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Nappo
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Tourist Cards
We will be picking up tourist cards at TJ for a trip to Asuncion. Last year we parked in the secondary area as there seemed to be no alternative to
get to the bank and immigration office. I understand there's been some parking/entry changes. Would appreciate any suggestions for getting the
tourist permit - where to park, which lane to get into....
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Terry28
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No changes really. They just aded an electronic gate...just pull up and the gate will open. Proceed as before..
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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David K
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Yup... the gate pops open automatically (far right lane, signed 'something to declare')... I took photos of parking and offices in my July 2009 trip
report.
You may get searched before leaving the parking area and still have to push the light button when you try and leave. However, you can get your FMM and
pay for it at one stop... no searching for an open bank, and then going back to INM for the final stamp.
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Udo
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That procedure just about makes the effort worth the entry through TJ, David. Sounds easy and convenient.
I wouldn't do it myself, however. I'd use Discover Baja's services.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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David K
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yes Udo... You can get a pre-paid tourist card at Discover Baja ... BUT, it is no good until it is VALIDATED (STAMPED) at the border! So, you still
need to stop... but no need to find a bank or at Tijuana, no need to go the 6 doors away and pay for it.
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Udo
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I usually get mine stamped at either Tecate or Guerrero Negro (although GN may not always be open during the day, any day). And just for good measure,
I have my passport stamped also.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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boe4fun
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Hey David, where exactly are the photos of the new gate in the secondary area? It's in San Ysidro, right? Is there room for a 5th wheel trailer to
park? I check out both of your July '09 trip reports but couldn't see the picts. Thanks, Paul Boe
Two dirt roads diverged in Baja and I, I took the one less graveled by......
Soy ignorante, apático y ambivalente. No lo sé y no me importa, ni modo.
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David K
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http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=40348
4 photos taken while we were in the Secondary area (Tijuana). None of the gate at the entrance (I was driving, and didn't expect a fancy automatic
gate). I responded to your u2u, and for others: I said that you are doing what you are supposed to (getting your tourist card and/ or declaring
valuables) and they should make driving in and parking possible.
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ILikeMex
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What time is the IMM and bank open? Is it open M-Sun? Do you need visa only if you are traveling past a certain point and staying X number of days?
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Bajahowodd
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The IMM and the bank are 24/7 at San Ysidro. Visa needed if traveling South of Maneadero, or, if not, staying in Mexico more than 72 hours.
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Pacifico
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| Quote: | Originally posted by boe4fun
Hey David, where exactly are the photos of the new gate in the secondary area? It's in San Ysidro, right? Is there room for a 5th wheel trailer to
park? I check out both of your July '09 trip reports but couldn't see the picts. Thanks, Paul Boe |
Boe,
It is a little tight for a trailer. I have gone in towing a 16' trailer and the only problem was that it was tight getting out where you push the
button for the red or green light. We had to get out and move a barricade a little. I think a 5th wheel trailer could be a problem.... Good luck!
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Bajahowodd
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I agree completely with Pacifico on that. The lane and the gate are seemingly designed for a passenger vehicle. Once inside, there is surprisingly
little parking space, given the nature of the place. But, an alternative that some have tried is to drive through the regular entrance and turn out at
the first exit and walk back, presents you with the challenge of parking on the city streets.
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msteve1014
Senior Nomad
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The last time we went through, pulling a boat. They let me park along side the fence on the left hand side of the lanes. Where they open the gate to
have you return to the U.S.
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RnR
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Boe,
You can get a trailer through the secondary area. I have done it every year for 11 years. I have a four door truck and a 28ft trailer. It's tight
but doable.
I just park right before the diagonal spaces on the left when you first come through the gate. One time it was really busy and I was trying to
declare some stuff and the trailer had the area pretty well tied up. After some frantic whistle blowing and arm waving by the cops directing traffic
and a somewhat heated discussion between the cops and Aduana, the customs officer just threw down the paperwork and said GO!!! (Those cops saved me
about $250US on import duties)
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TMW
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
I usually get mine stamped at either Tecate or Guerrero Negro (although GN may not always be open during the day, any day). And just for good measure,
I have my passport stamped also. |
Udo who stamped your papers at Tecate? In April we stopped for our visa and the immigration officer gave up a sheet of paper to take to the bank and
the bank filled it out and stamped it, no going back to IO.
[Edited on 7-30-2010 by TW]
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David K
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TW, there is a bank payment stamp and THEN the validating INM stamp... Unless INM stamped it before you paid the fee? One stamp on the Tourist Card at
the INM office and one stamp on the sheet of paper from the bank teller= a valid tourist card... (so it would seem?)
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Nappo
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Thanks for all the replies on my original post. Have traveled to Baja many years - remember "Manderano (SP?)" Asuncion Bay 2 years - never been
asked for a tourist card but will always get one when traveling below San Quintin - "Insurance"....Play the game, spend the time then enjoy Baja!
I'll post when I return next week (we're headed to SQ, but figure it's better to spend an hour to get our tourist cards for that trip rather than the
trip to Asuncion!) if there's any hints or suggestions...Hey, how's that new elevated road they're going to build from the border up and over all the
street roads from the border to the toll road?
Thx again for your input.
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bigmike
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Has anyone heard of a Tourist Card that is issued for 7 days at no charge?
I have a group of guys going fishing for a week out of San Felipe and have been told that the Navy has been boarding the mother ship and you must have
a Toursit card and have been told by the booking agent that they can get 7 day cards for free at the border and I have never heard of them.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Yes... we have heard of them and we hear if you 'insist' they will issue you one. There has been posts here on Nomad about the FREE seven day tourist
card... It was true of the FM-T but not positive about the FMM...
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bigmike
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Location: Punta Banda
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Thanks David, I did check on Discover Baja's web site and they said you can get them at the border for free, so hopefully my guys can get them,
luckily I have my FM-3. We use to have to buy the FMT's on board from immigration in San Felipe, then they stopped requiring
them, now they are back to it with no warning, another way to keep the tourists coming!! LOL
[Edited on 7-31-2010 by bigmike]
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