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Jaybo
Nomad
Posts: 240
Registered: 12-7-2009
Location: NW Oregon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Praying for Baja!
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Crossing the border and Money...
OK, We are crossing at El Centro/Calexico crossing on a Sunday morning. I know I will need to exchange money so I need to find out if you fine
nomads have a preferred place to exchange?
I know there has been all this talk about changes in being able to withdraw money from ATM's and such. So not sure how this is going to impact me.
Will I be able to take my debit card to a bank ATM and withdraw cash? Is there any daily limits? What about cheapest fees and fair exchange rate?
We are also going to be in a car that is NOT in our name. We will be on the owners Mexico insurance policy (and our insurance will cover us in the
states) so I am wondering if there is any additional paperwork I might need since the vehicle does not belong to us? I'm sure a copy of the insurance
will be in order. Thoughts?
..Jay
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Jaybo
Will I be able to take my debit card to a bank ATM and withdraw cash? Is there any daily limits? What about cheapest fees and fair exchange rate?
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Bank ATMs in all big grocery stores etc. My limit is $600 dollars, in Pesos, each day.
There's one ATM to steer clear of and I think it's Bancomer. Their fee is 68 Pesos per transaction when the others charge mas o menos 25 Pesos.
These charges will be presented to you on the screen for your acceptace or to decline if you so choose. Just pay attention to what you agree to.
As far as other fees, I ignore that. It's the price I pay for the convenience.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
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I cross at the Old Downtown crossing from Calexico
into Mexicali, I believe it is Imperial Ave that goes into
Mex, there are a few Casa de Cambios on the right
hand side of Imperial, 4-5 blks from the border, a
Mc Donalds is across the street from one. You should call
your Mex Ins Co as to the owner situation, historically
one needs a letter from the registered owner, I have
also heard, NOT VERIFIED, that Mex Cops want the
registered owner in the vehicle. Depending how
far, how long into Mex, you may also consider the
Mex Immigration tourist card, fmm. $24, for 180 days
or the free 7 day fmm, I always get one or the other
when I go into Mex, that is if your not aware of
the fmm
[Edited on 2-4-2013 by sancho]
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
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Be sure to contact your bank and credit card companies and let them know of your travel plans.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
Be sure to contact your bank and credit card companies and let them know of your travel plans. |
Absolutly a good idea. While you're at it, get spare cards in case a machine eats the one you're using.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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I second the statements of DENNIS as well as Ken.
It is important that you notify your home bank, or they may put a hold on foreign transactions.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Jaybo
Nomad
Posts: 240
Registered: 12-7-2009
Location: NW Oregon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Praying for Baja!
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Dennis, Thanks on the Bancomer warning, and Ken, Ditto about notifying my bank and credit card companies! I had not thought about that!
Sancho, You raise a concern obviously. We are taking the vehicle down to SJDC for the owner so that they can use it down there and eventually drive
it back to the states. Getting the letter should not be an issue I would not think. Probably should have it notarized as well I would think. Since
the owner won't be in the vehicle obviously I guess the letter and insurance info will get me a pass. Not going to do the mordida thing. I just wish
I had a spare license to give. I will be getting the FMM as I will be in Baja for 3 weeks and am flying back. Will I be able to get the FMM on a
Sunday morning at Calexico?
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
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I don't know about Calexico but ....
If you get sent to Revision (secondary) at the new El Chapparel border crossing they are asking to see your drivers license and car registration (for
possible stolen cars?) and proof of insurance. Don't know what happens if they don't match
Bob Durrell
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Jaybo
Nomad
Posts: 240
Registered: 12-7-2009
Location: NW Oregon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Praying for Baja!
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Bob - Umm Thanks I think... Just added a whole lot more stress on me .. heh
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
If you get sent to Revision (secondary) at the new El Chapparel border crossing they are asking to see your drivers license and car registration (for
possible stolen cars?) and proof of insurance. Don't know what happens if they don't match |
Interesting. I've had my hood opened more than once there, but never asked for insurance. I'll have to put that document in the baggy with the others
they want to see....DL...Passport/Card.....registration.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Jaybo
Probably should have it notarized as well I would think. Since the owner won't be in the vehicle obviously I guess the letter and insurance info will
get me a pass. I will be getting the FMM as I will be in Baja for 3 weeks and am flying back. Will I be able to get the FMM on a Sunday morning at
Calexico? |
If there is no place to pay for the fmm on Sun., they will
issue you an fmm, with the stipulation you pay at
a bank, Bancomer I believe, down the road in 5 days or
so, that has been Mex Imm policy in the past, I have
never done that though
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chuckie
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6082
Registered: 2-20-2012
Location: Kansas Prairies
Member Is Offline
Mood: Weary
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BIG Gotcha if you dont get it paid....
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65411
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Wow, don't freak the guy out with stuff that doesn't ever happen.
