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John Harper
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Registered: 3-9-2017
Location: SoCal
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Is that before the border gates? I went through recently, just did not really pay attention cause of heavy traffic. I know it's a big blue building,
and I stay to the right. I've never stopped to pick up paperwork at the border, so it's a bit strange. Been going since 1974 when my dad and I flew
into BDLA.
John
[Edited on 3-29-2017 by John Harper]
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David K
Honored Nomad
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There have been a hundred posts on this here. You can park before or after going through the gate, whatever works.
Seriously, don't worry so much... we all do it (that follow the rules) and everything always works out. Just park at the first opportunity after the
highway bends south and you see the building and multiple lines. Parking sites on either side of the building.
Here are photos and directions of that border crossing, from Baja Bound:
https://www.bajabound.com/before/driving/xborder.php
https://www.bajabound.com/before/driving/directions/elchapar...
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y2kbaja
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We crossed at Mexicali east and missed first turn into the parking lot. The attendant at the exit let us enter and park. The FMM office is under the
big cover and took little time to get. We then went to the bank at the parking lot and paid, then back to FMM. We were to be in Baja from Saturday
noon to Saturday noon. 7 days in my books but turns out to be 8 calendar days so we had to pay. I feel much better traveling as far as we did
(Loreto) having the proper paperwork.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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Quote: Originally posted by y2kbaja  | | We crossed at Mexicali east and missed first turn into the parking lot. The attendant at the exit let us enter and park. The FMM office is under the
big cover and took little time to get. We then went to the bank at the parking lot and paid, then back to FMM. We were to be in Baja from Saturday
noon to Saturday noon. 7 days in my books but turns out to be 8 calendar days so we had to pay. I feel much better traveling as far as we did
(Loreto) having the proper paperwork. |
Now, you can go back to Baja on another trip (if you can or want to) before the 180 days is expired without that stop at the border!
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
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| Quote: Originally posted by y2kbaja | | We were to be in Baja from Saturday noon to Saturday noon. 7 days in my books but turns out to be 8 calendar days so we had to pay. I feel much
better traveling as far as we did (Loreto) having the proper paperwork. |
I think the way the 7 day fmm is, 6 nts/7days, so yes your
time in Baja would be 7 nts. I cross at Mexicalli West, they are
so quirky about wanting the 7 day returned. I just get the
180 day
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Alm
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | Just park at the first opportunity after the highway bends south and you see the building and multiple lines. Parking sites on either side of the
building.
Here are photos and directions of that border crossing, from Baja Bound: |
David, there is a parking before the SY gates, North of the building.
Correct me if I'm wrong, I don't see any photos showing parking sites on the other side of building. Every time after I've crossed, I'm busy getting
into the right-most lane in order to get to the toll Hwy, and gate attendants are doing their best to NOT let you turn into anything that looks like a
parking space on the "other" side of the gates - those spots are either for a Secondary inspection or for Mex border employees.
So, my suggestion would be - park before the gates. Then - if you want a toll Hwy - with a regular vehicle take any gate closer to the right, and with
a wide trailer - the very 1st right-most gate.
[Edited on 3-30-2017 by Alm]
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David K
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I think I said there was parking before or after the gates... the other side of the building is covered parking, is it not? I get this parking info
from fellow Nomads who have said numerous times that info... and said to the Secondary people that you are getting an FMM. This was how it was done
before the new border was opened.
I have not yet personally driven through the new Tijuana border since 2012... I will be soon, however, and will report what I find. Tecate and
Mexicali West the past several trips south. I crossed at Otay in 2011 last I think?
In any case, thank you, Alm... Noted to TRY and park north of the building and gates!!
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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SY Parking
Park on the north side of the SAT building in the "To Declare" inspection area and advise the SAT/Aduana (Customs) inspector you will be going to INM
for your FMM.....no problems parking there.
There is no parking south of the building, and if you park where the busses pull up, you will be told to move.
