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Zardoz

Nov 16, 2010, 3:50 PM

Post #1 of 17 (7683 views)

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Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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Ok so we are driving back to Ajijic in a week or so and we have never done it before.
I know it is kinda a split border because it is a free tourist zone and you don't need
your sticker until after Guaymas. So how does this work. Do you do customs and
immigration at the border or is it split and you do one just past Guaymas? Can you
do it all at the border, (car bond, immigration, customs). We know the route and
the places to stay and will be driving the tollway just don't know the paperwork.

Confused Zardoz

(This post was edited by Zardoz on Nov 16, 2010, 3:51 PM)

DavidHF

Nov 16, 2010, 3:55 PM

Post #2 of 17 (7672 views)

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Re: [Zardoz] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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You do immigration and customs at the border, the place for the car import permit is a few Km down the road.

Zardoz

Nov 16, 2010, 4:18 PM

Post #3 of 17 (7667 views)

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Re: [DavidHF] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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We heard that the place for the car sticker and bond is not there anymore but got moved to outside
Guaymas. Or can you get the car sticker in either place?

sparks

Nov 16, 2010, 6:09 PM

Post #4 of 17 (7635 views)

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Re: [DavidHF] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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Via Nogales you do nothing at the border ... you do it at KM21. That was a few years ago for me and they may have moved some of it south with more of Sonora a free zone?

Hopefully you use the truck route and avoid downtown and possible border checks until KM21

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

bfwpdx

Nov 16, 2010, 6:20 PM

Post #5 of 17 (7628 views)

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Re: [Zardoz] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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Zardoz, we just drove down from Nogales to Lake Chapala. We took the Mariposa commercial crossing which is exit 4 off the main freeway from Tucson to Nogales. Right at the border a couple of kms south, you go through a Mexican customs check (the basic red light-green light). We got the red light but they waved us through. 21 kms down the road is the main Immigration/customs check. You line up and then are processed for the FMM and car permit (if you haven't ordered it online in advance). When you leave, there is another customs check (got the green light on this one)....Travellers who do not leave Sonora do not need an FMM or car permit, so there is another checkpoint when leaving Sonora for those who don't have them but we have never seen this checkpoint open so I think it is better to get everything done at km 21. Hope this helps.

RickS

Nov 16, 2010, 8:48 PM

Post #6 of 17 (7596 views)

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Re: [bfwpdx] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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Are you saying that the 'checkpoint' outside of Guaymas is not open for business? How does one who is, say, in San Carlos with a Sonora-only but decides to go to Mazatlan get an FMM and car permit? I'm confused.

bfwpdx

Nov 17, 2010, 4:48 AM

Post #7 of 17 (7577 views)

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Re: [RickS] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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I can only speak from our own experience, so I can only say that it has not been open on our last two trips past it.

bournemouth

Nov 17, 2010, 7:11 AM

Post #8 of 17 (7551 views)

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Re: [RickS] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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Rick - I think the poster is referring to the check right before the Sinaloa state line, where you are supposed to stop and show them your all Mexico permit - Sonora had to make big promises to the Feds that they would guarantee that people have the appropriate permits, in order to get the Only Sonora and Hassle Free Zone programs. We did not see anyone at that check the last couple of times we came down either.

(This post was edited by bournemouth on Nov 17, 2010, 7:11 AM)

Kimpatsu Hekigan

Nov 17, 2010, 7:48 AM

Post #9 of 17 (7542 views)

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Re: vehicle permit facility at Km 98 on Hwy 15 south of Empalme

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Responses this morning to a query posted on a local Guaymas/San Carlos, Sonora, board reveal that the vehicle permit facility located south of Empalme on Hwy 15 at Km 98 has never been closed.

Drivers report obtaining an "All-of-Mexico" vehicle Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) there as recently as yesterday, November 16, 2010.

This facility is woefully underutilized and the parking lot is often completely empty. But they are open for business. Drive in and check it out for yourself sometime.

Getting your TIP there can save hours of time, especially if you are at the Km 21 facility south of Nogales and find yourself last in line behind a group of a dozen caravaning RVers trying to get their TIPs.

The checkpoint right at the Sonora-Sinaloa border that diverts southbound foreign-plated vehicles off the highway to verify that they have the TIP was unmanned the last time I drove through, but Federal Highway Police were checking vehicles for the TIP and import papers at random seatbelt checks south of there.

