Greetings Patrick

What's current one day.....

I went back and had a look on Google earth and it looks like that coord point is inside the immigration compound area. Out of interest do you know where the new Banjercito location is relation to that GPS coord that I have?

Regards

Ian J

__________________
Always have plan B, and maybe plan C
www.travelswithkitty.com

Mexico/USA border is unusual.

For sure ALL Mexican workers know the rules well and have gone to A LOT of trouble (and money) to get the expedited special Visa issued to daily commuters going back and forth from Mexico to USA.

Also, American tourists who live anywhere in the border region and frequently travel into Mexico, they also know the rules. There are none for day trippers or those going less than 200 miles from the border. No paperwork of ANY kind.

But your point is WELL TAKEN ... For true 1st time visitors it can be confusing. As some may know, when you ENTER Mexico from USA, you usually don't even have to stop. The Mexican Aduana just wave you through. Going the other way? (well, that is another world)

So for a first time Mexico visitor, it's confusing. They wonder why they did not have to stop at the border. Why didn't they stamp my Passport?

How many borders have you crossed where they 1. don't stop you ... and 2. Don't stamp your passport?

As you continue South out of Tijuana or Mexicali, you will not see a SIGN saying: WAIT! DO YOU HAVE YOUR TOURIST VISA? Is there a Kiosk along the road where you have to stop and get your Visa? NO. Nothing.

Fact is, there is no posting stating this. WHY? Because 90% of visitors never go more than 50 miles South into Mexico. NO DOCUMENTS REQUIRED ... for anyone, no documents required for vehicles either.

From Tijuana, tourists go mostly to Ensenada, visit the beaches and such. Some go to Tijuana for the night life, shopping or to Mexicali for Dental work or less expensive Vet services.

I've done 20 Baja trips and many times (on dirt rides) never got a Visa at all even though we went beyond the Zona Libre. Never asked for a Visa, ever.

But, if you show up at the Ferry terminal in La Paz to sail to mainland, you better have your Visa before ... or it will cost you.

The whole reason for this policy is BUSINESS. The Mexicans know that if they inconvenience the American tourists coming in for the day or a few days, they will JUST NOT COME!

So ... they make it as easy as possible. The only thing you DO need is insurance ... which you can buy at a hundred Kiosks on the USA side of the border. Been this way ... forever.