Birth Certificate or a Passport
Birth Certificate or a Passport is Required to cross back into the USA from Mexico by land.There is now a Passport or Birth Certificate required for US citizens that drive or go to one of our Tours to and from Mexico.Here a link to the Department of State.Check this out if you consider driving in Mexico! You will only need your USA DL to do so.Over the past 15 years, we have driven 150,000 miles in Mexico. I would not hesitate to go right now if I wanted to or had to. I have put together some useful and interesting information on how do drive a car into Baja California, Mexico or places like Sonora and South of Texas.You can buy Mexico Insurance online in minutes without even stopping at the border. Just have your registration and credit card ready. Everything is a very safe and secure internet connection, just like your online banking.No Visa required for US citizens driving/walking into Mexico, find details on the bottom of this page. Below some personal experiences while driving down to our vacation destinations in Mexico. Get information for driving a car into Mexico and obtaining Mexican Auto Insurance on-line. From your Mexico Auto Insurance place in San Diego.
They say Mexico is dangerous.
At the end of each year, the New York Police Department reports the number of killings — there were 540 in 2005. New York reported 540 killings in 2005.
Las Vegas reported 145 killings in 2005.A recent press report cited that more Americans were arrested by Tijuana police than in any other foreign destination city. Of course! Tijuana was the #1 foreign city visited by Americans, simply because of the ease of it. More than 60 million persons crossed the border into Baja California last year. That is more than 1500 times more than the number who visited London.In 2007, 352 people were murdered in greater Tijuana. However, compared to US cities of about the same population, Tijuana falls in the 'also ran' category with 17.5 murders per 100,000 people.
This compares to a safer San Diego, on the other side of the border, with 5 murdered per 100K. However, a great number of US cities have higher murder rates: like Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas and New Orleans. Yet there is no travel warning for these cities?Is it safe to go to Philly or Las Vegas?
We think so. We think it is just as safe to go to Mexico as going to Vegas!
Must be just easier for the News to talk about other countries problems versus our own.
They say don't drive in Mexico.
We know driving into Mexico is fine.When driving in Mexico with Car Insurance you will have nothing to worry about other than getting lost. But if you drive to Rosarito, Ensenada it is only one freeway. There are only 3 turns that you should know about. That's about it.Maps are available at local book stores and auto clubs.
I have insurance in the US.
So why would I need to get insurance for my car to drive in Baja California Mexico or any other state south of the border?Well, Mexico insurance laws are different than in the US.
In case you get in an accident in Mexico both parties are at fault until proven otherwise.That is when Mexico Driving Insurance kicks in and basically leaves a deposit with the Police (you will not have do anything, the agent will) until everything is settled.If personal injuries occur you might be subject to Police detainment until further action is taken.
I heard stories about getting arrested.
I heard stories about getting arrested in Mexico.Most stories are true.
I myself heard two true stories like this with 3 of my friends. They got arrested, but they both don’t remember that part. Only the "waking up in jail" part. I wonder if it was the cerveza and tequila or the bad Mexico Police.
In a total of 15 years of driving an estimated 150, 000 miles in Mexico, that is the only story I can tell you about.
Another was drinking a beer in the back of a pick up truck down the road with a Police car behind him.
Driving a rental car into Mexico.
There are several car rental company that allow you to drive into Mexico if you purchase Mexico Car Insurance. Some companies that allow you to drive in Mexico
Dollar Rent-a-Car
Enterprise Car Rental
Hertz
Police, 2 kind's.
Federal Police in Mexico (and Baja).
Refer to Federales below.
Regular Police in Baja California.
A new law is in effect that forbids Mexico police to stop cars with US license plates. So unless you are breaking the law, they cannot stop your car.Furthermore the police is not allowed to fine you at the spot. The only legal way they can give you a ticket is at the police station.
Federales.
We hear it all the time....What about the Federales?
They are on YOUR SIDE....
Federales are a special Police force that is employed directly from the capital of Mexico City.
They drive black / white cars (Dodge Avanger) not Expeditions or things as such! Do NOT offer money and such funny things. They are the real deal. ...like Sheriffs or SHP. Usually Federales are very well educated and friendly.
They are always willing to help.
Military guys with machine guns.
There are some military check points on the drive from Tijuana via Rosarito to Ensenda.
They are set-up on the side of the road and conduct random vehicle searches.
So I suggest you LEAVE YOUR GUN'S AND DRUGS AT HOME. So you will have again nothing to worry about.
Toll Road...
Toll roads are common in the north of Baja from Tijuana to Ensenada and Tijuana to Mexicali.
They are nice Freeway like roads that cost about 2.50 per 20 miles. To go to Ensenada you will have to pay 3 times about US$ 2.50.
They come with an insurance in case of an accident.
Important note: Nobody is allowed to stop you on it other than the Federal Police that always has Black and White Cars.
On the Toll-Road Don't just stop for anybody with a Blue/Red light flashing behind you. Consider to keep going to the next Toll Booth or Exit into a Big Town with lots of people.
Mainland.
Mexico Insurance San Diego knows about Mainland Mexico. It has special rules for driving a car further than 40 miles from the US-border.You must get a temporary import permit for you car. Registration, Passport and a credit card are required to get this permit as you cross into the Mainland Mexico. Not required in Baja California at all.The mainland has so much to offer. You find some pictures here.