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CabrillaTaco
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 7-11-2007
Location: PNW (USA)
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New guy checking (few questions)
Hey all. I’ve been truly enlightened by the hundreds of threads and posts! A truly great community you all have here. Let me get to my questions with
a little background. I lived in San Felipe slinging shrimp into the US (back in the day) for a couple years and “was” very familiar with Baja culture.
It’s been 17 years now and well, I have never been able to get Baja out of my dreams. I’ve sense fished around the world, but nothing compared to the
fresh grilled Baqueta fillets and steamed clams on the beach in Gonzaga bay at sunset.
Anyway, I convinced the General that Baja has her name all over it and booked a week stay at Villa Bahia in BOLA. We’ll be flying into SD and renting
a car for the drive down. I’ll be stopping in TJ for an Afternoon and ending my evening in Ensenada for an early start for BOLA.
My Questions:
Due to the added insurance needed to bring a US rental car into Baja is it cheaper just to rent a car in TJ? Also, if I rent a car in TJ do I still
need to get ancillary Mexican insurance then what they already provide?
My wife “only” has her State ID. (I have a passport) Will this be enough to cross the boarder and get a tourist permit?
Also, how are the check points going south these days?
Any advice would be grateful and thanks in advance,
Mark
Don't drink the water..fish f#ck in it.
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losfrailes
Senior Nomad
Posts: 577
Registered: 11-16-2004
Location: Ejido San Lucas near Santa Rosalia
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Mood: Good!
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1. No reason to not rent the car in the states, in spite of the insurance cost. You would still need insurance if renting one in TJ.
2. It is NOT A GOOD IDEA to be anywhere outside the USA without a passport. Her State ID might be sufficient, but do you really want to take that
chance upon return.
3. Check points going south are insignificant and unless you are taking something up north you shouldn't, there is no problem at the check points.
They are just military doing their job, however thankless it might be.
Get all your ducks in a row before you come down. Then you can enjoy the trip as you should. Bien Viaje!
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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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| Quote: |
2. It is NOT A GOOD IDEA to be anywhere outside the USA without a passport. Her State ID might be sufficient, but do you really want to take that
chance upon return.
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although the first sentence makes sense, the second one is misleading. my son forgot his wallet last time down and the guy at the booth made me
"promise" he was mine!!!! you will not, however be given a tourist
visa without establishing citizenship. no one will check it if only going to BOLA BUT if you are involved in an accident the cops
MAY ask and your insurance MAY be VOIDED.
i wouldn't worry TOO much about it....
how hard is it to get a birth cert? mine took 4 days via overnight mail....
[Edited on 7-11-2007 by woody in ob]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64835
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Correct, the state ID is her photo... BUT, the birth certificate is her citizenship proof. (A passport is both in one document)
Try your county web site for birth certificate by mail... Or go to the county seat dept. of records, etc.
There are no checks for tourist cards in Baja Norte (at least for many years now)... However, you may want to go by the book and do all the things
required...
Have a great trip, welcome to Nomad, post a trip report when you get home!
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2760
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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the current US passport rules - this has to do with entering the US, nothing to do with Mexico and obtaining and FMT.
If you fly before Sept 30 you must apply for a passport and present the online receipt (you have to prove you’ve applied) along with a photo ID.
After Sept 30 you must have a passport in hand. If driving, passport requirements are waived until at least January.
To obtain an FMT:
Proof of citizenship - this can be either a passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate accompanied by a photo ID. A passport is the
document of preference. These requirements apply to US Citizens.
Current info from the consulate's website:
July 2007 to 30/September/2007
As an exceptional temporary measure, the Mexican Immigration authorities will accept as proof of US Citizenship, in lieu of the documents described
above, the printed official proof of passport’s application status from the US Department of State (http://travel.state.gov), together with official photo identification.
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3821
Registered: 2-9-2004
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There are various levels of insurance that you can pay for -- minimum or full coverage. Up to you. You can check rates online with all the big car
rental companies -- they have offices in TJ: Alamo, Dollar, Avis, National. They'll have rates with insurance costs too so you can compare.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by losfrailes
1. No reason to not rent the car in the states, in spite of the insurance cost. You would still need insurance if renting one in TJ.
2. It is NOT A GOOD IDEA to be anywhere outside the USA without a passport. Her State ID might be sufficient, but do you really want to take that
chance upon return.
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1. WRONG !! Call the rental agencies and you will find that the price in TJ is up to 25% cheaper than the same car rented in the US to take into
Mexico. I checked last week.
2. Might be a good idea but passports are not needed. She will be fine with a photo ID and voters card or copy of birth certificate.
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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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off the subject, sorta.
a voters card is good? when applying to vote they NEVER CHECK your citizenship! how is this proof????
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64835
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Good point, however... you must be a U.S. citizen to vote, so that makes a voter's registration proof   (I know, I know  )
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Since the early 60's, the US gov had been telling people they should take their driver's license and voters card or school photo ID. I know this from
family trips to TJ at that time and as recent as 8 years ago when I first took my kids south.
I suppose they figured that if you had a voters card, you had a residence in the US.
I don't know if they check for citizenship when issuing a first-time voter's card as I got mine a LONG time ago. Although it wouldn't surprise me a
bit if our GOV didn't check citizenship. Makes me wonder if George has his ??? 
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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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hahaha
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Good point, however... you must be a U.S. citizen to vote, so that makes a voter's registration proof (I know, I know )
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Now that's a hoot.......I wonder how many non-citizens voted in the last election WITH voter ID cards???
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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Concider a different hotel, I don't recommend Villa Bahia.
Welcome to the board!
Mean people suck!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64835
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Debra
Concider a different hotel, I don't recommend Villa Bahia.
Welcome to the board! |
I hope you aren't thinking of the Villa Vita? That is one that should be avoided...
Casa del Sol has got the best recommendations as well as Raquel & Larry's... However, the Villa Bahia (right on the beach) was well recommended by
many, including Graham Mackintosh.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Someone posted great information about a shuttle from the SD airport to the TJ airport. You can get a rental car there.
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DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by Debra
Concider a different hotel, I don't recommend Villa Bahia.
Welcome to the board! |
I hope you aren't thinking of the Villa Vita? That is one that should be avoided...
Casa del Sol has got the best recommendations as well as Raquel & Larry's... However, the Villa Bahia (right on the beach) was well recommended by
many, including Graham Mackintosh. |
Yeah, I've heard good things too, and have booked a stay at Villa Bahia for next year. Please post your impressions when you get back. You know, the
usual: Water temp, wind speed, sheet thread count, panguero rating, neighbor noise level, bathroom cleanliness, etc. All that stuff we all fuss on
about here.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
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Why fly into SD? I would skip SD, TJ and Ensenada, maybe fly into Loreto or La Paz.
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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Yes David, I mixed them up..........I have heard nothing but good things about Villa Bahia, in fact I checked it out in May..........Very nice!
Sorry!
Mean people suck!
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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She cannot fly out of or into the states without a passport. No worrys if they fly into SD and go to TJ to rent a car.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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passport rules for flying have been relaxed till 2008.
govt got slammed with apps and can't keep up.
typ govt planning and execution.....make a proclamation and then figure out how to do it later.
if the private sector did things that way it would go broke.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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losfrailes
Senior Nomad
Posts: 577
Registered: 11-16-2004
Location: Ejido San Lucas near Santa Rosalia
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Mood: Good!
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You know, I have no doubt that its correct that the passport rules have been relaxed, however, as late as 1 month ago in order to fly out of Loreto
into Los Angeles, I was required to have a passport.
Have things relaxed since then that the same flight could be accomplished with no passport????
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