BajaNomad

FMM

advrider - 10-16-2021 at 08:49 PM

Where would be the best place to get your FMM while pulling a trailer? I really like crossing at Tecate and thought about parking and walking across on foot and getting it and then cross back?

Better to do it on line first and then just get it stamped?

I know there are posts on this but I suck at using the search feature.

KasloKid - 10-16-2021 at 10:33 PM

We used to park overnight at the Potrero County Park in our 5th wheel. Register, unhook the trailer, drive to the Tecate border (a couple of miles away), park on the US side, walk across and get our FMM's. Spend the evening at the quiet County Park and in the morning we'd always do a sewer flush and dump and top up our fresh water tank. We'd always get waived through at the border. We always managed to get as far as Catavina that day and park our trailer at Rancho Santa Ines for a small overnight fee.

It seems that parking in any border town, USA or Mexico, is a scarce commodity... especially with a trailer.

advrider - 10-17-2021 at 06:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by KasloKid  
We used to park overnight at the Potrero County Park in our 5th wheel. Register, unhook the trailer, drive to the Tecate border (a couple of miles away), park on the US side, walk across and get our FMM's. Spend the evening at the quiet County Park and in the morning we'd always do a sewer flush and dump and top up our fresh water tank. We'd always get waived through at the border. We always managed to get as far as Catavina that day and park our trailer at Rancho Santa Ines for a small overnight fee.

It seems that parking in any border town, USA or Mexico, is a scarce commodity... especially with a trailer.



We were looking at that park thinking the same thing. That just might be the way to go, thanks.

WestyWanderer - 10-17-2021 at 06:53 AM

I like printing ours out online first, it speeds up the stop. We have three young kids so anything that reduces the car time for them helps. You have to know exactly what day you’re going down when you do it online, but you can do free or 180 day ones and you pay online too.

Last time we went down (6 months ago) Mexicali west told us if we wanted a free FMM (7 days or less stay) we could only do it online, they don’t offer free ones in the office anymore.

David K - 10-17-2021 at 08:40 AM

Getting one online still doesn't avoid the need to stop and walk into the INM desk, as it need to be validated (stamped)... It only removes the need to pay at the border, which takes but a minute.

Unless things have changed, the online one must be used on the day, and at the crossing, pre-specified. IF things change, detoured to a different crossing or cross a different day, it is void. The money is lost.

Just do it all at the border when you go south... since you have to walk to the INM desk either way.

KasloKid - 10-17-2021 at 09:53 AM

You're welcome! Tecate has a little strip mall just before the border (on the right). I've parked there with my truck, bought a bag of chips or something to "validate" my reason for parking there, then walked across

WestyWanderer - 10-17-2021 at 10:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Getting one online still doesn't avoid the need to stop and walk into the INM desk, as it need to be validated (stamped)... It only removes the need to pay at the border, which takes but a minute.

Unless things have changed, the online one must be used on the day, and at the crossing, pre-specified. IF things change, detoured to a different crossing or cross a different day, it is void. The money is lost.

Just do it all at the border when you go south... since you have to walk to the INM desk either way.


It’s at least a 20 minute process for a family or 5 to get FMM’s at the border if all goes well. If you have them printed out, takes maybe 2 minutes to get them stamped.

David K - 10-17-2021 at 10:56 AM

Yes, you are right, but the time to park and walk, and maybe wait in line is still the same... The option of not pre-buying them in advance comes without the risk of losing your $150 dollars (5 x $30) should you miss crossing on the day you pre-selected or when the border is closed as when there are riots, protestors, etc.
Options are always good on a Baja trip!


[Edited on 10-17-2021 by David K]

advrider - 10-17-2021 at 11:03 AM

All good points. I know it was posted before but when we crossed a few years ago in Calexico we never did find the office to get our visas. Could someone post the sat view of where everything is? Again with a trailer its nice to know before hand.

