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Crossing the border from the US (New Mexico) to Mexico: If you are entering Mexico from Columbus, New Mexico to Palomas, Chihuahua for a short period of time, and are going no further into Mexico, you need no paper work. It is always a good idea to have a passport or a driver’s license, for emergencies, but if you are going no further than Palomas that is all you need. You may leave your vehicle on the US side of the border and walk across or you can drive your vehicle across. Either way, when the folks at the Mexican side of the border ask you "Where are you going?" your reply should be, "I am going to Palomas, no further… for lunch, or shopping, or glasses, or prescriptions," or whatever it is that you are going to do. You will be waved through by the Mexican authorities (unless you are driving a vehicle that looks like it is full of stuff that you might be selling in Mexico – then they might want to take a look). You will most likely be inspected and sniffed by the US Customs on your return to the US side of the border. If you intend to head south from Palomas and spend time in the Mexican State of Chihuahua (or further) then the most important thing is to have all of your paperwork in order before you get to the border. At Palomas you will be required to obtain a Mexican Tourist Visa. You must have and show a passport, or birth certificate, or valid American voter registration card in order to receive a Mexican Tourist Visa. Visas may be obtained for a few days or for a period of up to six months – just let the customs officials (Aduanas) know how long you intend to stay. If you intend to stay for only a few days but may return to Mexico again before six months is up, ask for a six-month visa and you will not have to go through this process again when you return – you can just cross the border and keep going. If you plan to take your vehicle into the Mexican interior (beyond Palomas) then further papers and paperwork are required. The person taking the vehicle into Mexico must own the vehicle. You can not take a vehicle into Mexico that is registered in someone else’s name. If you are planning on taking a rented vehicle, you must make arrangements when you rent the vehicle. To obtain a vehicle permit you will need a certificate of title (original). If you have a lien on the vehicle you will also need a statement from the bank or lienholder. You will need a major credit card. You should also have Mexican insurance to cover you in Mexico. Although Mexican insurance is not required by the Aduanas (Mexican Customs) for a vehicle permit, it is a good idea to have it. You can get Mexican insurance in Deming, NM at the Pollard Ins. Agency (800) 371-2754 for about $15/day, depending on the make and age of the vehicle. You can also get insurance for the northern half of Mexico, in one day (using fax and credit card) from Lewis & Lewis, 8929 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 220, Beverly Hills, Ca 90211 Phone: 800-966-6830 Fax: 310-652-5849 for about $75/year. For either one you will need your vehicle registration and certificate of American insurance. You should, if you can, bring two photocopies of all of these documents. The Mexican authorities will need copies. If you don’t bring copies, they will send you around the corner where you will pay a friend of theirs about $1/copy. You will also need copies of your tourist visa to obtain your vehicle permit. Since your tourist visa will be issued to you just before you apply for your vehicle permit – you will need to make copies of your tourist visa, around the corner, in Mexico. To save time, if you have brought copies of all your other papers, make copies of your tourist visa before you apply for your vehicle permit. Money: Most merchants within 200 miles of the border will accept US money. You should know what the exchange rate is and it is a good idea to bring a calculator so you know what you are exchanging. The exchange rate may change from day to day, so it is good to be aware. You can find out the legal rate at any bank or in any newspaper. |
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