Baja and Mexico Information for MAG 7 Racers

• Do not bring or use firearms or narcotics into Baja California.  
• Don't let someone else drive your car into Mexico (It may be seized by Mexican authorities.)
• Do not let someone else drive your car in Mexico unless they are listed on the Mexican insurance policy and have a valid drivers license.
• Don't drink and drive and always wear your seatbelt.  
• Obey all road signs and traffic laws.  Do not run yellow lights.
• Do not leave valuables visible in your parked vehicle.
• Do not leave your race vehicle, motorcycle, or quad unattended at hotels or restaurants.
• If possible, bring your bike into your hotel room at night.
• Always carry a valid I.D. A passport is required to re-enter the USA after Jan 1, 2008. 
• No policeman is authorized to accept money.  
• Traffic fines must be paid at the nearest Police Station or by mailing a check or money order, payable to H. Ayuntamantiento Tijuana, 426 W. San  Ysidro Blvd., Suite L, No. 725, San Ysidro, CA 92143.  
• Do not drink tap water.  Do not drink coffee unless you know pure water was used to make it.  
• Minors entering the Mexico without both parents should have a notarized letter of consent signed by both parents. 
• If you bring a pet back into the USA, you should have its vaccination records with you.  US Customs may quarantine an animal.
• On your trip through Baja California highways, you will find military check points. They are for your own safety.  
• It is strongly recommended that during your visit to Baja California you purchase a full coverage insurance policy that includes the bail. In case you are involved in an accident, call the insurance company and wait for its representative. Carry the policy with you so you have it if your vehicle is stolen.  
• You do not need to pay any temporary importation fee for your car while visiting  Baja California.  
• Remember that the laws in Baja California and Mexico are applied both to nationals as well as foreigners. Do not forget to respect them.
• Information from Baja California Tourists Assistance Guide
• More information can be found at Secretary of Tourism Baja California

Listed below are contact numbers for each area specified.

Mexican auto insurance is extremely important for anyone traveling into Mexico. Our sponsor BajaBound.com offers highly competitive rates, quality insurance carriers, and an extremely easy on-line application. By purchasing your insurance through BajaBound.com, you can also print your policy immediately and avoid any delay at the border. Best of all, as a MAG 7 sponsor, BajaBound.com makes a sponsorship contribution to MAG 7 that helps keep the cost of our pit services low for our participating race teams. Please apply by clicking on the BajaBound.com links here or on logo below!

Our disclaimer:   We are not lawyers.  The information presented here is a courtesy of the MAG 7 Brotherhood, and is a compilation of information from seasoned Baja travelers and internet resources.

As always, use your head, and obey the Mexican laws.

Driving Baja. By far, this will be the most dangerous thing you will do in Baja. Take it slow. Be alert. Go VERY slow around blind corners. Do not drive at night.

The roads are very narrow. If you drop a wheel off the edge, stay in control. Unless you are in immanent danger, try to stop the vehicle before going back on the road. Many bad accidents happen because people try to get back on the highway, and then roll the vehicle when doing so. Better to buy a new radiator than a new car.

Also, if you are pulling a trailer, go extra slow. Don't let the trailer pull you off the road if it drops a wheel into a wash-out or off the edge of a ravine. A light vehicle pulling a heavy trailer can be a disaster if the trailer gets off the road.

If the vehicle in front of you puts on a left turn signal on the highway, he may be indicating that it is OK to pass. It is a Mexican custom not seen in the USA. Or... he may be making a left turn. Be careful.

A Tourist Card is required to travel south of Guerro Negro. This info was found on the WEB regarding Visas in Mexico:

When entering in Tijuana with an RV:

Just drive in, stay in right (Something to Declare Lane), park in covered area, tell officers that you need tourist cards and nothing to declare, and may you please park there... walk to the offices facing the parking area, go into room labled INM. Ask for 6 month tourist card (unless you are staying a week or less then it's free), take forms to bank teller pay ~$20 ea. It's almost next door, go back to INM for final stamp... You are on your way! Southbound, Tijuana crossing is faster than driving all the way to Tecate! The only advantage to a Tecate detour was shorter waits northbound, but that is no longer the case, IMO.

Another version…

Visitors entering Mexico at the Tijuana border can obtain the Tourist Card and pay the Visitor's Fee at the border. When driving into Mexico from US Highway 5 visitors should stay in the very far right lane and enter the covered area under the sign that says "Declaration Lane". Once inside this covered area park in the parking spaces on the left side. The small Immigration Office and bank window are along the west side of this area. After obtaining the Tourist Card at the Immigration Office fill it out, get it signed by the Immigration official at the desk, and then walk next door to the bank window. After paying the fee bring the stamped receipt back to the Immigration official for a final stamp and signature. In the process of departing this parking are you will have to press the "Stop / Go" button at the Customs booth. After leaving Customs merge back into traffic and carefully follow the green and white road signs to "Rosarito / Ensenada / Scenic Road" if you are traveling south of Tijuana. Now go have some fun!

In Ensenada,

You can get a Tourist Card at the Tourist Center. The tourist office is near the bay on Teniente Azueta. It opens at 8:00 am. After you apply there, they will send you to a bank to pay. There is one inside the office that should be open, and another one 3 blocks away. As you enter Ensenada along the water front, Teniente Azueta is the first stop light. Turn right, and the tourist building is the second building on your right.