General Reports

[Dickus Maximus]

So the 4 that you have picked up they have stamped with the date that you paid for it? When I got mine credit was not an option. It was dollars or pesos.

Yes. They were date stamped with the date paid.

Actually the last one (in Otay) was was cash. I was kind of pissed the credit card machine wasn't working, but hey, you learn to live with that in Mexico.

[PlayPlayJa]

Web site:

https://fmm-mx.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobCh...SAAEgJ3NvD_BwE

But it is not free from this website. Not sure how much it charge vs $30 at the border.

There is free online form from Mexico immigration official site. But I couldn't find the san Diego port of entry.

[Captain Solo]

Web site:

https://fmm-mx.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobCh...SAAEgJ3NvD_BwE

[Captain Solo]

Driving is definitely the easiest way to go to Tijuana, no walking, waiting, FMM, screwing with imm, hassled by policias, dicking with taxistas. Just follow Calle 3 to Constitucion, turn right to head North to La Zona. The route is full of slow traffic so it's not too risky.

I bought liability insurance from GNP via AAA website, allegedly one of the largest insurance companies in Mexico, only $125 a year.

The policy lists a 800 tel number, but when called it has been disconnected. Don't know who to contact if I have to file a claim. Mexico's insurance must be a joke. If anything happens and GNP fails to cover the claims, I suppose I can always sue AAA for breach of contract.

[Captain Solo]

Damn good idea.

What's the web site to apply for FMM on line?

I always see fellow mongers asking about FMM. I've always just walked right on through the Mexican National side. When COVID started but HK was still open, for the first time ever they asked for my Mexican ID. Since I am not a Mexican citizen I had to stand in the gringo line and fill out an FMM, I was not charged at that time.

For following trips I've gone online to fill out the FMM there and as long as your trip is 7 days or less there is no charge. You are sent an email that says your FMM is ready to be printed. Print it out and take it with you, when you cross they look like they are verifying some info and stamp it. Keep the stamped side with you because I have been asked for it by the Municipales, and Guardia Nacional for it when when I drive past Ensenada.

I always see fellow mongers asking about FMM. I've always just walked right on through the Mexican National side. When COVID started but HK was still open, for the first time ever they asked for my Mexican ID. Since I am not a Mexican citizen I had to stand in the gringo line and fill out an FMM, I was not charged at that time.

For following trips I've gone online to fill out the FMM there and as long as your trip is 7 days or less there is no charge. You are sent an email that says your FMM is ready to be printed. Print it out and take it with you, when you cross they look like they are verifying some info and stamp it. Keep the stamped side with you because I have been asked for it by the Municipales, and Guardia Nacional for it when when I drive past Ensenada.

[Member #4722]

I have been driving in about twice a month for the last 4-5 months. Never been stopped and this is the easiest way to enter Mexico. Don't forget your Mexican insurance though! They give a SENTRI discount on Baja Bound for an annual insurance package.

[Clooney638]

I always see fellow mongers asking about FMM. I've always just walked right on through the Mexican National side. When COVID started but HK was still open, for the first time ever they asked for my Mexican ID. Since I am not a Mexican citizen I had to stand in the gringo line and fill out an FMM, I was not charged at that time.

For following trips I've gone online to fill out the FMM there and as long as your trip is 7 days or less there is no charge. You are sent an email that says your FMM is ready to be printed. Print it out and take it with you, when you cross they look like they are verifying some info and stamp it. Keep the stamped side with you because I have been asked for it by the Municipales, and Guardia Nacional for it when when I drive past Ensenada.

[Fmojo]

What is the cab fares and availability to / from Otay Mesay from / to Zona norte?

I took an Uber this morning from Otay to Hotel Ticuan and it was $4. 39.

[Mr Enternational]

I've picked up two FMM's for myself and two for others since the pandemic started. Just tell them I need to buy one and the only question is cash or credit. After than I'm good for six months. Better to just pay and have it that have to pay a bribe and maybe a bribe the next time as well. And it's much more convenient if you cross with any frequency.

