BajaNomad - Discover Baja Question

Discover Baja Question

Bajagypsy - 8-27-2013 at 02:36 PM

just wondering if anyone here has purchased there tourist visa through Discover Baja? Mr. Gypsy and I are thinking of doing this for our next trip down, seems like it would save time for us at the border. I understand I still need to get it stamped at immigration, but at least it won't be go to immigration stand in line, go to bank stand in line, go back to immigration stand in line.

I am asking this because they ask for a copy of our passport, and we are a little iffy on just giving that information out.

bajaguy - 8-27-2013 at 02:38 PM

Cross at Tecate, no waiting, no line

Barry A. - 8-27-2013 at 02:46 PM

Discover Baja certainly used to provide the paperwork you needed, and I assume they still do, Gypsy. and yes, I think it saved us time, and hassle.

I am sure more will chime in on this.

Barry

Mula - 8-27-2013 at 03:11 PM

We used Discover Baja for years for our paperwork.

Now we have R/P so don't, but highly recommend them.

mtnpop - 8-27-2013 at 03:18 PM

They can also do your fishing licenses and auto insurance if you need to
do those also... quick and easy and credit card ready...

volcano - 8-27-2013 at 03:37 PM

yes.and worth a little time saved crossing

Bajahowodd - 8-27-2013 at 03:52 PM

Geez. You cannot get a completed visa from them. You will still need to get it stamped. My last trip through San Ysidro, the immigration officer helped my friends fill out the form. took our money, and wish us a buen viaje. Total time was 15 minutes.

Bajagypsy - 8-27-2013 at 04:37 PM

Thank you for all the replies. I'm considering this as we always have the good fortune of a bus load of people showing up just as we pull up and wind up spending an hour or more to get the process completed! :lol:

windgrrl - 8-27-2013 at 04:55 PM

We pre-pay (very fast service to Canada) and it works great. We stay close to the border overnight, zip across and get processed and back, go for supplies in Rancho San Diego. We cross very early next day and get a jump on the drive.

TMW - 8-27-2013 at 05:00 PM

I used Discover Baja last April and was stamped at Tecate. But if you get everything from the IM officer at the border that would seem faster.

Bajagypsy - 8-27-2013 at 06:32 PM

Thank you windgrrl, we are going to do it! Glad another Canuck uses them feel more comfortable now!

windgrrl - 8-27-2013 at 07:33 PM

Da nada. We get vehicle insurance from DB as well.

We take the I-15 to Vegas then scoot down the 95 to El Centromand over to Potrero. From there it's 10 min. to Tecate.

windgrrl - 8-27-2013 at 07:39 PM

Da nada. We get vehicle insurance from DB as well.

We take the I-15 from Coutts to Vegas then scoot down the 95 to El Centro, then over to Potrero. From there it's 10 min. to Tecate. The advantage of being pre-paid and pre-processed that sometimes it is very busy in the tiny immigration office and can be a long wait. With everything set to go, there's little time lost.

If the stars align, we will try to make a visit to BA or PA and might see you this winter, eh?

Happy trails,
W

Bajagypsy - 8-27-2013 at 08:10 PM

We I15 all the way. We will be in BA for sure in October and then hopefully again around February-March.

Bajaboy - 8-27-2013 at 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by windgrrl
Da nada. We get vehicle insurance from DB as well.

We take the I-15 from Coutts to Vegas then scoot down the 95 to El Centro, then over to Potrero. From there it's 10 min. to Tecate. The advantage of being pre-paid and pre-processed that sometimes it is very busy in the tiny immigration office and can be a long wait. With everything set to go, there's little time lost.

If the stars align, we will try to make a visit to BA or PA and might see you this winter, eh?

Happy trails,
W

The one downside to this plan is that Tecate has limited hours so plan ahead.

Bajagypsy - 8-28-2013 at 05:25 AM

We have never used Tecate. The hotel we always stay at near the boarder is 15 mins away fro TJ. We try to get through TJ by around 6:30-7:00am so we can make it to our place before dark. This trip may be different as we have to stop at Home Depot in Ensenada to get all the building materials we need to re-do our roof. Not sure how long that will take.

Bob and Susan - 8-28-2013 at 05:33 AM

at tj...what line...lots of parking...bank right there....24/7

Bajagypsy - 8-28-2013 at 06:36 AM

Maybe the new one is better, have only used it once, but prior to the new immigration being built there were always at least 10 people filling out forms, and waiting at the bank.

Chupacabra - 8-28-2013 at 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajagypsy
just wondering if anyone here has purchased there tourist visa through Discover Baja?

Getting your visa from Discover Baja saves you zero time and costs you extra money. As others mentioned, you STILL have to go to the Migracion office and get it stamped. At the new San Ysidro border crossing it's super easy with plenty of parking, a bank right there, and 24h access.

On the other hand, Discover Baja is a cool place and well worth stopping in. If you need a fishing license you can get it there and do your insurance as well, plus pick up some maps and chat about the latest road conditions, etc. I live a couple miles from them so I stop in every now and again.

