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Bajazly
Super Nomad
Posts: 1013
Registered: 6-4-2015
Location: Goodbye Cali and Hello San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: More Relaxed Everyday
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For the online one don't you have to specify the crossing and the day you are crossing? If either are missed does it void it with no refund?
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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TSThornton
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 8-25-2021
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Hi all. Can I pay the FMM cost at the Mexicali immigration office with $USD or a credit card (not pesos)? I'll be crossing early and not intending
to pick up pesos until after I stop in immigration. Earlier this year, I drove down with my son and neglected to get an FMM, and then flew up from
SJD. I had to buy a "replacement" FMM in the airport immigration office and they only accepted pesos.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6029
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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TST, I like to hit the road with a supply of pesos on hand, just incase it is not convenient to do an exchange where, and when I need to cross. A
local Wells Fargo here in Northern California keeps some on hand, so I get about 10,000 pesos before I even hit the road!
I am not sure what the exchange rate is, but even if it a bit higher than the border cambios, I consider it money well spent for the convenience.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly  | | For the online one don't you have to specify the crossing and the day you are crossing? If either are missed does it void it with no refund?
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Yes, that's what we are told. That is why I do not recommend getting the online, prepaid one... since you still need to park at the border and walk to
the INM desk.
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TSThornton
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 8-25-2021
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Thank you AKgringo. I would like to do that, but I live in a very rural area and bank on line with USAA. My little local bank won't sell foreign
currency to non-customers, and I'm hammering the US portion of my drive on a Saturday-Sunday and so may have a hard time even trying to find a branch
with Saturday hours and pesos on hand along the way. I could exchange in El Centro, but I'll be arriving late Sunday and leaving early Monday and I
don't know if there are 24 hour exchange sites.
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HeyMulegeScott
Senior Nomad
Posts: 699
Registered: 8-25-2009
Location: Orygone/Mulege
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You need pesos for the FMM unless you buy it online. If the bank is open at your border crossing you will have to pay there so you can get pesos at
the ATM.
We did get our online FMMs stamped with the wrong dates and border crossing once in the past but I wouldn't count on it.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6029
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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I agree that trying to find a US bank with pesos on hand somewhere along the way would not likely be better than exchanging at the border.
On my last pass through Calexico headed south, I already had plenty of pesos left over from a previous trip, so I did not need any. While stocking up
on a few supplies at the local Walmart, I noticed that they were set up to exchange dollars and pesos at the customer service center.
I am sure that you will be able to find someone open for business. I also was able to pay for my meal at the Jack in the box next door with pesos,
and get the change in US currency! They, and other local merchants would probably be able to help you get enough Mexico currency to take care of the
FMM.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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del mar
Banned
Posts: 1057
Registered: 7-23-2016
Location: the cantina of course
Member Is Offline
Mood: lil' fuzzy
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I can only speak for the Chaparrel crossing but now the agent fills out the form for you and has a card reader right there, you swipe your debit card
and you're done
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by del mar | | I can only speak for the Chaparrel crossing but now the agent fills out the form for you and has a card reader right there, you swipe your debit card
and you're done |
Oh great, no more walking over to the bank teller to pay, then back to the INM desk for last stamp?
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