| Crossing the Border/Tourist Cards |
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Update Regarding Passports
There has been quite a bit of confusion regarding when Passports will be needed for re-entry into the U.S.A. Here's the latest
clarification on this issue:
Here's the U.S. Department of State website that confirms these findings for your info as well:
http://travel.stat.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
For detailed driving instructions for how to get from the border to our area click the following link: http://www.gomissionstomexico.
com/manualdriving.html
Entering Mexico
When entering Mexico, or at a different checkpoints along the way, you might be asked some questions regarding your purpose in
Mexico. Remember that you’re coming as a tourist. Your time here in Mexico will be under the recognized category of tourist. It is
best that just the leader speak and the others remain silent unless asked a question. Your group should be briefed that they as well are
coming as tourist. This is important as Mexico doesn't really have a clear category for short term mission participants. The best
category is that of a tourist. If you are asked detailed questions, feel free to tell them you will be helping Mexico by visiting a church and
helping with some work projects.
Also, in the event you have a problem crossing the border at the main Tijuana crossing (for some strange reason they're in a bad mood
and create some "New Law", you can go to the Otay Mesa crossing which is just a few miles east of the main crossing. It's where the
trucks and larger vehicles cross. Just go back up the 805 freeway and grab the 905 freeway east. This will take you directly to the Otay
Mesa Border crossing.
Are Tourist Cards Needed?
Mexico has a suggested tourist fee they charge visitors. If you are either staying in Mexico longer than 72 hours or traveling past the
Border Zone you will need to pay the 260 peso Tourist Card fee (roughly $25 US dollars). The card, known as the Migratory Tourist
Form (FMT) is valid for up to six months (180 days) with multiple entries.
In Baja California, the border zone has been extended to San Quintin (includes our area), on the Pacific side and San Felipe, on the
Sea of Cortez. Sonora state is in the process of extending it's border zone too. In mainland states along the border, this includes a 16-
20 mile zone south of the border.
Whether or not you need tourist cards is a good question. The technical answer seems to be, "yes", if your stay will be over three days,
however, several years ago the Mexican government made the Northern State of Baja, a, "Free Zone". This means you can travel in
the Northern State for up to three days without a tourist card. Yet, when they established this law, they didn't put a check system in
place to verify the time factor. Some say this was on purpose because the most important thing the government wants is tourism and
money. In the years since they started this, no one to our knowledge has ever been asked for their tourist card. It appears they put it in
place to glean some extra funds if possible. They would rather have you here without a tourist card than not at all.
We leave the decision up to groups on whether or not they obtain tourist cards and we remain neutral on the issue. If you choose to
obtain them, they cost about $25.00 per person and need to be obtained at the border crossing in Tijuana. You'll need a passport or a
birth-certificate and current ID.
For more go to: www.mexonline.com/visamex.htm
Vehicle Insurance
Although vehicle insurance is not required in Mexico, you might want to have it just in case. We strongly recommend that you purchase
insurance prior to your trip. Purchasing insurance at the border can be costly and time consuming. Click the following link for more
help: http://www.gomissionstomexico.com/manualautoinsurance.html
Military Checkpoints
There will be a couple military checkpoints on your drive down where you might be stopped. You could be asked where you're coming
from and where you're going. Please don't panic, they are your friends and on your side. They are just checking for drugs and guns.
They are really nice to tourist and are very friendly. They like it when you give them some Bible Tracts or even a Bible. Once again,
they are your friends and are on your side.
Is it safe to travel in Mexico?
Traveling in Mexico carries no more inherent risk than in the U.S. A custom that is used in Mexico which is helpful, and at the same
time confusing, is the way they use their left blinkers. If you are on an open stretch of highway, and following a slow vehicle, they will
often put on their left turn signal. This tells you that no one is coming and you can pass them. (But be careful here, they might actually
be going to turn left!) A valid driver’s license from the U.S. is valid in Mexico. Thievery is also common in Mexico, so leave your
valuables locked up, or out of sight. For more about travel and safety in Mexico please click here: Travel & Safety FAQs
There has been quite a bit of confusion regarding when Passports will be needed for re-entry into the U.S.A. Here's the latest
clarification on this issue:
- Adults 17 and older - Passports are needed for re-entry into the U.S.
