Baja Mexico next week

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TexasDavid

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Decatur, Wise County, Texas, United States
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David
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Isham
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I’m crossing into Baja Mexico on the 28th of this month in my 2020 JLU diesel Rubicon with at least one other Jeep JLU. I’d love to to hear any advice you guys would have regarding border crossings, security checkpoints, prohibited items, needed documents, insurance as well as mentions of your favorite “can’t miss” campsites, restaurants, excursions, towns, etc.
Thanks in advance!
David from Texas
 
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MMc

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Let's start with paper work. Bring your Passport you can't get the FMM without one. FMM is required, as you cross the boarder there will be an immigration office before you get checked. Pull over, fill out the paper and pay $32.00, you are legal. do can do it on line but you still need to stop and get stamped.
Insurance go to Baja Bound on line, a one year is about the same as 2 weeks if you buy the day.
Many are taking Mexicali crossing south to 5 south, it's fast and boring. I prefer Hwy 1, much prettier and cooler. slower because of the curves.
Check points are there just stop and let them do their thing, I keep a back pack with all my important stuff and flash lights (they like flash lights). I travel solo and don't open the back with out closing the front.
DO NOT TAKE AMMO OR FIREARMS! if you shoot and have a round in the rig will cost you big time.
Check out Bahia Asuncion and just north is San Roque. Las Animas is also very cool, San Quintin is also overlooked, go to the outside bay, you can stay a oyster house or a restaurant, drive the sand dunes to the north. These places are not on the "trade route".
Face book groups to check out. Let's talk Baja and Baja Overlanding.
 

TexasDavid

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Decatur, Wise County, Texas, United States
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David
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Isham
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28682

MMc
Great advice. I was wondering how the FMN worked and exactly where to get it. Are you saying to keep a backpack with you of basic important things if you have to get out and open the back? I’ll check out your recommendations and the FB sites. Thanks for taking time to answer!
 

oneleglance

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Phoenix, AZ, USA
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I’m crossing into Baja Mexico on the 28th of this month in my 2020 JLU diesel Rubicon with at least one other Jeep JLU. I’d love to to hear any advice you guys would have regarding border crossings, security checkpoints, prohibited items, needed documents, insurance as well as mentions of your favorite “can’t miss” campsites, restaurants, excursions, towns, etc.
Thanks in advance!
David from Texas
Howdy David,
Well since you are from Texas there are a few crossings into "Baja" that work well, but I would stick with either Tecate (I will be using that one on the 28th, look for a red 4wd transit) or Mexicali.
You will drive across into Mexico and may or may not get flagged for search. If not then lean out and ask "Immigration" (word is almost the same in spanish).
The folks will tell you to pull around somewhere and park then walk to get your FMM, there is a fee as was stated and ask for 180 days (regardless of your actual time in Baja, you will want to come back).

Not sure your plan or timeframe but the NORRA Mexican 1000 kicks off Fri the 29th in Ensenada with Tech and a big show and the race starts Sunday going south on highway 1. Really worth checking out.
Sunday night it stops in San Felipe and Monday in Bahia de Los Angeles (Bay of LA or BOLA on the web).
Lots of good info on border crossing, insurance and the route if you want to watch vintage and modern rigs.

Great beach camping as you go south of Ensenada on the West or San Felipe on the East.
Tacos, friendly people and go Baja slow to enjoy it all.