BajaNomad

MX "exclusion zone". Is it extinct, or still stinct???

bajalearner - 11-17-2015 at 09:34 AM

I've been drifting in the US for several months in my mitorhome so have not kept up on the requirements for an American traveling a few miles into MX. I will cross at san Ysidro and drive to Puerto Penasco at the north end od the Sea of Cortez. Driving my mtr home with an enclosed trailer with 1 motorcycle. Want to stay a month.

[Edited on 11-17-2015 by bajalearner]

David K - 11-17-2015 at 09:54 AM


1) You are required to obtain a tourist card at the border (or get one obtained before your trip, stamped at the border). [You must have a valid passport to get a tourist card.]
This is because you will be in Mexico over 72 hours, even inside the "border zone". Recent posts indicate the "border zone" exclusion is no longer honored, but that seems to be applied for pedestrians since all vehicles are not stopped.

2) The other factor that applies to Mainland Mexico is the requirement for a Vehicle Permit (TIP) over there. In Sonora, there is a "Sonora Free Zone" where the TIP is not required... and that includes travel as far south as Guaymas.

sancho - 11-17-2015 at 02:40 PM

The border zone/ 72 hr rule needs to be put to rest, done. It
does not exist, at least at the crossing into TJ. All visitors
to Baja thru San Ysidro are required to get an fmm, peds
will get the free 7 day or pay the $22 for the 180 day.
Vehicles are not stopped, due to the fact it would cause a cluster. So it is up to the individual to stop, in many cases
they don't. Other crossings may have a different application. I
understand one can go to Mexicalli without an fmm for the day.
In the past many went to Penasco without a tourist card, don't
know what they require at the AZ. crossings into Mex

dasubergeek - 11-17-2015 at 03:45 PM

I crossed on foot at Los Algodones a week ago Sunday and they didn't even bat an eyelash.

bajalearner - 11-21-2015 at 11:47 AM

Update; I drove from TJ to Puerto Penasco, Sonora without a need to show a MX visa. There are signs on MX 8 road indicating it is a vehicle free zone for US cars. I passed through one military checkpoint, a federal police checkpoint and an ag checkpoint but was not asked for a Visa.

sancho - 11-21-2015 at 04:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajalearner  
Update; I drove from TJ to Puerto Penasco, Sonora without a need to show a MX visa. There are signs on MX 8 road indicating it is a vehicle free zone for US cars. I passed through one military checkpoint, a federal police checkpoint and an ag checkpoint but was not asked for a Visa.










Typically the Mex Army guys at the checkpoints do not ask for immigration papers. That is the jursdiction of Mex Imm. One
can often drive from TJ to the Cape and never be asked for an
fmm. Or in a couple recent cases being asked for an fmm just after crossing into Mexicali thru the Downtown crossing. Not being asked for an fmm does not mean it is not
required. It has always been up to the individual to comply
or not to comply. I always carry fmm, ins, etc. I do not want
to be asked for something I don't have, plus it's just common
courtesy. Vehicle permits for the mainland have for yrs. been
required if going so. of Guaymas

Marc - 11-21-2015 at 05:28 PM

I would cross at Lukeville. The border is dead quiet going both ways.