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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
I always suggest to visitors that they obtain their cards at Otay by walking across, getting the card, and returning through the US pedestrian lane.
Takes about 15 minutes. |
Where is it you park on the U.S. side exactly?
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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
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
I always suggest to visitors that they obtain their cards at Otay by walking across, getting the card, and returning through the US pedestrian lane.
Takes about 15 minutes. |
Where is it you park on the U.S. side exactly? |
In the US Customs/CBP public parking lot. Take the footbridge over the inspection lanes, cross into Mexico, go to INM/bank/INM, walk across the lanes
to the US pedestrian entry line.
[Edited on 9-12-2011 by bajaguy]
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13197
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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bajaboy - even though they tell you in TJ that the "bank" is closed, it is not true. walk up to the window and KNOCK. the person will pop up from
sleep and take your money...I am not sure why they tell you it is closed (siesta time ? break time ? sleep time?) but they are open 24/7.
We have gone thru the declare lane before to get our FMM and never had to unload - thank goodness because it would take waaay longer than 2 hours and
Les wd be very mucho mad.
we shall be going to guerrero negro this week and can ask what the spray is ...
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
bajaboy - even though they tell you in TJ that the "bank" is closed, it is not true. walk up to the window and KNOCK. the person will pop up from
sleep and take your money...I am not sure why they tell you it is closed (siesta time ? break time ? sleep time?) but they are open 24/7.
We have gone thru the declare lane before to get our FMM and never had to unload - thank goodness because it would take waaay longer than 2 hours and
Les wd be very mucho mad.
we shall be going to guerrero negro this week and can ask what the spray is ... |
I have knocked on the window many times...they said the office was now closed and that we would have to pay elsewhere.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
bajaboy - even though they tell you in TJ that the "bank" is closed, it is not true. walk up to the window and KNOCK. the person will pop up from
sleep and take your money...I am not sure why they tell you it is closed (siesta time ? break time ? sleep time?) but they are open 24/7.
We have gone thru the declare lane before to get our FMM and never had to unload - thank goodness because it would take waaay longer than 2 hours and
Les wd be very mucho mad.
we shall be going to guerrero negro this week and can ask what the spray is ... |
I have knocked on the window many times...they said the office was now closed and that we would have to pay elsewhere. |
So if they don't want to take our money anymore where they issue the things... and they say you can 'pay' before you come back home... Then the unpaid
FMM is good enough at Guerrero Nego, apparently? I mean If you enter Mexico on the weekend, when banks are closed... and head south... there is no way
to pay before reaching Guerrero Negro. This needs to be tested!  
Even if we wanted to try and pay, we couldn't before Monday if we happen to be where a bank is! Rediculous!!
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
bajaboy - even though they tell you in TJ that the "bank" is closed, it is not true. walk up to the window and KNOCK. the person will pop up from
sleep and take your money...I am not sure why they tell you it is closed (siesta time ? break time ? sleep time?) but they are open 24/7.
We have gone thru the declare lane before to get our FMM and never had to unload - thank goodness because it would take waaay longer than 2 hours and
Les wd be very mucho mad.
we shall be going to guerrero negro this week and can ask what the spray is ... |
I have knocked on the window many times...they said the office was now closed and that we would have to pay elsewhere. |
So if they don't want to take our money anymore where they issue the things... and they say you can 'pay' before you come back home... Then the unpaid
FMM is good enough at Guerrero Nego, apparently? I mean If you enter Mexico on the weekend, when banks are closed... and head south... there is no way
to pay before reaching Guerrero Negro. This needs to be tested!
Even if we wanted to try and pay, we couldn't before Monday if we happen to be where a bank is! Rediculous!! |
As I stated earlier, I plan on checking back with Immigration in a few weeks on my way back down. The guys in there remembered us, thanks to the
kids. Maybe the bank is open again but it was very clear that the bank was closed in June. Maybe it was temporary....or not. I would love to hear
from others who have crossed since then.
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gallesram
Nomad
Posts: 384
Registered: 7-6-2010
Location: Laguna Beach
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I just went through last week at San Ysidro and after reading all of these posts, I can also confirm that the parking is a problem because the only
way to get to the lot is to go through the lanes where they will inspect your car. They seemed to be inspecting every other car and as I approached
the agent, I told her that I just wanted to get my tourist visa. She let me make a U-turn and then go the opposite direction to park. It was pretty
crazy but it seemed to be their system because I watched other cars do the same thing, too. I then went to the wrong bank (there are a few) and ended
up at the Banjercito window, which is about 3 windows down from the immigration office. They told me that the bank is open 24/7; this was at 2:00 in
the afternoon. I have been there before late at night and the bank has always been open, so I would be surprised if it was closed since they're
always quite happy to take the fee. The biggest issue, frankly, is if you're trying to bring things down and don't want your car searched; I got
lucky, but I could see how they would go through your car just being in that parking area. I don't see any way to get around that; just luck of the
draw whether they're going to search you. But assuming that you're not bringing much down, then you should be fine.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by gallesram
I just went through last week at San Ysidro and after reading all of these posts, I can also confirm that the parking is a problem because the only
way to get to the lot is to go through the lanes where they will inspect your car. They seemed to be inspecting every other car and as I approached
the agent, I told her that I just wanted to get my tourist visa. She let me make a U-turn and then go the opposite direction to park. It was pretty
crazy but it seemed to be their system because I watched other cars do the same thing, too. I then went to the wrong bank (there are a few) and ended
up at the Banjercito window, which is about 3 windows down from the immigration office. They told me that the bank is open 24/7; this was at 2:00 in
the afternoon. I have been there before late at night and the bank has always been open, so I would be surprised if it was closed since they're
always quite happy to take the fee. The biggest issue, frankly, is if you're trying to bring things down and don't want your car searched; I got
lucky, but I could see how they would go through your car just being in that parking area. I don't see any way to get around that; just luck of the
draw whether they're going to search you. But assuming that you're not bringing much down, then you should be fine. |
Thanks for the update. Hopefully our last experience with the bank was an anomaly.