WestyWanderer - 10-17-2021 at 01:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Yes, you are right, but the time to park and walk, and maybe wait in line is still the same... The option of not pre-buying them in advance comes without the risk of losing your $150 dollars (5 x $30) should you miss crossing on the day you pre-selected or when the border is closed as when there are riots, protestors, etc.
Options are always good on a Baja trip!


[Edited on 10-17-2021 by David K]


Yea never had a problem with any of that. We always get the free FMM also so no risk of losing money.

TMW - 10-17-2021 at 01:53 PM

I got my FMM at tecate on Oct 4th and the office used a credit card device for me to pay. I didn't go to the bank outside, maybe it's closed.

Alm - 10-17-2021 at 05:57 PM

The best place to get FMM is San Ysidro. You just drive through without FMM :).

Online FMM does save time. Easy parking for trailers at SY too.

advrider - 10-17-2021 at 06:11 PM

Never crossed at San Ysidro, where is it located? Sometimes we head to San Felipe the first night or two so Tecate isn't always going to be the best pick.

David K - 10-17-2021 at 06:43 PM

You can just drive through any border witthout stopping unless you get a red light... and then it never has been (for me) to ask about an FMM.

At San Ysidro, get into the right lane as you near Mexico. Pull over at the 'Something to Declare' right hand fork... drive towards the giant flag pole and head for the covered parking.

Walk into the big building and at the far end, just outside are the INM desks (or look for INM if that has changed). Bring your passport and money or card.

When you leave, and drive away, you merge back into the lines crossing into Mexico, where you may or may not get a red light for secondary.

AKgringo - 10-17-2021 at 06:44 PM

The problem this country boy has with San Ysidro, is driving through Southern CA to get there!

mtgoat666 - 10-17-2021 at 06:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
The problem this country boy has with San Ysidro, is driving through Southern CA to get there!


What is wrong with so cal?
Great place!
Does traffic bother you? Grow a pair, or avoid rush hour.
It is a fabulous highway system! Much better than many other large metro areas.

Bajazly - 10-17-2021 at 07:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by advrider  
Never crossed at San Ysidro, where is it located? Sometimes we head to San Felipe the first night or two so Tecate isn't always going to be the best pick.


Mexicali west is a breeze. Right before you hit the gates, on the far left there is a little parking lot that is covered. Double park on the outside of it with a trailer and walk into the obvious building and the FMM guy is to the left.

This is once you drive into the point of no return off the city streets of Calexico.

[Edited on 10-18-2021 by Bajazly]

advrider - 10-17-2021 at 08:10 PM

Bajazly, that might be the way to go, I'll check it out. The last time we went that way we missed it and went around in circles and finally gave up.

Bajazly - 10-17-2021 at 09:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by advrider  
Bajazly, that might be the way to go, I'll check it out. The last time we went that way we missed it and went around in circles and finally gave up.


This is at the new and improved crossing and you really can't miss it, on the left hand side as you are going in just before the gates you go thru right before where they would inspect you.

[Edited on 10-18-2021 by Bajazly]

Alm - 10-17-2021 at 11:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  

What is wrong with so cal?
Great place!
Does traffic bother you? Grow a pair, or avoid rush hour.

LA rush hour may happen at any time. San Diego is more predictable. Hwy 15 was suggested to bypass the LA, but when near SD the Hwy 15 is essentially in metro area and in the rush hour may cost you more time than taking I5. Everybody is driving in/to their obscure place in the valley.

David K - 10-18-2021 at 05:01 AM

Mexicali West has a new (in 2019) border crossing, a couple blocks west of the original one. The parking area, is on the left before the building and automatic gates. The INM desk is inside that building. If you miss getting into the left lane to park, after passing the gates, you may be able to park on the right curb and walk across the lanes and back into that building.

Bajazly, are you thinking of the Mexicali East crossing?

Bajazly - 10-18-2021 at 08:01 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  


Bajazly, are you thinking of the Mexicali East crossing?


Doh! I don't know what i was saying, yes far left. Must have been thinking of trying to talk my way out of getting busted bringing a motor across to get rebuilt. I told the guy someone told me to go to the far right to declare, it didn't work, had to go back and pay.