Hi. I've never driven to mainland Mexico before. I keep a CA registered car in Baja. Will I have problems if I take the ferry across and do some
exploring? I'd get the insurance, but what else would I need to do? Let's say for two weeks of driving.bajaguy - 3-15-2018 at 07:46 AM
Hi. I've never driven to mainland Mexico before. I keep a CA registered car in Baja. Will I have problems if I take the ferry across and do some
exploring? I'd get the insurance, but what else would I need to do? Let's say for two weeks of driving.
Doug/Vamonos - 3-15-2018 at 08:17 AM
My status is white guy who drives down a dozen times a year with a tourist permit and hablas espanol.bajaguy - 3-15-2018 at 08:20 AM
With a 'tourist permit" (FMM) you will be able to get a TIP, then drive to your heart's content on the mainland David K - 3-15-2018 at 08:30 AM
Has the Tourist Card (FMM) rules changed about leaving personal property (car) behind, in Mexico, when your vacation is over?AKgringo - 3-15-2018 at 09:11 AM
If you have Mexican insurance on your Baja based vehicle, you are probably already covered on the mainland. Mine is that way.
I have not taken the ferry for quite a few year, but I got my TIP at the border when I entered Baja with the intention of making the voyage.
I am curious if you can get one at Santa Rosalia, or La Paz. Would your coice of destination ports be Topolobampo, or Mazatlán?RnR - 3-15-2018 at 09:12 AM
The question about your immigration status is very important.
Holders of FMM and RT (Temporary Residents) status will be able to purchase a TIP at the La Paz ferry terminal for a trip to the mainland. The TIP is
only valid until the expiration date on the FMM or RT.
Holders of RP (Permanent Residents) can not purchase a TIP and can not bring their vehicle to the mainland. The reason - they can not legally drive
a foreign plated vehicle in Mexico. RP holders should have a Mexican license and Mexican plates. This is not enforced in Baja but it is on the
mainland.
There may be an additional issue with your TIP and travel to the mainland. To recieve the refund of your TIP payment, you have to turn in your TIP
paperwork/sticker at your port of exit from Mexico. This is not possible in La Paz. Only at the the northern border cities with the US.
So, in order to turn in your TIP you would have to exit Mexico to the US and then drive back into Mexico to leave your vehicle in Baja for the future.
(Or at least drive north to a TIP ofiice in a border city and then return to Baja without ever actually crossing the border - just turn around and
head south again.)
Doug/Vamonos - 3-16-2018 at 07:13 AM
Thank RnR. Very helpful.RnR - 3-16-2018 at 07:42 AM
It confirms my experience with the TIP process. (Which I really did not quite understand at the time) JZ - 3-16-2018 at 08:19 AM
Depends were you go on the mainland.
Sonora doesn't need an import permit for a large portion of the state from the border, down to Emalme (just South of Guaymas/San Carlos). Caveat is
if you have bikes or quads with you, then you need one everywhere.
The Santa Rosalia ferry goes across to Guaymas, which is in the no permit required zone. So, I would think you could get on the ferry w/o a permit,
but I'd call them to be 100% sure.