FWIW,

-- K.H.

Before enlightenment: Chop wood, haul water.
After enlightenment: Chop wood, haul water.

(This post was edited by Kimpatsu Hekigan on Nov 17, 2010, 7:32 PM)

bfwpdx

Nov 17, 2010, 8:03 AM

Post #10 of 17 (7533 views)

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Re: [Kimpatsu Hekigan] vehicle permit facility at Km 98 on Hwy 15 south of Empalme

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Thanks for the correction/confirmation. It has always appeared totally deserted when we are driving past. We have been driving down since 2008 (4 times on this route). It would be an excellent alternative to the km 21 checkpoint, I definitely agree. Do you happen to know the opening hours as some people stay over in San Carlos and start off very early at daybreak.

bournemouth

Nov 17, 2010, 8:08 AM

Post #11 of 17 (7528 views)

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Re: [Kimpatsu Hekigan] vehicle permit facility at Km 98 on Hwy 15 south of Empalme

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But do remember that Immigration does not have an office there and you will need to do your visa requirements, be that being checked in or obtaining an FMM, at Kl 21.

Zardoz

Nov 17, 2010, 6:49 PM

Post #12 of 17 (7462 views)

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Re: [Zardoz] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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Thanks everyone and I do appreciate the effort. Sometimes it is difficult to sort the various
web sites and understand everything they say as many web sites contradict each other. It
is good to get new actual experience as things change. Thanks I have much more confidence
as it is the first time I am driving.

See ya in December

Zardoz

Kimpatsu Hekigan

Nov 17, 2010, 7:30 PM

Post #13 of 17 (7451 views)

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Re: [bfwpdx] vehicle permit facility at Km 98 on Hwy 15 south of Empalme

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bfwpdx asks:

Do you happen to know the opening hours...

This vehicle permit facility is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

HTH,

-- K.H.

Before enlightenment: Chop wood, haul water.
After enlightenment: Chop wood, haul water.

mexliving

Nov 24, 2010, 6:32 PM

Post #14 of 17 (7199 views)

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Re: [Zardoz] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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mariposa exit of the usa arizona highway is a good place to avoid entering the usual nogales city area.. there are 2 to 3 hotels on the right..... on the oposite side of the exit ramp is the shopping center that has an exchange place... so you exit mariposa , go under the freeway.. and the shopping center to your left is the place... the peso exhange place is on the corner that touches the freeway....

the 21kilometer visa / car permit place is very easy.... when you enter mexico through the mariposa entrance... dont get confused... you will see the typical mexican customs office... then you will see another one down the road... if you are declaring any goods you bring to mexico, make sure you have your recipts.... the 21kilometer place you get your visa / car permit is the place where if you get the RED light stop light , you will be inspected and if you did not declare anything... you can get in serious trouble.... basically the items are confiscated and you have to pay a big fine... so anything you take down... make sure its not in original boxes from stores, clothes not with tags...

depending on what time you arrive to arizona/nogales area, i usually drive and sleep in hermosillo..... a lot of people visiting the usa and driving back to mexico have fallen asleep in hermosillo highways and have had car accidents... so avoid pushing yourself to get to ajijic... its better to be safe then sorry.... i once encountered 2 college students that fell asleep around 2pm in hermosillo and rolled their suv... they did not get hurt but their suv was totalled.... car insurance... i have used san xavier mexican auto insurance.. they have better rates then most and you can purchase over the internet and have them email your policy ... just google it... their office is on the mariposa exit .. going right behind the carls jr/hotels...

you have never driven to ajijic.... so i have my personal tips.... obregon ... calr's jr.... food stop...

your usa bank has the ability to give you pesos.. call you bank and ask for mexican currency purchase.. it takes less then 4 days ... that way you dont have to stop at atm's.

i dont know what vehicle your driving.... i do suggest finding a place in your current city for hidrogen tire filling... the highdrogen stays cools and does not allow psi to rise... thus getting a blow out on the highways.... a little safety for your trip...

xm /sirious does work in mexico... you can get a cheap plug and play system... at www.myradiostore.com i upgraded my signal by purchasing the terk marine xm antenna.... i dont get any signal blockage.....

you will be a target at PEMEX for the switch your 500 peso bill for a 50 peso bill... they have many ways to distract you in 1 second and switch the bill.... so use 200 peso bills when paying..... dont pay untill he has placed gas pump back on machine and placed your gas cap in place.. during those situations is when they do the switch ....

