Is Baja really that dangerous these days? Surfing dec/jan

[deminimis]

Tecate is open from approx 6AM to midnight (reports vary). Immigaration is on the right as soon as you cross. Bank is right there or across the street. At least that's the stuff I've read on Bajanomad.com. I do not know if the bank will be open on X-Mas which is importatnt to us, but other than that, all tell its an easy crossing.

 

[marchesi]

Hummm, any idea if the bank is open on a Saturday (that's when I would be going through)? I don't know where you live but an other option is go get the visa at a Mexican consulate.

 

[deminimis]

I live in the middle of nowhere. I'd check the posts on bajanomad.com regarding tecate. Tons of up to date info on that site.

 

[marchesi]

I am going to do a post on the site and let you know if I find anything useful.

 

[marchesi]

Here is the info to get tourist card

Cross at Tijuana where there is a 24/7 bank teller by the INM office just for payment of the tourist cards...

OR

Get a pre-paid tourist card at Discover Baja Travel Club (or other organizartions/ businesses), and just have the INM official stamp it when you enter the country.

 

[deminimis]

If crossing at TJ, I'd recommend you park at either of the pay lots at the border (US side), cross on foot, get cards, walk back to your Sporty and the drive across. Some suggest you pull over to the declare parking area after you cross, tell them nothing to declare, but getting cards, then get the cards. I like the walk across way best. Don't forget your Mexican car insurance. I shop around, but year after year, we go through Lewis and Lewis.

 

[sdwindansea]

The problem with walking across then walking back is you just added 1 to 2 hours to your trip. The border crossing is brutal right now. Most of the people I've talked to without the Sentri pass have been looking at a minimum of 1.5 hours (even on foot) and a lot of 2+ hour waits.

 

[deminimis]

Anything is better than this. Only made it 100 yards before I turned for home this am. Barely made it. Fuel, winter fuel mind you, gelled. Even plugged it in when I got home last night. Its below zero. Hopefully the wife can find some anti gel when she gets off work late this evening.

 

[marchesi]

Hummm, that doesn't sound promising. I'll be traveling with my girlfriend, can I leave her in the Van (past the border) while I get the Tourist Card or do we both have to go in. I imagine the walking across the border is a safety issue... Would be nice to avoid crossing the border twice...
BTW -30 in Montana, my whole Van is frozen...

 

[marchesi]

One more thing... Seems that the crossing in Tecate might be an easier choice. Can you pay for the tourist card with cash?

 

[deminimis]

You've got to pay for the card at a bank. For some reason, immigrantion officials are not trusted to take money.

Anyway, I'll take kidnapping or dodging bullets in TJ over this:

Its too freak'n cold to work on the Sporty and load it up for our departure on Tuseday.

 

[deminimis]

Get me outta here!! Note the accumulations since yesterday afternoon (I've got a small ceramic heater running full time to keep the inside warm and it can't keep up with the snow on the glass.) I have to mount a Hi-Lift in this damn weather today. Frick!

 

[John and Dana]

Deminimis,

I second that it is too @#$% cold up here.

We crossed at Tecate last year and the biggest problem we had was there was no one in line and no signs to tell us where to go, luckily we got the "red light". I think they were bored. After crossing there we will never cross at Tijuana again. Never having to drive through Tijuana again "Priceless"

As I remember you don't have to pay for your tourist card at the border, you just have to get it done withing 7 days of crossing. The banks will accept visa, pesos, and gringo $$.


John :c3:

 

[geoffff]

I'll be heading down to get lost in northeast Baja for a week starting New Years day. I've been studying this DavidK guy's website for places to check out - secluded beaches, remote hot springs, etc.

If you don't hear from me by mid January, assume the worst

 

[deminimis]

David is very helpful. Check out the forum on www.bajanomad.com to if you haven't already. Drop me a note is you wish and perhaps we'll be close by. Might be south at that time, but you never know. Adios!

 

[sdwindansea]

The Tecate border crossing has been hit or miss for us when returning to the U.S. The first time we crossed in Tecate, we had the same experience as John...not a single car in front of us. The next time was a 10 minute wait. So of course we were convinced that this was the greatest find ever. Since then we've had a couple other sub 20 minute crossings. However, we have also had several 2 hour plus delays.

John, thanks for the information on the FMT card. Geoff, I will definitely check out that website soon. Have a great & safe trip everyone.

 

[scatter-SMB]

We just crossed southbound yesterday on the east Calexico crossing. No problems all the way to our place. Little west wind yesterday and that brought the temps up to eighty!! Quite a change from the minus six degrees and all the snow back home.
I won't mention any more about how nice it is cause I know a lot of you are trying to hang on to the south end of your snow throwers.... Well, gotta run, time for another ice cold cerveza :a1:

 

[deminimis]

Its 9AM there and Bill is already into the beer. God I love Baja.

 

[geoffff]

 

[scatter-SMB]

Ooohhhh geoffff, you gotta head this way....
But, it is colder today. Only 70 so far. :a2: