GETTING INTO BAJA CALIFORNIA

U.S. and Canadian citizens who visit the immediate border zone or the city of Ensenada can do it without the need to obtain a tourist card, provided the length of the stay does not exceed 72 hours. Simply drive across the border (as almost 180,000 people do each day) For travel beyond Maneadero on the Pacific coast or south of Mexicali on Highway 5, a tourist card is officially required for each individual visitor, regardless of age.

If your are not a Mexican citizen and you intend on staying for more than seven (7) days in any region of Mexico, you are obligated to pay a Non-Immigrant Fee (D.N.I) which costs $210.00 pesos (around $20.00 dollars), payable at any Mexican Bank.

Visitors arriving by land and staying up to 7 (seven) days are exempted from paying this fee, for any additional information please check with the immigration authorities or with the Baja California State Tourism Secretariat. Go to PERMITS to check all the details.

And whether you stay the day, the night or the weekend, you can return to the U.S. just as easily. Only non-U.S. residents must present passports and visas for entry. U.S. citizens need only proof of citizenship, such as a copy of your birth certificate, to re-enter California and even that, is rarely requested.

The main entrance door to the state via air is the International Airport of Tijuana which is served by all Mexican airlines from destinations all over the Country. This airport serves more than 120 flights daily, it has two landing strips with 9 and 12 thousand feet of longitude that cover the needs of private, cargo and commercial flights.

A Private aviation airfield is In San Felipe, a military one in Ensenada and in Mexicali there's a large airport facility that operates 14 flights a day with 3 of the main Mexican Airlines.

AIRPORTS

AIRLINES

Other important ports of entrance to Baja California are the San Diego airports: Lindbergh Field Airport, located just 30 minutes from Tijuana, that serves 14 airlines that operates 250 flights daily to the most important cities of the United States and who also offer several connections with different International destinations. Brown Field Airport, located just 4 minutes from the International border in La Mesa de Otay serves private and cargo flights.

Description of all landing strips and airports in the state:

If you plan to arrive by road to Baja California, you can drive your car or use the different services of buses in the State. Baja California has a farely good road system that connects the main Cities and towns.

If you have the chance to travel by car, don't miss the opportunity to admire the scenic road Tijuana-Rosarito-Ensenada, where you drive for 1 hour approximately and enjoy a fantastic view of the pacific ocean and some very impressive cliffs; the Tijuana-Mexicali route by the Rumorosa offers a unique experience you will never forget.

Driving your car into Mexican territory requires a Temporary Importation Permit for details go to PERMITS to get all the related information.

If you don't want to drive during your visit to Baja California, there are several San Diego tour companies specialized in day trips or longer excursions, Round trips run daily from San Diego to destinations such as Tijuana, Rosarito, Puerto Nuevo and Ensenada and are open to individuals or groups. Here are some contacts that can be helpful:

You can get your Mexico Auto Insurance Online, completly avoiding stopping at the border with Mexbound.com

For more information you can consult the Internation Manual prepared by Mexico's Tourism Secretariat:

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