Traveling to Mexico - and why we love it!
The team of California Motorsport Adventours has been traveling Mexico and mostly Baja California for more than 10 years. Not even one single incident made us reluctant in going there. On the contrary! The hospitality and friendliness of the people and the beauty of the country fascinates us and doesn't let us rest. One must love Baja with its endless trails, remote beaches and untouched landscape.
US citizens need a passport or a birth certificate to cross the border into and out of Mexico. Non US citizens have to bring their passports and Visas for reentry in the USA.
Don't worry about the food. Our guides will take you to places where we have taken 100s of clients before - we have not had any complaints of unpleasant consequences in all those years. The Lobster is simply delicious. We will provide you with bottled water during the trip and you are welcome to bring any special beverages along in our cooler.Make it a family vacation. Don't worry about going to Mexico. It is a wonderful country and you will not find a better riding area only 60 minutes from San Diego.
They say Mexico is dangerous
New York reported 801 killings in 2007. (2500 annually in the 90's)
Las Vegas reported 145 killings in 2008.
Is it safe to go to New York City or Las Vegas?
We think so.
According to these number we we think it is safer to go to Mexico then to Vegas!
If not safer.
Just to put all the New's coverage in prospective.
It's just easier for the News to talk about other cities' or countries problems versus their own. We guess.
Stories about getting arrested into Mexico
Most stories are true.
I myself heard a story like this with 2 of my friends. They got arrested, but they both don’t remember that part, only the waking up in jail part. I wonder if it was the cerveza and tequila or the bad Mexico Police.
In a total of 15 years of driving an estimated 100, 000 miles in Mexico, that is the only story I can tell you about.
Police
Mexican Police.
Respect them. They are the official law enforcement. No matter if you make 10 times the money they do, and you might think that your nationality is supperior to theirs, you are wrong and are a guest in their country. So act that way...with RESPECT.
At times the Police like to fix little problems on the spot. The offical way is to follow them to the Police station to receive your citation and pay it at the bank of cashier in at the station. I suggest not to pay any fine on the side of the road. Which has happend at times.
Military guys with machine guns
There are some military check points on the drive from Tijuana via Rosarito to Ensenda.
They are set-up on the side of the road and conduct random vehicle searches.
So I suggest you LEAVE YOUR GUN'S AND DRUGS AT HOME. So you will have again nothing to worry about.
Federales
Federales are a special Police force that is employed directly from the capital of Mexico City (the biggest city in the world).
They drive black / white cars, don’t mess with them. They are the real deal. ...like Sheriffs or SHP.
Usually Federales are very well educated and friendly. They are always willing to help.
No Passport / Visa required!
If you are a US citizen, you are only required to have a birth certificate or a passport to re-enter the US.
You will not need a visa if you go no further than 40 miles south of the USA border, or stay under 3 days in Mexico.If you have a passport, take it.
If you are not a US citizenn than you must have a passport with a I-94 card to re-enter the USA. If you stay more than 3 days in Mexico, or travel further south than Ensenada, you must get a Mexican Tourist Visa for about US$ 20.00 at the border or in Ensenada as you enter the town.