BajaNomad

Crossing the border and Money...

Jaybo - 2-4-2013 at 03:12 PM

OK, We are crossing at El Centro/Calexico crossing on a Sunday morning. I know I will need to exchange money so I need to find out if you fine nomads have a preferred place to exchange?

I know there has been all this talk about changes in being able to withdraw money from ATM's and such. So not sure how this is going to impact me. Will I be able to take my debit card to a bank ATM and withdraw cash? Is there any daily limits? What about cheapest fees and fair exchange rate?

We are also going to be in a car that is NOT in our name. We will be on the owners Mexico insurance policy (and our insurance will cover us in the states) so I am wondering if there is any additional paperwork I might need since the vehicle does not belong to us? I'm sure a copy of the insurance will be in order. Thoughts?

..Jay

DENNIS - 2-4-2013 at 03:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jaybo
Will I be able to take my debit card to a bank ATM and withdraw cash? Is there any daily limits? What about cheapest fees and fair exchange rate?




Bank ATMs in all big grocery stores etc. My limit is $600 dollars, in Pesos, each day.
There's one ATM to steer clear of and I think it's Bancomer. Their fee is 68 Pesos per transaction when the others charge mas o menos 25 Pesos. These charges will be presented to you on the screen for your acceptace or to decline if you so choose. Just pay attention to what you agree to.

As far as other fees, I ignore that. It's the price I pay for the convenience.

sancho - 2-4-2013 at 03:37 PM

I cross at the Old Downtown crossing from Calexico
into Mexicali, I believe it is Imperial Ave that goes into
Mex, there are a few Casa de Cambios on the right
hand side of Imperial, 4-5 blks from the border, a
Mc Donalds is across the street from one. You should call
your Mex Ins Co as to the owner situation, historically
one needs a letter from the registered owner, I have
also heard, NOT VERIFIED, that Mex Cops want the
registered owner in the vehicle. Depending how
far, how long into Mex, you may also consider the
Mex Immigration tourist card, fmm. $24, for 180 days
or the free 7 day fmm, I always get one or the other
when I go into Mex, that is if your not aware of
the fmm

[Edited on 2-4-2013 by sancho]

tripledigitken - 2-4-2013 at 03:40 PM

Be sure to contact your bank and credit card companies and let them know of your travel plans.

DENNIS - 2-4-2013 at 03:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Be sure to contact your bank and credit card companies and let them know of your travel plans.



Absolutly a good idea. While you're at it, get spare cards in case a machine eats the one you're using.

Udo - 2-4-2013 at 03:49 PM

I second the statements of DENNIS as well as Ken.
It is important that you notify your home bank, or they may put a hold on foreign transactions.

Jaybo - 2-4-2013 at 03:56 PM

Dennis, Thanks on the Bancomer warning, and Ken, Ditto about notifying my bank and credit card companies! I had not thought about that!

Sancho, You raise a concern obviously. We are taking the vehicle down to SJDC for the owner so that they can use it down there and eventually drive it back to the states. Getting the letter should not be an issue I would not think. Probably should have it notarized as well I would think. Since the owner won't be in the vehicle obviously I guess the letter and insurance info will get me a pass. Not going to do the mordida thing. I just wish I had a spare license to give. I will be getting the FMM as I will be in Baja for 3 weeks and am flying back. Will I be able to get the FMM on a Sunday morning at Calexico?

I don't know about Calexico but ....

durrelllrobert - 2-4-2013 at 04:00 PM

If you get sent to Revision (secondary) at the new El Chapparel border crossing they are asking to see your drivers license and car registration (for possible stolen cars?) and proof of insurance. Don't know what happens if they don't match:?::?:

Jaybo - 2-4-2013 at 04:03 PM

Bob - Umm Thanks I think... Just added a whole lot more stress on me .. heh

DENNIS - 2-4-2013 at 04:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
If you get sent to Revision (secondary) at the new El Chapparel border crossing they are asking to see your drivers license and car registration (for possible stolen cars?) and proof of insurance. Don't know what happens if they don't match:?::?:



Interesting. I've had my hood opened more than once there, but never asked for insurance. I'll have to put that document in the baggy with the others they want to see....DL...Passport/Card.....registration.

sancho - 2-4-2013 at 04:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jaybo
Probably should have it notarized as well I would think. Since the owner won't be in the vehicle obviously I guess the letter and insurance info will get me a pass. I will be getting the FMM as I will be in Baja for 3 weeks and am flying back. Will I be able to get the FMM on a Sunday morning at Calexico?




If there is no place to pay for the fmm on Sun., they will
issue you an fmm, with the stipulation you pay at
a bank, Bancomer I believe, down the road in 5 days or
so, that has been Mex Imm policy in the past, I have
never done that though

chuckie - 2-4-2013 at 04:45 PM

BIG Gotcha if you dont get it paid....

David K - 2-4-2013 at 05:48 PM

Wow, don't freak the guy out with stuff that doesn't ever happen.

1) A NOTORIZED statement from the owner that you can drive his car, in Mexico IS a good idea.

2) When you walk into the INM office, at the border, for your FMM/ Tourist card, they DO NOT ask for car information/ insurance. They want a valid passport for proof of citizenship. Been getting tourist cards since the 1970's (they were free until mid 2000). The valid passport requirement is what's new (since 2011)... before 2011, a birth certificate and photo ID worked for Mexico tourist cards.

