid for. :light:

mrfatboy - 1-9-2013 at 01:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mirko
jUst a quick report.

Back from La Paz, flying from TJ. Drove from OC to Otay Mesa real quick, leaving from ORange County at around 6 AM. Parked at Delta Trucking as recommended here. Smooth as silk. They shuttled us to the border and we crossed on foot. Hit the button at Mexican immigration and got the red, meaning inspection. Mexican guy just briefly looked at one of our bags and off we went. Taxi to the airport was around $12. Airport was a madhouse but I don't think it was anyone's fault. One continious line for all Volaris flight, lasting about 1.5 hours. This was 12-22 AM and it looked like everyone was flying that day. All in all, handled about as efficiently as one can expect. Got our permits at a small kiosk next to the entry to the scanners, after getting Pesos at another kiosk.

Landing in La Paz was easy, since we had already cleared customs and immigration in TJ.

Comming back was real simple. Plane was not full and we were able to move to the first row, which offered more legroom. Plane was not full. This was 12-29-12. Took another cab from TJ airport to border for $15. Very short line to walk into US, maybe 15 minutes. They didn't even ask what we were bringing. Ran our luggage through a scanner and there we were on the sidewalk in the US. Called Delta from cellphone and they were there to pick us up at First Bank, next to the border, in about 10 minutes. $48 for 8 days of parking and they had our car right up front. Out of there in no time. Longer than usual ride home in the rain.

Very happy with our choice of Volaris and Delta Trucking parking in Otay Mesa.



I will be going to cancun via tij on Volaris this May. This info is very helpful. How much were the tourist permits?

BajaBlanca - 1-9-2013 at 03:25 PM

thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed trip report!

I don't recall how much the FMMs are.

mirko - 1-9-2013 at 04:19 PM

Sorry, wish I could help, but I don't remember how much for the tourist permits. I recall around $30 but not sure if that was for one or two. I plan to use mine again when I go again to San Quintin this spring.