General Reports

[Hargow20]

Personally I have never had my passport stamped in all my years of visiting Tijuana.

Just take the time to get a passport card. Easy and on line and it can't be stamped. Prior to my get out of Paradise rapido Global Entry card, for decades I crossed with a passport. I've got stamps from 23 countries but not one is Mexico. They stamp your paper visa going in, not your passport. Think about it. A poorly paid border agent would have to flip through your book as there is some order to what page they can stamp on, then stamp it. Too much effort for such low pay. On another note way back in BC times (before COVID) and pre GE card, 30% of the time they would just ask you what you're doing, say lunch at world famous Caesars and they nod you in. It was a drag at ped west when a dozen gringos are trying to fill out the form. I had better luck then as I would walk straight up to the agent and say I'm just going to lunch and would get the nod. I could not pre print the visa as my printer at home has a memory. Plausible deniability my friends. Had a friend busted that way. Wife-where have you been? Husband-the casino. Wife then why this in my printer memory. Fastest thinker on the planet husband. The casino in Tijuana. Genius.

[Cocr Brotheler]

Okay well that's interesting. In all the years I've been walking through the Foreigners' line I've never not had to go to the desk to get my FMM processed (though I only go to Tijuana like 2-3 times a year).

I'm also obviously not Mexican (African-American) but I do use the Nationals' line for re-entry with a stamped FMM for times when I'm back and forth between Tijuana and San Diego and need to re-enter. Have never had a problem getting waved through in that scenario.

I used it last 2 days no issues at all, just like I am MEX citizen.

And if anyone scared of getting caught printing on home printer just got to FEDEX / Kinkos where can pay small amount to use on of their computers then print out there!

[BrotherMouzone]

Just take the time to get a passport card. Easy and on line and it can't be stamped. Prior to my get out of Paradise rapido Global Entry card, for decades I crossed with a passport. I've got stamps from 23 countries but not one is Mexico. They stamp your paper visa going in, not your passport. Think about it. A poorly paid border agent would have to flip through your book as there is some order to what page they can stamp on, then stamp it. Too much effort for such low pay. On another note way back in BC times (before COVID) and pre GE card, 30% of the time they would just ask you what you're doing, say lunch at world famous Caesars and they nod you in. It was a drag at ped west when a dozen gringos are trying to fill out the form. I had better luck then as I would walk straight up to the agent and say I'm just going to lunch and would get the nod. I could not pre print the visa as my printer at home has a memory. Plausible deniability my friends. Had a friend busted that way. Wife-where have you been? Husband-the casino. Wife then why this in my printer memory. Fastest thinker on the planet husband. The casino in Tijuana. Genius.

Well I'm single so I'm not worried about the trail of stamps like some of the married guys or guys with girlfriends here are LOL.

[Dogers69]

Over last 6 years I specifically asked the Mexican border agent not to stamp my passport, both when going in with doing the paper work for the 7 day pass, and when buying the 6 month visitor pass. I always wait to ask, once I see them within 2 seconds of placing the stamp. And they always say, sorry we have to stamp. I simply didn't want my book to run out of room from 60 Mexican stamps. Also, when I obtained my 7 day pass, and left Mexico and returned in two days, I walked in on the Mexican line and when he saw my 7 day pass he was not happy. Made me go get a new 7 day pass again. So I do not think you are supposed to leave Mexico, then return on the Mexican line with it. The good news is, they don't arrest you, or ban you, for this kind of stuff. I was once deported twice in 1 day, at 2 border locations, as they walked me back to USA for not paying 20 dollars to enter without a passport.

[Bunter Hiden]

Are you walking through the Mexican Nationals line or the Foreigners line? I could see if it was the Nationals line as I see them waving pretty much everyone who looks Mexican through for that but I've never seen them wave anyone through for the Foreigners line.

Just take the time to get a passport card. Easy and on line and it can't be stamped. Prior to my get out of Paradise rapido Global Entry card, for decades I crossed with a passport. I've got stamps from 23 countries but not one is Mexico. They stamp your paper visa going in, not your passport. Think about it. A poorly paid border agent would have to flip through your book as there is some order to what page they can stamp on, then stamp it. Too much effort for such low pay. On another note way back in BC times (before COVID) and pre GE card, 30% of the time they would just ask you what you're doing, say lunch at world famous Caesars and they nod you in. It was a drag at ped west when a dozen gringos are trying to fill out the form. I had better luck then as I would walk straight up to the agent and say I'm just going to lunch and would get the nod. I could not pre print the visa as my printer at home has a memory. Plausible deniability my friends. Had a friend busted that way. Wife-where have you been? Husband-the casino. Wife then why this in my printer memory. Fastest thinker on the planet husband. The casino in Tijuana. Genius.