- Minors 16 and younger - A Passport is recommending but an original Birth Certificate and photo ID (for students) is acceptable at
this time if they are accompanied by their parents or mission trip leader. We would highly recommend a Passport if possible.
Here's the U.S. Department of State website that confirms these findings for your info as well:
http://travel.stat.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
For detailed driving instructions for how to get from the border to our area click the following link: http://www.gomissionstomexico.
com/manualdriving.html
Entering Mexico
When entering Mexico, or at a different checkpoints along the way, you might be asked some questions regarding your purpose in
Mexico. Remember that you’re coming as a tourist. Your time here in Mexico will be under the recognized category of tourist. It is
best that just the leader speak and the others remain silent unless asked a question. Your group should be briefed that they as well are
coming as tourist. This is important as Mexico doesn't really have a clear category for short term mission participants. The best
category is that of a tourist. If you are asked detailed questions, feel free to tell them you will be helping Mexico by visiting a church and
helping with some work projects.
Also, in the event you have a problem crossing the border at the main Tijuana crossing (for some strange reason they're in a bad mood
and create some "New Law", you can go to the Otay Mesa crossing which is just a few miles east of the main crossing. It's where the
trucks and larger vehicles cross. Just go back up the 805 freeway and grab the 905 freeway east. This will take you directly to the Otay
Mesa Border crossing.
Are Tourist Cards Needed?
Mexico has a suggested tourist fee they charge visitors. If you are either staying in Mexico longer than 72 hours or traveling past the
Border Zone you will need to pay the 260 peso Tourist Card fee (roughly $25 US dollars). The card, known as the Migratory Tourist
Form (FMT) is valid for up to six months (180 days) with multiple entries.
In Baja California, the border zone has been extended to San Quintin (includes our area), on the Pacific side and San Felipe, on the
Sea of Cortez. Sonora state is in the process of extending it's border zone too. In mainland states along the border, this includes a 16-
20 mile zone south of the border.
Whether or not you need tourist cards is a good question. The technical answer seems to be, "yes", if your stay will be over three days,
however, several years ago the Mexican government made the Northern State of Baja, a, "Free Zone". This means you can travel in
the Northern State for up to three days without a tourist card. Yet, when they established this law, they didn't put a check system in
place to verify the time factor. Some say this was on purpose because the most important thing the government wants is tourism and
money. In the years since they started this, no one to our knowledge has ever been asked for their tourist card. It appears they put it in
place to glean some extra funds if possible. They would rather have you here without a tourist card than not at all.
We leave the decision up to groups on whether or not they obtain tourist cards and we remain neutral on the issue. If you choose to
obtain them, they cost about $25.00 per person and need to be obtained at the border crossing in Tijuana. You'll need a passport or a
birth-certificate and current ID.
For more go to: www.mexonline.com/visamex.htm
Vehicle Insurance
Although vehicle insurance is not required in Mexico, you might want to have it just in case. We strongly recommend that you purchase
insurance prior to your trip. Purchasing insurance at the border can be costly and time consuming. Click the following link for more
help: http://www.gomissionstomexico.com/manualautoinsurance.html
Military Checkpoints
There will be a couple military checkpoints on your drive down where you might be stopped. You could be asked where you're coming
from and where you're going. Please don't panic, they are your friends and on your side. They are just checking for drugs and guns.
They are really nice to tourist and are very friendly. They like it when you give them some Bible Tracts or even a Bible. Once again,
they are your friends and are on your side.
Is it safe to travel in Mexico?
Traveling in Mexico carries no more inherent risk than in the U.S. A custom that is used in Mexico which is helpful, and at the same
time confusing, is the way they use their left blinkers. If you are on an open stretch of highway, and following a slow vehicle, they will
often put on their left turn signal. This tells you that no one is coming and you can pass them. (But be careful here, they might actually
be going to turn left!) A valid driver’s license from the U.S. is valid in Mexico. Thievery is also common in Mexico, so leave your
valuables locked up, or out of sight. For more about travel and safety in Mexico please click here: Travel & Safety FAQs
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