| Pages:
1
2 |
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65101
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
There hasn't been any immigration presence at the state border for years. It is an agricultural checkpoint.
That said, unless someone decides to live in the border region, and a local cop gets curious, the 72 hour thing really doesn't matter, inasmuch as
there is almost no way any authorities can verify how long you have been South of the border.
To further expand on what Sancho mentioned, we will occasionally obtain one if we're going to stay in Ensenada, only for future use when we take a
trip farther South. |
They were open for business in July, 2012... waved us through after we made the full stop in front of the office. |
If you are speaking of Southbound, it has been just an ag station for a long while. And, I've mentioned it previously, that one may refuse the bug
spray and just drive on through.
As for Northbound, we've passed through that way a number of times in 2011, 2012, 2013, and the old building was shuttered. |
Twilight Zone perhaps?
You know, if I didn't see it for myself, I would just bow to your insistance it isn't there... BUT IT IS (or was) on each of the past few times I
crossed into Baja Sur on Hwy. 1 since they began checking for them there (about 2000). Now it isn't a lot, but here are my own experiences and a
friend's who was nailed by the INM officer:
Dec. 2001: INM officer just south of Eagle Monument looked at the FM-Ts. Ag spray guy was there and asked for 10 pesos and a beer.
July 2007: INM officer (same place) looked at the FM-Ts. Ag spray, just beyond was 20 pesos, no beer.
July 2009: INM officer (just south of monument) looked at my FM-T and didn't need to see esposa's (who was trying to find it). Drove over an auto
sprayer after paying 20 pesos.
July 2011: Art (edm1) was fined by INM officer US$100 at Eagle Monument INM office because wife didn't have FM-T (her passport was expired and
Mexicali INM wouldn't issue her one, just Art... as reported here on Nomad)
July 2012: An ALTO sign was set up in front of a new INM office, just south of the Eagle Monument. We stopped, officer looked out his open door, and
waved us on, without looking at our FMMs. Ag spray booth, a few hundred feet south was unmanned.
[Edited on 9-28-2013 by David K]
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
One can always rest assured that there are no assurances when it comes to Mexico.
You mention a "new" IMM office when you passed in July 2012. I last went through there in April 2013, and saw no new office.
Historically, the IMM check was on Northbound traffic, which made no sense to me since the only port of entry farther South would be domestic ferries,
and the airports where travelers are obliged to have visas just to get on the plane.
Would be nice if some other Nomads would check in here with their experiences at the state border in the past few years.
Just curious.
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
One of these days
Everybody will be surprised when they start asking for drivers licenses, vehicle registrations, valid Mexican insurance cards and proof of immigration
status at the military checkpoints, federal police checkpoints and local police traffic stops.......not today, or tomorrow, but it is out there.
|
|
|
bajagrouper
Senior Nomad
Posts: 964
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rincon de Guayabitos, Nayarit, Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: happy and retired
|
|
Last July I was asked for all paperwork you mention at the military checkpoint just before San Ignacio heading south........minus insurance papers...
[Edited on 9-28-2013 by bajagrouper]
I hear the whales song
|
|
|
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,
|
|
Time F
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65101
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
One can always rest assured that there are no assurances when it comes to Mexico.
You mention a "new" IMM office when you passed in July 2012. I last went through there in April 2013, and saw no new office.
Historically, the IMM check was on Northbound traffic, which made no sense to me since the only port of entry farther South would be domestic ferries,
and the airports where travelers are obliged to have visas just to get on the plane.
Would be nice if some other Nomads would check in here with their experiences at the state border in the past few years.
Just curious. |
Again, one of us is in the Twilight Zone...  
|
|
|
liknbaja127
Nomad
Posts: 463
Registered: 1-17-2012
Member Is Offline
|
|
only been asked 1 time in 07, north bound. been through 4or more times
no problems! always pay the spray tax going down, so what!
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajagrouper
Last July I was asked for all paperwork you mention at the military checkpoint just before San Ignacio heading south........minus insurance papers...
[Edited on 9-28-2013 by bajagrouper] |
Actually a slightly different subject. That checkpoint has, in my experience, been the single most vigilant. Have had major back up/ lines there on a
number of occasions.
I'm guessing that is because it is the only checkpoint that stands between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. So, trafficking would seems to be
more likely there.
|
|
|
elizabeth
Senior Nomad
Posts: 742
Registered: 7-30-2004
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
One can always rest assured that there are no assurances when it comes to Mexico.
You mention a "new" IMM office when you passed in July 2012. I last went through there in April 2013, and saw no new office.
Historically, the IMM check was on Northbound traffic, which made no sense to me since the only port of entry farther South would be domestic ferries,
and the airports where travelers are obliged to have visas just to get on the plane.
Would be nice if some other Nomads would check in here with their experiences at the state border in the past few years.
Just curious. |
A year ago, July I was questioned by both the ag guys and docs checked by inm officer at that stop coming south.
[Edited on 9-30-2013 by elizabeth]
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65101
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by elizabeth
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
One can always rest assured that there are no assurances when it comes to Mexico.
You mention a "new" IMM office when you passed in July 2012. I last went through there in April 2013, and saw no new office.
Historically, the IMM check was on Northbound traffic, which made no sense to me since the only port of entry farther South would be domestic ferries,
and the airports where travelers are obliged to have visas just to get on the plane.
