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pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
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2 border crossing questions
Driving down to Baja Sur in a few weeks with some 'gear' in the back of a beater Ford150 v8.
1. What border crossing, Tecate or Tijuana, gives you the best chance of being able to just drive on through without having to stop? i.e. green light
vs. red light
2. At either border crossing is there a place to park on U.S. side and walk across to get FMT? Reason for wanting to do this is so we could just drive
through when crossing border without having to stop and get FMT at the border crossing.
Muchos gracias,
pacside
[Edited on 6-10-2009 by pacside]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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My suggestion is to stop at TJ and bluff 'em....pull into the declare lane and tell them you are getting FMT's......other suggestion is to get FMT's
at Otay and cross S/B at Otay........either way, it's a flip of the coin
Crossed S/B at Otay with a load of "stuff" at 9:15AM last Friday. No cars in line S/B, green light, passed on through.
No problems
[Edited on 6-10-2009 by bajaguy]
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David K
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Posts: 65407
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Tecate is easier to walk across for the cards... but the bank there is only open regular hours... Tijuana has a 24 hour bank teller for card payment.
Tijuana has many lanes flowing into Mexico and Tecate has only one... either way you can get a red light... unless you are smuggling, it's no big
deal.
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woody with a view
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they stand in the roadway at tj and if you look loaded they flag you over. if you park for fmt they still look inside and then ask you to push the
button.
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BajaDove
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Posts: 194
Registered: 11-23-2008
Location: La Paz
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WHOA! When you reach GN they will want to see your papers. You best have at least a tourist card or they could send you back to TJ.
Unless the Migration officer isn't there.
If its not where it is, its where it isn\'t.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by pacside
1. What border crossing, Tecate or Tijuana, gives you the best chance of being able to just drive on through without having to stop? i.e. green light
vs. red light
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San Ysidro, hands down. [ I don't really know what "hands down" means but, I hear a lot of people say it ]
I've watched them operate at Tecate and, at times, given the low volume of traffic, they seem to get bored and lonely and will red-lite every car
that comes through.
Unless you're driving a big covered vehicle or a loaded exposed F-150, your chances of being stopped are slim.
On the other hand, if you want a more scientific opinion, flip a coin. 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65407
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Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaDove
WHOA! When you reach GN they will want to see your papers. You best have at least a tourist card or they could send you back to TJ.
Unless the Migration officer isn't there. |
You do know that is BS... the whole operation there is for some cash, so you can continue. That said, get the card at the border so you are not in
violation when you are south of Ensenada.
Also, Hwy. 1 is NOT the only road that goes into Baja Sur from Baja Norte... The locals in Guerrero Negro have a really great way to avoid that
tourist trap/ bug spray operation. Use Google Earth and folllow the road past the airport, north of the border.
The Guillermo Prieto/San Francisquito and El Arco/Hwy.1 roads across the border also do not have any inspection or personal.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65407
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by pacside
1. What border crossing, Tecate or Tijuana, gives you the best chance of being able to just drive on through without having to stop? i.e. green light
vs. red light
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San Ysidro, hands down. [ I don't really know what "hands down" means but, I hear a lot of people say it ]
I've watched them operate at Tecate and, at times, given the low volume of traffic, they seem to get bored and lonely and will red-lite every car
that comes through.
Unless you're driving a big covered vehicle or a loaded exposed F-150, your chances of being stopped are slim.
On the other hand, if you want a more scientific opinion, flip a coin.
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Exactly, Dennis! I got the red light at Tecate once so they could make sure my one 5 gallon red plastic gas can was empty and then sniff my full BLUE
6 gallon camping water container contents to make sure it wasn't gasoline inside!!! 
