Baja Trips - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

rossman · 03-07-2016, 09:21 AM

Another thing to worry about is that most mexican auto insurance policies have the disclaimer that the coverage could be refused if you are not in the country legally. The could be interpreted as having a passport and FMM.

SDROB · 03-07-2016, 09:42 AM

I traveled back n forth without a passport for years and never got hassled coming back across. I always gave them a valid drivers license and was never held up because of it. I have had a passport now for two years and often travel with friends that don't have one. Still no problems.

The FMM issue however I do not know about. I personally have never got one and do not plan on getting one until it stops me from going down to my place in Baja.

On another note something to consider, I don't know for sure but I have heard if you are in an accident and need to be life lined back into the country they will not let you travel by air without the Passport Booklet. That was the main reason I purchased one.

Caseym · 03-07-2016, 01:28 PM

Went South and beach camped below San Quentin (Pacific Side) years ago. Returned on a Friday...didnt realize it was "Good Friday." For religious reasons most Mexican businesses were closed from Friday to Sunday. We were really
Lucky to find an open Pemex station. Even Ensanada was like a ghost town. 5 days earlier everything was crawling with people. Just be aware of little differences that u may encounter such as this. Others can probably elaborate on personal experiences in different parts of baja during Easter week.
Good Luck

ful-rac · 03-07-2016, 01:37 PM

I'll be in the don't risk it crowd...You might get away with it if your mexican and you speak spanish...but if your a gringo or a chino...you will probably go to Jail-o!

Especially with President Trump telling everyone mexico's gonna pay for the wall...I'm sure the Federales will not waste an opportunity to screw with Americans going down to Mexico from now on...Be safe have the proper paperwork, insurance and passports and identification.

SDROB · 03-07-2016, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

You might get away with it if your mexican and you speak spanish...

I agree with this statement. I definitely try and match the hatch while I'm down there. A little bit of spanish goes a long way.

Kesepton · 03-08-2016, 01:03 AM

Thanks guys for the responses. Its pretty much what I was reading/discovering but ive had so many people tell me "just go and whats the worst that can happen"

Well... even if its only a 10% chance of getting hassled, its not worth it to me for a vacation with the wife. If I was alone, I might have chanced it. Im so bummed... but I think ill just sit it out and be sensible. I was really considering it since I know they do have to let us in eventually being a citizen, but hearing that they might need it for an air lift sealed the deal. Did not think about the extra check points either.

I didn't really want to go during Easter but that was when my wife was off school. We will just have to try again next month when I get the funds to get them. I think it was going to be just over $400 to get both of ours expedited...

Thanks for no name calling! I was expecting a lot of it! Ill make it down there some day soon. Its so close and its everything we could hope for in an adventure. Yet... so far

Kesepton · 03-08-2016, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDROB

I agree with this statement. I definitely try and match the hatch while I'm down there. A little bit of spanish goes a long way.

This is too funny though.

DavidT · 03-08-2016, 08:12 AM

You might post this on bajanomad.com
When the topic comes up over there it usually generates a lot of entertaining reading with a bit of real info.
When I renewed my passport I got the card also, it helps when returning to the US by car.

dos ballenas · 03-08-2016, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDROB

I traveled back n forth without a passport for years and never got hassled coming back across. I always gave them a valid drivers license and was never held up because of it. I have had a passport now for two years and often travel with friends that don't have one. Still no problems.

The FMM issue however I do not know about. I personally have never got one and do not plan on getting one until it stops me from going down to my place in Baja.

On another note something to consider, I don't know for sure but I have heard if you are in an accident and need to be life lined back into the country they will not let you travel by air without the Passport Booklet. That was the main reason I purchased one.

I bet you recommend driving at night too?

If you don't know about the FMM then you really have no place giving out Baja advice.... look it up bud. Sure you have made it home safe to date, but you have been rolling the dice.

Oh and in my, and many others experiences, do NOT speak in Spanish to the police or mexican military. Playing the dumb gringo will get you much further.... Mexico needs our tourism dollars and the cops and military are aware of this, and are informed that they should not hassle Americans. I have never had to show any of the insurance paperwork, FMM, passport, etc. (been pulled over and asked for a bribe many times but talking in English always has gotten me out of it with no bribe or ticket). That said anything can happen so always be prepared.

Mahigeer · 03-08-2016, 04:38 PM

I know this is beating a dead horse, but the person who advocates "what is the worst thing that can happen" should be a travel companion with no documents.

It is easy to send other people to harms way when one is not with them!

SDROB · 03-08-2016, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dos ballenas

I bet you recommend driving at night too?

