fossilnut
Newbie
Posts: 23
Registered: 8-3-2006
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Getting travel permit at Tecate border???
Last year we crossed the border at Tecate and because we were so large (motorhome towing a car), there was no place for us to park to get our travel
papers and we had to go into Ensenada to get them. This year we'll be a little smaller (a slide in camper/truck and will be towing a boat. I'm
guessing we'll still have trouble parking to get papers at the border.
Would it be possible to cross the border by foot, get the papers and then drive through later???? Or is there a better/easier option??? Also, can I
get the papers by myself (hubby is disabled) or does he need to be with me? What paperwork do I need.
And another side question....where is it easiest to get your fishing and boat licenses? We'll be heading to the Mulege area.
Thanks!
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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Might I suggest that you take some time and do a search here, rather than create yet another thread on these subjects.
It wont take long and you will get plenty of threads.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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There are parking lots on the right just before you reach the border.
I would look for a place to park between the bank or earlier and the border and if all else fails, pull into the lot on the right.
You can walk across and get your FMT but the walk back has gotten longer.
I normally find a space, even with the trailer and go to get the permits while the wife and kids hang in the truck.
Another popular way to go is to camp at Potrero the day before and get your FMT's in one smaller vehicle the afternoon before you plan to cross. In
season, there are usually others at the campground doing the same thing.
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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Isn't there still some construction on the U.S. side of the border, a Nomad here was actually working on the crew. He said at that time parking was
impossible.
And as far as the permit, are you talking FM-T (tourist card)? I would think you have to be in person because you have to show your birthcert. or
passport to obtain one.
Fishing and boat license at www.discoverbaja.com is one option. Don't wait until Muleje. They'll have one but not the other, you know the drill...
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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The construction is complete.
I bring my wife and kids passports to the FMT office and they have never asked for them to be there. Even with the wife having a different last name.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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i agree with diver
we've taken others stuff to the office for fmt's
the officer likes to deal with just one person at a time anyway
there is no office to get a boat permit or fishing license in mulege
you need to get that stuff in santa rosalia
its a pain but doable
i get the permit and license at discover baja too...call them
you may be able to get it in the mail over the phone
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oxxo
Banned
Posts: 2347
Registered: 5-17-2006
Location: Wherever I am, I'm there
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Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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I passed through Tecate about 1 month ago. The construction on the US side is complete. I have never had a problem finding parking within a block of
the immigration office on the Mexico side of the border, but I generally cross about 0800.
The last time we crossed over, the bank was closed. The bank is located directly across the street from the immigration office. There was no sign
that said the bank was closed, so I rattled the door...........and set off the alarm, enough to wake the dead! The local cops were standing talking
to the inspection guys and looked over my way and started laughing and then went back to their conversation. I kicked a little dirt around
nonchalantly and then mosied back across the street to immigration. I told the immigration officer that 'someone' had set off the alarm at the bank.
I said I guess its closed. He said "no problema". He stamped our FMT's and told us to pay at a bank when it was convenient for us, which we did two
weeks later.
As far as everyone needs to be present with their own passport,..........as everything else in Mexico, it depends on who the immigration officer is.
I would just smile a lot. Tell the officer that your husband is confined to a wheelchair for the last 20 years and his final dream is to see the
Baja. Try to emphasize the word FINAL. If you can, try to shed a single tear. If you've got a couple of stale cookies in the RV, place them on the
desk on top of your husband's passport. All the officers I have met in Tecate are extremely polite and efficient and speak some English. I bet he'll
stamp your husband's permit for you.
Buena suerte
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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We find the immigration people in Tecate to be the most friendly and cooperative. Parking is a real problem as they used to have the parking lot that
is now used by aduana.
Before when we had our FMTs from BajaDiscover, and just needed them stamped we had no problem with just one of us running in while the other one
circled. If we need to do the entire process, we pay to park in the last parking lot on the right on the US side, walk over and get the paper work.
This last trip down I went in to have our FM3s stamped, and no problem stamping both of them---they know parking is a problem.
But, out of the last 3 crossings, twice we got the red light! No problem, just peaked in the back. This time we had a couch hanging out the back and
got the green light. Tecate is our preferred crossing.
Construction seemed to be completed---go early, or there will be a line of trucks.
Good luck
Diane and John
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oxxo
Banned
Posts: 2347
Registered: 5-17-2006
Location: Wherever I am, I'm there
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Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jdtrotter
But, out of the last 3 crossings, twice we got the red light! No problem, just peaked in the back. This time we had a couch hanging out the back and
got the green light. |
I have a question about that. I have never gotton the red light at a crossing (watch, I will now get it 15 times in a row!) Is there a penalty if I
have something to declare but go through the no declare line rather than the declare line. If I get the red light with something I should have
declared, what are the repurcussions? I'm not looking for trouble.
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