If you are crossing at San Ysidro (El Chapparal), see this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKgKsfl1sn0&feature=plcp

Where everyone bears left at 1:05 minutes, keep going straight and park by giant flag where the sign says "something to declare". There is a parking lot there and the building is where the migracion office is, just around the corner to the left past the bank. There are nice clean bathrooms there too to empty out before getting on the road. After you have your visa head back out of the lot and cross as usual.

Chupa

Bwana_John - 8-30-2013 at 09:28 AM

Quote:

Getting your visa from Discover Baja saves you zero time and costs you extra money. As others mentioned, you STILL have to go to the Migracion office and get it stamped.

Using the DB visa actually cost me more time and hassle at Mexicalli west.

The Immigration officer DID NOT like the fact I already had the paperwork and did not have my Birth Certificate, after about 45 minutes of playing the I can be more polite than you game
he finally stamped the paperwork, but only gave me 45 days instead of the usual 180.

bajachris - 8-30-2013 at 11:27 AM

Our visas have it been checked at Guerrero Negro or anywhere else in years. Has anyone had their visas inspected?

Udo - 8-30-2013 at 11:34 AM

They did many years ago, when I was told that we needed to get them, as well as our passports, stamped there.
The information was incorrect and you not need to do so. Just do it at your point of entry at the border.

msteve1014 - 8-30-2013 at 02:13 PM

When I came south on July 8th at San Ysidro the bank was not open and the officer would not take the payment. It took an hour at a bank later in the day. That was a first for me.

Neal Johns - 8-30-2013 at 02:48 PM

Super nice people at Discover Baja, have used their services for over a decade. Highly recommended. They have also gone over the top is supporting Nomads in trouble over the years.
Neal Johns

Barry A. - 8-30-2013 at 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Neal Johns
Super nice people at Discover Baja, have used their services for over a decade. Highly recommended. They have also gone over the top is supporting Nomads in trouble over the years.
Neal Johns

---------tho we all KNOW that Neal has NEVER been in "trouble over the years" in Baja.

barry

David K - 8-30-2013 at 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajachris
Our visas have it been checked at Guerrero Negro or anywhere else in years. Has anyone had their visas inspected?

In 2009, yes, southbound only... just mine, not the wife's.

In 2011, Art (edm-1) was inspected for it, and when his wife couldn't produce one, was fined US$100. Wife's passport had expired and Mexicali INM would not issue her an FMM when they crossed the border, just Art.

In 2012, no, he looked at us from the doorway as we came to a stop at the stop sign in front of his office, and waved us on.

Nowhere else on the peninsula have I ever been asked to show an FMM or FMT, ever.

fwiw: Hwy. 1 is not the only road into Baja Sur, either.

Bajahowodd - 8-30-2013 at 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by bajachris
Our visas have it been checked at Guerrero Negro or anywhere else in years. Has anyone had their visas inspected?

But it is the only paved one. That means alot to many folks.

Bajahowodd - 8-30-2013 at 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajagypsy
Maybe the new one is better, have only used it once, but prior to the new immigration being built there were always at least 10 people filling out forms, and waiting at the bank.

It may just be a matter of luck and timing. The last time we needed the FMMs, we walked into the new building and were the only people at the immigration office. As I have mentioned previously, even though it was the middle of the day, he gladly accepted our money, even with the bank in the same building. Total time, 15 minutes.

David K - 8-30-2013 at 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by bajachris
Our visas have it been checked at Guerrero Negro or anywhere else in years. Has anyone had their visas inspected?

But it is the only paved one. That means alot to many folks.

Yup, but what do they do when they get to their destinations... I mean pavement doesn't roll up to every place you want to go in Baja, does it? What about when they are working on the road, detours are rarely paved, and sometimes many miles long! The other roads across the border are not 4WD trails by any means. However, I was just offering another option if the main route south is blocked to you. :light:

[Edited on 8-30-2013 by David K]

Bajahowodd - 8-31-2013 at 04:54 PM

Just saying that since it appears that the stateline checkpoint has reverted to simply an agricultural check, and any traveler can rightfully refuse to have their vehicle sprayed, why spend your time on dirt roads out by the GN airport to avoid this stop?

Alm - 9-2-2013 at 12:43 PM

There isn't much sense in getting tourist card in advance through Discover Baja - and paying extra for this. You still have to stop at the border and go into Immigration office, and depending where you cross, it may not save you much time - if any. In new San Ysidro crossing the Immigration window is next to the bank window, and the lines to either one are very short, hardly 15 or 20 minutes total, unless you are crossing on the eve of a major holiday.

Things like auto insurance or fishing license makes sense doing through online services, but in case of a tourist card - I doubt. As noted, border office may not like the pre-filled form.

David K - 9-3-2013 at 10:20 AM

Discover Baja also is one of the best stocked stores for Baja maps and books if you happen to be passing San Diego during their business hours... should you need anything they sell.