jim&carol
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Registered: 3-13-2007
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Need FMT for San Felipe and North Sonora?
I was told last spring, during our first Baja trip, that you do not need an FMT if only travelling as far as San Felipe or in the northern part of
Sonora. I was wondering if that is still true.
Also, would there be any problem with going south of San Felipe (to Puertocitos or beyond but not as far as Hwy 1) without an FMT?
Jim
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
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Nobody really checking for FMT's in this area. But remember the FMT gives you a legal right to be in Mexico, good to have if you have a accident or
any other problems.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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DENNIS
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You can be in SF or anywhere in what's called the free zone for one week without papers but, like Bajalou says, get one for ID purposes if you can.
I don't know where they draw the line in north Sonora.
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BajaGeoff
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I believe the allowable amount of time in the free zone is actually 72 hours - not a week.
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DENNIS
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It was 72 hours. It changed about4 or 5 years ago. I got it from the immigration horses mouth.
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bajalou
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I understood that a 7 day or less FMT is free, but needed after 72 hours???
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Baja&Back
Senior Nomad
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Location: Vancouver, Canada / todo de Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
You can be in SF or anywhere in what's called the free zone for one week without papers but, like Bajalou says, get one for ID purposes if you can.
I don't know where they draw the line in north Sonora. |
The line in Sonora is west of Hwy 15 and south to the checkpoint on Hwy 15 at Empalme, just past Guaymas.
And, I'm pretty sure it's 72 hours, too.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Baja&Back
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
You can be in SF or anywhere in what's called the free zone for one week without papers but, like Bajalou says, get one for ID purposes if you can.
I don't know where they draw the line in north Sonora. |
The line in Sonora is west of Hwy 15 and south to the checkpoint on Hwy 15 at Empalme, just past Guaymas.
And, I'm pretty sure it's 72 hours, too. |
I think the free zone extension down to Empalme only applies to car permits. I think you need one most anywhere in Sonora, except Puerto Penasco,
after 72 hours.
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David K
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The people in the tourism dept. of San Felipe and Tijuana like to say it is 7 days... But, federal rules apply and it still is 72 hours on the
official paperwork... I would love to see new official paperwork, however!
It really is a flakey deal, like nobody cares down there as long as you are spending money, they want you to stay around!
The only place in Baja it is checked is on Hwy. 1 at the state border.
Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it!
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DENNIS
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This is just another one of those questions that have any number of answers, whatever works at the moment. Like I said, I asked an immigration
officer three years back what the period of time was for being in the free zone without an FMT. One week was his answer. Changed from 72 hours at
least a year prior. Don't you think this guy should know? He had no reason to lie to me at that time. I was in his jail awaiting deportation.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
This is just another one of those questions that have any number of answers, whatever works at the moment. Like I said, I asked an immigration
officer three years back what the period of time was for being in the free zone without an FMT. One week was his answer. Changed from 72 hours at
least a year prior. Don't you think this guy should know? He had no reason to lie to me at that time. I was in his jail awaiting deportation.
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Good one Dennis!
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shari
Select Nomad
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I believe things have changed...last time my brother went to get his tourist card in Ensenada they told him that the new law is that you need a FMT as
soon as you cross the border into mexico...he got a $5 fine for not getting it in TJ. Not having a tourist visa invites a whole lotta trouble if
anything should happen...ie: accident, traffic ticket, getting in a fight...whatever...it's cheap insurance and you should have it....be legal folks
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Martyman
Super Nomad
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Shari;
I think the reason for the $5 fine is because the officer in Ensenada is a jerk and doesn't want to do anything (kinda like me!). One stop in
Encinada for papers was enough for me!
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