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Bajayan
Junior Nomad
Posts: 28
Registered: 5-13-2011
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Visa-free border zone - how far?
I thought it was to just south of Ensenada, but read on a couple of websites it's been extended to San Quintin. I can't find anything reliable to
back it up...
Anyone know the current extent of this zone, and where the checkpoint is or should be?
Thanks!
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BooJumMan
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The only checkpoint is when you cross into Baja Sur. Sometimes they ask for visa, sometimes not. Or, if you get pulled over before then. I was always
under the impression that it was the south of Ensenada, but I am fairly certain these days you need a visa ANYWHERE in Baja and should be bought the
second after you cross the border. With the new SY entry, getting them is pretty easy and quick.
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durrelllrobert
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http://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/visa.php
When is a tourist card (FMM) required?
A tourist card (FMM) is required when:
The visit is 72 hours or more
OR
The visit is outside the limits of the border zone or tourist corridors established by the Mexican government. The border zone varies slightly from
one Mexican border state to another, but is an area south of the U.S. border down approximately 20 to 30 kilometers (12.4 to 18.6 miles) into Mexico.
The tourist corridors are as follows:
Tijuana – Ensenada
Mexicali - San Felipe
Sonoyta – Puerto Penasco
Cuidad Juarez – Paquime
Piedras Negras – Santarosa
Reynosa – China – Presa el Cuchillo
It is important to note that in Baja, even though you may take your vehicle to the end of the peninsula without a vehicle permit (see vehicle
importation regulations) you must have a tourist card if you plan to travel south of Maneadero.
Bob Durrell
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BajaGeoff
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You only need the tourist card if you are going to stay in Mexico for over 72 hours OR if you will be heading south of the tourist zone. For the
Ensenada area, the tourist zone ends at Maneadero. There is a Federale checkpoint just south of Maneadero that is usually unstaffed, but did hear
recently that they were stopping cars and requesting to see documentation.
More info here: http://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/visa.php
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sancho
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In Algodones, near the AZ. border, reports of Mex Imm
requiring a Tourist Card for day visitors walking over.
This has been
confusing for decades, you can get different info from
different Mex Imm offices, clear as mud, no constitant
application. I find it interesting that Gringos are concerned
only if there is an Official Checkpoint for fmm's. I always
have either the free 7 day or the 180 day, but I'm a
bit uptight about driving in Mex, just playing it safe. Many
visitors do not bother with an fmm, regardless where they
are going
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Bajayan
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So the following information from Mexonline is false? The border zone has NOT been extended?
In Baja California, the border zone has been extended to San Quintin, on the Pacific side and San Felipe, on the Sea of Cortez.
http://www.mexonline.com/visamex.htm
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blackwolfmt
Senior Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajayan
So the following information from Mexonline is false? The border zone has NOT been extended?
In Baja California, the border zone has been extended to San Quintin, on the Pacific side and San Felipe, on the Sea of Cortez.
http://www.mexonline.com/visamex.htm |
So does SF have a tourista card office in town??
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
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Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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I have never heard of San Quintin being the end of the border zone. The Baja Tourism Board still says it's Ensenada:
http://www.discoverbajacalifornia.com/guides/safety-tips/
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajayan
So the following information from Mexonline is false? The border zone has NOT been extended?
In Baja California, the border zone has been extended to San Quintin, on the Pacific side and San Felipe, on the Sea of Cortez.
http://www.mexonline.com/visamex.htm |
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David K
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The only sure bet is to get the tourist card when you enter Mexico... The INM office is one of the first doors inside the border.
It was reported (some time ago) that the San Felipe INM was not issuing any...? Ensenada INM used to be a bear to deal with... but recent posts said
no problem.
However, the border is open the same hours as the INM officer is open, but Ensenada, San Felipe, or anywhere else south of the border will be open
only limited hours and limited days, and if you want to travel south with the FMM in hand... get it at the border!
[Edited on 5-3-2014 by David K]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Ensenada INM
The Ensenada INM office has moved from the port area to a location near the San Nicholas hotel.
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blackwolfmt
Senior Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
The only sure bet is to get the tourist card when you enter Mexico... The INM office is one of the first doors inside the border.
It was reported (some time ago) that the San Felipe INM was not issuing any...? Ensenada INM used to be a bear to deal with... but recent posts said
no problem.
However, the border is open the same hours as the INM officer is open, but Ensenada, San Felipe, or anywhere else south of the border will be open
only limited hours and limited days, and if you want to travel south with the FMM in hand... get it at the border!
[Edited on 5-3-2014 by David K] |
Thanks DK
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Whale-ista
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thank you
That's good to know- and better to be closer to the "tourist zone" instead of industrial port operations.
do you know the hours?
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
The Ensenada INM office has moved from the port area to a location near the San Nicholas hotel. |
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Whale-ista
thank you
That's good to know- and better to be closer to the "tourist zone" instead of industrial port operations.
do you know the hours?
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
The Ensenada INM office has moved from the port area to a location near the San Nicholas hotel. |
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You may have to tell them you arrived on a boat—they don't do FMMs for land crossers (they sent my friend back to Tijuana to get hers).
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Clarification
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
The Ensenada INM office has moved from the port area to a location near the San Nicholas hotel. |
Clarification.....Just wanted people to know the Ensenada INM office has a new location
Disclaimer........I would not recommend trying to obtain the FMM at the Ensenada INM office.....(get it at the border)
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rts551
Elite Nomad
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saw the new office a couple of weeks ago/
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Bajahowodd
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Although I do not encourage scofflaws, my feeling is that if you are actually traveling only as far as San Quintin, you will really not need the visa.
That's because it appears that the only punishment you will encounter is to turn around and head back the the border. The website at Coyote Cal's has
stated for years that you don't need one to visit them, and they are many miles South of Maneadero.
Now, if you are headed down to Guerrero Negro or beyond, absolutely get the FMM at the border. You really do not want to be turned around after
driving almost 500 miles.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65183
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Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Although I do not encourage scofflaws, my feeling is that if you are actually traveling only as far as San Quintin, you will really not need the visa.
That's because it appears that the only punishment you will encounter is to turn around and head back the the border. The website at Coyote Cal's has
stated for years that you don't need one to visit them, and they are many miles South of Maneadero.
Now, if you are headed down to Guerrero Negro or beyond, absolutely get the FMM at the border. You really do not want to be turned around after
driving almost 500 miles. |
What was always common understanding, until they stopped tourists and checked FMMs between Maneadero and Santo Tomas not too long ago... as reported
here on Nomad. It was brief, but who knows when they decide to do it again?
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Although I do not encourage scofflaws, my feeling is that if you are actually traveling only as far as San Quintin, you will really not need the visa.
That's because it appears that the only punishment you will encounter is to turn around and head back the the border
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I'm with you on that, although having to come back to the
border would make one wish they had got an fmm when they crossed. I always have either the free 7 day or the 180 day. Kinda like Homeland Security
stating
US tourists returning POSSITIVELY NEED A PASSPORT ,which shows no indication of ever being enforced. The San Felipe
Office has not issued fmm's for a few yrs
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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if someone wants to give ensenada INM a shot, its about 5 blocks south of the san nicholas hotel,same side of the street, past the big school, pemex
station right across the street. 2030 lopez mateos.
[Edited on 5-8-2014 by willardguy]
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joerover
Banned
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tijuana airport says
YOU NEED PAY
they speak no other english
the fat lady is breeding
which means
The fat ladys are breeding
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