proneman
Junior Nomad
Posts: 39
Registered: 6-6-2007
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Into mex through Mexicali
What do I need to know about getting tourist card etc....?
thanks,
rogelio
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
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The only time I did it a few years ago the office is on the opposite side of the street...so you have to park on the right (not always an easy task in
Mexico at the border) after entering and leave your car/truck and schlep across the street. If you have the option Tecate is a lot easier (even if you
have to walk down the street a bit to the bank to pay.)
Funny thing is that TJ is by far the easiest ...plenty of easy parking, office right there and you pay right there.
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MICK
Nomad
Posts: 499
Registered: 11-12-2003
Location: Rio Hardy
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Mood: livin the good life on the river
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when approching the border stay in the far right lane. Right after you go over the speed bumps you will see a parking lot on your right side. It is
before the border gates. Pull in there and park. Then you need to walk across the traffic mostly stopped for the border and you will see the migra
office They are easy to spot. Once you have taken care of the paper work you can go back to where your car is and there is a bank there to pay.
It's only bad early in the morning or late afternoon.
Goodluck
Mick
Getting there is ALL the fun!
Ok being here is fun to
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proneman
Junior Nomad
Posts: 39
Registered: 6-6-2007
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Thanks for info.....
rogelio
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Bajajorge
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2604
Registered: 10-13-2005
Location: Topaz Lake, NV/San Felipe
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To my knowlege no Tourist Visa is necessary entering Baja, unless of course you will be staying for an extended period.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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Mick, Your info on Imm parking at Mexicali/Calexico
is of interest to me. I've been to that Imm office a few times
and have had to park some 6 blks into Mexicali and walk
back. So you are saying there is parking BEFORE the
red light/green light Mex Customs gates? you park then walk
across the Mex customs line/gates to the Imm office which
is on the left side as enter Mex?
thanks for the info
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajajorge
To my knowlege no Tourist Visa is necessary entering Baja, unless of course you will be staying for an extended period. |
Right, not needed to 'enter' Baja... you can drive right into Baja without any papers or questions about papers... It is an honor system of-sorts that
you do not stay in Mexico for over 72 hours or travel south of the 'border zone' without an FMM "Tourist Card".
If you are staying for more than 3 days inside the border zone or are traveling south of the border zone, then you are technically required to have
the Tourist Card.... which you get at the INM office at the border. Free for up to 7 days, or about 23 dollars for up to 180 days. Since Mexican
officials cannot take you money, you need to pay at a bank and return to the INM office for validation. The Tijuana border has a 24/7 bank teller just
for these payments... other borders may have a bank at or near the border, open during normal bank hours. Obtaining a pre-paid Tourist Card at
Discover Baja Travel Club takes care of this problem if you are not using Tijuana or are using another border when their bank is closed.
What is the border zone?: Usually accepted is south to San Felipe area on Hwy. 5, or to Punta Banda/ Maneadero on Hwy. 1. It also may be the entire
state of Baja California (Norte)... perhaps even the entire peninsula now that the (one and only) immigration checkpoint at the Baja Sur border on
Hwy. 1 is closed? How far south can you drive and return to the U.S. in 72 hours, however?
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