Mexico trip, some assistance required

[Ulyses]

Hello everyone,
my name is Ulyses, I posted a pic and a little bit about myself on the SoCal intro stickee a couple of weeks ago, haven't posted a real introduction per se but as soon as I get at least my first mod and some cool pics I will. Anyways, the real subject of this is the following, my friend Vinny (Giulitto) came to me with the idea of a trip down to Mexico, but the thing is neither of us have gone down there before so I was wondering if you guys could give me some advise on what documents we need and what not, we're just planning on a day trip, so I'm thinking it shouldn't be to much of a hazle. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

[mkfour]

You'll need Mexican car insurance and a passport as a minimum.

I'd take baby steps in regards to a Baja/Mexico trip. Go a few hours south this year, and then a few more next year. I've only gone down a few hours south of Ensenada.

 

[Mlachica]

You'll need Mexican car insurance and a passport as a minimum.

I'd take baby steps in regards to a Baja/Mexico trip. Go a few hours south this year, and then a few more next year. I've only gone down a few hours south of Ensenada.

You don't need a passport if you're traveling by car (it may be required in 2008, but for 07 you don't need it). So for example, if you fly or take a ship - you need a passport. Take a valid driver's licence and your birth certificate. Make copies and keep them in different places.

www.mexadventure.com has insurance, and I believe aaa does as well. Most will even cross the border to tow you back but they only go so far, it's usually it's spelled out in your policy.

Also, if you have a lien on your vehicle, you'll need to get written authorization from your lien holder to take the vehicle to mexico.

For future reference, if you stay longer than 72 hours or travel into baja sur you'll need a tourist visa (FM-T) which can be purchased (cheap) at an immigration office - found in SD and at most border crossings.

 

[Bluetribal]

Where are you going in Mexico and on what day? You will love it, I have only had great times down there. It is a little better when you go with someone who has been but hey just be open minded and enjoy the Tacos and Cerveza.

Plan for a long border wait to get back and my GF and I like to give the kids gifts rather than $$$. The Money just goes to there parents or worse a guy who hustles and uses the kids. So we like to take Crayons and wrap them in coloring book pages. One time we came across a bag of sports water bottles that were being thrown out at a Doctors clinic so we took those down. Give a little to Baja and it will give soo much more back.

I am going to San Felipe the last weekend of this month and camping on the beach. Just relax and kick up the feet.

 

[Bluetribal]

If you don't have a planned place to go might I suggest a nice day trip, it's not much wheeling bu very nice. Cruise down the 1 past Ensenada to La Bufadora (The Blow Hole) then across on Hwy (2) I think, to Tecate. Hit up the brewery for a tour then cross back over the border at Tecate. If you have AAA you can get a nice Baja map that even has some off road trails on it for free at your local office.

*Correction you cross on Hwy (3) to Tecate.

 

[94landcruiser]

I have made many many trips crossing at Laredo, Tx. and driving 700+ miles south. Leaving you don't need a passport, but they always have asked for it coming back since 2005. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't have one as I always had it ready but I suggest you ask BEFORE you go.

I'd hate to have a problem coming back into the country.

 

[SOCALFJ]

Also, if you have a lien on your vehicle, you'll need to get written authorization from your lien holder to take the vehicle to mexico.

I never knew that one! Makes perfect sense Mark.

 

[94landcruiser]

Also, if you have a lien on your vehicle, you'll need to get written authorization from your lien holder to take the vehicle to mexico.

This may be legally so but I have never done it and I have taken numerous vehicles with a lien down to Ixtapa & back w/o incident. I did have Mexican insurance, full coverage is 300.00 for a year but requires valid US insurance it costs about 20.00 per day available at the border.

 

[Bluetribal]

I have made many many trips crossing at Laredo, Tx. and driving 700+ miles south. Leaving you don't need a passport, but they always have asked for it coming back since 2005. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't have one as I always had it ready but I suggest you ask BEFORE you go.

I'd hate to have a problem coming back into the country.

Here at San ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, & Mexicali crossings they just started asking for passports this year to get people used to it but you are not required to until January. And I also believe that January has been pushed back due to the backorder on Passports that was going on at the beginning of the Summer.

 

[Ulyses]

We're planning for this comming sunday, thanks for the suggestion it really sounds cool and I will bring it up to the other guys. thanks a lot to all of you guys I really appreciate it. I'll let you know how everything goes.

Ulyses

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have found the later I cross the border coming home the less I wait or better yet dont wait.

Border crossing wait times
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/

 

[Bluetribal]

I believe this Sunday, is Mexican Independence Day so you better bring your own beer because you will not be able to buy beer South of the Border.

 

[mkfour]

I believe this Sunday, is Mexican Independence Day so you better bring your own beer because you will not be able to buy beer South of the Border.

Is that because all the stores will be sold out or because beer cannot be sold on I-Day?

 

[Ulyses]

Is that because all the stores will be sold out or because beer cannot be sold on I-Day?

If memory doesn't fail me, should be the latter

 

[Bluetribal]

The latter....

 

[Mlachica]

This may be legally so but I have never done it and I have taken numerous vehicles with a lien down to Ixtapa & back w/o incident. I did have Mexican insurance, full coverage is 300.00 for a year but requires valid US insurance it costs about 20.00 per day available at the border.

I forgot the exact reason but it has something to do with the insurance company not backing you up if your lien holder didn't give you permission to take the vehicle to baja.

It's the proper way to do it, just to cover all of your bases. Do most people do it, no. But it's the safest way to do it.

It's really easy to do...

 

[PabloVTA]

go to Stone Brewing, get a keg, you'll dust it off waiting to get back into the states.

be real careful where you park, watch for glass, and flats!

If you find any Don Fernando tequila in a blue bottle, buy it! Stellar quality.

 

[Giulitto]

Title for vehicle

I called my bank to ask about this and they said I would only need my title if I was shipping my vehicle through Mexico not just driving down there. So for a day trip it will not be required.

 

[napertuckytim]

More mexico driving help needed

Does anyone know where I can find driving directions for a route starting in the US and ending up in Mexico? Or even on starting and ending in MX. Mapquest, yahoo, AAA, google all refuse to recognize that there are roads down there. I'm planning on taking 7day trip to Nazas, 3 hours from Torreon, and need to plan the trip. Probably will stay in El Paso the first night and drive the rest of the way the next day. My TomTom won't work because they don't sell a map of Mexico. Any ideas?

 

[Ulyses]

I went to Borders and got a map of Baja, which I never thought it would be possible but I think you can try the same approach maybe you'll get lucky like I did.