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funkynassau
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Tourist card, different scenario
We are going to Ensenada in Nov. 2011. We will fly into San Diego, take the bus and trolley to the border and walk across the bridge into Tijuana.
We will NOT be renting or driving a car at all. I have heard conflicting info about the tourist card. We will NOT be going anywhere other than
Ensenada and will be there 13-15 days max.
I was told that Ensenada is in the tourist zone and therefore the tourist card was not necessary. Other people say cover your behind and buy one.
What do you folks say, based on the info I have provided? If we should get the card, how much is it?
Thanks,
Funkynassau
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woody with a view
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No, it is unneeded if you stay in ensenada. they say 7 days max, but when "they" ask you for it (100-1 odds they won't) you say this is your first day
in town.
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funkynassau
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Thanks for your reply!
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krafty
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I agree, you will be fine
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funkynassau
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I hope you folks are right! I've never done this before, so am concerned about doing the right thing. I've flown into P. Vallarta and Manzanillo and
therefore had the proper card, but this is different.
Thanks!
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woody with a view
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yes, it is different. it's baja!
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bajaguy
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the right thing
If you are staying 13-14 days, get the card........it's the right thing to do, and it's the law (such as it is in Baja)........the cost is about $23
US...........you MAY never need it, but if you do need it, you will have it.
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DENNIS
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You'll walk right by the INM office so inconvenience can't be an issue. Go ahead and get the card.
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David K
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In print, I have only seen the border zone exemption period if time to be 72 hours...
Longer than that ANYWHERE in Mexico requires a Tourist Card.
A 7 day card is free.
Ensenada (and at least south to Punta Banda/ Maneadero) is in the border zone... perhaps further.
The 72 hour part has never been changed, however... Yes, some officials have apparently said a week is okay without it... but where is that written in
official FEDERAL publications?
Seriously... NOBODY asks for it... but don't break the law after 72 hours... or (as someone above said), just say that was your first day in Mexico!
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jeremias
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nobody will ever ask for it..........
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jeremias
nobody will ever ask for it.......... |
Probably not although getting the document would be the "Honorable Guest" thing to do. That's worth something.
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woody with a view
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yeah, what am i thinking. i can't stand illegal aliens, unless they go home after their vacation.
get it.
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BigWooo
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If serious accident occurs (vehicle or otherwise), and you need to be evacuated ASAP back to the U.S. for medical care, and you don't have proper
immigration paperwork, you're exit from the country could be delayed. The chances that something would happen, or that you would be delayed are
slim... but it has happened to others, why take the chance?
Get the card. It's easy and it's good insurance that you won't have problems.
[Edited on 5-8-2011 by BigWooo]
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mcfez
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
No, it is unneeded if you stay in ensenada. they say 7 days max, but when "they" ask you for it (100-1 odds they won't) you say this is your first day
in town. |
I agree here.
I have been going to Mexico (Baja too) for a hundred years and never have I or anyone traveling with me.....been asked to show their tourist card.
Your mod of travel....i am sure that you are a seasoned traveler...I advise you not to wear fancy cloths and/or jewelry. Blend in.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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funkynassau
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FWIW hubby and I are Canadian and would have pre-arranged travel/medical insurance etc. before we leave home.
Yes we have traveled a fair bit, and we travel only with one backpack each, not a bunch of suitcases etc. We really do travel light!
Fancy clothes? Not us, we are jeans and t shirt people, my watch came from Walmart  we do not attract attention, I'm sure of it.
Thanks for all of the replies!
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Bajahowodd
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Bottom line is a combo of what has been written above. Especially, if you are in possession of your passports, and are using only public transit,
there's a 99.9% chnace not having a tourist card will not negatively affect you. Especially given the idea that Dennis mentioned about telling anyone
concerned, if it even ever came up, that you are recent arrivals.
That said, I agree with others here that if you are planning a stay for long as you mentioned, not only would you be flaunting the laws of a sovereign
nation, but you would be illegal immigrants.
Pay the $20+ and feel legal. Just thinking that anyone traveling from Canada to Mexico is likely not destitute and can afford to do the right thing.
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funkynassau
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Yes we can afford to do the right thing. We do plan on buying the card, for $20. it would be money well spent if anything went wrong. Murphy's Law
could just be waiting to dump on us!
I think I find it sort of strange that there is not one exact definite way to do things that all would agree on. The casualness surprises me, you
cant do something like that here if you want to enter Canada and arent a citizen, you do it right or you dont get in. I assumed there'd be hard and
fast rules. I'm glad I asked this question, as I dont want to end up in a Mexican jail.
Thanks for all of the replies!
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by funkynassau
I think I find it sort of strange that there is not one exact definite way to do things that all would agree on. |
I think you'll find that we all agree on at least one thing....in Mexico, order and routine are secondary to chaos. Accepting this is basic to peace
of mind. You'll be fine.
Have a great trip.
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funkynassau
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Good way to put it! We do lead orderly and routine lives in Canada, for the most part, so we start off assuming everyone else is like that, and
that's just not so.
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woody with a view
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payment for all of this advice will be accepted in the form of a complete report on your trip after you return.
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