General Info

[Sol12]

For short trips within Mexico I drive in and park at $12/ day, don't go through customs and don't need an FFM but for my 4-5 Colombia trips a year I go for 12-14 days so parking costs a lot. If I didn't use CBX on the way out I would not go through customs and would not need an FFM but I probably would need one on the way back when flying into CDMX from Colombia. I have always flown back into San Diego airport but this next trip I am going to try the red eye home and into TIJ. I'm probably just stuck paying the rip off $43.

I use to park at the Tijuana airport but during COVID it would get full so I just started to park at one of the lots at the border which now is only $6 per day. It's cheaper and easy to just get a Uber to and from. Only downside is if you don't have Sentri but if you come back late at night the Ready Lane line isn't long at all.

[AmorPorFavor]

Well hopefully you don't make the tip that often that it's really a burden.

The only way you might be able to avoid it is by not using CBX. I have never used it when flying out / in to Tijuana and haven't paid FFM for years. So I wonder if you didn't go thru CBX if they would still force you to pay? Since you're flying to Colombia I don't know what you are asked for when you arrive at the layover in CDMX or if they ask to see your FFM when you fly back.

For short trips within Mexico I drive in and park at $12/ day, don't go through customs and don't need an FFM but for my 4-5 Colombia trips a year I go for 12-14 days so parking costs a lot. If I didn't use CBX on the way out I would not go through customs and would not need an FFM but I probably would need one on the way back when flying into CDMX from Colombia. I have always flown back into San Diego airport but this next trip I am going to try the red eye home and into TIJ. I'm probably just stuck paying the rip off $43.

[Sol12]

I looked around and couldn't get and answer. Then I emailed CBX asked them and got this back: Yes, the charge was correct. The payment of the DNR (Migratory Rights) is made to all foreigners who travel to Mexico for more than 6 days or travel in transit through Mexico to get to another country. So now flying out of Tijuana to another country costs the CBX fee of $40- $50 round trip, depending on time of year, plus like $43 for an FFM.

Well hopefully you don't make the tip that often that it's really a burden.

The only way you might be able to avoid it is by not using CBX. I have never used it when flying out / in to Tijuana and haven't paid FFM for years. So I wonder if you didn't go thru CBX if they would still force you to pay? Since you're flying to Colombia I don't know what you are asked for when you arrive at the layover in CDMX or if they ask to see your FFM when you fly back.

[AmorPorFavor]

Well I think for those that know how Mexico works they either are overly strict with rules and using them to take advantage of people or they don't pay any attention to the rules. I was just trying to help you with what had changed with the law.

If you take this flight again soon you might want to go on the Mexican immigration site to read more on this and save it to your phone to show the agent if it states that the fee is only for foreigners who require a Visa.

Did you notice any other passengers paying the fee?

I looked around and couldn't get and answer. Then I emailed CBX asked them and got this back: Yes, the charge was correct. The payment of the DNR (Migratory Rights) is made to all foreigners who travel to Mexico for more than 6 days or travel in transit through Mexico to get to another country. So now flying out of Tijuana to another country costs the CBX fee of $40- $50 round trip, depending on time of year, plus like $43 for an FFM.

[SonicBoom1]

MXP reaching 16.7/ dollar is such a shity news for most people visiting Mexico. A date that cost US $100 now costs US $150. Like WTF. Not returning there until the rate moves back to nrmal 18-20 levels.

[Sol12]

I'm still unclear on this. The article says: "The regulation, which takes effect on October 22,2023, dictates that all foreign nationals who typically need a visa and intend to transit through Mexico's airports must now possess a visitor visa, specifically for non-paid activities such as tourism, regardless of the duration of their airport layover. " But as an American I don't need a visa to travel to Mexico, in fact I do it almost every week to Tijuana.

Well I think for those that know how Mexico works they either are overly strict with rules and using them to take advantage of people or they don't pay any attention to the rules. I was just trying to help you with what had changed with the law.

If you take this flight again soon you might want to go on the Mexican immigration site to read more on this and save it to your phone to show the agent if it states that the fee is only for foreigners who require a Visa.

Did you notice any other passengers paying the fee?

[AmorPorFavor]

With the large increase in immigrants flying into Mexico with the final destination the US border the Mexican government has been trying to come up with ways to deter this. So unfortunately your getting caught in the middle of this and now have to pay just for a layover.

https://travelobiz.com/mexico-impose...port-transits/

This didn't really help the problem much and now Mexico has a long list of countries that you aren't allowed into Mexico anymore without the Visa. This began in January of this year.

I'm still unclear on this. The article says: "The regulation, which takes effect on October 22,2023, dictates that all foreign nationals who typically need a visa and intend to transit through Mexico's airports must now possess a visitor visa, specifically for non-paid activities such as tourism, regardless of the duration of their airport layover. " But as an American I don't need a visa to travel to Mexico, in fact I do it almost every week to Tijuana.

