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White Angel
Junior Nomad
Posts: 57
Registered: 2-25-2005
Location: Danvers, Mass
Member Is Offline
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Tourist Permits
Once again we managed to spend 9 days running around northern Baja without "papers". This was not intentional; but is easily overlooked and the one
time I thought seriously about the matter, we were in Ensenada where we all know how pleasant that office is. We were only involved in two "out of the
car" roadblock searches and four other checkpoints; but no one ever asks for the paperwork. At what point are the papers required to be shown? How
much trouble are you in without them? I guess a car crash might get sticky; but is there a time when anyone in authority routinely requests them?
Maybe we were just lucky and stupid?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The 'papers' are for Mexican federal immigration, not the military drug/gun checkpoints.
The ONLY place on the peninsula they ask for papers (Tourist Card or other FM-?) is on Hwy. 1 at the state border near Guerrero Negro (Eagle
Monument)... at least that is what I have heard or experienced so far.
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tim40
Senior Nomad
Posts: 574
Registered: 3-29-2004
Location: Manhattan Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: There yet?
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That is the only place I have been asked AND attempted to be hit up for a bogus fee for this or that....the answer is no and certainly would be
interested in heading into town to meet your Cpt.
When searching for the end of your rainbow you only have until dusk....
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White Angel
Junior Nomad
Posts: 57
Registered: 2-25-2005
Location: Danvers, Mass
Member Is Offline
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So; if staying north of the Eagle, do most of the Nomads just blow it off and save the $20? In nearly 20 trips, we've only not carried the permits
twice; but why bother? You would think the check points would be a perfect place to check for them; at least on vehicles with US plates.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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If you are involved in an accident or other legal problem you will be required to show them.
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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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I can only speak for myself, but the law says that one must have a tourist permit for stays of 7 days or more, and thus I purchase it. Is $20 worth
the risk? I mean, if you're feeling lucky, you might as well not purchase insurance, right?!
Just my thoughts,
Zac
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osoflojo
Nomad
Posts: 378
Registered: 10-29-2004
Location: c.s.l./b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
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With all the contention about "immigration" issues north of the border, why would you want to be illegal south of it? If you do get caught "illegal"
south of the border you will most likely be in better shape than if you get caught "illegal" north of it. If $20 is the issue cut out a couple of
jelly doughnuts. (notice I dod not say a couple of beers)
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by osoflojo
If $20 is the issue cut out a couple of jelly doughnuts. (notice I did not say a couple of beers) |
No! Not the beers! 
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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For all of you who don't want to spend the $20 BEWARE...for ANY problem with the cops, or an accident of course, the first thing they ask for is your
tourist permit....if you don't have it, you are in the country illegally and then they can screw with you more and make your life miserable...plus it
is an $80 fine...minimum...as well as other things they can cook up to fine you for once they have you in their clutches...I strongly advise all
visitors to pay the $20 and avoid any unpleasant and potentially costly situations.
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jerry
Super Nomad
Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
Member Is Offline
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yea dont be a wet back lol
jerry and judi
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by shari
For all of you who don't want to spend the $20 BEWARE...for ANY problem with the cops, or an accident of course, the first thing they ask for is your
tourist permit....if you don't have it, you are in the country illegally and then they can screw with you more and make your life miserable...plus it
is an $80 fine...minimum...as well as other things they can cook up to fine you for once they have you in their clutches...I strongly advise all
visitors to pay the $20 and avoid any unpleasant and potentially costly situations. |
Shari is "right ON!" An accident is just that, an accident, and it happens in a matter of a blink of the eye. $20 is cheap insurance considering the
problems you could be facing without proper documentation. Don't mess around, get it!
Bob H
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Cyndarouh
Nomad
Posts: 237
Registered: 6-21-2004
Location: San Diego Mountains
Member Is Offline
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The law
The law states 78 hours no futher than a hundred miles. (Ensenada) White Angle you get in a accident I hope you have a lot of money, Speak the lingo
and I Pray no one is Hurt. Your in deep ????? as our local friends say down south. We do our Visa's and take all our friends to Ensenada, Never had
any problems. We have been going down since the early 50's. Hubby and I are in that office, since built at least 5 times a year, with friends helping
them get their, Visas. The one guy can be a bit of a pain but work with him he comes around. .We as Americans complain about the illegals here. LOL
Two weeks ago we were in the Ensenada office with friends,(4) It only cost 19.78 per visa, took us 16 mins. I hope your not a person that is upset
over all the people here with out papers.!!!!!
Where is that spellllll ck Roger?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Well, $20 for something that before 2000 was free is tough with large families...
The recent change to FREE for 7 days was to help the declining tourist flow south. However, the $20 fee is not the biggest problem... It is the
getting into the parking area in front of IMN on Friday afternoon... Impossible from I-5... You need to be on I-805 and stay in the right lane.
