Would you go to Mexico without a US passport?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

spp

Golden Member
Jul 9, 2001
1,513
0
76
Originally posted by: geckojohn
When are you going to Rosarito? Are you going for New Years?


yea it's for new years.


If you speak perfect English, I wouldn't worry about it.
I'm assuming you are crossing from San Diego.
I'm Asian and I've entered Mexico from SD at least 15 times.


yup we're crossing from san diego.


Thanks for all the help people. I've decided to give it a shot (disregarding my parents' protest).
 

KillerCharlie

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2005
3,691
68
91
If you're just staying near the border to look around, there's not really a need for one right now. Just enter the one-way gates to get into Mexico. Going back into the US, all they really do is look at you to see if you're white.
 

Genesys

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2003
1,536
0
0
You can go to Mexico without a passport, but you wont be able to re-enter the US without one.

New law goes into effect on 01 Jan 2007
 

CTrain

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
4,940
0
0
Originally posted by: Genesys
You can go to Mexico without a passport, but you wont be able to re-enter the US without one.

New law goes into effect on 01 Jan 2007

WRONG !!
Its Jan 1 2008.
 

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
17,571
8
0
A few years ago, yeah, I probably would have. Today, I don't think I would go to Canada or Mexico without a passport.
 

spp

Golden Member
Jul 9, 2001
1,513
0
76
It's 2008 for land travel but 2007 for air.

Well I came back in one piece. The custom asked if we were citizens, and if we bought anything. Yes and no and we were through. The guy didn't even look at my DL.
 

scott916

Platinum Member
Mar 2, 2005
2,906
0
71
How was Rosarito on new years? Iggy's and Papas and Beer are always nuts...
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Late to the thread, but I'm going to Puerto Vallarta in a week and will be taking my passport. Of course, I'm flying.
 

uberman

Golden Member
Sep 15, 2006
1,942
1
81
I would have reccomended blowing off Rosarita Beach and going straight to Ensenada. The farther from the border the better. Anyhow, that's just my opinion.

If you did go to Ensenada, did you go to Hussongs? I usually use the price of a beer at Hussongs bar to gauge whether it makes sense to go there? If beers are a buck it's good. Over one dollar, it's better to go at another time.

I stay at a clean hotel in Ensenada for $5.00 US a night. It's always been between $3.00 and $6.00. They have the best fish market in Ensenada that I've seen anywhere in Mexico.
 

archiloco

Golden Member
Dec 10, 2004
1,826
0
71
Originally posted by: CTrain
Originally posted by: Genesys
You can go to Mexico without a passport, but you wont be able to re-enter the US without one.

New law goes into effect on 01 Jan 2007

WRONG !!
Its Jan 1 2008.

WRONG

by air only by land it's Jan 23 2007
 

nutxo

Diamond Member
May 20, 2001
6,834
515
126
Originally posted by: uberman
Originally posted by: Aimster
I wouldnt go to a third world country that has corrupt cops

I'm just happy that I live in the USA, where I know that all cops are honest and have integrity beyond reproach. And of course the same goes for any politician, whether they are in office or not, and whether they've stepped down from their position or have been removed for reasons that are not entirely clear.

Mexican police make the police here look like saints.
 

Poulsonator

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2002
1,597
0
76
Originally posted by: Aimster
I wouldnt go to a third world country that has corrupt cops

Considering Mexico isn't a third world country, you wouldn't have to worry about it there.
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,392
1,780
126
Well....if I were going to Mexico, it would be Cancun or somewhere. I would definitely take a Passport because the US Embassy is located in Mexico City and that's a bus ride I wouldn't want to take.
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,392
1,780
126
Originally posted by: Poulsonator
Originally posted by: Aimster
I wouldnt go to a third world country that has corrupt cops

Considering Mexico isn't a third world country, you wouldn't have to worry about it there.
I hope you're joking. Unless you speak spanish and aren't white, you'd be treated badly would be lucky if they let you keep the clothes on your back. The only way you'd get proper treatment from them is if you pay them off up front or are famous enough that they recognize which whitey you are.