[Sol12]

Been overthinking this scenario last 1-2 weeks. But I'm still receiving mixed intel on flying out of Mexico so still not 100% sure.

Re: FMM Permit for Mexico's Interior States / Flying out of Mexico, Gringos now instructed to print at home vs Caravan Central Americans still given the normal cardstock FMM.

I think I know what's going on. I think. The FMM for land entry 7 days is $0 USD. The permit for longer stays / fly out of Mexico internationally to USA / South America is (recently went from $25 to now $43 USD).

The Mex Govt is cracking down on gringos like Centexcrash. Gringos like Centexcrash found a fun adventurous loophole to get a free 7 day FMM permit at Laredo / Reynosa / Nogales / maybe Tijuana then turn around within 36 hours use that same permit to board a flight out of MTY / MEX / CUN where the airport gate crews don't screen each FMM presented. If 100-5000 gringos / day pull that same trick that's money $ the Migracion Dept is missing out on.

Because of that potential exploit, the border entry FMM offices have rolled out a new protocol: gringos that get access to the FMM cardstock are a potential flight risk. Day laborer Mexicans / Central Americans don't pose that same flight risk and likely don't have internet access so they are happily given a blank FMM cardstock to fill out. Gringos with short term stays do NOT get the pre-printed cardstock and are now instructed to fill out their FMM details online and print out the PDF results at home / local library and have that printout with them when they arrive at the FMM office.

Again this is all hypothetical and I am probably talking out of my ass. I currently only have first hand xp at the land entry side, I don't have sufficient xp of me or other board members on how the airport side is presently playing out.

Some of us have been talking about the FFM and how Mexico doesn't seem to be enforcing it at all. The only thing is that myself I only fly out of Tijuana and during COVID visited a few different cities and was never asked to show a FFM and I haven't filled one out in years. Last year I actually went online and filled one out and printed it at work before my flight but I never showed it to anyone to have it stamped or signed I just figured to have it to see if someone said something I could pull it out.

I know TomJackin who travels within Mexico from Tijuana almost every month prints his out and since he doesn't go for long trips he doesn't pay I think he just shows the INE officer when he comes across the CBX but I've never used CBX so not sure if they are strict.

Others that chimed in on the discussion fly from the US into Mexico and use to have to fill out an FFM but no longer are asked but I think the fee is included in the airfare but I'm not sure. From this website it seems that they are trying to make it all digital now so not to waste time with the paperwork. I remember during COVID they had a health questionnaire that you had to fill out before they would let you go to the security screening but it was a mess at first because some airports didn't have the papers all the time or the biggest issue was no pens or pencils to fill them out with so if somebody had a pen that person would end up sharing it with about 20 other people. Shortly after they had a QR code the you could use to just do it all on your phone.

This website is pretty good for current information but since it's Mexico even when they have certain rules it all depends on the people in charge. INE had lots of problems with officers taking bribes or making people pay fees.

https://www.mexperience.com/your-mex...st-permit-fmm/

[Sol12]

Question: I have been flying out of Tijuana to Medellin with a layover in Mexico City, then on the way back flying home into San Diego airport. The first 5 times I needed an FFM but did not have to pay. Last January when I handed my printed at home FFM to the customs agent in Tijuana airport she said I had to pay the 717 pesos just to do the flight with the layover in MX for 1 hour. She said it was a new policy that started in Nov 2023. Did I get scammed the last time or was I supposed to pay the first 5 times but somehow got away with it, or is this just a new policy? Also is there anyway around paying like saying you are staying in Mexico City for 6 days only? The costs are starting to add up especially when you add in the CBX charge.

With the large increase in immigrants flying into Mexico with the final destination the US border the Mexican government has been trying to come up with ways to deter this. So unfortunately your getting caught in the middle of this and now have to pay just for a layover.

https://travelobiz.com/mexico-impose...port-transits/

This didn't really help the problem much and now Mexico has a long list of countries that you aren't allowed into Mexico anymore without the Visa. This began in January of this year.

[AmorPorFavor]

The Mex Govt is cracking down on gringos like Centexcrash. Gringos like Centexcrash found a fun adventurous loophole to get a free 7 day FMM permit at Laredo / Reynosa / Nogales / maybe Tijuana then turn around within 36 hours use that same permit to board a flight out of MTY / MEX / CUN where the airport gate crews don't screen each FMM presented. If 100-5000 gringos / day pull that same trick that's money $ the Migracion Dept is missing out on.

