Back in Mexico: Mexicali West Crossing
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- We have finally made it back to Mexico to settle in for the winter. This time we made record time and crossed at the Mexicali West crossing. In the past, with our RV, we crossed at Mexicali East ( • Don't Miss This Step a... ) But this time we crossed at Mexicali West (AKA Calexico West) because we had rented a hotel room in downtown Mexicali for the night.
In December, days are not long and you can only drive during daylight. But we made it from Portland to La Paz in 3.5 days / 3 nights. We spent our second night in Mexico in San Ignacio (and I'll post a future video about the yurt-ground where we stayed.)
In the RV, it took us 6.5 days /6 nights. We were traveling at much faster speeds in a car!
Here is the exact spot in the other video I mentioned where this couple crosses at the same point: • FAMILY VLOG: MEXICALI ...
Share your experience crossing the border (whichever crossing) in the comments!
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EXCELLENT well-done video 💪 and 🙏
Thanks!
Going south is easy! I crossed on a Wednesday late morning, heading south with my truck, trailer, and a utv on the trailer. They stopped me for secondary inspection just to verify that the registration was the same. All good and was in San Felipe a couple hours later.
Coming back North thru Mexicali to Calexico a week ago... man what a mess. I have crossed there plenty of times and I still miss the correct route sometimes while my slow brain works trying to remember the way. Maybe a video on that? I guess I need to get a Sentri pass, because I can find that lane every time!
Glad you two are heading back south. I wish I was still in Loreto, snow sucks!
I'll definitely do a video going north in May. It's totally confusing. And they get so angry when you make a mistake. I'm sure a hundred people make that mistake per day. Maybe the border folks would think, "Hmmm... maybe it's not clear?"
Anyway, I've read that trailers and RV's can go thru SENTRI. So that might not be a good solution for you :-(
We passed thru Loreto yesterday. It was as gorgeous as ever!
Yay, glad you guys are back in Mexico. Good info in this video, thanks Brighton and Kat (and Nugget!). ☮️❤️😎
So nice to be back. Today we pulled into La Paz and we’re sleeping in our own bed tonight!
Thank you very much for sharing Brighton! I can't wait to see the next videos! :)
Now I'm struggling with what to release next. I have a lot of videos in the hopper!
Welcome back !!!!🙋♀️🤗
Thank you Patty!
This type of video is invaluable. I always wanted to (but never did) record myself crossing the TJ video because it seems like we always forget the nuances from year to year. Great video, even if not going thru Mexicali. Gives great info on what is needed in general to cross the Mex border. I’m looking forward to the mainland videos you talked about. And one final note-you guys have that happy and relaxed vibe of being in Baja. I can’t wait for my next trip!
I know what you are saying about recording things for future reference. It's nice to review before doing it a second time. Especially if you do something wrong (like at Mexicali East, we took our RV thru the far left lane instead of the far right one - almost didn't fit!)
That was an early morning baja vibe. By the end of each day we needed margaritas to reclaim that vibe. But we did Portland to La Paz in 3.5 days!
Best Mexicali crossing video ever since your the only one to point out that office. That FMM office was easy to miss but I figured it out after declaring in that entry parking area, to ask where FMM office is. I was able to pay right there too before being searched a second time.
So glad I got the office location right. I based that on descriptions I’d read online plus what makes sense from seeing a number of these crossings!
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico So cool to see your vid today. I happen to be in La Paz now. Thanks for your support and motivation. I'm really enjoying myself.
@@standingmannequin7911 Nice. Maybe we'll meet on the streets of La Paz!
So... you're back. Time to stop shivering, dry off & let us know how the backyard reno's went. Now the only ice you see will be in the drinks. Colour us jealous . P n D 👌👍👍
Yes - I need to make a video about the fence. It's "Mexican" but it's complete. Some things that I cannot see past, but Kat didn't notice.
Speaking of ice - I need to run to the Agua Purificador for water and ice...
There's so many little things keeping me from my margaritas:
- pool wiring is a mess
- lock on front gate isn't working
- Ring doorbell disconnected
- Clients want me to complete projects...
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Damn ! Maybe you should limit your "duties" and actually retire. Just say n ... You know for a friend. P n D
@@davebaker489 Nothing can be simple. We used to have the water delivered to our house, but then I needed to coordinate with the delivery guy which was a whole nuther issue. I need a "life coordinator" in Mexico!
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I think that's why I got married. Keeper / Coordinator. lol P n D
Hmmm... Kat needs to meet Pam. As long as Pam teaches Kat some things and not the opposite direction...
Good info guys, thanks 😊👍
Thanks!
That border wall was finished when Trump was President but Obama had already approved it because it was needed as they were building the new port of entry but Trump did claim it was his and even put his name on it. Just a few tidbits, I grew up in Calexico and have for the most part have lived in or around Calexico and been in Mexicali since 06 so I like to keep up with the local news. :)
Thanks for the info!
Good vibes you two 🙂
Thank you Jon!
Going to have to share this with my parents when they drive down to Mexico next year! My aunt forgot to pick up the fmm once and was turned around at a security checkpoint. They lost over 3 hours of driving time because of that paper!
OMG! They are serious about the FMM nice you get 3 hours south of the border. They don’t seem to remember it exists at the border…
You can do it online
I'm assuming you're talking about buying the FMM. You can get it online, but then you need it stamped at the border.
Thankyou for all the information. It helps seeing the video locations. I'm confused, what is the1st thing You pointed out FAMAM* to stop for?
