BajaNomad

BOLA

briantroy - 10-12-2014 at 05:24 AM

Hey Guys,

I am planning a trip for Thanksgiving week to BOLA. Gonna stay at Archelon. I have a small trailer with a dinghy (titles and registration for both) and a 3 wheeler I am working on getting registered. I know I will get pulled to secondary and stopped along the way, so I am wondering what kind of tourist visa/pass the family will need. I have travelled south multiple times alone, without a boat or trailer, and when they ask me for a tourist pass I just show them my passport and they shake their heads and let me go. What document should I get and where?
Also, I am crossing at SY and wondering the best route since I heard the toll road is out. Thanks!

[Edited on 10-12-2014 by briantroy]

[Edited on 10-12-2014 by briantroy]

David K - 10-12-2014 at 07:23 AM

Good morning.

The passport is needed to get a tourist card (FMM), and you get it at the border in Mexico. If crossing south at San Ysidro, it is open 24/7 and you park on the north side of the big building BEFORE reaching the red/green light entrance to Mexico. LOTS of photos of this process has been posted here over the couple of years since the new border was built.

You probably will never pass an immigration (INM) checkpoint in Baja Norte. The only one has been at the border to Baja Sur, just past the Eagle Monument. The military check points are looking for drugs, guns, and ammo. A brief INM check was set up near Santo Tomas, but no word of it recurring since. So, it is better to have the thing, just in case, as well as to be technically legal.

The Toll Road is only out south of the La Mision exit, and the detour signs are impossible to miss that direct you onto the free road at that point. Basically the toll road is closed there, and you can only pass if you are going to La Salina or BajaMar golf resort.

TMW - 10-12-2014 at 11:11 AM

If you are staying for 7 days or less the tourist visa (FMM) is free, if longer it's like $25.

Alm - 10-12-2014 at 11:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by briantroy
I have travelled south multiple times alone, without a boat or trailer, and when they ask me for a tourist pass I just show them my passport and they shake their heads and let me go. What document should I get and where? [Edited on 10-12-2014 by briantroy]

David K explained about document.

What you were doing in the past, was breaking the law. Many still do, today. And rarely get caught. You are allowed to just show your passport and go in without Tourist Card (also known as FMM), but only if you stay within Ensenada-Rosarito-Sanfelipe area, and only if you stay there 3 days. Since they don't check you on the way out, and almost never check you on the road, - people can get away with this. Technically, you MUST surrender your FMM when exiting or get a fine next time, but again, most people don't do this and rarely get that fine.

Also, if the "dinghy" is longer than 14ft (?) you will need to get a temporary import permit for dinghy in the same building at SY/Chapparal. It's cheap.

briantroy - 10-14-2014 at 11:47 AM

Thanks guys. I knew I was breaking the law, but I never had an issue. This time, however, I will have my parents, sister, BIL and nieces with me so I want to go by the book. The dinghy is 10 foot and I am only staying 6 days so that shouldn't be an issue.

Hook - 10-14-2014 at 01:23 PM

Be VERY careful with a boat that small at BOLA. Have you boated there before?

Conditions can change RAPIDLY!!!

briantroy - 10-15-2014 at 05:24 AM

No, this will be the first time taking the boat out. I have heard about the rapidly changing weather/winds down there. I have never boated except on a lake in a little bass boat with a trolling motor. I don't plan on going out any farther than I can swim back with a life vest (200 yards). I'm not out to go deep sea fishing, just putt around a little and drop my line. Same with the 3 wheeler. I have never even hit 4th gear on it (25 mph). I just want to cruise around and stay safe. Thanks!

Skipjack Joe - 10-15-2014 at 07:35 AM

You will need boat ownership papers at the border crossing, that is, this years registration papers.

briantroy - 10-15-2014 at 10:55 AM

Yup. Got the title and registration for van, boat and trailer. The three wheeler, I found out today, might be a different story. Have to get it inspected at the DMV, file the bill of sale and then send a registered letter to the owner on record. From there we will see.....

Alm - 10-15-2014 at 03:11 PM

Yes, with a small craft like this, I would not venture out to sea further than 10-15 minutes one-way. Which is about one mile, with trolling motor. Wouldn't hurt checking wind forecast at sailflow.com before heading out. Though, there is no WiFi on Antonio's camp.

woody with a view - 10-15-2014 at 03:21 PM

you can check sailflow before you leave and it'll show 5 days. it is good enough, but not exact. it'll give you an idea when to stay off the water. if you see clouds rolling over and down the mountains to the west RUN FOR THE SHORE! if you see brown haze on the north horizon that is the wind coming at you.

[Edited on 10-16-2014 by woody with a view]

briantroy - 10-16-2014 at 03:19 PM

Thanks guys. I actually have a 15 hp motor on this thing, not a trolling motor. That should get me moving to shore pretty fast if needed.