Question: I have been flying out of Tijuana to Medellin with a layover in Mexico City, then on the way back flying home into San Diego airport. The first 5 times I needed an FFM but did not have to pay. Last January when I handed my printed at home FFM to the customs agent in Tijuana airport she said I had to pay the 717 pesos just to do the flight with the layover in MX for 1 hour. She said it was a new policy that started in Nov 2023. Did I get scammed the last time or was I supposed to pay the first 5 times but somehow got away with it, or is this just a new policy? Also is there anyway around paying like saying you are staying in Mexico City for 6 days only? The costs are starting to add up especially when you add in the CBX charge.

[CenTexCrash]

Been overthinking this scenario last 1-2 weeks. But I'm still receiving mixed intel on flying out of Mexico so still not 100% sure.

Re: FMM Permit for Mexico's Interior States / Flying out of Mexico, Gringos now instructed to print at home vs Caravan Central Americans still given the normal cardstock FMM.

I think I know what's going on. I think. The FMM for land entry 7 days is $0 USD. The permit for longer stays / fly out of Mexico internationally to USA / South America is (recently went from $25 to now $43 USD).

The Mex Govt is cracking down on gringos like Centexcrash. Gringos like Centexcrash found a fun adventurous loophole to get a free 7 day FMM permit at Laredo / Reynosa / Nogales / maybe Tijuana then turn around within 36 hours use that same permit to board a flight out of MTY / MEX / CUN where the airport gate crews don't screen each FMM presented. If 100-5000 gringos / day pull that same trick that's money $ the Migracion Dept is missing out on.

Because of that potential exploit, the border entry FMM offices have rolled out a new protocol: gringos that get access to the FMM cardstock are a potential flight risk. Day laborer Mexicans / Central Americans don't pose that same flight risk and likely don't have internet access so they are happily given a blank FMM cardstock to fill out. Gringos with short term stays do NOT get the pre-printed cardstock and are now instructed to fill out their FMM details online and print out the PDF results at home / local library and have that printout with them when they arrive at the FMM office.

Again this is all hypothetical and I am probably talking out of my ass. I currently only have first hand xp at the land entry side, I don't have sufficient xp of me or other board members on how the airport side is presently playing out.

[CenTexCrash]

Follow up to the Reynosa debacle:

Just entered Nuevo Laredo. Went to the CITEV building to get the usual FMM permit. They confirmed Reynosa was correct, online only and print when done.

At least if you're a white gringo. For those who are Hispanic looking and claim to not have cellular signal, they'll give those people a blank permit card to fill out.

Unlike Reynosa, Nuevo's office has a print center. I went over there to print a single paper, and they quoted me 120 MXN /$8. 50 USD.

I laid down the law and told him I assumed $1 or $1.25 but his asking price of $8+ he could kick rocks. Walked back to the FMM room and fudged "their printer is having technical difficulties or something" No one else in the room, the lone agent just typed name off my passport, printed it for $0. 00 and I was good to go.

Moral: Just print at home / work before leaving for a border run.

Also: long term permit back in day 2019 was 530 mxn ($25 usd) is now 717 mxn ($41 friggin USD wtf).

And what gives them ability to single out who prints permit details and who gets to write a paper copy. I guess it speeds up wait times but still.

[CenTexCrash]

Land entry 7 day permit?

Last time went to Mexico was July 2023.

Went in January 2024 via Reynosa.

Went to main Reynosa FMM office 2 hours before bus ride asking for the usual permit slip card to fill out.

Officer pointed me to a QR code said no more printed slips, going forward fill it out online and print at home before you come to Mexico.

While he said this, there was an entire stack of fresh permit slips are feet to his right, so I'm resisting urge to call bullshit.

Also told me there's a pharmacy down the street that has printing services, so when I'm done filling out permit info online and emailed PDF to myself, go to them get a printout and come back to FMM office so they could stamp printed copy.

I filled it online.

I had language barrier finding which pharmacy.

I went into Mexico bare. No one asked questions. Not even the bus route interior checkpoint south of Reynosa where all passengers get off for screening.

Going to Monterrey tomorrow, will find out if online-only policy is accurate or Reynosa staff was just lazy.

[Zenduka1]

I've seen a lot in CDMX, but I think the concentration is higher in Guadalajara. You will see a 10 out of 50 women as 10 out of 100 in cdmx. Other cities?

Puerto Vallarta? I was there twice. I love bronze colored women. I still have memories of my concierge woman in the resort I stayed. I never made a pass at her, to this day I cringe about it.

[Zenduka1]

For what you're looking for, Argentina might be better. It's just much easier to get Mexican girls. Mexico is also better value as well. If you speak spanish, have some charisma, I think Argentina is better for longer stays based on what you want.

Seems you know about Argentina. I think of them European wannabe's rather than Latin American. Hence I never thought of Argentina as a mongering destination. What do you think?

They just dropped their invitation of BRICS membership opting to stay with their European affiliation.