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Crossing the border in Mexico Crossing the border in Mexico
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  #1  
Old 19 Oct 2010
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Crossing the border in Mexico
Hello
My wife and I are planning to go to Mexico in the next few weeks. We both ride our own motorcycles. We have read the comments about Mexico. Is there one border that is better than another ? and is anyone planning to cross the border some time soon too? Would it be a good idea to tag along with someone ?
For info, we are Canadians and currently in Utah.
Have a great day!
Alain
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Old 19 Oct 2010
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Hi Alain: I sent you a PM.
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Old 20 Oct 2010
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re border x-ing
hi ,i am from australia and just went through into mexico via tijuana it was quick and woulod have been even faster had i organized insurance beforehand.i just passed back over into usa via neuvo laredo and had more hold ups there due to the usa border protection people.as canadians it will be easier.mexico was friendly and enjoyable.now in toronto shipping to europe.have fun and just go!!
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Old 20 Oct 2010
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Originally Posted by Ontheroadagainwithus View Post
Hello
My wife and I are planning to go to Mexico in the next few weeks. We both ride our own motorcycles. We have read the comments about Mexico. Is there one border that is better than another ? and is anyone planning to cross the border some time soon too? Would it be a good idea to tag along with someone ?
For info, we are Canadians and currently in Utah.
Have a great day!
Alain
After much reading and qustion asking, my wife and I have decided to cross at Presidio, TX.

We are currently in Alpine, Tx and will be going into Big Bend NP. Drop me a PM if you want to had over this way and cross with us as I susect it may be Monday before we cross.

Also, have a look at Ian Moor's blog on the trip tails. That is what finally swayed us (and meeting some Mexican bikers a couple of days ago).
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Old 20 Oct 2010
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Presidio is easy enough, and just a long day's ride from Creel....provided you don't get too desperately lost coming through Chihuahua. Hint: there's a bypass, although I never noticed when arriving from the north. From the south it's obvious. Or maybe you're skipping the Copper Canyons, which would be a big mistake (sez I).

Big Bend is nice enough, for Texas. I made the mistake of comparing it to southern Utah and Colorado/Northern Arizona and New Mexico.

In answer to your original question, I haven't noticed it making a damn bit of difference where I cross. I've always been alone, never felt the least bit endangered, and it's always been reasonably simple (except for the absence of banjercitos when I want one). Go where you please, and don't fret about the choices.

Mark
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Old 20 Oct 2010
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I'm planning on croassing at Tijuana this sunday morning (then heading down Baja. Am hoping sunday mornign will be a quiet time but who knows...
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Old 21 Oct 2010
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Presidio is easy enough, and just a long day's ride from Creel....provided you don't get too desperately lost coming through Chihuahua. Hint: there's a bypass, although I never noticed when arriving from the north. From the south it's obvious. Or maybe you're skipping the Copper Canyons, which would be a big mistake (sez I).

Big Bend is nice enough, for Texas. I made the mistake of comparing it to southern Utah and Colorado/Northern Arizona and New Mexico.

In answer to your original question, I haven't noticed it making a damn bit of difference where I cross. I've always been alone, never felt the least bit endangered, and it's always been reasonably simple (except for the absence of banjercitos when I want one). Go where you please, and don't fret about the choices.

Mark
Copper Canyon is the 1st target :-)

We are doinf Big Bend, because so many have suggested we go there, and it woul be silly to miss it when so close :-). Mind you, we like it around Alpine and went (and saw) the Marfa lights tonight.
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Old 21 Oct 2010
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Hi everyone
Thank you all for your suggestions and answers. A little bit too early for us to join anyone in the next 2 weeks to cross the border. We hope to meet some of you on the road later on.
Stay safe and cool
Cheers
Alain and Francoise
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Old 29 Oct 2010
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Copper Canyon is the 1st target :-)

We are doinf Big Bend, because so many have suggested we go there, and it woul be silly to miss it when so close :-). Mind you, we like it around Alpine and went (and saw) the Marfa lights tonight.
As a follow up, the Presidio crossing was very painless.

The big thing for non USA citizens to do is ignore the US customs waving through, stop and hand in green or white visa (and any bike paper work if it was done on entry).

The Mex immigration is immediately on your right after the barrier lifts. Park up (if not invited for inspection).

The Tourist Visa and Vehicle Permit are both handled and paid for *here*.

You can get bike insurance here.

No queues, easy entry, about 1 hour.

Then hunt an ATM in town, and hit HWY 16 into the mountains.

With less light at this time of year, I think Creel is a bit far. We stopped at Cuauhtemoc.
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Old 1 Nov 2010
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The big thing for non USA citizens to do is ignore the US customs waving through, stop and hand in green or white visa (and any bike paper work if it was done on entry).
Yep forgot this and might head back up to the border to sort it out, bugger
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Old 2 Nov 2010
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If you cross at Tijuana there is no one waving you though and no one to take the form from you. Real pain in the backside. I went online and found this on the American Embassy (London) website. Embassy of the United States London, UK - I-94 And I-94W Forms

You have to post it (with a letter explaining why you didn't hand it in!)
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Old 2 Nov 2010
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Think it might be easier and 'safer' (not on the 'List') to do it in person as this is what the embassy in Guadalajara has on their website

Documentation to prove your departure can include the boarding pass from your flight. If you exited the country by a land border it is much harder to verify that you did in fact leave the country on the date you claim. If you have any documentation of your arrival in your home country (i.e. passport stamp), then you should send a copy of that. If the above office does not have any supporting documents to substantiate your claim to have left the U.S. on a certain date, there is no guarantee that you will be entered into the record as having done so. We strongly urge you to keep a copy of what you send to the address above and to carry it with you the next time you come to the U.S. or apply for a visa in case there are any questions about your eligibility.

P.S how's the south? I was in Cabo S.L. yesterday as I did a part dirt part Hwy ride with another mate who is still there on his XT225
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Old 2 Nov 2010
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Damen, I don't want to talk out of doing it properly but I've taken a photocopy of everything I'm sending the US office, which includes a photocopy of my ticket to Matazlan and the Mexican stamp in my passport. I'm going to post that back to the UK and keep it.

Pain in the arse US Govenment.

I'm in Todos Santos for two weeks - good so far. Going out at night on beech patrol looking for Turtles!

Didn't like Cabo and I got a flat tyre as well.
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Old 2 Nov 2010
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Yeah Cabo was a bit Americanised, Todos Santos seemed nice we had lunch there, you staying at the hotel California ?

I didn't get a stamp in my passport just a tourist visa (FMM) which was the separate bit of paper so I'm cool with heading back to Presidio
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Old 2 Nov 2010
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I can check out anytime I like....
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