BajaNomad

Crossing into Tecate for the first time - ??

DJL - 11-23-2013 at 11:46 AM

Last minute questions from your new village idiot (me) !

We already have our FMM's paid for . Let's be clear - we park on the California side , cross on Foot to get the FMM's validated , cross back into California on Foot , hop in the Car and press the button (praying for a Green light) ??

Thanks for any help !!

D.~

DENNIS - 11-23-2013 at 11:50 AM

I think you can just drive in saving you a walk and possible humiliation from US Customs.

DJL - 11-23-2013 at 11:51 AM

Thanks Dennis !!!!

DENNIS - 11-23-2013 at 11:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DJL
Thanks Dennis !!!!


Sure thing. Have a great trip.

chuckie - 11-23-2013 at 01:46 PM

Drive over, after customs take the first right, then the first right, then the first right..you will be in the alley at the Aduanas office.There are some red cones...the nice man will move them for you. Park, go in and do your thing. When you come out, shake the nice mans hand, slip him 50 pesoss, and go on your way...your welcome...

DaGreen - 11-23-2013 at 05:40 PM

Thank you all! :bounce::bounce:

bajaguy - 11-23-2013 at 05:44 PM

Simple easy directions that work!!! Thanks, Chuckie
Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Drive over, after customs take the first right, then the first right, then the first right..you will be in the alley at the Aduanas office.There are some red cones...the nice man will move them for you. Park, go in and do your thing. When you come out, shake the nice mans hand, slip him 50 pesoss, and go on your way...your welcome...

DJL - 11-23-2013 at 05:57 PM

Thanks to all !!

Just wondering .... why am I giving the nice fellow the 50 Pesos again ? That's almost an 8-pack of Pacifico lata cans ...

D.~:smug:

bajaguy - 11-23-2013 at 05:59 PM

Because it is worth it to park next to the Immigration office
Quote:
Originally posted by DJL
Thanks to all !!

Just wondering .... why am I giving the nice fellow the 50 Pesos again ? That's almost an 8-pack of Pacifico lata cans ...

D.~:smug:

mojo_norte - 11-23-2013 at 06:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DJL
Thanks to all !!

Just wondering .... why am I giving the nice fellow the 50 Pesos again ? That's almost an 8-pack of Pacifico lata cans ...

D.~:smug:


I gave him 2 Bucks last time - he seemed quite happy with that

DJL - 11-23-2013 at 07:44 PM

Perfecto !!

Thank y'all again , seeya in January !!

D.~

DENNIS - 11-23-2013 at 07:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DJL
Thanks to all !!

Just wondering .... why am I giving the nice fellow the 50 Pesos again ? That's almost an 8-pack of Pacifico lata cans ...

D.~:smug:



50 P's...for an 8pk? Haven't been down for a while, Have ya.

DJL - 11-23-2013 at 08:19 PM

Almost an 8-pack . 75 Pesos for Pacifico light in La Ribera last April .

I prefer the regular , or Negra Modelo . Fussy , I know ....

D.~

[Edited on 11-24-2013 by DJL]

absinvestor - 11-24-2013 at 12:34 PM

Personally I still prefer to walk across. If all I'm doing is getting the FMM's vs eating lunch I park in the little strip center on the US side. No charge. The walk is two short blocks and the building is on the right. To return, cross the street and enter US customs, show them your passport and you're back to your car in 5 minutes.

chuckie - 11-24-2013 at 03:23 PM

Maybe....Last time I did that it was several hours, because one of our public servants decided I looked like someone else...no apology.....You are dealing with homeland insecurity remember....

Securing FMM

Wilbur4s - 11-26-2013 at 11:03 AM

Guys,
I'm a newbee here, hence what may seem like a dumb question. I'm coming from San Jose, CA and plan to ride my motorcycle the 475 miles to San Diego in one day, cross that same day on foot at San Ysidro to secure the FMM. And then the next morning cross the border at Tecate. So my question is one related to the number of steps involved. The part of the process that I described above, where I cross on foot at San Ysidro, can I execute all steps necessary there at the immigration office such that the next day, while crossing at Tecate, that I do not need to execute any additional steps?
To all who have knowledge about this due to experience, I thank you in advance, Will Pizz

dasubergeek - 11-26-2013 at 12:16 PM

Welcome to Baja Nomad!

Technically you're not supposed to leave Mexico with your FMM. (I'll wait a second while all the people who know the truth finish laughing.)