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LB
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Posts: 74
Registered: 10-1-2008
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We cross early about 5:30 am on Sundays, shift change and is still kinda dark
and we beat the traffic thru TJ, Ensenada and Rosorita. Plus those greedy cops
are still asleep. Some people like really busy hours and pull all the way over to
the left, out of site and get lost in the crowd, trying to pull over for secondary or
move on thru. Some people like Tecate. We use Tecate on our trip back, as the
TJ lines and the mass of beggars is so overwhelming. My husband gets his FMT, at Loreto and I get my FM3 stamped. Never had a problem. Although
legally we
should do it in TJ. Also you can join Baja Bound (I believe that is the name) they
will send you a FMT, and you just need to pay at any bank. Membership was $39.00 I believe, you get discounts at hotels, shops and etc.
When we have gotten a red light they pull us over and have just opened
the doors and moved us on.
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Bob and Susan
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Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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there is a guy that sits in a chair at tj
if you have a truck with controban in it you WILL get a red light even if you cant see red
if you smuggle you will get caught one time or another
just pay the small tax and sleep the night before
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Tecate is easier to walk across for the cards... but the bank there is only open regular hours... Tijuana has a 24 hour bank teller for card payment.
Tijuana has many lanes flowing into Mexico and Tecate has only one... either way you can get a red light... unless you are smuggling, it's no big
deal. |
Last time crossing at TJ we had bought our FMT's through Discover Baja. We still had to get them signed. We pulled over and walked around to the
Migracion office only to find no one there. It was 7 am on a Saturday. We went on our way and passed the Baja Sur border twice with that office also
unmanned.
Didn't really give it a second thought until I recently read a post concerning the problem of Insurance not covering you if you do not have a valid
signed visa.
Question to you out there? What would you do in this situation?
Thanks in advance.
Ken
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
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Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Show of hands! Who has been asked for papers at GN headed South. me, never. Just bug spray and pay.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 9-27-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Show of hands! Who has been asked for papers at GN headed South. me, never. Just bug spray and pay. |
You may have missed my point. That would have been an opportunity to get the FMT's signed!
Ken
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dtbushpilot
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Me, several times. No hay problema, always have something to show them.....dt
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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Bajahowodd
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Ken- signed and a fine. Not to mention as I previously posted, South of Maneadero you need a valid FMT. Unsigned, it's not valid. Invalid, your
Mexican auto insurance can be voided. Do it at the border, and have peace of mind.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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I will try to explain the situation one more time.
We cross the border for a weeks vacation on Sat morning at 7am with FMT's from Discover Baja to get signed.
The office there is closed with no one to sign said doc's.
What can one do at this point?
Ensenada I am told tells you to go back to TJ.
As i have mentioned GN/Baja Sur is unreliable as to being open, particulary on Saturdays when we cross.
I AM aware now of the repercussions of not having a valid signed FMT.
What can be done to get it signed in this situation?
Ken
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toneart
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Legal documentation (FMT or FM3/FM2) is one thing and absolutely necessary. Trying to get "stuff" through the border is another. Many take their
chances and try to get the green light. At either border crossing (TJ or Tecate), I have experienced green lights and red lights. Also, sometimes you
get a green light and they still jump out in front of you and order an inspection.
If you decide to go for it, you need to make a plan and also a plan B as a backup. Plan A would be to chance it (risky). Plan B would require a
decision on your part before you cross: You could informally make a list of your "stuff" and show receipts in case they inspect you. Usually they will
just figure a tax and then, after you pay it, you go. They have also told me that they have the right to fine you or confiscate everything if you try
to cross without declaring. Perhaps a mordita, if caught, could help smoothen the negotiation.
What I have done is to simply declare it and pay the low tax. As Bob says (Bob and Susan), you will sleep better and also preempt any problems. The
worst that could happen is that they could turn you around and send you to Otay Mesa and/or cause you to formally manifest your "stuff". If you have a
lot of building materials or appliances or furniture, this could happen.
In the last couple of years of passing through Guerrero Negro, there has been nobody there to inspect either documentation or cargo. Just the bug
spray man.
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaDove
WHOA! When you reach GN they will want to see your papers. You best have at least a tourist card or they could send you back to TJ.