FMM (pronounced F-eh, M-eh, M-eh.) It's immigration. Most people crossing land borders have existing visas or residency or citizenship. So they don't mention it at all - you just need to know to go do it (if you don't fit into one of the above categories.) They will stamp your passport or give you a form with the number of days you're allowed in the country. If it's longer than 7 days, you'll need to pay a fee of about $30USD.
You may be able to get it online (only use the official government website) in advance: www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html
But you'll still need to stop to have your passport stamped.
And all this is in flux - Mexico is computerizing their immigration system, so there are constantly little tweaks.
Welcome back! I’ll be arriving by plane in Puerto Vallarta mid December. I’ll be bringing my cat and coming for the first time after the temporary residency., part 1. process. I hope I don’t forget the FMM! It’s a lot to travel solo and with an animal to boot. I’ve never traveled with my cat, especially by plane. do I really only need just the rabies certificate? I’m wondering if I should get more documentation from the vet? I understand that the health certificate is no longer needed since 2019, but the Mexican consulate website still mentions it. Thanks so much! I really appreciate your videos!
We haven't traveled by plane with our pets. I think last time we got health certificates just in case, but now we are feeling more comfy. Having extra paperwork is almost always better in Mexico.
Flying in, it's hard to forget the FMM. Just make sure to hand the immigration agent your passport showing the sticker from the consulate in the US. They should know what to do when they see that page.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Awesome, thanks so much! You're right, more paperwork eases the mind. And mine's on overload right now. 😂 Your info. about the FMM is calming. Muchas gracias! 🙏
You guys cross back and forth enough you should have the Global Entry / Sentri card. We got ours years ago, and coming back from Mexico, we get to use the express lane at Mexicali. Really fast, about a 10 minute wait in line.
Coming back into LAX we shoot through immigration and when I travel without checking bags, I can go from the jetway to the curb in about 3 minutes. Every time. I love it.
Global entry is well worth the hassle.
We fly home tomorrow :-(. It has been a nice week in Puerto Vallarta, now I gotta go home and deal with the stolen Catalytic converters we experienced a couple weeks ago. Gotta love the USA!
Ugh Catalytic Converter theft. Been there. Hopefully they can etch in your VIN number to the new one.
We do have Sentri and Global Entry. Some folks say you can’t take an RV thru Sentri. They let us register the plates, but yelled at us at the border.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Gonna try the "Cat Cage" solution for the Prius (plural) but the approved OEM Cali device is backordered six months. Gotta love California!
@@TimothyBurt Ugh! We had the cat stolen off our RV in Portland. When we got a new one, we had the installer weld a big wire rope to the frame and the cat. The idea being that the wire would be hard to cut with a Sawzall because it would just jiggle around. And they would just go to the next car instead.
But there was a huge nationwide bust of a crime ring between August and October (maybe it was two busts or two crime rings.) The stolen cats were coming from all over the US and being sent to New Jersey. Thefts went down 30% in Portland when they busted the local group connected to this ring.
So hopefully your next one will be more secure even without the cage.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I wonder how the Cat theft in Mexico is? Not many Prius in Mexico. I had two stolen in one night, both Prius. And California requires OEM replacement and they are $4500 for the part with up to a 6 month wait. It hurts.
@timothyburt I haven't heard much about cat theft in Mexico. I know the rules are more lax here, so maybe a lot of cars don't have them. I wasn't able to find if new cars manufactured for the Mexican market have them. I know the safety standards are more lax. Maybe the environmental standards are too.
I will be going through this border soon with a truck camper, is there an RV line or a height limit that you are aware of?
I'm sorry - I don't recall seeing a height limit or directions for RVs. At Mexicali East, you're supposed to use the far right lane, which is also the "something to declare" lane (or so I've been told.) Sorry I can't provide more info.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Thanks, do you prefer to cross at Mexicali East or West ?
About how long of a drive is from Mexicali to La Paz?
2 days if you drive fast. 3 days if you drive slow. Unlimited days if you don’t care.
Your crossing into a so-called Free Zone Area, vehicles don't require a TIP which takes a little time to get when crossing in areas where they will be required.
Great point Rod. I haven’t crossed where a TIP is needed (almost everywhere outside Baja California.)
Is it like the FMM where you need to know that you need it, or do they check at the border and direct you to purchase one if needed?
Mr. B & Mrs. C about 8 weeks ago the Mexican Govt. replace there border immgration agent with the Mexican army. They are not stoping as many people crossing the border. I sure you have seen videos of shake down by border agents. Don't know if the Mex. army will be in charge from now on or if border agents will return.
Interesting. AMLO really loves his military. I read that he's planning to start a military run airline.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I thought that was a Stratocracy
@@johnportilla4978 you taught me a new word! And it kinda applies here.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Mr. Edenger would be proud that an average World Civ. student remembered 🤔
I am American but live in Mexicali (dual citizenship) that port they are building is for checking cars going into Mexico with guns or money, the US is building it.
So will they only have 5 booths instead of 13 going into Mexico?
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Question can you vote in Mexico as an American nationalized mexican Nationalized Mexican I'm just curious?
@@luisalexisponcerojas8389 You need to get your Mexican citizenship to vote. Without that, you aren't allowed to be involved in politics at all.
Is that a house plant at the very back of your car? I ask because I didn't think you can bring plants into MX.
Ummm... I cannot confirm or deny that there was a plant in our car, but if there was, it was a bit more well hidden when we crossed the border...
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico LOL