[BrotherMouzone]

I'm talking strictly about the Foreigners' line. I've never tried the line for Mexicans.

And I look less Mexican than Joe Biden.

Okay well that's interesting. In all the years I've been walking through the Foreigners' line I've never not had to go to the desk to get my FMM processed (though I only go to Tijuana like 2-3 times a year).

I'm also obviously not Mexican (African-American) but I do use the Nationals' line for re-entry with a stamped FMM for times when I'm back and forth between Tijuana and San Diego and need to re-enter. Have never had a problem getting waved through in that scenario.

[Jackie888]

Cartel wars starting to heat up again. They are hanging bodies from bridges in Zacatecas. Normally I ignore anything not next to Tijuana. But I got a funny feeling this time because so many cartels are involved. In the Zona Norte, military on foot patrol. Unsure if it is for "presence" or if the cops are getting scared shitless.

[WombatEd2]

Are you walking through the Mexican Nationals line or the Foreigners line? I could see if it was the Nationals line as I see them waving pretty much everyone who looks Mexican through for that but I've never seen them wave anyone through for the Foreigners line.

I'm talking strictly about the Foreigners' line. I've never tried the line for Mexicans.

And I look less Mexican than Joe Biden.

[BrotherMouzone]

In theory, that's true. But in my experience, if you walk in, about a third of the time they wave you through with bothering with the FMM.

And if you're driving, they never even ask for one.

Are you walking through the Mexican Nationals line or the Foreigners line? I could see if it was the Nationals line as I see them waving pretty much everyone who looks Mexican through for that but I've never seen them wave anyone through for the Foreigners line.

[WombatEd2]

As far as I know an FMM is always required when crossing into Mexico.

In theory, that's true. But in my experience, if you walk in, about a third of the time they wave you through with bothering with the FMM.

And if you're driving, they never even ask for one.

[WombatEd2]

Is there a way to enter Mexico and re enter the us without a passport stamp using only a passport? Thanks.

If you don't want your passport stamped, the only sure bet is to drive in. The officials on the drive-in side never stamp you.

[LuvMexicanas]

Flew down to SAN airport, the Buss 922 and Blue line took 1 HR 20 minutes to reach the border. Total expense $2. 5 + $2. 5 ticket to reach there.

Two things: 1) it's the 992 bus and 2) it should cost just $2.50 total with Pronto because transfers are free for two hours. I know $5 total instead of $2. 50 so who cares but $2.50 in pesos will buy you a couple delicious tacos or 3 beers including tip at El Copeo.

[Captain Solo]

Layover on connecting flights up to 29 hours no charge, about $300 RT.

Multiday layovers booked in copair.com I have seen $297. I booked mine for $420.

[DogLife]

Sounds like the mongering gods were shining on you as much as having picked up pointers from the old salts here. Good going.

Thanks Amigo! Hope this streak continues. Had a very dry spell since Señor Covid arrived in the scene.

[Rpatl]

This is very helpful and much appreciated.

I'm no expert on border crossing but as far as I know an FMM is always required when crossing into Mexico. The only times I've ever NOT been given one was twice last year when they made me pay the $30 bribe when I attempted to cross with an expired passport. Those two times were the only times I've ever had to pay a bribe and only times I wasn't given an FMM card (I guess I didn't get one because they weren't supposed to let me in without a valid passport in the first place LOL). The FMM is that small white card with green and red lines on it. If you don't fill the FMM out online they always, to my understanding, give you one and stamp it when you cross the border.

I personally recommend ALWAYS filling the FMM out online and printing it out before your trip. In my experience it seems to reduce the likelihood of hassle / questions / potentially facing a bribe situation as it gives the Mexican customs official a signal that you're not just some nave border crosser. If you don't fill it out online the Mexican customs official is supposed to complete one (during which point they'll likely ask you a couple questions like how many days you're staying and why you're visiting) and stamp it for you. For my FMMs I've ALWAYS put Hotel Caesars on it (which they never actually verify). When the border was "closed" for non-essential travel, I always used the "dentist" excuse and had the name / address of a dentist as well as a fake e-mail I sent to myself confirming a dental appointment ready. Now that the border is no longer closed your reason for visit doesn't matter. You can say casino, bars, tacos, whatever..