TOLL BOOTHS... dont purchase gas at any pemex next to toll booth paying areas..... in some areas, they have people watching to see what car/suv they want to steal.... so by purchasing gas at those places, you can become a target........

dont speed through hermosillo area... lots of highway patrol up and down .... also from mazatlan to gdl . speed traps... specially from mazatlan toll area to acaponeta/tecuala toll areas.... and through tepic... DONT SPEED through those areas..

DONT DRIVE AT NIGHT.... reports of people placing rocks on the toll roads passing the SANTA MARIA DEL ORO toll booth area..... then you get a flat tire and when you stop... the bandidos come out of the forrest to rob you... dont drive at night...

my favorite food stops.... playa novillero... 27 kilometers from toll booth exit..at acaponeta/tecuala exit.... just take road to tecuala and at first pemex make a right turn... go through city streets untill you see PLAYAS sign.. go right and on 2 lane highway ... novillero beach is best fresh seafood..... when you arrive road ends at a T and you will see a cement statue

the restaurant to the left of the statue on the beach is the best one......

depending on the time of day.... santa maria del oro in nayarit... also is the best place to stop for food..... you will not pass it since there is a toll booth..... after you pass tepics pereferico...... 6 minutes from exit to town.. then 15 minutes down the mountain to lagoon.... if you have an SUV the moment you see the lake, you will see a sign that says LA SELVA restaurant.. quiet ... on the point of the lake.....

RickS

Nov 24, 2010, 7:37 PM

Post #15 of 17 (7189 views)

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Re: [mexliving] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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Now that's what I call a detailed post!!!

But: " I do suggest finding a place in your current city for hidrogen tire filling.." I wonder if you did not mean Nitrogen?

Moisheh

Nov 25, 2010, 8:12 AM

Post #16 of 17 (7144 views)

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Re: [mexliving] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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I read mexliving's post 3 times and even though he states "do not be confused" I am still confused. I have probably driven the Nogales to Hermosillo road 200 times in the last 20 years. The description of the Aduana locations is very confusing. The first check point is not" down the road" but rather it is just after the first toll booth. It does have a "red light" system". If you are going to declare anything DO NOT enter the crossing but follow the signs to a parking lot . You will have to go inside and pay the duties. Never get Pesos from a bank. The rates are horrible. In Nogales, az just before the crossing there are a few peso exchange places. Buy just enough to cover your tolls to Santa Anna. In Santa Ana there is an ATM on the right next to the Elba Motel. The toll booths do not take anything other than pesos. Using Nitorgen may be a good idea but not to prevent blowouts. The rise in pressure from hot air does not cause blow outs. If it did then we would all have blow outs on a daily basis. The story about people watching your vehicle is just an urban legend. Other than the cartel road blocks there are no car thefts on Hwy 15. Although I would not travel further south than San Carlos due to cartel violence ,car theft on hwy 15 is no worse than on any freeway in N.A. The other story about rocks on the road must have been taken from a guide book from the 50's. Mexicans do use rocks on the road to warn you of a disabled vehicle ahead. There are no areas on hwy. 15 with bandidos. In Sinaloa there are cartel problems but I would call them terrorists or murderers not bandidos. Not every Pemex station has crooked attendants. It does happen but not constantly. One should be acquainted with the currency in any foreign country.I have to wonder where mexliving got his information: old guide books, campfire stories or b movies?? The only valid advice I could see was not to drive at night!

Moisheh

Zardoz

Nov 26, 2010, 8:58 PM

Post #17 of 17 (7053 views)

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Re: [Zardoz] Another boring request for travel info Nagales to Ajijic by car

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Wow lots of new information. We made it down just fine. Getting tourist visa and car permit, copying and banking only took
one half hour at KM21. Like to thank bfwpdx whose advice was perfect. We are spending a week in San Fransico north of
PV on the mexican coast. Trip down was uneventful and will arrive in Ajijic Dec first. Thanks again eveyone.