3) I would get the pesos on the U.S. side before entering Mexico. What iff the ATM in Mexico failed or ate your card? You can use dollars everywhere in Baja, there just is an exchange advatage to having pesos. I personally only get pesos for the longer trips into Baja Sur, and get what I estimate for gasoline and taco stands/ restaurants/ motels. Most better motels and hotels will take cards... If you run short, you can get more pesos at an ATM with your debit, but have dollars on you enough to get home.



[Edited on 2-5-2013 by David K]

nbacc - 2-4-2013 at 08:00 PM

It won't happen if you have all the stuff!!! It is like taking the dog, I always have all the papers and have never been asked but you can bet that the first time I don't have them i will be asked! Have everything so you don't stress. Oh...and have a great trip! nancy

shari - 2-4-2013 at 09:06 PM

I have shown a letter from a car owner to the police before and it wasnt notarized and they didnt care at all...jut wanted to see the letter.

rogbag - 2-4-2013 at 09:31 PM

Went thru El Chaparral southbound two weeks ago with a fully loaded 12' cargo trailer behind a loaded Expedition and was asked for trailer registration (CA). No request for car registration (So Dakota) or drivers license (CA), or insurance (Baja Bound).
We got visas, fairly quick check of contents of car & trailer, paid $1,186.00 MP duty, then went thru another quick check in secondary, and were on our way. Total of about 2 hours.
Went to Bancomer today here in Los Barriles for a re-load of pesos, and the Comision Cajero was $60.00 MP, IVA Comision was $6.60 MP.
Have never had a problem with Bancomer ATM here in LB getting money from my BofA account. Since I can get at least $10,000.00 MP at a time, it makes the comision cajero a little easier to swallow.
Have now set up peso & dollar accounts @ Bancomer, and will have to see how that all shakes out in the future.
Jaybo - have a fun trip south - we sure did.

DENNIS - 2-5-2013 at 07:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rogbag
Went thru El Chaparral southbound two weeks ago with a fully loaded 12' cargo trailer behind a loaded Expedition and was asked for trailer registration (CA). No request for car registration (So Dakota) or drivers license (CA), or insurance (Baja Bound).


If Mexico ever became predictable, it would take a lot of the fun out of it. It's almost like they run the country from a multiple choice list of requirments. :light:

absinvestor - 2-5-2013 at 11:06 AM

Rogbag- I have to agree that the amount you withdraw from a Bancomer ATM makes the fee almost insignificant. I live in Mulege and there is only one bank- Bancomer. The nearest alternative banks are 50 miles North (Santa Rosalia) or 50 miles south (Loreto.) Even after fees I get a better exchange rate than what the Mexican banks offer at the teller window. For example on my last visit to the Mulege Bancomer ATM I got 8000 pesos. The fee from Bancomer shows on my receipt but it is not deducted ie I always get the pesos requested ie 8000 not 7934. My US bank charges $5 and I'm assuming the 66 Bancomer fee is somehow figured into the exchange rate. However, even when I add the $5 fee that my bank charges I always end up with a better rate than what the Mexican bank offers. For example- out of curiousity- a couple of transactions ago I got a "net" exchange rate (after 66 peso Bancomer fee plus my banks $5 charge) of 12.44 pesos/US $. I immediately drove to Santa Rosalia and the rate offered by two competing banks was 12.29 and 12.31. (I didn't need additional cash so I didn't use the ATM's at the competing banks.) I have a neighbor that does not use ATM's and always exchanges $ for pesos in the bank and I always get a better net exchange rate by using the ATM????

sancho - 2-5-2013 at 12:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
I would get the pesos on the U.S. side before entering Mexico
[Edited on 2-5-2013 by David K]






With you 100%, for a 3 week trip use $20 dll bills, change
them in Mex if needed, now for an extended trip ATM MAY come
into play

DavidE - 2-5-2013 at 12:28 PM

Personally I would do my homework with regard to yes or no the insurance coverage is valid if the owner is not in the vehicle AND there is no notarized letter giving you permission to have the motor vehicle in Mexico. Things can get ugly quickly if cops manage to get you legally bent over a barrel. The letter should detail in nauseating clarity names, dates, VIN and license number, dates of entry to Mexico dates of exit to Mexico. The accompanying letter should have two driver licenses on it. Yours, and the owner's. Done in color on a laser copier. I've done "it" both ways, and the second letter, with the color images of both driver license's blows them away. But make damned sure the insurance rider states in writing on a letter with a letterhead from the company that you, your name, is authorized the drive the car.

sancho - 2-5-2013 at 12:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Personally I would do my homework with regard to yes or no the insurance coverage is valid if the owner is not in the vehicle AND there is no notarized letter giving you permission to have the motor vehicle in you






It has always been my BELIEF, that the Mex Ins Co
does not have restrictions on who is driving or if the
registered owner is present, or require a letter, to
have their Ins in force, the Mex Authorities
are the one's who MAY have a question. I'm a bit
paraniod driving in Mex, so I go out of my way
to have all in order and not open myself up to
questions

To Pay or not to Pay

El Comadante Loco - 2-5-2013 at 04:25 PM

Just pay the MORDIA and move on. It's part of the adventure. Negotiating the MORDIDA is the best part of the game. Just image how boring the forums would without all the passion regarding the MORDIDA to pay or not to pay conflict.