Would be nice if some other Nomads would check in here with their experiences at the state border in the past few years.
Just curious. |
A year ago, July I was questioned by both the ag guys and docs checked by inm officer at that stop coming south.
[Edited on 9-30-2013 by elizabeth] |
Thank you elizabeth!
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
I concede. DK wins.
Now, I must confess that in all the years I have driven North to South, even as far as Cabo, I have never been asked for a tourist visa, anywhere
along the way. I'm talking about almost 30 years. And, with the exception of one time when we found ourselves at the border after a 90 minute trip
from home and discovered we had left our passports at home, I have always bought the visas. BTW, we went all the way down to Cabo for two weeks and
returned unscathed.
That said, it is incomprehensible to me why visa are needed between the US and Mexico in the first place. Just look at the EU. All you need is a photo
ID, when you travel between a whole lot of different countries.
In my opinion, travel between Canada, USA, and Mexico ought to be the same.
|
|
|
willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by elizabeth
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
One can always rest assured that there are no assurances when it comes to Mexico.
You mention a "new" IMM office when you passed in July 2012. I last went through there in April 2013, and saw no new office.
Historically, the IMM check was on Northbound traffic, which made no sense to me since the only port of entry farther South would be domestic ferries,
and the airports where travelers are obliged to have visas just to get on the plane.
Would be nice if some other Nomads would check in here with their experiences at the state border in the past few years.
Just curious. |
A year ago, July I was questioned by both the ag guys and docs checked by inm officer at that stop coming south.
[Edited on 9-30-2013 by elizabeth] |
Thank you elizabeth! |
I can't believe you didnt provide a google earth image and a half dozen photos!
|
|
|
dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by liknbaja127
What will happen if you do not surrender it upon leaving, or after
your 180 days? I think mine is past! |
When you get your next one and they ask why you weren't stamped out, tell them you turned it in and the lazy guy at the desk just threw it in the
trash can. That's usually what happens anyway.
|
|
|
sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I concede. DK wins
Now, I must confess that in all the years I have driven North to South, even as far as Cabo, I have never been asked for a tourist visa, anywhere
along the way
|
Bahahowodd, ask for a rematch. To me getting an fmm
is more a matter of courtesy, showing respect to the Mex
Govt for allowing us to travel in their Country. They
make it relatively simple to enter Mex, and for the most
part do what one wants. I have never been asked for
a Mex Fishing License eother, but I get one
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65101
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
I was (and always try to) post facts... When I post opinions it doesn't become helpful (IMO).
Saying one didn't get checked for the FMM anywhere in Baja is a fact (like bajahowodd, I never had to show mine last year, even at the open INM
checkpoint near Guerrero Negro where you have to stop , at ALTO sign).
Saying one should get one out of respect is an opinion... a good enough opinion, but an opinion, still.
Saying it will keep you observing the migra laws is a fact, as best we know it... but it has been years since INM has published the rules for Baja
travelers... Baja California is a special area, and so is NW Sonora, where the normal border zone rules are extended further south.
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I concede. DK wins
Now, I must confess that in all the years I have driven North to South, even as far as Cabo, I have never been asked for a tourist visa, anywhere
along the way
|
It's the same for me. Respect of another nation's laws.
As for the rematch, it already appears that DK has etched it in stone that there is an IMM office at the state border heading South.
Mine eyes have deceived me?
Bahahowodd, ask for a rematch. To me getting an fmm
is more a matter of courtesy, showing respect to the Mex
Govt for allowing us to travel in their Country. They
make it relatively simple to enter Mex, and for the most
part do what one wants. I have never been asked for
a Mex Fishing License eother, but I get one |
|
|
|
tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Of course there's an IMM office at the bug spray booth.
But......usually no one there, and when they are they usually have no contact with tourists.
Once in the last 10 years have I been asked for my visa.
Ken
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
Of course there's an IMM office at the bug spray booth.
But......usually no one there, and when they are they usually have no contact with tourists.
Once in the last 10 years have I been asked for my visa.
Ken |
The newer IMM office is on the east side of where one drives through, north of the bug spray. During the day there is almost always someone there
during business hours, but they just don't come out and do a lot of checking.
However, a while back when one of the officers who has been there a long time, Magdalena heard that people on forums were saying the office was
closed, she was not happy at all and they started checking more cars for a while.
[Edited on 10-1-2013 by DianaT]
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65101
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
Of course there's an IMM office at the bug spray booth.
But......usually no one there, and when they are they usually have no contact with tourists.
Once in the last 10 years have I been asked for my visa.
Ken |
Last year, it actually was not at the bug spray 'drive over' device, but a few dozen/ hundred feet from it. Two separate stops, both just south of the
Eagle Monument, and traffic circle.
Previously, it was all at the same stop... the INM officer would walk up and look at your FM-Ts and then the bug guy with his gas mask on would
collect his tip and hand spray the underside of your car.
It was open in one (south) direction each time I traveled that way, never stopped me northbound to look at it again, however. 2001, 2007, 2009,
2012... a pretty broad spread of years... and to find an INM guy there each of those years kind of is more than random, I would think? Again, this is
INM checking for tourist cards, and nothing else.
Edit... Noticed DianaT's reply and in July, 2012, the INM office you stopped in front of was on the right or west side of Hwy. 1, southbound.
[Edited on 10-2-2013 by David K]
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
