Documentation-Personal
Tourist Card
Proof of citizenship is required for traveling in to Mexico. The most important piece of
documentation you must have is your passport or your I-94 for Non-U.S or Canadian
citizens.
Second are Tourist Cards which is really a two-piece carbon copy "form"
completed with your name, address, reason for visit, mode of transportation, length of
stay, and passport number. The cards must be stamped at a Mexican Immigration Office by a
Mexican Immigration Officer. If you plan on getting your cards at a Mexican Immigration
Offices, you will need to bring your valid passport or birth certificate. A driver's
license is not proof of citizenship and is not accepted. Keep your card readily
accessible, with either your passport or in your wallet. You are supposed to return
your card just before you leave Mexico, but we don't know anyone who has! These are
issued for three months but another 3 month extension can be applied for. If you
plan to stay longer, look into an immigration card at the Mexican Consulate. If you
plan on going back to the States often, parts runs or visits, a multiple-entry card valid
for 180 days requiring two front photos (like a passport) allows you to re-enter Mexico as
often as you want to within the 180 day widow. Both types of tourist cards,
as of July 1, 1999, have a $15
"entry" fee, which will probably be charged when you have your tourist card
stamped. There is an exempt zone
along the border for such towns as Ensenada and San Felipe. Travel below La
Bufadora requires a tourist card.
Documentation-Vessel
Crew List
Taking a vessel into Mexico is a fairly simple but does take some preparation. A
boat permit is required in Mexican water for all cruising motorboats, sailboats, as well
as any dinghy or additional boat abroad the vessel, regardless of size or construction,
that will be used for sport fishing and that are registered as pleasure boats. Clearance
papers as well as fishing permits can be obtained through an agent for a moderate fee or
you can get them yourself. If you are obtaining your own clearance, get a pad of the
printed clearance forms, "A Crew List for Spanish Speaking Countries" from a
chandlery. Remember to type these and do it in Spanish. Then take at least 4
copies to the nearest Mexican consulate and they will process them for you. The fee
are based on the exchange rate and are usually under $50US
When you make a port, the
skipper and the entire crew must take the clearance papers and tourist cards first to the
immigration office and then the Port Captain's office, then back again to the immigration
office to drop off a copy signed by the Port Captain. We know of a skipper who took
his boat and one crew member to Ensenada, while the second crew member drove down.
Unfortunately, he took all the tourist cards with him to Immigration and had to bring the
road crew back to the office when she arrived. They wanted proof that she wasn't
lost overboard! But it was a good safeguard and very reassuring to her family!
There is usually a port fee and may be based on the size of your boat. Small money
denominations are suggested, they don't like to make change.
Another stop should be the
Customs office for a Temporary Import Permit if you are going farther south or are going
to leave your boat in Mexico for any length of time. Take the following
documentation:
1.Vessel Ownership Title, or lease agreement if applicable.
2. Identification verifying that the vessel's owner is a legal resident of a foreign
country and
3.Tourist Entry Form.
The fee ranges from $10 to $100 U.S. fee which can be paid by credit card or post a
bond to BANEJERCITO for the value of the vessel. This allows the Mexicans to track a
vessel and ensure that it is not sold illegally in their country. Although
sporadically checked, you probably will need it when you clear out of Mexico.
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