hgp@lzaz.ATT.COM (H.PAGE) (01/25/89)
In article <34@elgar.UUCP>, ag@elgar.UUCP (Keith Gabryelski) writes: . . . > >I'll > >be hanging around the weekend after USENIX, and would like to roadtrip > >to Tijuana for a day .. Is it OK to drive rental cars into Mexico, > >etc? > > You must check with your rental place. . . I was in San Diego several months ago, and to rented a car for a drive around the Baja. Here's what happened: 1) Only one American rental car company would allow their cars into Mexico (Alamo, or some other ``off'' brand, I believe). But they wanted approximately $60/day, but it didn't matter since they were out of cars. Note that if you drive across, the wait to get back to the US on Sunday after noon was perhaps 2-3 hours. I walked across in five minutes. 2) I ended up staying in downtown San Diego, so I simply took the trolley to the border (a delight!) and once across, took a taxi to the downtown Avis location where I had previously reserved a VW Bug (!) for $30/day (72 (48?) hours in advance). I had to wait an hour for them to get the car from the airport, so next time I'll go to the Avis counter at the airport instead. Money can be changed right as you get off the trolley before you cross the border. 3) I drove south to Ensinada, then south east to a small town on the Gulf of California, San Phillipe (sp?) where I spent the night. I HIGHLY recommend this place with beautiful beaches and fantastic seafood restaurants on the waterfront. On the way, I was pulled over by the Mexican Army, complete with soldiers with submachine guns, and they searched the whole car for drugs (but were very nice about it). Also, especially if you don't speak Spanish (I don't), be careful that you don't get short changed when you buy gasoline. 4) The next morning it was back north to the Mexican town of ???? (er, its the big town south of the Arizona border), then west through the mountains (absolutely beautiful) back to Tijauna. 5) Get a good map of Tiajauna, its easy to get lost. I finally found the rental car place, got a taxi to the border, walked across, the back to San Diego again via the trolley. 6) Thanks to netnews posters for the info that got me started! The bottom line: The moment I checked in to the fancy-shmancy hotel in San Deigo, I wanted to go back! -- Howard G. Page AT&T LZ 1B-115K (201)576-2731 ..!ihnp4!lzaz!hgp
wilson@vangogh.Berkeley.EDU (James E. Wilson) (01/26/89)
In article <381@lzaz.ATT.COM> hgp@lzaz.ATT.COM (H.PAGE) writes: >I was in San Diego several months ago, and to rented a car for a >drive around the Baja. Here's what happened: > > 3) I drove south to Ensinada, then south east to a small > town on the Gulf of California, San Phillipe (sp?) where > I spent the night. I HIGHLY recommend this place with beautiful > beaches and fantastic seafood restaurants on the waterfront. Without a Mexican tourist card, you can visit any border town, and also the city of Ensenada (largest Baja seaport, 60 miles south of TIjuana), provided you stay less than 72 hours. Otherwise, you must first obtain a Mexican tourist card. This card is required for a trip to San Felipe. Although it is highly unlikely that anyone will ever ask to see your tourist card, they are officially required, and hence it is strongly recommended that you carry one with you. The cards are free, and can be obtained at any Mexican consulate or tourist office. AAA (American Automobile Association) members can get one at any California AAA office. You must show a valid passport or a birth certificate to get the card. Also, read the regulations concerning the card, as I believe they are supposed to be validated when you enter Mexico. And don't forget, most American auto insurance is not valid in Mexico. So if you are driving into Mexico, buy Mexican insurance BEFORE you cross the border. (AAA members can buy Mexican insurance, by the day, at any southern California AAA office). The above information was extracted from my 1987 edition of the AAA Baja California tourbook. Jim Wilson | For rain it hath a friendly sound Internet: wilson@ernie.Berkeley.EDU | To one who's six feet under ground; Usenet: ...!ucbvax!ucbernie!wilson | And scarce the friendly voice or face, | A grave is such a quiet place. Jim Wilson | For rain it hath a friendly sound Internet: wilson@ernie.Berkeley.EDU | To one who's six feet under ground; Usenet: ...!ucbvax!ucbernie!wilson | And scarce the friendly voice or face, | A grave is such a quiet place.
arnold@apollo.COM (Ken Arnold) (01/29/89)
In article <27736@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> wilson@vangogh.Berkeley.EDU.UUCP (James E. Wilson) writes: >Without a Mexican tourist card, you can visit any border town, and also the >city of Ensenada (largest Baja seaport, 60 miles south of TIjuana), provided >you stay less than 72 hours. Non U.S. Citizens should take note -- you can get into Mexico just as easily as a U.S. citizen, but when you try to return, US Immigration is going to be very sticky. It is not uncommon for visiting people on single entry visas to get themselves stuck south of the border because nobody told them there might be a problem. Make sure you can get back in before you leave. Ken Arnold
lawrence@jarsun1.UUCP (mark lawrence) (02/03/89)
in our Friend to the South: } 3) I drove south to Ensinada, then south east to a small } town on the Gulf of California, San Phillipe (sp?) where That's Ensenada and San Felipe. Just in case you look for them on the map. } On the way, I was pulled over by the Mexican Army, complete } with soldiers with submachine guns, and they searched the } whole car for drugs (but were very nice about it). Not really the army; Federales. A.K.A. the Green Angels (Los Angeles Verde). Just your basic local friendly neighborhood Federal Cops. -- DRD Corporation @ 5506 South Lewis ...sun!tulsun\ Tulsa, IT 74105 ...uunet!apctrc!drd!mark (918_743-3013 ...rutgers!okstate!romed/