November 2023 Baja Bulletin

FMMs from Discover Baja

Discover Baja is currently not able to issue any FMMs for stays in Mexico longer than 7 days. You should plan to obtain your 180-day FMM at the border when you are crossing into Mexico where you will complete the form and then make your payment for the FMM. If you will be in Mexico for 7 days or less, we are able to complete the form in advance for you for a fee of $10. Please call us at 800-727-2252 for questions or more information.

Baja 1000 Off-Road Race

The 2023 SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race will take place from Nov. 13-18. This is a very busy time on the peninsula and if you are traveling during these dates, be sure to make hotel reservations in advance. The course is one-way this year, beginning in La Paz and ending in Ensenada. You can visit the course map for more information on the route.

Construction Along Tijuana’s Avenida Internacional

Avenida Internacional, the main freeway for accessing Tijuana’s San Ysidro border crossing, is currently under construction and partial closure as they build an elevated road. One lane of traffic will remain open in each direction as they work. The construction is expected to take six months. If you want to avoid Avenida Internacional all together, you can take Calle Segunda through town to reach the border.

Daylight Savings

A reminder that while the state of Baja California (norte) recently had Daylight Savings time end with the clocks falling back by an hour, the state of Baja California Sur no longer observes Daylight Savings Time and does not change time. The state of Baja California Sur is currently one hour ahead of the state of Baja California (norte).

Mordidas

Holiday season is the time of year that police, other officials, or scam artists in Mexico will sometimes try to elicit bribes or mordidas from tourists. This may come in the form of a police officer pulling you over for a traffic violation, another vehicle involving you in an accident, or being asked for money at a routine military inspection stop. Please remember that it is illegal to bribe a police officer or Mexican official. If you are involved in an accident, the best thing to do is to call the number on your insurance policy and an adjuster will come to the scene of the accident. You can also call the toll-free Baja California Tourism assistance hotline 078 where they have bilingual operators who can help you. If you are pulled over by the police, you can always request to follow the police officer to the station. In the state of Baja California (norte), you can show them the document HERE and request a written citation.

Military Checkpoints

We’ve been hearing reports of members having some issues at the military checkpoint north of San Ignacio. Please remember to stay vigilant (while being polite) at checkpoints. If they ask to inspect your vehicle or belongings, you should get out of the vehicle to stand next to them as they do the inspection so that you can keep a close eye on your belongings. Usually letting them know you are on “vacaciones” (vacation) will help you get on your way. If they ask you for a “donation,” you can do what our member David did and hand them $1 and ask for a receipt. David was quickly back on the road with his dollar back in hand.