Since Ensenada's INM doesn't want to do his job anymore*, maybe they would be smart to open an office south of Maneadero, like in the old days (or
along the toll road perhaps) where we can easily obtain the card, if it is so important to them that we are legal.
Unless people read the Internet or guidebooks, how would the casual tourist even know that south of Maneadero or anywhere over 72 hours one is
required??? I mean like where is the big sign to tell anyone what is required of them???
In the 'old days' a small office was located south of Maneadero with a sign telling all tourists to stop... There we would show our Tourist cards or
obtain one (a small tip was often requested).
* Just read Cyndarouh's post... so 2 weeks ago he was doing his job again? Great! Nomads reported he refused to issue any more a few weeks ago.
[Edited on 4-21-2006 by David K]
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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If you like to Gamble big stakes don't get it.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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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
Well, $20 for something that before 2000 was free is tough with large families...
The recent change to FREE for 7 days was to help the declining tourist flow south. However, the $20 fee is not the biggest problem... It is the
getting into the parking area in front of IMN on Friday afternoon... Impossible from I-5... You need to be on I-805 and stay in the right lane.
Since Ensenada's INM doesn't want to do his job anymore*, maybe they would be smart to open an office south of Maneadero, like in the old days (or
along the toll road perhaps) where we can easily obtain the card, if it is so important to them that we are legal.
Unless people read the Internet or guidebooks, how would the casual tourist even know that south of Maneadero or anywhere over 72 hours one is
required??? I mean like where is the big sign to tell anyone what is required of them???
In the 'old days' a small office was located south of Maneadero with a sign telling all tourists to stop... There we would show our Tourist cards or
obtain one (a small tip was often requested).
* Just read Cyndarouh's post... so 2 weeks ago he was doing his job again? Great! Nomads reported he refused to issue any more a few weeks ago.
[Edited on 4-21-2006 by David K] |
DK-
With all due respect, when one travels to another country that person is responsible to know the laws of the land. I am sure there are plenty of
people trying to visit the US who have equally challenging times getting their respective visas. Yes, it was easier/ cheaper to obtain in 2000 but
things have changed around the world for many reasons.
In the past, when not travelling at night, I have parked on the US side of the border, walked across to get my permits, waited in line to return to
the US, and then travelled into Baja the following day. Yes it was a pain, but also necessary. It was also a pain to get my passport to travel to
Europe but well worth it in the end.
Just my thoughts-
Zac
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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Just get the required permits. Its easy compared to what is required to come into this country. And I am sure none of those that do not get their
permits complain about illeagal migration north.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Yes Zac, I understand this and have both a passport and a tourist card...
The issue is more what Mexico NEEDS... Like MORE tourists... What I suggest would benefit Mexico... More tourists, more money collected for tourist
cards, etc.
The U.S. does not have the same need for tourism, as does Mexico...
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Cyndarouh
Nomad
Posts: 237
Registered: 6-21-2004
Location: San Diego Mountains
Member Is Offline
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Dk, Last I looked Ensenada was not on I-5 or 805. We as a family and friends have been teated with kindness. The one guy is a bit of a poop, but comes
around. By the by, Dk if you know the people its not the same price for a big family. They work with you. I won't go in to it as you Know all. IMHO
never had any problems there. Maybe its the Apple pie we bring, Who knows. God Where is JR when I need him?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I do not know all Cindi, that is not nice...
Where did I say anything about Ensenada being on those freeways? Please note I was talking about how hard it is to get to INM at the border on Friday
afternoons when so many head for Mexico.
It was reported here that the official at Ensenada no longer would issue tourist cards.
Tijuana is where most would have to go with Ensenada's Migra being closed.
"If you know the people"??? Then you are maybe cheating the Mexican government by not paying for every person?
I do think if it was free again, then Mexico would benefit more, as Americans are reluctant to go south as it is... but to tax every tourist who will
only be spending money in Mexico is pretty dumb.
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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
Yes Zac, I understand this and have both a passport and a tourist card...
The issue is more what Mexico NEEDS... Like MORE tourists... What I suggest would benefit Mexico... More tourists, more money collected for tourist
cards, etc.
The U.S. does not have the same need for tourism, as does Mexico... |
Dk-
I understand where you're coming from..Mexico does count on tourism but no more than the United States...San Diego is pretty dependent on tourism. If
Mexico made it more convenient to get a tourist permit, the theory goes, more people would get one. Then, with more money to promote tourism, more
people would travel to Mexico. Fortunately, theory doesn't always work it Mexico.
My main point is we are responsible to abide by the laws and customs of the countries we visit. I'm tired of hearing how Mexico needs to be more like
the United States...and I'm not saying that's what you're saying.
Zac
[Edited on 4-21-2006 by Bajaboy]
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