1) A NOTORIZED statement from the owner that you can drive his car, in Mexico IS a good idea.
2) When you walk into the INM office, at the border, for your FMM/ Tourist card, they DO NOT ask for car information/ insurance. They want a valid
passport for proof of citizenship. Been getting tourist cards since the 1970's (they were free until mid 2000). The valid passport requirement is
what's new (since 2011)... before 2011, a birth certificate and photo ID worked for Mexico tourist cards.
3) I would get the pesos on the U.S. side before entering Mexico. What iff the ATM in Mexico failed or ate your card? You can use dollars everywhere
in Baja, there just is an exchange advatage to having pesos. I personally only get pesos for the longer trips into Baja Sur, and get what I estimate
for gasoline and taco stands/ restaurants/ motels. Most better motels and hotels will take cards... If you run short, you can get more pesos at an ATM
with your debit, but have dollars on you enough to get home.
[Edited on 2-5-2013 by David K]
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
Member Is Offline
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It won't happen if you have all the stuff!!! It is like taking the dog, I always have all the papers and have never been asked but you can bet that
the first time I don't have them i will be asked! Have everything so you don't stress. Oh...and have a great trip! nancy
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13052
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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I have shown a letter from a car owner to the police before and it wasnt notarized and they didnt care at all...jut wanted to see the letter.
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rogbag
Nomad
Posts: 124
Registered: 8-27-2008
Location: Los Barriles, BCS
Member Is Offline
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Went thru El Chaparral southbound two weeks ago with a fully loaded 12' cargo trailer behind a loaded Expedition and was asked for trailer
registration (CA). No request for car registration (So Dakota) or drivers license (CA), or insurance (Baja Bound).
We got visas, fairly quick check of contents of car & trailer, paid $1,186.00 MP duty, then went thru another quick check in secondary, and were
on our way. Total of about 2 hours.
Went to Bancomer today here in Los Barriles for a re-load of pesos, and the Comision Cajero was $60.00 MP, IVA Comision was $6.60 MP.
Have never had a problem with Bancomer ATM here in LB getting money from my BofA account. Since I can get at least $10,000.00 MP at a time, it makes
the comision cajero a little easier to swallow.
Have now set up peso & dollar accounts @ Bancomer, and will have to see how that all shakes out in the future.
Jaybo - have a fun trip south - we sure did.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rogbag
Went thru El Chaparral southbound two weeks ago with a fully loaded 12' cargo trailer behind a loaded Expedition and was asked for trailer
registration (CA). No request for car registration (So Dakota) or drivers license (CA), or insurance (Baja Bound).
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If Mexico ever became predictable, it would take a lot of the fun out of it. It's almost like they run the country from a multiple choice list of
requirments. 
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absinvestor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 11-28-2009
Member Is Offline
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Rogbag- I have to agree that the amount you withdraw from a Bancomer ATM makes the fee almost insignificant. I live in Mulege and there is only one
bank- Bancomer. The nearest alternative banks are 50 miles North (Santa Rosalia) or 50 miles south (Loreto.) Even after fees I get a better exchange
rate than what the Mexican banks offer at the teller window. For example on my last visit to the Mulege Bancomer ATM I got 8000 pesos. The fee from
Bancomer shows on my receipt but it is not deducted ie I always get the pesos requested ie 8000 not 7934. My US bank charges $5 and I'm assuming the
66 Bancomer fee is somehow figured into the exchange rate. However, even when I add the $5 fee that my bank charges I always end up with a better rate
than what the Mexican bank offers. For example- out of curiousity- a couple of transactions ago I got a "net" exchange rate (after 66 peso Bancomer
fee plus my banks $5 charge) of 12.44 pesos/US $. I immediately drove to Santa Rosalia and the rate offered by two competing banks was 12.29 and
12.31. (I didn't need additional cash so I didn't use the ATM's at the competing banks.) I have a neighbor that does not use ATM's and always
exchanges $ for pesos in the bank and I always get a better net exchange rate by using the ATM????
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I would get the pesos on the U.S. side before entering Mexico
[Edited on 2-5-2013 by David K] |
With you 100%, for a 3 week trip use $20 dll bills, change
them in Mex if needed, now for an extended trip ATM MAY come
into play
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Personally I would do my homework with regard to yes or no the insurance coverage is valid if the owner is not in the vehicle AND there is no
notarized letter giving you permission to have the motor vehicle in Mexico. Things can get ugly quickly if cops manage to get you legally bent over a
barrel. The letter should detail in nauseating clarity names, dates, VIN and license number, dates of entry to Mexico dates of exit to Mexico. The
accompanying letter should have two driver licenses on it. Yours, and the owner's. Done in color on a laser copier. I've done "it" both ways, and the
second letter, with the color images of both driver license's blows them away. But make damned sure the insurance rider states in writing on a letter
with a letterhead from the company that you, your name, is authorized the drive the car.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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