If a person wants to go to BOLA for about two weeks without a tourist permit, what is the real risk? How many people have been asked to show their
permit between TJ and BOLA? When coming back, a person could always say they are coming back from a 2 day trip in SF. I know it is a bad thing, but I
really want to know about the risks. If I were to stay longer, I would not question getting the permit, but when traveling takes so much gas, it feels
as if there is not enough money to take care of other stuff like insurance. Please understand.Anonymous - 11-12-2004 at 11:52 PM
I wonder what percentage of tourists from the U.S. do this sort of thing. And yes, I'm posting anonymously. I'm not very proud of what I'm thinking of
doing. David K - 11-12-2004 at 11:59 PM
Nobody checks for them in the state of Baja CA. (Norte).
Nobody from Mexico asks you how long you were there before crossing back into the U.S.
However, do you want to be an illegal alien? If you do get into a jam, isn't it better to be legal?
The Law (maybe): Any stay, anywhere in Mexico over 72 hours requires one. Any trip south of Punta Banda (near Ensenada) or San Felipe requires one...
maybe.
Why do I say maybe now? Because a representitive of the Dept. of Tourism for Baja stated in an interview on Baja Talk Radio that all of Baja (norte)
was border zone, no card needed... The problem is immigration is not a state issue, it's a federal issue. The tourism dept. wants as many gringos to
come south as possible, and stupid bureaucracy and fees/taxes keep people from Mexico... so that is perhaps why they say no card, no problema!
The solution: Get a damn tourist card. For up to a week they are now FREE. For up to 6 mos. they are around U.S. $20. Pull over into secondary as soon
as you cross into Mex. (use far right lane 'something to declare'). Walk to the offices facing the covered parking and go to the door marked INM...
with your birth cert. + photo ID or passport.elgatoloco - 11-13-2004 at 12:00 AM
The real risk is that something may happen where the authorities may want to see your paperwork. If you don't have it, that might be a bad thing.
I am more comfortable having all my paperwork together when I visit a foreign country. Then you can relax and enjoy yourself and not be all paranoid
unable to sleep at night and wondering if any one in a uniform will all of a suden stop you and ask for documentation proving that you are 'legal' and
all that. You willl end up having a lousy time and wishing you had instead gone to visit your cousins at thier place, or something
We have been down to Baja Sur numerous times and the ONLY place we have ever been asked for a tourist visa is the border at Guerrero Negro (they were
checking them at Maneadero for a while several years ago, no longer).
There also has been some debate as to whether or not your insurance would be valid if you were found to be in the country illegally. I have actually
never tried to pursue that line of questioning with my insurance company because it does not pertain to me.
I would strongly suggest that if it is a permit or insurance please spend the money on the insurance, but get the legal aid.
We can maybe start a fundraiser. I will kick in the first $1.00 toward your tourist permit. Where do I mail it?elgatoloco - 11-13-2004 at 12:03 AM
Hey! If you are going for two weeks get a 7-day free one then you further reduce your risk of exposure to a level where at least the first week you
can relax then the second you can be all nervous and what not.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Anonymous - 11-13-2004 at 05:55 AM
David K,
ISN'T A PASSPORT A REQUIREMENT NOW??
Anyone know for sure?
Vikingorts551 - 11-13-2004 at 06:33 AM
It is worth getting one. I have been asked before by the immigration officials before that periodically visit known tourist towns - fortunately I had
mine. Bob and Susan - 11-13-2004 at 08:05 AM
Vikingo....
First a question....do you wear a hat with horns??? Do your fire buddies know???
No passport needed if you drive.
Only a drivers license.
Too many people cross the border everyday for work.
You do need a passport if you fly to major airports..the FAA has strict rules now.
We think you should get a tourist visa for 14 days only to protect yourself in an accident or other police action.
Bruce R Leech - 11-13-2004 at 08:46 AM
If you go into B.C.S they check everyone crossing the state Line . they also walk the beaches and check and fine violators.
TOURIST PERMIT ... (VISA) .....
cristobal - 11-13-2004 at 10:50 AM
I drove down to SANTA ROSALIA with alex37 in september.He moved to TODOS SANTOS permanently. We stopped at the border where he got his 180 day VISA
but I waited until GUERRERO NEGRO to get mine. I told them that I would only be in BAJA SUR for less than 7 days. I was given a VISA for 30 days and
instructed to go to a bank and pay the FEE if I decided to stay longer than 7 days.
So i got a VISA and didn't have to pay for it ..... the only problem for me was that I stayed in B. SUR for over two weeks and didn't stop at the bank
on the way back. I got a ride in an SUV at the military inspection north of SAN IGNACIO ..... heading to TIJUANA. As I approached the inspection at G.
NEGRO ... I was trying to figure out what to say when we stopped for VISA checks. Didn't happen .... we just drove straight thru .... past the EAGLE
and on to TJ. I guess that I dodged the bullet ... one more time .....
Get yourself a VISA but tell them you will be down south for less than 7 days ....
elgatoloco - 11-13-2004 at 11:33 AM
Observation
When we last entered the little immigration office at the San Ysidro border (in March) to fill out our forms for our tourist permits we saw on the
wall a notice that stated that soon a passport would be required to obtain a tourist permit.
Have not been back since.
Soon is open to interpretation?