After you pass through the gates and "secondary" area there are some parking slots, however they are for people paying duty at the bank inside the
building, and if you park there you may be told to move
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David K
Honored Nomad
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | Park on the north side of the SAT building in the "To Declare" inspection area and advise the SAT/Aduana (Customs) inspector you will be going to INM
for your FMM.....no problems parking there.
There is no parking south of the building, and if you park where the busses pull up, you will be told to move.
After you pass through the gates and "secondary" area there are some parking slots, however they are for people paying duty at the bank inside the
building, and if you park there you may be told to move |
View looking down from space with south on top...
So, am I just not seeing ANYONE parked on the north or is that not where the parking for INM is? How bad will it be to try and merge back into the
south flow after getting the FMMs?
[Edited on 3-30-2017 by David K]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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You park under those white tents on the north side. the "To Declare" area ....when you exit the parking lot just merge to your right into the traffic
headed to the gates.....
the INM cubbyhole is located in the little breezeway between the two buildings
[Edited on 3-30-2017 by bajaguy]
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K |
So, am I just not seeing ANYONE parked on the north or is that not where the parking for INM is? How bad will it be to try and merge back into the
south flow after getting the FMMs?
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On your photo the "Declare" North parking is at the bottom. Yes, there are rarely more than a few cars in the "Declare" because people don't want to
"declare"  ... You can park there with confidence, this won't be interpreted as an
admission of guilt, if anybody is looking just tell them that you need INM, FMM etc.
On the parking South of the gates there are buses waiting for passengers, police cars and something else. You are not supposed to park there.
It's not difficult to merge into the "head" of the South-bound flow before the gates. They are moving slowly and keep distance. On the photo a
couple of gates in the middle are inactive, sometimes all the gates closer to the building are open . (and of course, the right-most gate next to the
building is always open because it is for buses and wide vehicles). However, AFTER the gates it can be difficult to merge into the right-most lane if
you are in the left-most lane at 5 pm on Friday.
[Edited on 3-30-2017 by Alm]
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KurtG
Super Nomad
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Location: California Central Coast
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K |
So, am I just not seeing ANYONE parked on the north or is that not where the parking for INM is? How bad will it be to try and merge back into the
south flow after getting the FMMs?
[Edited on 3-30-2017 by David K] |
It just couldn't be any easier, you don't see vehicles parked on the north side of the building because they are under those canopies. I have had no
difficulty merging back into a crossing lane. This whole thing is not a complicated process.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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OK, this is great... I can edit the photo and add notes.
Let me know if this is correct...
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bkbend
Senior Nomad
Posts: 693
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Location: central OR or central baja
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And if you're pulling a boat/trailer/etc. the area north of the tents has pull thru parking or long parking slots, can't remember which.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Now put a little green circle in the breezeway between the two buildings where that little white square is (INM office) and connect them with a dotted
yellow line
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John Harper
Super Nomad
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Okay, so I'm right you can/should park before the border. I did not see anywhere to turn or get back into traffic past the gates. I read that you
park near the big flag. You can see it in the photo.
John
[Edited on 3-30-2017 by John Harper]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Actually, you are already in Mexico at the Aduana (Customs ) gates. The border is about 1/3 of a mile behind you
| Quote: Originally posted by John Harper | Okay, so I'm right you can/should park before the border. I did not see anywhere to turn or get back into traffic past the gates. I read that you
park near the big flag. You can see it in the photo.
John
[Edited on 3-30-2017 by John Harper] |
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
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| Quote: Originally posted by John Harper | Okay, so I'm right you can/should park before the border. I did not see anywhere to turn or get back into traffic past the gates. I read that you
park near the big flag. You can see it in the photo.
John
[Edited on 3-30-2017 by John Harper] |
Its easy. You park. Get paperwork. Head back to the line of traffic and merge (make sure to keep moving slowly and don't make eye contact) - kidding
aside - at early hour it wont be a big deal. We were at K55 Casa 29 yesterday. It was beautiful day and surf was up! 
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | Now put a little green circle in the breezeway between the two buildings where that little white square is (INM office) and connect them with a dotted
yellow line
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Do I have the INM location correct?
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Yup, it is near that little white square at the bottom of the diamond
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