Our drive in to Mexico was posted here last week so this post will be mostly pics.
Whether you are crossing from Nogales, Mex to Nogales, Arizona by car or RV, the lanes are well marked and there is new signage up everywhere in both Spanish and English. It's very clear that cars, small trucks and RV's stay left and cargo trucks or semis cross in the right hand lanes.
The word 'estacionamiento' means parking in Spanish, which explains the big letter E with a red line through it - NO PARKING!
There were four border lanes open for cars/RV's but there were quite a few folks ahead of us so it took almost an hour to inch our car up to the US immigration officers. The guy was nice and asked us 5 or 6 questions and then we were on our way. Don't know about your experiences with immigration officers but the American ones have always been more polite to me than Canadian ones.
After crossing back into Arizona, there was another check point within a half hours drive.
This one was set up by US Border Patrol guards and it was a lot quicker. Not sure if they were checking for drugs or illegals but they took one look at our Canadian license plate and basically waved us through.
Although we did slow down long enough to point out this sign to Shelbert.
Yes, my little four legged friend, some dogs really do have to earn their kibble.
Roughly three hours after this check point we hit the outskirts of Tucson and were ready to pick up JohnnyDisco from the RV dealership.
Quick money stats about the round trip to San Carlos:
- Gas: $60 CAD, included touring around San Carlos and Guaymas
- Mexico highway tolls: $22 CAD, round trip
- Food/booze/snacks: we spent $150 for food at the Walmart in Guaymas and then a few quick trips to the local market for fresh veggies. The Walmart bill included a kitchen knife, a can opener, some Corelle dishes, 3 dish towels, 2 dish cloths, liquid dish soap, salt and a few things I'm forgetting. Without these items the groceries would have cost less than $100 and the bill did include expensive items like meat, cheese and pistachios (and if course, BEER :)
*One more thing to mention: Before we crossed the border, we did stop at the Mexican immigration building where you get your tourist card and we returned ours. Not sure if this was necessary and I've never returned my tourist visa during past trips, but since the process has changed this year we decided to stop and return them. The building is right across the highway from where you need to return your car permit, so it's not a big deal to return your tourist card as well.
How did JohnnyDisco's check up go?
Posted by: Don | January 18, 2011 at 10:36 AM
JohnnyDisco is in excellent health, Mr P ... and the RV guys were able to wire the furnaces properly so now we actually have heat if we need it. YAY!!!
Posted by: kelsi | January 18, 2011 at 06:58 PM
The Frontera just switched to a computer system that actually talks to each other so turning in visas and vehicle permits is necessary. Otherwise they will assume you did not leave Mexico and you will have problems next time you apply.
Glad you had fun in San Carlos, or as we call it, "Mexico Lite". You should think about taking Johnny Disco down for an extended trip sometime. We have spent the last three winters RVing throughout Mexico ans have never had a problem.
Posted by: Croft | January 19, 2011 at 08:02 AM
Ah; but Shelbert knows she can't work in the USA without a green card, so she is fine until you get back to Canada. lol
Posted by: Brenda | January 19, 2011 at 09:03 AM
Hola Croft - thanks for the update on the computer system. Turning in your vehicle permit was always important but the tourist card seemed up in the air until they changed the form this year. Good to know there's a new tracking system in place.
I've actually been travelling to Mexico for the past 15 years, since age 25. Most of those trips were alone (cruising across the country in various broken down rental cars) and I've never had a problem either. I've been as far east as Isla Mujeres, down south to Huatulco, and have traveled the Baja numerous times. My fave areas are Zihuatanejo, Lo de Marcos and Todos Santos, but there are pros and cons for every spot. Since 2007, My Fella and I have been driving down to Mexico from Canada but this year our RV is new - we didn't feel comfortable taking it to Mexico. Next year is a different story and I can't wait!
I wasn't keen on San Carlos when we first went there a few years ago, but it's grown on me. It's only a 5 hour highway drive from Tucson, the scenery is gorgeous, the weather is darn near perfect and Guaymas is only 20 minutes away. Can't ask for more than that :)
Sounds like you have done your share of Mexico traveling as well. Do you speak Spanish?
Posted by: kelsi | January 19, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Brenda - FINE! Take her side :)
Shelbert says thank you for backing her up.
Posted by: kelsi | January 19, 2011 at 10:12 AM
We speak enough Spanish to get by and learn more every year. We live on the water in Campbell River, BC so we tend to stay in the inland locations in Mexico, however we do like Isla!
Otherwise our favorite places are San Miguel de Allende, Merida, Guanajuato, Cuernavaca and Chetumal.
We are staying in the USA as well and are near New Orleans right now. Our pipes froze last night and I am really missing Mexico!
Maybe we will meet down there some time.
Posted by: Croft | January 22, 2011 at 07:59 AM
Croft - Our pipes haven't frozen yet (in southern Arizona) and we're crossing our fingers that the coldest weather is over. Why didn't you head down to Mexico this year? Just needed a change?
We'll definitely be traveling back to Mexico next year - maybe we'll cross paths.
Posted by: kelsi | January 22, 2011 at 03:10 PM
In the last 3 years we have pretty much covered all of Mexico and found ourselves back in the same spots every year so we did need a change. We have never been east of Texas and I have an aunt in FL who I have met only once in my life.
The cartels have always been there and have never bothered us. We cross early and do not linger at the border, stay away from large cities and are "home" by 9 or 10 at the latest. We don't hang out in bars or in obvious drug areas. We have never had a problem and with the exception of one friend who was held up but uninjured, we have never heard first hand from anyone who has had a problem.
We are not very happy with the SE USA weather this year and will be back in MX next year.
Posted by: Croft | January 23, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Not sure about the night time lows in Louisiana, but it got down to +4C here in southern Arizona last night.
Mexico is starting to scream my name. We'll see you there next year :)
Posted by: kelsi | January 24, 2011 at 06:38 AM