Snowbird 101: Entering Mexico

Basic things you need to know about driving into Mexico.

Bring your passport, proof of vehicle/RV ownership and a valid Mexican auto/RV insurance policy.  If you are bringing a dog, bring as a minimum, proof of rabies vaccination. (Cats...well that is another story.)  

Don't bring guns or ammunition without a permit.

I borrowed some of these slides from my Traveling in Baja presentation from 2017.  First the peso exchange rate as of 6/14/2018 is 20.85 pesos to the dollar.  Dollars are accepted all over Baja and Sonora but beware when paying in dollars you may not get a competitive exchange rate.  I try to buy pesos or withdraw cash in pesos from ATMs whenever possible.

Two paper work issues you need to be aware of Tourist Visas (Mexican acronym FMM) and Vehicle Importation Permits.  An FMM costs 500 persos ($24) and is valid for 180 days.

Tourist Visa:If you are driving into Baja and will be more than 75 miles below the border, or in Mexico for more than 7 days, you need one FMM per person.  The FMM can be purchased at the border in Baja or ordered on-line.  If flying into either Baja or Sonora, your airline will handle the FMM for you.

If you are driving into Sonora and will be in the "No Hassle" zone (see map below) you don't need an FMM.  If you proceed beyond the No Hassle zone there is a checkpoint at Empalme, below Guyamas where you be required to obtain the FMM.

Vehicle Import permit: Not required in Baja.  In Sonora, you must stop at the checkpoint 20 Km below Nogales and register for a free Vehicle Import permit.  If you travel a route that bypasses the Nogales checkpoint, you will be required to stop at Empalme, to obtain proper Vehicle and Tourist Permits.  

We traveled within the Sonoran No Hassle zone without either an FMM or a Vehicle Import permit.  We had no contact with the Police, Federales or local, and thus had no clue what would have happened if we didn't produce the free Vehicle Import permit. 

Mexico uses International highway symbols.

Military Checkpoints are common in Baja (about every 150 miles) and can be quite intrusive.  Armed military personnel may ask to inspect the interior of your RV, to the point of opening/probing inside of every cabinet.  Sonora has fewer checkpoints.  Expect one on the outskirts of San Luis Rio Colorado on Highway 2 (with corresponding traffic back-up/delays). 

Drive appropriate to the road conditions at all times.

The worst thing about driving in Mexico.  On minor roadways, there are very narrow lanes, no shoulders and frequently dangerous/deadly drop-offs on eroding road edges.  Be aware: slow down to a speed appropriate to the roadway.  Narrow lanes, lack of shoulder, steep drop-offs are a major cause of accidents and vehicle or RV damage.

Be aware of seasonal creek crossings VADOs and speed bumps TOPEs.  I didn't see too many topes in Sonora, but there were three sets of them in Nuevo Kino.  One almost cost me my front suspension leaving NK, so pay particular attention anytime entering or leaving a small town/village.

Be familiar with special conditions within the "no hassle" zone and know you will have additional visa and vehicle paperwork requirements to keep legal once you proceed south of the NH zone.   Know your route ahead of time if possible.  Gathering current road condition information once on the road in Mexico is not always possible.