 

uberman

Golden Member
Sep 15, 2006
1,942
1
81
Cancun really isn't Mexico, it's an amusement park for foreign tourists with prices 500% higher and more than the rest of Mexico. It lacks real cultural attractions.

Around New Years I was drinking at the Sheraton in Puerto Vallarta. I was asking some people if they've been to the market in town. They replied, "No, we don't go into town, there are too many Mexicans." Why are these people even in Mexico? They would enjoy Cancun.
 

JW310

Golden Member
Oct 30, 1999
1,582
0
0

Poulsonator

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2002
1,597
0
76
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Originally posted by: Poulsonator
Originally posted by: Aimster
I wouldnt go to a third world country that has corrupt cops

Considering Mexico isn't a third world country, you wouldn't have to worry about it there.
I hope you're joking. Unless you speak spanish and aren't white, you'd be treated badly would be lucky if they let you keep the clothes on your back. The only way you'd get proper treatment from them is if you pay them off up front or are famous enough that they recognize which whitey you are.

You've obviously never been to Mexico. If you'd actually turn off the TV and actually leave the house, maybe you'd see for yourself.

I love how Mexico is infamous for corruption, but you can't turn on the news without seeing news about corruption in America.
 

HN

Diamond Member
Jan 19, 2001
8,186
4
0
Originally posted by: archiloco
Originally posted by: CTrain
Originally posted by: Genesys
You can go to Mexico without a passport, but you wont be able to re-enter the US without one.

New law goes into effect on 01 Jan 2007

WRONG !!
Its Jan 1 2008.

WRONG

by air only by land it's Jan 23 2007

this is still a little off.

for future reference:
http://www.expedia.com/daily/service/visa.asp

* As of January 23, 2007, passports will be required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States via air, to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean (with the exception of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and Bermuda.


* As of January 1, 2008, passports will be required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States via land and sea, as well as air, regardless of destination.
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: Poulsonator
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Originally posted by: Poulsonator
Originally posted by: Aimster
I wouldnt go to a third world country that has corrupt cops

Considering Mexico isn't a third world country, you wouldn't have to worry about it there.
I hope you're joking. Unless you speak spanish and aren't white, you'd be treated badly would be lucky if they let you keep the clothes on your back. The only way you'd get proper treatment from them is if you pay them off up front or are famous enough that they recognize which whitey you are.

You've obviously never been to Mexico. If you'd actually turn off the TV and actually leave the house, maybe you'd see for yourself.

I love how Mexico is infamous for corruption, but you can't turn on the news without seeing news about corruption in America.

Obviously you've never been either. Scarpozzi and I both have, however, and posted pictures on this forum. I travel to Latin America regularly, but I haven't been to Mexico in over a year. I definitely don't agree that Mexico is third world, but I do agree that it is massively corrupt and lacks regulation.

Let's not sugarcoat it. Mexico has a security problem due to drug trafficking and narcoterrorists, and has a major problem with corruption and regulation of business and the environment. Mexico also has porous borders, and they just now have had true democracy in the past decade or so.

Mexico also has an increasing crime problem that is born out of the inequality between the rich and the poor. Much like Colombia, there are many gringos that get robbed or kidnapped because of the color of their skin, or the fact that they speak English.

Now, the *chances* of being a victim are still low, but the threat is very will. That being said, I love Mexico. Great culture, great food, and a great history. If you stay marginally cautious and speak some Spanish you'll never have a problem. Otherwise, just use your brain and be a bit more cautious.

 

dainthomas

Lifer
Dec 7, 2004
14,958
3,948
136
Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
If you're just staying near the border to look around, there's not really a need for one right now. Just enter the one-way gates to get into Mexico. Going back into the US, all they really do is look at you to see if you're white.

OMFGRACIALPROFILINGAAAAAGH!!!111!1111!! :shocked::|