bearbait1
Junior Nomad
Posts: 74
Registered: 9-23-2007
Location: North Pole AK
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Am I Ready
I am about 10 days out from leaving North Pole AK headed to Los Barriles. I have passport, fishing license and insurance, am I missing anything,
paperwork wise? I will need to stop at the border and get an FMT, is that correct? I drove down once before about 15 years ago so I have some idea
what I'm getting into and after 27 years in the USAF I am finally retired and able to spend some time on this trip. Any advice is appriciated.
Dale
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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You are ready now! HAVE FUN, you don't need no stinking advise.
edit.. I take it back. You are asking a good question. A couple things:
Remember to get your money exchanged and don't keep it all in one place. Make a photocopy of important docs, ID etc.
Try to travel during daylight hours in Baja. Stay the night in a hotel occasionally. Have a dog?
Speak as much Spanish as you can. Enjoy the hospitality of rural Baja. Visit little communities.
Swim, fish and play. Bring stuff for watersports.
See the "The list" Nomad post.
Partake of the culture when possible.
Drive safely. Don't forget the TP. and other necessities.
[Edited on 3-20-2008 by Sharksbaja]
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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livencabo
Junior Nomad
Posts: 43
Registered: 11-18-2007
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When I travelled on the FMT, I used to get it in Ensenada at Migracion. Try to get the full 180 days for travel time so that you won't have to check
in for an extension later.
Trip information is very helpful so keep a diary to report when you get to your destination.
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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To quicken the pace...I would stop and get a FMT prior to the crossing. This last trip was a breeze at the border in and out of the stamp shack in 10
minutes. The wife of a couple doing the paper work and funding ask me, on the way out, how I pulled that off (said they were there almost an hour
already) I said I paid and got mine at the Vagabundo's also can be done at consulate in San Diego, but way easy at Vagabundo's in Rio Vista,
CA...great town to stay the night too. It is on the Sacramento river.
Albert
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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vandy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 538
Registered: 10-10-2003
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If you're going through Tijuana, get your FMT by staying in the right lane "Stuff to Declare" and park. They have a bank to change $, get your FMT,
etc. DO NOT try to get it in Ensenada or Guerrero Negro, where they sometimes are not around or may try to fine you for not having one.
For an extended stay, I'd recommend a fish identification book (or look them up on Gene Kira's mexfish.com, fish ID) and a good bird book and a Baja
reptiles/amphibians book. I don't think there's a good Baja insect book.
A laptop with headset and SKYPE or other internet phone is really handy to keep money out of Carlos Slim's pocket. It's currently under 3 cents per
minute. Wireless internet at Tio Pablo's, Buzzards Bay, Roadrunner Cafe and Baja Land Deals. Otherwise expect about $1.50/minute to call the US by
cell phone or 50 cents per minute for payphones.
An alternative i to see whether your current cell phone allows free text messaging to/from Mexico...I think AT&T does that.
Los Barriles should just be winding down the Kite-boarding season in Mid-April with the north winds finally slacking. If you can figure out how to
set up a shade right on the edge of the water, you can beat the heat until about mid-June.
Then it's time for the Pacific side...or air conditioning.
Enjoy your retirement!
P.S. I can suggest alternatives to Los Barriles if you want to stretch your retirement $...
[Edited on 3-20-2008 by vandy]
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bearbait1
Junior Nomad
Posts: 74
Registered: 9-23-2007
Location: North Pole AK
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When I drove down last time I crossed at a small crossing in the hills East of San Diego, I don't remember the name offhand, is that still a good idea
to avoid the congestion? I'll be staying in Baja about 3 weeks and leave a pickup, trailer, and camping gear in storage down there to make visiting
easier in the future. Thanks for the advice.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Never crossed south at Otay. I assume that is the one you mean. I've always entered thru San Ysidro and getting an FMT there is a snap. Congestion
entering Mexico anywhere is a rare occasion.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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Sharks.......I think he might be talking about taking 808? that does save some time with the back-up since you kind of cut in line.........same as
the border crossing, Keep in the far right lane "Something to Declare" park and get your FMT, when you come out the other side you have again "cut
in line" Getting it done in Ensanada is a big hassle! First you have to find parking (the office is a small building, no parking there.......It's
been awhile since I've done it there, but, last time we had to walk several blocks with the paperwork to the bank and then back to La
Migra............others have reported that the guy in the office is a jerk and seems to entertain himself with making the process hard (even reports
of him turning people back saying that they should have gotten the FMT at the border) Not true, not the law.
