Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Central America and Mexico
Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Timferret

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Jan 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk, UK
Posts: 40
USA to Baja border crossing at Mexicali

Ok,

Just for information, this is our experience of the USA to Baja California border crossing at Mexicali.

My girlfriend and I are traveling through the Americas on Yamaha 250 Serows. We bought Mexico bike insurance online whilst in the USA. As far as we could see there was nowhere to buy it at the border. Buying in advance is advised.

As you pass through the gates to the border crossing, you immediately have to go through one of 3 or 4 lanes that have red and green lights to control your entry and exit and cameras at each end to record you from every angle. From there you go into another lane where your vehicle may be inspected. Ours were. Presumably because we looked unusual. We pulled up, showed our passport and a border guard half heartedly looked in one of our bags. We were waved through. No-one spoke English.

Now, to enter into Baja and Mexico you need a "tourist card". The guards don't tell you this so it would be really easy to just drive off. Once the vehicle guards have finished with you and waved you off, you need to park up as close to the border controls as possible (immediately on the left if you can) and walk back to the glass fronted building that is on your left as you are sitting in the vehicle inspection lanes. The border official behind the desk spoke a little English which was handy. We had to fill in some basic paperwork, our passports were scanned and some copies were made. All easy stuff. Ask for a 6 months stay.

There is a small fee to pay for the tourist card ($306 Mex) and for this you have to cross over the road to a branch of the HSBC bank. Walk out of the glass fronted building and turn immediately right. Walk along the path and cross over the road where you drove into the border area - don't go out of the gate! There are some single storey buildings there, the 2nd or 3rd from the road is the bank. Paying is easy, you'll need to take the paperwork from the glass fronted building with you to be stamped. You'll get a receipt for your payment which you have to take back to the glass fronted building. This must be in cash and in pesos. Once back in the other building you present your bank receipt and your tourist card can them be stamped.

All done and away you go!

However........

All you've done so far is get yourself into Baja/Mexico. You still need paperwork for your bike.

We asked a border official about where to get this, as we wanted everything to be sorted out properly, and were told simply to "Go up that way for about 5 minutes, you'll see a big office with guards in blue." That's as much info as we could get. They just wanted us out from under their feet I guess. Anyway, as soon as you leave the border controls the road splits in two directions. We debated, and chose the right hand road. We drove for about 10 minutes and couldn't see an office. We decided to carry on to Ensenada, find out what was happening and sort it out from there.

After some research and some phone calls we found out that whilst in Baja, you don't need import papers for the bikes. It's only when you need to cross onto the mainland via the La Paz to Mazatlan ferry for instance, that you need the paperwork. This paperwork, however, can easily be obtained at the port at La Paz so no problem after all.
We made friends with a Spanish fellow in Ensenada. He crossed the border at Tecate and said he was able to obtain his bike paperwork at the border there. We know nothing about that crossing so we can't comment.

I'll post something about the port at La Paz later on.

Tim.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 Jan 2015
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,982
As of my last trip about three years ago:

There are two border crossings in Mexicali. One, east of town, has a banjercito where you can obtain or cancel a TIP, and the other (right in town) doesn't.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18 Jan 2015
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
As of my last trip about three years ago:

There are two border crossings in Mexicali. One, east of town, has a banjercito where you can obtain or cancel a TIP, and the other (right in town) doesn't.
Correct, been there a few times myself. Not sure about the other Banjercito office. Never been to that one.

BTW Tim,
In November, I paid Tourist Visa with Credit card in Tijuana. No problems at all. Same with ALL TVIP fees and deposit paid at port in La Paz. All on credit card. Helps if you have a bank that does not charge international transaction fees.

Insurance for Mexico is for sale all over Mexicali ... but it's on the USA side (Calexico), not the Mex. side! But buying on line is best anyway. You done good!

Imagine! NO ENGLISH! How dare they not speak English in Mexico!
Actually many Migracion workers do speak English (highly prized govt. position) as it's required. But few others do ... including border guards, Army guys. Federal Police may speak English ... if you are unlucky enough to be talking to them ....

Suerte!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Jan 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk, UK
Posts: 40
We didn't turn up expecting everyone to speak English. We managed perfectly well with our basic Spanish.

It was just info for other people.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride saralou Ride Tales 3565 4 Weeks Ago 18:23
Complete Central America/Mexico/Colombia Border Crossing Information sellheim Central America and Mexico 30 7 Mar 2023 00:33
An interesting border crossing between Laos and Thailand Outhere Ride Tales 3 7 Dec 2014 15:06
Venezuela border crossing info johnbrooks Route Planning 0 9 Jun 2014 21:24
Caucasus and Central Asia - visa and border crossing info crash Northern and Central Asia 19 4 Mar 2013 17:22

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:18.