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| Kino Bay |
| San Carlos (Guaymas) |
Travel In Mexico
This page and it's links are dedicated to our trips in Mexico and what we have learned from them.
1) Passports. While it is still possible to go back and forth without them, the time will soon come when they are mandatory. Due to the backlog, if you even think you are going, then go ahead and apply since it will could be several months before being issued. The benefit is a passport smooths the whole process of getting through the 21km checkpoint in Mexico, otherwise you need both a drivers license AND a birth certificate. Coming back on the US, you just hand over the passports and after a quick walk through of your rig are on your way.
2) Insurance. You can travel without it, but woe be the day you are involved in an accident or there is damage to your equipment. Your US coverage will not work. There are very good reputable companies with legitimate insurance. The only catch, is that you must report the claim while in Mexico. Do not wait to get home and then call, you will be SOL. If you are in an accident and can not provide proof of financial responsibility (e.g. insurance) then even if you are bleeding to death and need US care, you will be going nowhere. There are horror stories on this. Remember that Mexico follows Roman law not common law meaning guilty until proven innocent vs. innocent until proven guilty.
3) Money. There are exchanges right at the border with fairly lousy exchange rates. The best exchange is your ATM card at a Mexican bank. Your card will work, you'll get the daily global forex rate and a nominal ATM fee, like maybe a 1$. This is as good as it gets.
4) Returning with food. There are just too many things on the verboten list coming back through US Customs. Do not overstock going down and make sure to run out before heading back or you'll get to watch a lot of the contents of your fridge end up in the trash. Dry goods and packaged items are OK. It's all the raw AG products that are on the hit list. Here is the link the US Customs and Border Patrol prohibited items list.