Now, to be serious, I think you're going to be very unhappy with your decision. Sure, you can cross over at SY to get your FMM. The last I checked—and frankly I don't check that often—the INM office is on one side of that crumbling building you now walk through. You'll spend some time getting your FMM, you'll walk out into Tijuana... and now you need to get back to the States. Plan on at least an hour and more probably two hours (especially weekends) in line to get back into the U.S.

Instead, you can save yourself the trouble, and just get the FMM at Tecate when you cross. As soon as you cross, you'll see parking spots on either side (go look at Google Maps). The INM office is on your right, with a big sign. The bank, if it's open, is across the street. All of it is located within about fifty feet.

If the bank is closed, you can still get your FMM; the agent in the INM office will tell you what banks you can use depending on where you're heading. It'll be so much easier.

If you are truly, truly freaked out about trying to do this in the morning, at least use the Otay Mesa crossing for your FMM run; the pedestrian wait there rarely exceeds 20-30 minutes. SY is hell on earth for pedestrians.

[Edited on 11-26-2013 by dasubergeek]

David K - 11-26-2013 at 12:24 PM

The FMM is available at any open border into Mexico... the office at the border is called INM (Immigration). The only issues at Tecate are if there is someone in the INM office the same hours the border is open and if they can accept payment for it (unless your trip is under 7 days, and thus the FMM is free).

Last year, I asked the Mexican border officials at Tecate if the payment can be made with them, and they said yes... but I seriously would try and cross into Mexico during 'normal' business hours just to be sure... and not at 11 pm or 6 am (just before/ after their closed hours).

You need a valid passport to get the FMM. Park where you can at or near the INM office, walk in with your passport and cash. Get the FMM stamped if you already bought one before going to the border (Discover Baja Travel Club or Vagabundos Club). You must stop to activate a pre-purchased FMM at the border.

Keep it on you, and the ONLY place it 'officially' gets inspected is at the Hwy. 1 state border crossing (Eagle Monument) near Guerrero Negro... and that doesn't always take place (it did in July 2012 and each trip past here before to 2001).

INM Office at Tecate

Wilbur4s - 11-26-2013 at 12:30 PM

That's good info. Thanks. Any idea where I can find info on how early the immigration office opens at the Tecate crossing?
Ciao, Will Pizz

David K - 11-26-2013 at 12:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Wilbur4s
That's good info. Thanks. Any idea where I can find info on how early the immigration office opens at the Tecate crossing?
Ciao, Will Pizz


I just did a SEARCH on Nomad and found my post from Sept. 19, 2012 (and bumped it up)...

Here was the answer then:

8am to 6pm to pay for fmm. 6am to 11pm for free fmm (7 day). Per customs officer today.

Wilbur4s - 11-26-2013 at 12:39 PM

thanks.

absinvestor - 11-26-2013 at 12:45 PM

The problem seems to be payment. The office that issues FMM's seems to be consistent with hours stated but the "bank" portion is sometimes closed during regular hours (sometimes for a few minutes and sometimes for the day and nobody seems to know which applies at any given time!!) The good news is if you get your FMM at the Tecate IMM office you can pay at any bank during normal business hours.

absinvestor - 11-26-2013 at 12:45 PM

The problem seems to be payment. The office that issues FMM's seems to be consistent with hours stated but the "bank" portion is sometimes closed during regular hours (sometimes for a few minutes and sometimes for the day and nobody seems to know which applies at any given time!!) The good news is if you get your FMM at the Tecate IMM office you can pay at any bank during normal business hours.

Wilbur4s - 11-26-2013 at 12:50 PM

Yea, that's what I've heard, about the bank being open or not. Again, remind ourselves, this is not the US, it's Mexico and their relationship to time is different than ours. Thanks.

absinvestor - 11-26-2013 at 02:04 PM

And, nobody seems to know. A couple of trips ago I got the FMM on a Monday about 11am. Went to pay and nobody was there. Asked around and most had no idea but the guy that gave us the FMM said he thought they were closed for lunch and would be back in 20 minutes. So, we walked down the street and had lunch. Returned in 45 minutes to find them still closed and was told "maybe'' someone got sick and went home etc.

EnsenadaDr - 12-1-2013 at 09:47 AM

I had occasions in the past 2 weeks to travel from San Diego to Tecate and I was wondering why they repaved the road it had looked like it was in good condition. Well I found out why when I traveled the road at night and between the new reflectors and paint on the road it is like it has it's own lighting system, and really lights up the way so driving at night to Tecate from the US is a joy!!