Crossing the Mexican Border
Nobody checked our identification or even asked us a question
when we were crossing the Mexican Border, in the winter of 2004.
We learned that if you stay within 15 miles of the border town
where you enter, you don't need a visa (except the kind that
pays for the margaritas). We were going from Nogales, Arizona,
to Nogales, Mexico, because my wife Ana had never been to Mexico.
Lunch and a drink or two was the plan.
We parked the car in a lot, a block or two from the border,
and paid the parking fee for the day. As I said, there were no
questions or searches or even anybody to say "welcome"
as we were crossing the Mexican border. We headed to the center
of town, with all the other tourists, and began to wander around.
Street Vendors
As we walked the streets, vendors called out to us continually,
selling everything from Viagra to miniature guitars. They didn't
know we are so cheap that at home we cut our napkins in half
to make two, and shopping was below toilet cleaning on our list
of things we like to do. Then again, maybe they knew more than
us, since we did break down and buy a little cactus carved
from ironwood. Then a six-year-old little girl sold me a bobbly-headed
turtle for a dollar. We were out of control, even before the
margaritas.
Margaritas and Mariachis
In a second-story restaurant overlooking the street, we had
a delicious lunch, with fresh salsa, and more than one margarita.
We negotiated with the mariachis (always set a price first) and
had them sing for us at the table. Then, our frugality in tatters
from the margaritas, we risked another wandering tour of the
town.
Sitting On George Bush
An animal yelled at us just like the vendors. It was the second
time we came across the donkey named George Bush. His owner was
persistent, and our resistance was low, so we finally paid the
$5 to have our photo taken sitting on the president, wearing
colorful ponchos and hats. At least we talked the owner into
taking a couple more pictures with our own camera for free.
Returning To The United States
Having margarita-breath seems to be an "express pass"
through customs, as we had no trouble crossing the border back
into the U.S. They didn't search us or question the miniature
guitar sticking out of my backpack. It took a minute for my wife,
who at the time had only conditional residency and an Ecuadorian
Passport, but I was more or less waved through with a glance
at my drivers license.
Crossing The Mexican Border At Nogales
Nogales is a compact tourist town. You can park behind McDonalds
on the U.S. side for $4 for the day, walk across, and walk everywhere
you want to go. Be sure to negotiate the price for the songs
with the mariachis in advance (they don't work for the restaurants
they play in). Returning to the U.S. you'll need to have your
driver's license or passport.
More Border Crossing information
Crossing the Mexican border at any of the checkpoints is relatively
simple. As long as you stay near the border town where you entered,
you don't need a travel visa. You also don't need a passport,
but be sure to have photo identification for the return to the
United States.
If you are going to drive into Mexico, you have to get Mexican
auto insurance before you enter the country. This isn't difficult
to do, as you will see places advertising such insurance as soon
as you are near the border. Consider not bringing your car if
you are just visiting for the day. It is much more relaxing to
walk and use taxis. Many of the border towns are compact enough
to make this practical.
For information on crossing the border at Tijuana, use the
link here to go to Tijuana.com.
For information on waiting times and delays getting into Mexico
at various points, you can visit the U.S. customs Border Wait Times Page.
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