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

Hi Alain: I sent you a PM.

re border x-ing
 

hi ,i am from australia:taz: and just went through into mexico via tijuana it was quick and woulod have been even faster had i organized insurance beforehand:oops2:.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:D.mexico was friendly and enjoyable.now in toronto shipping to europe.have fun and just go!!:thumbup1:

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).

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

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...

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.

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

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.

Yep forgot this and might head back up to the border to sort it out, buggerdoh

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!)

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

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.

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

I can check out anytime I like....:whistling:

I can not recommend which border, but I can recommend a process. Plan your stop the day before at a US border town, and make time that day to visit the Mexico border crossing, and take care of all the paperwork. Then return to the US to spend the night.
The next day, cross first thing in the morning with no stops, and you will be hundreds of miles south of the "troubled area" before you need to stop for the day. In January my wife and I will be crossing at McAlllen/Reynosa and will be out of the state of Nuevo Leo mid afternoon, before we stop.

FYI - my understanding is that most of the extended health policies in Canada will not cover you in the Northern Mexico states where a "Travel Warning is listed by the Canadian Government". We will travel through and be out of that area the first day.

So, to clarify so I understand, you cross the border in to MX and do your paperwork the day before. Then, you return back to the US through US customs and over night in the US border town. Next morning you cross to MX again, ready to roll.

MikeS

Mexico
 

Salut Alain et Francoise, j'espere que votre voyage se deroule bien jusqu'a present.
Je viens egalement du Quebec mais j'habite l'Alberta maintenant, je devais partir le 1er Nov directement sud, mais j'ai eu un petit accident la derniere journee que je testais les mods sur mon Dakar.
I am still waiting for a few parts to arrive and will take the bike in the back of the truck and drive down to Florida next week (I own a small lot south of Tampa) to finish working on the bike and hopefully be on my way to Ushuaia in a couple of weeks or so.
I was just wondering how your trip was going so far? Avez-vous des recommandations pour traverser la frontiere du Mexique? About a month ago, I emailed another Franco from Montreal who flew his bike to Baja (can't remember his name) he was suppose to have a friend also from Mtl coming to meet him in Mexico, I haven't heard from him since!!! J'aimerais traverser le Mexique sans perdre de temps et me rendre au Guatemala pour suivre des cours d'Espagnol et au pire revenir sur le Mexique pour visiter une fois mes classes faites. Du coter assurance pour le Mexique; avec qui avez vous fait affaire?
Hope you guys have a safe trip.
Cheers

yes I agree crossing the border at Presidio will be easy for you without any troubles.