PASSPORT ....
cristobal - 11-13-2004 at 01:31 PM
On the same trip as above .... We entered the ESTADOS UNIDOS at the TJ crossing and were asked for our papers .... the driver had a PASSPORT and I
could only find my california DRIVERS LICENSE for this trip south. The inspector asked me what information that he was supposed to get off my license
..?????? After a short pause I told him that there was NOTHING on it that he could use ..... He did ask me where I was born ..... He told me that
since 9-11 the INS is now a LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY and as of the first of the year ..... EVERYONE is going to need a PASSPORT to enter the US......
So to make a short story long .......
The GATO is correct .... I heard it too .... at the border .....
[Edited on 11-13-2004 by cristobal]
PASSPORT
cristobal - 11-13-2004 at 01:35 PM
So I guess that we are going to need a PASSPORT to get in OR out of BAJA .....
I misread GATO'S response .... the first time ...
tim40 - 11-13-2004 at 08:59 PM
About the passport. Find it interesting and doubt it comes fully into play. We are going on a cruise in a week for a week to Baja and mainland and
have triple confirmed that a passport is not required. 3 of 4 will have current one will have expired....but again not required.cristobal - 11-14-2004 at 01:51 PM
I guess you can believe what you want ..... but when I crossed the border into the US the end of SEPTEMBER and was told by the inspector that
PASSPORTS will be required as of the first of the year .... I believe him ....
He knows more about those things than I do ....
woody with a view - 11-14-2004 at 06:06 PM
comical, with a little over 6 weeks 'til P-day, you'd think that the govt would start announcing the change in requirements. i'd hate to be coming
north new years day and be refused entry...
David K - 11-14-2004 at 06:43 PM
Nope... as an American, you cannot be denied entry back into YOUR country.
The traffic at the border is far too great to close it to non-passport holders.
There would be State Dept. bulletins and somebody here is sure to see and post any such warning.
But, we are at war... and anything's possible!!!bajalou - 11-14-2004 at 08:57 PM
If you complain about the illegals in the US, don't be one in Mexico.
Bajaboy - 11-14-2004 at 08:59 PM
I agree with Bajalou- obey the law and get your permit.
ZacAnonymous - 11-15-2004 at 08:18 AM
And how many illegal aliens in the US would get a "tourist permit" if the US had a similar requirement?
I think very few. It would generate some money though if complied with....5,000,000 in California alone x $40/year = $200,000,000.
And that is the ONLY reason for the "tourist permit" anyway...Generating cash for the Mexican Government.woody with a view - 11-15-2004 at 09:12 PM
really folks, it's only 20 bucks. that's what?, an hour of your hard earned cash.
hopefully, that 20 bucks is your statement to the mexican gov't that you are a not just another gringo/tourist down for the cheap tequila in
tj/ensenada and that by following protocol, you EXPECT your $ will be applied towards making baja and all of mexico a better experience for future
travelers.
If you read the papers
jrbaja - 11-15-2004 at 09:20 PM
you will see that lots of whining gringos have problems in Mexico. It's never even their fault
When these problems happen, you will be hating life for not being legal. Guaranteed.
I say don't get em because I enjoy listening to the whiners about how they were mistreated here.
And, it cuts down on the rif raf
[Edited on 11/16/2004 by jrbaja]TMW - 11-16-2004 at 08:40 AM
My wife and I went to Germany a few years ago, changing planes in Paris. While in Germany we visited France. The only place we had our pass ports
checked was when we got back to Houston TX. I take my pass port with me to Baja and use it to get my visa but the only thing the U.S. checks when I
return is my drivers license. I don't know if the agents at the border know what the offical rules are, or if they care. bajalou - 11-16-2004 at 07:17 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Anonymous
And how many illegal aliens in the US would get a "tourist permit" if the US had a similar requirement?
The legal alliens coming to the US do pay for the privlidge - and it's sure more than $20.
And I agree with JR, if you ever have a problem down here you will wish you were legal.
[Edited on 11-17-2004 by bajalou]Packoderm - 11-16-2004 at 08:00 PM
If you are traveling with your family, a compromise could be for the driver of the family to pay the $20.00 for the full tourist permit and have the
rest of the family get 7 day passes. I don't like how they charge the tax for even the little kids. If you have a large family, a trip to Death Valley
might be the better option because you can save on the tourist taxes and the additional insurance. You could add a 7 day bus trip to San Felipe for
added economical fun. If you can handle traveling and camping like the Europeans do with just a backpack, a 7 day trip in Baja could be the ticket to
economical fun. I especially admire the female Europeans who travel so light yet get to the most remote palapas.
As far as passports are concerned, it makes sense to get that 2nd piece of identification. Why not?
Ifn yer lookin fer female Europeans,
jrbaja - 11-16-2004 at 10:54 PM
Try the Furnace Creek area! Serious!!
Passport
Tio Rocky - 11-17-2004 at 08:39 AM
I pass into the states often and rarely get a single question when I flip the passport out the window?. When I forget and leave it at home in Ensenada
I?m always asked question with just a driver?s license ??.
Also, every six months I get a new FM1 for 180 days because I never know when I will be heading to Baja Sur?.. ?every? trip I have made in the past
five years I have been asked for the card in one place or another?. It takes all of 30 minutes to get one here in Ensenada and it?s a good excuse to
stop and have a cold one in town??