So the 4 that you have picked up they have stamped with the date that you paid for it? When I got mine credit was not an option. It was dollars or pesos.

[Mr Enternational]

In the past I was able to withdraw pesos at HSBC bank using my Schwab card and I always got a great exchange rate. This is because Schwab does the rate conversion. I tried two HSBC ATMs.

But last week, HSBC ATM offered me their Exchange rate offer and if I declined the exchange rate offer the ATM withdrawal transaction was declined.

So, in the future I will need to accept that HSBC rate.

Anyone used Schwab card recently at an ATM and got the exchange rate from Schwab?

I sure have and have gotten great rates. But I have not used an HSBC ATM since I ditched HSBC for Schwab some years back. Why don't you just use another bank's ATM?

[Dickus Maximus]

Well if they gave you a little piece of paper (fmm) it a great thing to have for only 30 dollars its good for entry to Tijuana for 6 months you just walk in the lane to your left and present the fmm and no questions and no excuses needed. Now hit Tijuana often and you will for sure get your monies worth.

I've picked up two FMM's for myself and two for others since the pandemic started. Just tell them I need to buy one and the only question is cash or credit. After than I'm good for six months. Better to just pay and have it that have to pay a bribe and maybe a bribe the next time as well. And it's much more convenient if you cross with any frequency.

[Captain Solo]

Yep. HSBC ATM exchange rate is a rip off.

The ATM will actually shows you an exchange rate and ask for your agreement. I noticed its rate was about half a peso per $ lower than cambios'. If you draw 3000 pesos, you would lose 75 pesos. In comparison Bank of America rate is always higher than cambios. It's not a big amount but it just piss me off that HSBC is a very slimy bank in every way it can.

HSBC is also well-known for laundering money for organized crimes all over the world. I hope the Mexican cartels will figure out how HSBC has been sucking their drugs money like leeches and deal with them properly.

PAYPAL also rips you off in exchange rate. It's rate is so low it's ridiculous, then recipients have to wait 3 days to claim the money.

[ScatManDoo]

I remember someone posting about $30 to cross, well. It happened to me! I tried the "I have a dentist appointment", and the lady asked for verification. I said I don't have it, and she made me go to a room where some other dude told me it's $30, borders are closed to tourism.

Instead of fighting and arguing, I said "okay" and just paid and went on my way. I'll be here for 3 days, so it's like $10 a day. Whatever. I had to pay something similar to go to Cuba.

The thieves currently representing Mexico as agents at the border are counting on you to do this.

[Baxter Slade]

I remember someone posting about $30 to cross, well. It happened to me! I tried the "I have a dentist appointment", and the lady asked for verification. I said I don't have it, and she made me go to a room where some other dude told me it's $30, borders are closed to tourism.

Instead of fighting and arguing, I said "okay" and just paid and went on my way. I'll be here for 3 days, so it's like $10 a day. Whatever. I had to pay something similar to go to Cuba.

Well if they gave you a little piece of paper (fmm) it a great thing to have for only 30 dollars its good for entry to Tijuana for 6 months you just walk in the lane to your left and present the fmm and no questions and no excuses needed. Now hit Tijuana often and you will for sure get your monies worth.

[OneCoolDude916]

The "dentist appointment" excuse usually works (has always worked for me) but it has to be believable. If, for example, you're trying to cross late at night (e. G. , close to midnight) and are dressed like you're going to a nightclub they probably won't believe you LOL. In any case, despite never having a problem with it, I'm tempted to draft a fake e-mail appointment confirmation as a backup in case they ask for verification. I'm thinking more likely than not that would actually work.

That's what I should have done! They probably wouldn't investigate it if I showed an email. She probably wouldn't have been able to read it anyway.

I crossed at about 2 pm. Was dressed in gray exercise pants and a plain long sleeve shirt. Not club apparel by any means. But that woman probably sniffed me out. Oh well.