Problems with the online Banjercito site lead me to the option of applying for my TVIP at the Mexican consulate in Sacramento or Phoenix. Wondering if anyone has experience at either location? Otherwise I'll do it at the border, but prefer to have the TVIP before I get to the border.

Do it at the border, a lot less complicated. Online is a waste of maximum effort to escape minimal exertion
If you cross at Otay Mesa, or Tecate ,San LUis Rio Colorado , or Agua Prieta you will have lighter traffic and no problem t find the Banjercito office for this document.

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Thanks Sjoerd. Appreciate all your comments here and at advrider.

I agree ... get it at the border. It's really no problem. Or ... you may even get by without it. The only time I truly needed it was getting on the Ferry in La Paz. But I guess they may ask for it when you Exit Mexico if going to Guatemala. Sjoerd would know about this one.

But if heading South via mainland Mexico, then you may get by without it. They used to have check points at the Sonoran border to check foreign cars ... Now? Not sure.

A month ago I passed through 20 Military and Federal Police stops on the mainland from Puerto Vallarta to the border ... never asked for ANYTHING. In past trips I would be asked at least for my Tourist Visa ... and I would buy that. ($22 or so)

Also, remember, not only is ALL of Baja a TVIP FREE zone, so is the state of Sonora. Once South of there you are supposed to have it.

ATM, there are SO FEW tourists in Mexico PERIOD, seems like it's not much of a priority for them since open gun battles and murders are happening everyday ... somewhere in Mexico. Tourism is dead ... for now.

If someone asks for it (most Military and Police have NO IDEA what a TVIP is or who needs it) just say that an officer yesterday took it to check it and forgot to give it back to you ... and you rode away without it. Who knows, might work?

No longer a sticker for bike, just a couple papers. Thankfully there are no computers at road side check points ... or anywhere else where you would likely be asked for the TVIP in Mexico. Here, a good story goes a long way.
Things do get lost, after all.

I've been told directly by an Aduana officer to "just go" and if asked "to say you are going to Guaymas to get on the boat".

This happened because a riding buddy was "black listed" from an earlier trip. The Aduana guy was very cool ... and he is not typical, but nonetheless, kind of shows what a totally useless BS thing the TVIP system is anyway.

It does NOTHING to prevent someone selling their car in Mexico. And they know that. It's BULL ... just another way to collect "Fees" ... which go straight to D.F. ... and vanish.

Yes, I've heard stories of possible confiscation of bike ... but never seen it happen. Have a few 20's in your wallet ready ... just in case. Remember:
Bribe the Indian, Not the Chief. BTW, the TVIP is now up to $68. Seems they jack up the fee every other week. I remember when it was $10.

I need the TVIP for my trip. Just wondered if anyone had experience at the consulate as opposed to the border offices since I'll be passing right by the Sacramento consulate on my way south.

Sorry Dave, I forgot about that part. I've only been to the Mex Consulate in San Francisco. It was a MAD HOUSE ... hundreds of people crammed in there. ALL Mexican's no tourists at all there.

After about an hour of cutting lines ... the Banjercito clerk (military bank) told me I had to go to the border to solve my problem.

Do they issue TVIP's there? No idea. All the Mexican's were there to deal with immigration/I.D status or to get paperwork to import a US car into Mexico. Worst nightmare ever. Never been to Sac. Consulate.

The Sacramento consulate website even has a nice photo of the Banjercito office/counter, but from the number of chairs shown, likely it'll be much more of a circus than at the border, likely the best option.

They did not offer at the border, if you have no desire to cross over to the mainland, I don't think it would be an issue. The Baja is classified as a free zone. Or so they say. We are having a bit of delay in La Paz trying to sort this issue out.

No, unless you STOP .. and ASK at the border then NOTHING happens, you simply drive through and into Mexico. They DO NOT stop you or check for any paperwork.

But at most all US/Mexico border entry sites there are Aduana/Banjercito offices where you can get ALL your TVIP stuff. You also need to STOP at the border and visit Migracion office to get you entry Visa. ALL foreign visitors to Mexico are required to have this Tourist Visa if staying more than 3 days or going further South into Baja Sur or South of Sonora on the mainland. It's about $22. NOT required for day visitors to border towns.

You cannot board the Ferry in La Paz without a VISA and a TVIP. If you show up there with NO Visa, you can be fined. There is, of course, a Aduana/Banjercito office at the port there in La Paz. You do everything there and board Ferry to either Mazatlan or Topolobambo. TVIP is about $48 plus
$300 to $400 deposit on bike or car.

So Catharine , how did things pan out in La Paz ? Get the TVIP and Tourist Card business all sorted out?
Your experience is a reminder for all visitors from Canada and the USA who expect the Mexican border to be like the ARMED PRISON CAMP GATE MENTALITY which pervades much of the USA border .


If you were to try driving from Canada or from MEXICO through the US border as you can drive into MEXICO you would likely be shot by US border guards.
Despite the common belief that MEXICO is violent and dangerous it will be a total shock for the new visitor to MEXICO to find that one can ride right through the Mexican border without being stopped or challenged or threatened by armed guards.
They treat you like well informed adults Who know beforehand what will be required of them in order to visit MEXICO with their motor vehicle. They will not bottle feed the newcomer the needed information.
Ignorance of the rules is no excuse , and there will be consequences for failure to follow the rules.
Anybody going to Mexico should have investigated the requirements and should follow the rules .

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