BajaNomad

Tecate crossing and newbie needs help

yukonron - 12-16-2014 at 09:01 AM

My husband and I are heading to Baja, or the Baja, possibly as early as Sunday. I have two guidebooks and been reading a lot online. Glad I found this place. But I am finding conflicting and confusing info with the variety of sources. So I've come here for the real skinny.

I have a lot of questions but for this post will limit those to border crossings. We will be leaving from the Phoenix area. We are driving our motorcycle and pulling a trailer behind with our camping gear, etc. So we avoid parking anywhere we have to back out of.

The trip from Tecate on Mex 3 looks appealing, but we are flexible at this point. We hope to explore the majority of the peninsula. We are looking to camp as much as possible and have Church's book on camping in Baja.

What is the parking situation like at the border in Tecate? What signs do we follow to get our FMM? I have heard several people mention they walked into a crossing to get their tourist card and walked back to get their rig and drive thru. This seems confusing to me as you are suppose to turn in your card when you leave Mexico. But if it is possible and would make for a less stressful parking situation, that would appeal to us.

We have been to Los Algodones several times in the past for dental work and they have a parking lot on the CA side right before the border crossing. Would it be possible to get our FMM there, leave and cross into Mexico at Tecate the next day?

We don't usually put in long days on the bike, about 200 miles is comfortable. So we would make a two day trip out of getting to Tecate and beyond. Looks like El Centro, CA might be a good midway stop for an overnight.

Pretty obvious I need some help here. Trusting in your generosity and experience to find it! Thanks.

mary

David K - 12-16-2014 at 09:10 AM

Hi Mary, Tecate is a small border. On motorcycles even with trailers, parking for your FMMs isn't so bad... probably can right in front. It is the big motorhomes or campers pulling trailers that have an issue, so park on the U.S. side and walk across.

You can get your FMM and hold onto it, no handing it in the same day (you don't need an FMM for up to 3 days in Mexico along the border or as far south as Maneadero, so the one you got for a longer trip that day isn't in use yet.

The first building inside Mexico is where you go for the FMM. It is the INM office.

Have a great trip and please give us a report and photos when you get home!

bajaguy - 12-16-2014 at 09:27 AM

Welcome to Mexico, land of confusing and conflicting information.

Welcome to Nomads, site of confusing and conflicting information

A short note about the FMM...........The FMM is a single entry permit. Once you get it issued, paid for and stamped, you own it. If you leave the country, technically (and legally) you are required to turn it in at an INM office, or mail it back to Mexico. So in effect, if you walk across the border, get your FMM and walk back to the US, you are "supposed" to turn it in.

Plenty of M/C parking at the Tecate INM office, either in front, or on the side of the building.

Have fun, enjoy Mexico and stand by for the inevitable confusing and conflicting responses

David K - 12-16-2014 at 09:38 AM

They would be turning it in to the person who just gave it to them??? Even Mexican officials would laugh.

The actual badged INM officer told me it was NO PROBLEM for me to use the FMMs my wife and I got 5 days later when our big trip began.

They don't issue them at consulates anymore, so you have to go to the border to get them... a zillion Nomads have either popped into Tijuana to get their FMMs or hold on to them as long as they are valid.

These folks asked about how the parking on the U.S. side works at Tecate. That is really more a motorhome issue with the lack of street parking. Going around the block to the right, past the INM office is where they can park if not in front or in the U.S.

Keep it simple. They want to do the right thing and get the papers.

FMM

bajaguy - 12-16-2014 at 10:24 AM

Is it possible to enter and exit Mexico multiple times with the same tourist card (FMM)?

Tourist cards (FMM) are not multiple entry, therefore each time you enter Mexico, you will need a new one.

http://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/visa.php

rts551 - 12-16-2014 at 10:44 AM

you will get conflicting info on this site as well... on the back of the FMM it tells you what you are supposed to do. some people ignore it (the law) because it is never enforced (I guess therefore it is ok to do what ever you want). No parking in front of the Immigration office (that is for the customs people to inspect cars) but parking around the corner on the street.

MulegeAL - 12-16-2014 at 11:25 AM

I've crossed with big bikes there before, not a problem.

Everything you need is to the right: parking, the sidewalk into the office for FMM. Ask them where to park as soon as you roll through after you get a green light, is easy, they love bikes.

Seems like there used to be enough slope to the small parking area just around to the right that your setup would roll back into the street, they will watch the street for you too.

Hwy 3 is good bike route, great wineries too, you could spend days there!

How long will you be in baja, we come look for you? Have fun!

yukonron - 12-16-2014 at 02:23 PM

Thanks one and all! I feel much more prepared. No conflicting answers this time. Maybe next time. And since you have been so prompt and helpful and friendly with your replies, I'm sure I will have some more questions in the future.

MulegeAL, not sure how long we will be in Baja. We don't HAVE to get back to Arizona till the middle of March, so it depends on how much fun we are having. After that it's back home to Alaska for us. I'll keep you posted as to our progress and maybe we can manage to meet up.

David K, I plan to take tons of pictures and keep a detailed journal. But you know how plans go?! So I will do my best to put together something for the forum.

Thanks, again!
mary



Cliffy - 12-16-2014 at 06:24 PM

Watch out for some of the one way streets just inside Mexico at Tecate.
You'll find lots of high speed cars and trucks on Rt 3 to Ensenada from Tecate. Tecate is a big trucking terminal for Baja. Rt 3 is what they use. The road condition is good. Church's book is very good. Used it for our last trip of a month's time. You'll find Rice and Beans down south is a good place to stop about 3 days down. Good food, good rooms and nice people. You should have a good time. If you get down to Loreto don't miss the restaurant Sabor just south of town on the east side of the road. Look it up here by "search" Long thread on it. Great food!

redhilltown - 12-17-2014 at 12:38 AM

Howdy and welcome. I don't think it has been mentioned but yes, you can cross and park but the first street on the right is a one way street...the wrong way of course! So once you get the green light (or even the red for a quick check), go down the hill, make a right hand turn at first light and then a right hand turn at next and then one more right hand turn at the the next street and you'll come back to the border when you'll see red cones to the left...a man will usually see you and move a few cones and you can park there. You then cross the street (this was a few months ago), walk left, cross back over the border and then across the street again to the immigration office (I know this sounds confusing but it really isn't)...get your permits and then go back to your bike on the same side through a small check point. If any of this has changed I hope someone can chime in. Have fun!

reneske - 12-17-2014 at 12:39 AM

My husband and I cross Tecate all the time. Remember, it is not a 24 hour crossing. We usually cross as soon as it opens. As soon as you cross the border, before you go through the lights, pull off to either the right or left. There are a few parking places there where people that are claiming items they are taking across the border park. We usually park there and walk across the street to get our FMM. You go inside the building and to the right. Fill out the paperwork and then they will tell you to go outside to the bank window and pay. Then you go back in and get your FMM. No one has ever said anything to us about parking right inside the border crossing. They have always been very nice. Good luck and enjoy Baja......

yukonron - 12-19-2014 at 09:08 AM

Thanks, again. Really appreciate everyone's generosity with their time to post helpful info. Cliffy, we plan to visit Loreto. Thanks for the restaurant recommendation. Good food is always at the top of my priority list!

Geting TO Tecate

durrelllrobert - 12-19-2014 at 10:38 AM

Don't get off I-8 onto 94 at the Boulevard/ Manzanita exit.

Instead continue about another 12 miles to the Buckman Springs exit/ rest area and take that road south to 94 at Campo then west to the Tecate exit.
The stretch of 94 between Boulevard and Campo is narrow and windy and there have been many head-on collisions (some involving motorcycles) on it.

Marc - 12-20-2014 at 08:15 AM

My Bud & i have been crossing at Lukeville-Sonorita. Easiest of all crossing that I know of with no traffic. A right turn at the Pemex takes you on to Mexicali on a new super highway. Also the return take about 5 minutes. I don't know why more folks do not use this crossing south of Gila Bend & Ajo.

rts551 - 12-20-2014 at 08:39 AM

Marc, I have also taken this route. From Tucson, its a little slower because of having to use the Ajo Hwy to Why/Lukeville/Sonoita

KasloKid - 12-20-2014 at 09:19 AM

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert  
Don't get off I-8 onto 94 at the Boulevard/ Manzanita exit.

Instead continue about another 12 miles to the Buckman Springs exit/ rest area and take that road south to 94 at Campo then west to the Tecate exit.
The stretch of 94 between Boulevard and Campo is narrow and windy and there have been many head-on collisions (some involving motorcycles) on it.


Most head-on collisions occur because motorcyclists hug the center line. While in Mexico, you'll soon see why it's best to stay right side of the right lane. :cool:

yukonron - 12-20-2014 at 06:09 PM

durrelllrobert, thanks for the tip. I was wondering if either route was preferable. Good to know!
Marc, we have been up to the Lukeville crossing when we were camping at Organ Pipe last year. I just wasn't sure of the quality of the road west from there to Mex 3. Sounds like it's good. Will have to reconsider our route. Might return that way as an alternate, too. Thanks.

shari - 12-21-2014 at 08:20 AM

Welcome to the Nomad sand box Ron! You will have a great trip...just be cautious and drive slow...you are on Mexican time now! We have had lots of bikers to Bahia Asuncion this year and you can pull into Campo Sirena no problema! If you make it for xmas eve...we are having a nice potluck dinner/party with a live band! Come one come all!!!

Have a wonderful adventure and dont miss out on seeing the Gray Whales in their calving lagoons...check your U2U inbox in the upper right corner under the log in thingy....viva mexico!