We normally cross about 5:00am so things are a bit quieter. After getting our cards, we ask someone to take a look at our truck before leaving the
parking lot. They do a cursory look, ask a few questions, and we're on our way.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Are they still asking you to get out and push the red/ green light button as you exit... even after they do a search?
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Are they still asking you to get out and push the red/ green light button as you exit... even after they do a search? |
No they just wave us through and smile.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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my same experience a week ago. see you there in 35 days, Zac. Neptune (tuna) willing...
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
my same experience a week ago. see you there in 35 days, Zac. Neptune (tuna) willing... |
I'll probably just miss you... returning around the 5th.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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10/21-31.....
btw, the racks are still enjoying the ride.
[Edited on 9-14-2011 by woody with a view]
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SMG
Junior Nomad
Posts: 28
Registered: 9-13-2011
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I'm crossing next week, spending the next 3 months in BCS! The truck will be pretty packed with all our gear, so avoiding a search would help my
travel schedule.
I was planning on picking up the tourist card the day before by walking across the border at SY. Any reason not to do this? I'm planning at least a
day in San Diego to coordinate anyway, so a couple extra hours walking the border should be fine. I'll be solo, if that matters?
I'm hoping to cross early and make it to Santa Rosalilitia the first day. I assume it should be pretty quiet to just get it first thing in the
morning, good idea with a pick up with surf boards and a motorcycle on the back??
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3148
Registered: 3-20-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ateo
I haven't been asked for my tourist card at GN since maybe 1998. |
Try leaving it at home on your next trip, that should do the trick.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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slimshady
Nomad
Posts: 291
Registered: 9-3-2008
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At 7 in the morning I have found the bank office on the TJ border open but with no one in sight. Waited a few minutes and eventually the guy awoke to
take my money.
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3290
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tranquilo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by SMG
I'm crossing next week, spending the next 3 months in BCS! The truck will be pretty packed with all our gear, so avoiding a search would help my
travel schedule.
I was planning on picking up the tourist card the day before by walking across the border at SY. Any reason not to do this? I'm planning at least a
day in San Diego to coordinate anyway, so a couple extra hours walking the border should be fine. I'll be solo, if that matters?
I'm hoping to cross early and make it to Santa Rosalilitia the first day. I assume it should be pretty quiet to just get it first thing in the
morning, good idea with a pick up with surf boards and a motorcycle on the back?? |
Welcome to Nomads SMG. Getting your tourist visa the day before would be a good idea for no other reason than it will be one less thing to worry about
the morning of your "launch". There may be a long line to cross back to the US at San Ysidro. There are often people with 19 passenger vans offering
people at the back of a long line a ride to the border for 5 bucks, it's well worth it on a hot day. They get to go in the bus lane and drop you off
at a separate entrance.
Santa Rosalilitia shouldn't be a problem for the first day drive. Where in BCS are you heading?.....dt
btw: in a pickup with surf boards and a motorcycle on the back they will undoubtedly be waving you over to have a look anyway, you might be just as
well off going in the "items to declare" lane, getting your visa and driving out of the parking lot. Sometimes they don't even look......and sometimes
they do, no problem either way. Make sure you have the title and/or registration for the motorcycle, they may or may not want to see it.
[Edited on 9-19-2011 by dtbushpilot]
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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SMG
Junior Nomad
Posts: 28
Registered: 9-13-2011
Member Is Offline
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Thanks dt for the welcome and great advice! I figured to cross the day before and have one less thing to do in the morning, but if I'm likely to be
inspected, I'll just get the tourist card at 6:00am. The couple other times I've passed through SY at first light it's always been mellow. This will
be my fourth drive and fifth trip to Baja, each time for a longer stay and this time driving solo. I'll be sure to bring the papers for the bike,
good call. It's an enduro that I just mounted surf board racks to, and I'm stoked for the fall down south!
We'll be in Todos Santos for most of the time. My almost 3 year old (her 3rd trip!) will be in the Montessori school, so we'll stick close to there.
Although we'll make trips to the east cape and hopefully Scorpion Bay will get some late season swells!
Thanks again, I appreciate any and all advice from the veterans here!
[Edited on 9-21-2011 by SMG]
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3290
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
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Mood: Tranquilo
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If you are planning on getting a room in Santa Rosalilitia you might check with woody about how to find the "motel". There isn't a sign or anything,
you just have to know where it is. I rode in there once and was able to spot it but only because I saw a picture of it in a trip report, I think it
was pink. If you're camping no problem.
I assume that you chose SR to stay a few days and do some surfing? If you are just going to spend the night and move on you would be better off
pushing on to Guerro Negro (If I didn't spell that right DK will be along soon to set me straight).
Have a fun trip, maybe we can get together in TS some day for a beer....dt
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dtbushpilot
If you are planning on getting a room in Santa Rosalilitia you might check with woody about how to find the "motel". There isn't a sign or anything,
you just have to know where it is. I rode in there once and was able to spot it but only because I saw a picture of it in a trip report, I think it
was pink. If you're camping no problem.
I assume that you chose SR to stay a few days and do some surfing? If you are just going to spend the night and move on you would be better off
pushing on to Guerro Negro (If I didn't spell that right DK will be along soon to set me straight).
Have a fun trip, maybe we can get together in TS some day for a beer....dt |
GUERRERO NEGRO
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