Unless the Migration officer isn't there. |
| Quote: | | You do know that is BS... the whole operation there is for some cash, so you can continue. |
What is BS??? If BajaDove KNEW "it" was BS I sincerely doubt they'd have said it! Cash for what? Were you referring to the
agricultural spray fee? Fines for not having a valid FMT? Mordita to obtain an FMT?
| Quote: | | That said, get the card at the border so you are not in violation when you are south of Ensenada. |
Good advice!
| Quote: | Also, Hwy. 1 is NOT the only road that goes into Baja Sur from Baja Norte... The locals in Guerrero Negro have a really great way to avoid
that tourist trap/ bug spray operation. Use Google Earth and folllow the road past the airport, north of the border.
The Guillermo Prieto/San Francisquito and El Arco/Hwy.1 roads across the border also do not have any inspection or personal.
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WHAT????? Now you're talking out of the OTHER SIDE OF YOUR MOUTH??? First you advise
how to do it legally; which ensures their Mexican car insurance (IF they chose to get it) will be valid if they have the bad luck to be involved in an
accident & they'll stand much less chance of other legal repercussions if they get into any situation requiring proof of being in the country
legally! Then out of the other side of your mouth you advocate; oh right, you weren't advocating, you were simply
innocently just advising of another route! to avoid the legal immigration checkpoint! The locals have NO NEED to pass through a legal Immigration
Checkpoint...they're in the country legally!
David, your posts are becoming more & more irrational & irresponsible. What gives you the right to suggest anyone do anything illegal here?
Oh that's right! It'll be THEM who'll have to live with the consequences, not YOU!
This is NOT hatred of you speaking, this is my honest assessment of your posts. You are getting ruder, whinier & more offensive & and from
many others' recent comments, it's obvious that I'm not alone in having reached this conclusion. Go back & read....REALLY READ....some of your
posts WORD BY WORD & see if you can honestly deny you resort to snide remarks, innuendos & blatantly obvious attempts to
point the blame anywhere else but at yourself. Be a man! Drop the ego & understand that you're not too old to LEARN how to
admit when you make mistakes!
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And in response to Bajahowodd's question, since I only drive during daylight hours, GN has always been open & I've been asked for my authorization
to be in the country EACH & EVERY southbound trip! In my case, that's an FM3 & it's in my purse 365 days a year & in my possessions
anytime I leave my home. |
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65407
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Legs... I said the BS was the taking of money to pay for an FM-T there and bug spray... Dove's post was right on...... You are mistaken if you think
there is only one LEGAL road crossing the state border... I just mentioned some of the others... to avoid the cash collecting operation. IF you
actually read what I typed you will see that I recommend getting the FM-T at Tijuana... Jeeze!
=============================================================
Ken, there are two INM windows/ offices at Tijuana... One faces the secondary parking lot and the other is BEHIND it, facing the pedestrian crossing.
It has been posted here many times that if the car side is vacant, walk through the hallway to the pedestrian side where there is always an officer on
duty.
I have always found someone on the car side, but I don't cross in the dark.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
=============================================================
Ken, there are two INM windows/ offices at Tijuana... One faces the secondary parking lot and the other is BEHIND it, facing the pedestrian crossing.
It has been posted here many times that if the car side is vacant, walk through the hallway to the pedestrian side where there is always an officer on
duty.
I have always found someone on the car side, but I don't cross in the dark. |
David,
When we crossed that Saturday and another time a few years ago, NO ONE was available to sign FMT's. Call it a "perfect storm" but it does occur.
We will go back to our old custom of going down to TJ for a day trip prior to needing the FMT for a trip south. We got out of that habit with all the
problems in TJ putting a damper on our day tripping there.
We also didn't sweat not having it signed before the insurance issue was raised.
If we are ever in that situation again we will head to Tecate to get it signed, rather than risk heading south without a signiture.
Ken
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