If you don't know about the FMM then you really have no place giving out Baja advice.... look it up bud. Sure you have made it home safe to date, but you have been rolling the dice.

Oh and in my, and many others experiences, do NOT speak in Spanish to the police or mexican military. Playing the dumb gringo will get you much further.... Mexico needs our tourism dollars and the cops and military are aware of this, and are informed that they should not hassle Americans. I have never had to show any of the insurance paperwork, FMM, passport, etc. (been pulled over and asked for a bribe many times but talking in English always has gotten me out of it with no bribe or ticket). That said anything can happen so always be prepared.

Funny that you might say that, I actually do travel mostly at night. However I never recommended it. It's just how it works out for me.

Just to be clear.... in response to your negative comment suggesting what I should not do (If you don't know about the FMM then you really have no place giving out Baja advice.... look it up bud.)

I never gave out any advice, all I did was share my personal experience which is what the original poster asked in regards to traveling without a passport.

Too add to that... in my personal experience (I have been traveling to Baja my entire life), I have found that being able to communicate, (speaking a little bit of spanish) goes a long way, and not playing the dumb gringo (like you suggested), I have also never had to pay a bribe or ticket. A little common respect also goes a long way... bud.

03-07-2016, 09:21 AM	#1
rossman Marginally Irrelevant Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bahia Asuncion Posts: 936	Another thing to worry about is that most mexican auto insurance policies have the disclaimer that the coverage could be refused if you are not in the country legally. The could be interpreted as having a passport and FMM. __________________ "When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean’s skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not willingly remember that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang. " — Herman Melville Y'all come see me now, hear!

03-07-2016, 09:42 AM	#2
SDROB Malibu Stealth 12 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hollywood, San Diego, Gonzaga Bay Posts: 512	I traveled back n forth without a passport for years and never got hassled coming back across. I always gave them a valid drivers license and was never held up because of it. I have had a passport now for two years and often travel with friends that don't have one. Still no problems. The FMM issue however I do not know about. I personally have never got one and do not plan on getting one until it stops me from going down to my place in Baja. On another note something to consider, I don't know for sure but I have heard if you are in an accident and need to be life lined back into the country they will not let you travel by air without the Passport Booklet. That was the main reason I purchased one. __________________ She will keep you warm in the winter and give you shade in the summer (Rossman) I'm telling ya, you have to keep these suckers on a game clip until just before you drop them in the frying pan.(Rossman)

03-07-2016, 01:28 PM	#3
Caseym Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Temecula Posts: 194	Baha on my mind Went South and beach camped below San Quentin (Pacific Side) years ago. Returned on a Friday...didnt realize it was "Good Friday." For religious reasons most Mexican businesses were closed from Friday to Sunday. We were really Lucky to find an open Pemex station. Even Ensanada was like a ghost town. 5 days earlier everything was crawling with people. Just be aware of little differences that u may encounter such as this. Others can probably elaborate on personal experiences in different parts of baja during Easter week. Good Luck

03-07-2016, 01:37 PM	#4
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	I'll be in the don't risk it crowd...You might get away with it if your mexican and you speak spanish...but if your a gringo or a chino...you will probably go to Jail-o! Especially with President Trump telling everyone mexico's gonna pay for the wall...I'm sure the Federales will not waste an opportunity to screw with Americans going down to Mexico from now on...Be safe have the proper paperwork, insurance and passports and identification. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

03-08-2016, 01:03 AM	#6
Kesepton Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 70	Thanks guys for the responses. Its pretty much what I was reading/discovering but ive had so many people tell me "just go and whats the worst that can happen" Well... even if its only a 10% chance of getting hassled, its not worth it to me for a vacation with the wife. If I was alone, I might have chanced it. Im so bummed... but I think ill just sit it out and be sensible. I was really considering it since I know they do have to let us in eventually being a citizen, but hearing that they might need it for an air lift sealed the deal. Did not think about the extra check points either. I didn't really want to go during Easter but that was when my wife was off school. We will just have to try again next month when I get the funds to get them. I think it was going to be just over $400 to get both of ours expedited... Thanks for no name calling! I was expecting a lot of it! Ill make it down there some day soon. Its so close and its everything we could hope for in an adventure. Yet... so far

03-08-2016, 08:12 AM	#8
DavidT Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 44	You might post this on bajanomad.com When the topic comes up over there it usually generates a lot of entertaining reading with a bit of real info. When I renewed my passport I got the card also, it helps when returning to the US by car.

03-08-2016, 04:38 PM	#10
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,910	I know this is beating a dead horse, but the person who advocates "what is the worst thing that can happen" should be a travel companion with no documents. It is easy to send other people to harms way when one is not with them!