BajaNomad

San Felipe in an RV

HeyMulegeScott - 3-4-2017 at 09:27 AM

Hola - We are headed down next week with another couple to San Felipe in our 36ft RV towing a Jeep.

I gather from the advice here that Mexicali East is where we want to cross. Is it possible to walk across the border and get the tourist permit the day before in order to avoid the parking hassle with a bigger rig?

Thanks.

Udo - 3-4-2017 at 10:38 AM

It's a long walk to the customs office.
And once in Mexico, you will have to exit with the rest of the people exiting Mexico.

There is no in-and-out at any border crossing. The closest thing to the in-and-out is in Tecate, and perhaps Algodones.

mtgoat666 - 3-4-2017 at 10:50 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo  


There is no in-and-out at any border crossing. The closest thing to the in-and-out is in Tecate, and perhaps Algodones.


There are in-n-outs in Yuma and el centro.

:lol:

HeyMulegeScott - 3-4-2017 at 11:26 AM

We went to Algodones last month and that is definitely easy. Maybe with the snowbirds starting to head back home it won't be so bad getting back into the US. Thanks guys.

PaulW - 3-4-2017 at 06:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  
Hola - We are headed down next week with another couple to San Felipe in our 36ft RV towing a Jeep.

I gather from the advice here that Mexicali East is where we want to cross. Is it possible to walk across the border and get the tourist permit the day before in order to avoid the parking hassle with a bigger rig?

Thanks.

=====
Definitely do not walk. Drive thru non declare. They will probably stop you for inspection then ask the customs inspector where to get your FMM and ask where to park.
If you get waved thru and did not have to stop - then proceed the the 2nd right turn and park in the parking lot and walk back to get the FMM. Difficult right turn for a big rig - use both lanes for the turn.

HeyMulegeScott - 3-5-2017 at 08:09 AM

Thanks Paul.

jamesthomsen - 3-6-2017 at 09:59 PM

Just crossed the border this morning. I got the FMM on line and entry went very quickly, just a passport check and forms stamped.

HeyMulegeScott - 3-7-2017 at 08:16 PM

Went to Algodones today to get our stamps and they would not do it. They are not allowing you to cross into Mexico and come back to the USA.

norte - 3-7-2017 at 08:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  
Went to Algodones today to get our stamps and they would not do it. They are not allowing you to cross into Mexico and come back to the USA.


what do you mean? people cross there all the time to go to the dentist.

ljprusko - 3-7-2017 at 08:54 PM

I walk across the border in Mexicaalli all the time and its easy. Got my FMM there a few months ago and it was easy. Just walk across, go about a block through all the "underground" shops, walk up the stairs, hang a right, and the FMM office is right there. Easy to find and close to the border. i rarely have to wait to walk back into the US/Calexico, except on Sunday afternoons/evenings when it can get real busy.

HeyMulegeScott - 3-8-2017 at 08:29 AM

Norte - People don't get an FMM to go to the dentist in Algodones. I should clarify that FMM is good for one entry and my comment was in regards to getting it stamped and crossing back into the US. I know it's a common practice but we are wondering in light of the political situation if things have changed. Maybe it's just Algodones.

David K - 3-8-2017 at 09:03 AM

???
Once you walk out their door, they don't control where you go... dentist, San Felipe, or back to your RV on the other side of the border.

If you are going more than once or longer than a week or just don't want the hassle of returning the 7 day FMM: get the 180 day one for 500 pesos and be done with the drama for 6 months!


HeyMulegeScott - 3-8-2017 at 09:15 AM

David K - I guess I'm not explaining this right. It's not that they physically didn't allow us to cross or come back. They just wanted to know where we were going and when. Seeing that we had walked across the border they knew we weren't going to walk to San Felipe. We did buy the 180 day one online and just couldn't get the silly thing stamped. Technically the FMM is only good for one entry and it's clearly stated as such on their website:

"The applicant acknowledges herein that the FMM has a maximum validity of 180 calendar days and shall be valid for one entry only."