Best advice I can offer (and I think others here will agree) Smile, smile, smile, be as nice and humble as you can stomach, and you will be on your
way in a matter of minutes.........even if the person you are dealing with seems to be having a bad day and wants to pass it to you.
Enjoy your trip (long time away)
Mean people suck!
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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oh.. thanks Deb.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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Mood: up on step
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I think when you crossed last time it was at Tecate; our favorite crossing...no hassle, very little "wait" time. Good choice. Check your maps and
adjust; it's Waaaaaayyyyy better than Tijuana
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3290
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
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We always cross at Tecate. Park at the Payless Shoe Store on the US side, walk across, get FMT, walk across street to Bank and pay, go back to
Imigration for stamp, walk back across to US and drive across. I've probably crossed there 20 times and never got the "red light". I'll probably get
it next time for saying that.....dt
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Kell-Baja
Nomad
Posts: 360
Registered: 1-18-2003
Location: San Diego
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Have a GREAT TRIP!!!!!! You deserve it!
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sylens
Senior Nomad
Posts: 584
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Ensenada
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Mood: ando bajando
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Debra
Getting it done in Ensanada is a big hassle! First you have to find parking (the office is a small building, no parking there.......It's been awhile
since I've done it there, but, last time we had to walk several blocks with the paperwork to the bank and then back to La Migra............others have
reported that the guy in the office is a jerk and seems to entertain himself with making the process hard (even reports of him turning people back
saying that they should have gotten the FMT at the border) Not true, not the law.
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actually it is the law. tourist visas are supposed to be obtained prior to or AT POINT OF ENTRY. so if you arrive in mexico by sea in ensenada, you
get your fmt in ensenada; if you came into mexico at tijuana, you must get it there. this "detail" began to be enforced in ensenada about two years
ago, with big signs advising folks and a fine for failure to comply (of about 50 pesos, i think).
btw buen viaje and Ħque te vaya bien!
lili
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bearbait1
Junior Nomad
Posts: 74
Registered: 9-23-2007
Location: North Pole AK
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It was Tacate where I crossed last time. Which side of the road is the Payless shoe store on? Can I buy peso's at the bank there? Do I need to pay
for the FMT at the bank? Can anyone recomend a good safe campground close to the Tacate crossing on the US side? Thanks everybody!
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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Potrero County Campground is about 6 or 7 miles from the border,
lots of posts here concerning that place, clean, warm showers, etc.
Don't "buy" pesos, use the ATM, best exchange rate, and easy to find anywhere. I like Bancomer.
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bearbait1
Junior Nomad
Posts: 74
Registered: 9-23-2007
Location: North Pole AK
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tHANKS
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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| Quote: | Originally posted by thebajarunner
Potrero County Campground is about 6 or 7 miles from the border,
lots of posts here concerning that place, clean, warm showers, etc.
Don't "buy" pesos, use the ATM, best exchange rate, and easy to find anywhere. I like Bancomer. |
I used to think that was true also, but have found that Chase Bank is charging a fee. I do get the best exchange rate but the fee for a limit amount
of 5,000 Pesos is high. So you need to read the fine print as well. I personally do better with a straight exchange.
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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ATM
All I know is that last month the Bancomer in Maneadero gave me an excellent exchange rate and charged me somewhere around $1.15 (US) for the 2000
peso deal.
I thought that was just fine,
then again, some banks have better deals within their participatory systems,
my bank is a very small local bank here in Central California.
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