Do you dream of taking a road trip into Mexico? Are you intimidated by the idea of crossing the border? Read on to learn how to make border crossing a pleasant experience.
It is of course easiest to enter Mexico by airline. The cost of the requisite tourist visa is included in the ticket price, and a birth certificate or passport is all the identification needed. Upon arrival, you pass through customs and immigration with relatively little hassle and are set free to enjoy Mexico.
Crossing the border by foot or car is a bit more complicated, but immensely more exciting. If all you want to do is explore the Mexican border, be it in Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nogales, Matamoras or other town, crossing by foot is a good option. Foot traffic is not extensively checked at the entrance to Mexico, and there is no tourist visa required of those not traveling further south. If you would like to go deeper into Mexico, just ask a border patrol agent on the Mexican side to point out the "oficina de Migracion" (immigration office) where you can fill out your tourist visa and get your passport stamped. Taxis are usually easy to find and can take you to the bus station where you'll be surprised at the reasonable fares available to just about anywhere in Mexico.
A grasp of the Spanish language would obviously be helpful, but for those of you who aren't bilingual and would still like to see Mexico, don't despair. In the border area of Mexico many Mexicans will speak at least some English. However, not all do, nor should be expected to. Get a travel phrases book and learn to ask how much things cost, where to find taxis, bus stations, and restaurants. Make the effort to learn how to effectively say please, thank you and have a good day, you will get a better reception from the natives and have a far more rewarding trip.
For those wishing to travel throughout Mexico in your own car, there are a few more things to prepare for when you cross the border. If you are lucky there will be few cars and fewer agents conducting searches at the customs checkpoint entering Mexico. Searches are conducted randomly, based on a red or green light that each car receives. Green light and you skate on into Mexico, no hassle, no problems. Red light and you are asked to pull over and park to one side. A customs agent will arrive to ask you questions about where you are going, how long you'll stay, and most importantly to them, what you are taking with you into Mexico. If you are importing anything new and expensive, you may have to declare it and pay import taxes. There is a short list of items you absolutely must not take into Mexico. No guns, ammunition, knives or drugs, as these can get you into big trouble. In years past the customs agents weren't above trying to find something in your belongings that they could claim was not okay. They would then tell you they could let it slide by for ten, twenty, or even fifty dollars. You were left with the choice of paying the bribe and quickly going on into Mexico, or being delayed for who knows how long as they made things as difficult as possible for you to cross. Although it does still occur, the bribing of tourists by Mexican officials is becoming less common.
As you exit the checkpoint, and enter the Mexican city that awaits you, drive carefully. Traffic rules are about the same as in the United States, but there are subtle differences that can cause problems. The stoplights are not always where you expect them to be, nor are they always as large as you are used to. Running a red light will not start your trip in Mexico out right, so be cautious. Mid morning is the best time to cross the Mexican border. This allows you to avoid rush hour traffic. It also gives you daylight to get lost and still make it to where you're going.
If you do plan to travel deeper into Mexico, a tourist visa can be applied for at the actual border crossing, but it is easier to get on your way out of the border town. Typically located several miles outside the city, there is a checkpoint for all vehicles traveling south into Mexico. This is where car permits are given, tourist visas applied for and your car checked over once again. All non-Mexican citizens above the age of two need to apply for a tourist visa. This is, however a very easy process. You simply get the form from the immigration office, fill it out, return it and pay about twenty dollars at almost any bank in Mexico any time before your departure. If you have a passport, it will be stamped to show your entrance in Mexico, but a birth certificate is all that is really necessary for travel to Mexico by United States citizens.
Americans can legally drive their cars in Mexico, with few problems; all you need is a car permit. To apply for your permit, you need the title of the car, in the name of the same person applying for the permit, your birth certificate, passport or permanent resident card and a major credit card. Your papers will be examined to be sure the car is not stolen and to ascertain you haven't previously broken any car importation rules. Once all is approved, your credit car will be charged about twenty dollars and you will be given the permit, usually good for six months. If you don't have a credit card, you will be charged the twenty dollars and asked to leave a four hundred dollar deposit which will be returned to you when you stop again on your way north. Your American car insurance will be worthless in Mexico. You can buy Mexican car insurance at these checkpoints and throughout Mexico, but as it is fairly expensive, many take the small risk to import their cars without it.
Once you are on you're way again, with your car permit sticker in your front driver side window, you will pass through another checkpoint. Agents will ask the same type of questions as at the actual border crossing and depending on how much they like your answers they will lightly or thoroughly check your car. With that done, you are truly on your way into the heart of Mexico. Have a wonderful trip! Que te valla bien!
