Gringo : Touristic Information.

How to Get Through the Border Gate with Minimum Hassle (Legally).

1. Entering the United States
2. Entering Mexico.

(See also: Best times to cross & the Secret of BICYCLES..)

ENTERING THE UNITED STATES:

[ NEW SECURITY PROCEDURES ARE IN EFFECT SINCE 11 SEPTEMBER 2001. THIS UPDATED INFORMATION CAPITALIZED & UNDERLINED -- like that, eh? ]

By the way, the Gringo reminds you to: NEVER, Ever, EVER NEVER carry ANYONE else's luggage -- NO Matter WHO -- sweet little old lady, innocent-looking child, or ANYONE asks you....

WE Repeat: Carry NOTHING that is NOT Yours. Smugglers (and terrorists) would LOVE you to be STUPID and help them get something across!

  1. Wait your turn. [ HAVE YOUR IDENTIFICATION READY -- DRIVER'S LICENSE, PASPORT, VISA, ARE NOW REQUIRED FROM EVERYONE. NO MORE SIMPLY SAYING "U.S. CITIZEN" AND BEING WAVED THROUGH. ] Smile and say hello, good morning, good afternoon, whatever. This gives the officer a chance to quickly check you out and hear your accent.
  2. Be honest.
  3. Be polite.
  4. Remember that under the Constitution, the federal government has full authority [ AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL "RIGHT" ] to guard the borders.
  5. If you drive, often, think of getting a new SENTRI lane pass.
  6. If you can choose, walk. This is usually faster than driving (15 minutes versus 45). [ TIMES ARE LONGER NOW WITH NEW SECURITY PROCEDURES See: Best times to cross. ]
  7. If you are walking, and there is a wait, think of it as a line at Disneyland, waiting to get on a ride -- SEE, EXPERIENCE the U.S. roller coaster!
  8. Think of it as a supermarket check-out stand.
  9. REMEMBER WHERE YOU WERE BORN!!!!
  10. Don't tell them they work for you....
  11. Be aware what may not be legally brought into the U.S.: many fruits and produce, most fresh meats (some cooked meats), fireworks, etc., ARE NOT ALLOWED. (Later we will add more specific info here from the customs agents.)
  12. Be confident. Carry identification. If you are a United States Citizen, say so simply and clearly when you are asked your citizenship, and equally, if you are a citizen of another country, have your passport and/or visa ready.
  13. When they official asks what you are bringing in from Mexico, just say what you have. Don't give big explanations of how you went shopping for one thing and found another, just tell her or him what you have right now.
  14. If you are bringing back drugs (LEGAL drugs) from the pharmacies, make sure you have your Prescription ready to show.
  15. Just answer the questions you are asked. Don't waste time telling long involved stories. Only answer the questions you are asked.
  16. Be polite.
  17. Be honest.
  18. Smile and say thank you.
  19. Enjoy the United States. Spend money.

Other Turinfo Pages:

Tijuana Maptext.

Getting Around
Busses / Taxis

Walking

Bicycling

Disabled

Leaving Town

Things to See.

Revolution Avenue.

Eating

Movies

Museums/Galleries

Markets/Swap Meets

Shopping Malls

SHOPPING!

Drinking

Buying Liquor

Baja California wine

Cigarettes

Customs/Border

Entering Mexico:

Almost all of these rules listed above also MIGHT apply when you cross into Mexico, although the inspection is USUALLY (not Always) much less rigid -- often you just walk or drive right through. You might be asked your citizenship. If you are carrying a bag or two, you might be asked to push what looks like a "Cross-Walk Signal." If it turns green and says "PASE" then you pass, if it turns red, you show your bags.

A similar arrangement applies if you drive into Mexico, the red and green lamps indicate pass or stop for revision. If an officer waves you over, you pull over.

To visit the border area for less than 72 hours you are not required to have any visa. This is the law even as far south as Ensenada on the Pacific coast and San Felipe on the Gulf. Some gringos stay longer than the 72 hours, but....

But the geography is more definite. If you are going to go south of Ensenada into Baja California, or deeper into mainland Mexico, you are required to have a visa -- the tourist card in most cases. GET IT! It is an excellent form of identification in Mexico, is very easy to get, and is a statement of your respect for Mexico. I REPEAT: Having a tourist card shows you respect Mexico, and believe me, the officials will respect that when they stop you at a drug-war checkpoint. Tourism is one of Mexico's biggest businesses, and if you have a tourist card you really get double respect. Once for obeying the law, and once again for coming to travel here.

AGAIN, if you are just going to Tijuana or Ensenada, no tourist card is necessary. But if you go further south, get it.

The tourist card costs under twenty dollars. It is available right at the border -- in the offices immediately on your right hand when you cross from San Ysidro to Tijuana. You will need to show your passport or U.S. birth certificate or U.S. voters' registration card. You will need to make the very short walk (a few feet -- right there) up to the bank office immediately in the customs inspection offices to pay the fee (not quite twenty dollars) and then return to the first official for final authorization. Normally you will then be good to go anywhere in the country -- Mexico is a huge country -- for up to 180 days (like almost six months!). Enjoy!

Send e-mail to thomas@masinternet.zzn.com
Copyright 1999-2001 Daniel Charles Thomas