Would you go to Mexico without a US passport?

[archiloco]

Originally posted by: JW310

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

WRONG

By air it's January 23, 2007

By land/sea it's January 1, 2008

(From http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html )

well it's weird, i was in Mexico yesterday and did not need passport to get back to the US. port of entry Gateway Bridge, Brownsville TX

 

[phantom309]

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.

That's because corruption is so universal in Mexico that the news doesn't bother reporting it.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: archiloco

Originally posted by: JW310

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

WRONG

By air it's January 23, 2007

By land/sea it's January 1, 2008

(From http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html )

well it's weird, i was in Mexico yesterday and did not need passport to get back to the US. port of entry Gateway Bridge, Brownsville TX

Why would you? It is neither Jan 1st 2008 or the 23rd of 2007.

 

[archiloco]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: archiloco

Originally posted by: JW310

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

WRONG

By air it's January 23, 2007

By land/sea it's January 1, 2008

(From http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html )

well it's weird, i was in Mexico yesterday and did not need passport to get back to the US. port of entry Gateway Bridge, Brownsville TX

Why would you? It is neither Jan 1st 2008 or the 23rd of 2007.

GOT confused with the years ....sorry

 

[uberman]

The corruption with the police regarding bribes is part of Mexico's culture. Cop's are poorly paid so "mortida," the bite, is accepted. They tried to ban it once in Mexico City, but it didn't work.

I think I read that in "Distant Neighbors" by Alan Riding, a great book on the history and culture of Mexico.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: uberman
The corruption with the police regarding bribes is part of Mexico's culture. Cop's are poorly paid so "mortida," the bite, is accepted. They tried to ban it once in Mexico City, but it didn't work.

I think I read that in "Distant Neighbors" by Alan Riding, a great book on the history and culture of Mexico.

The most common thing is for them to ask you to buy them a "refresco" which is a soda. However, you "pay" a bit more for a soda for a cop down there.

I've had zero experience with the police down there or in other parts of Latin America. I speak enough Spanish so that they won't/can't take advantage of me. Typically I'm there with a native or someone I know, so I let them know that if they stop me. They are way less likely to hassle someone who looks like they know what they are doing or has contacts there. They are looking for silly gringos walking around with a camera around their neck.

I never had the cops mess with me even when driving like a nut in Mexico. I rented a convertible Mercedes there, and they would only grin when I blew past them. I did, however, see them roughing up a fratboy one night in Cancun. He was drunk, wouldn't leave a club, and then tried to get arrogant and belitting with him. They just started kicking him on the ground.

 

[uberman]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: uberman
The corruption with the police regarding bribes is part of Mexico's culture. Cop's are poorly paid so "mortida," the bite, is accepted. They tried to ban it once in Mexico City, but it didn't work.

I think I read that in "Distant Neighbors" by Alan Riding, a great book on the history and culture of Mexico.

The most common thing is for them to ask you to buy them a "refresco" which is a soda. However, you "pay" a bit more for a soda for a cop down there.

I've had zero experience with the police down there or in other parts of Latin America. I speak enough Spanish so that they won't/can't take advantage of me. Typically I'm there with a native or someone I know, so I let them know that if they stop me. They are way less likely to hassle someone who looks like they know what they are doing or has contacts there. They are looking for silly gringos walking around with a camera around their neck.

I never had the cops mess with me even when driving like a nut in Mexico. I rented a convertible Mercedes there, and they would only grin when I blew past them. I did, however, see them roughing up a fratboy one night in Cancun. He was drunk, wouldn't leave a club, and then tried to get arrogant and belitting with him. They just started kicking him on the ground.

I've spent a lot of time in Mexico and have never had a cop try to bribe me. I guess 1.5 years, I've gone to school there and traveled from Tijuana to Merida overland. The people of Mexico are honest and have always been kind to me. I don't do stupid things though, you are in someone elses country and I tread litely, I'm a guest.

A few years ago I got the red lights behind me and I pulled over. I thought I was going to be asked for a bribe. The cops said they were looking for drugs and guns. While one cop went through my car, the other questioned me. He had a great smile and I had him laughing so hard, it was funny. You see, he asked me where I stayed. I told him in the middle of the red light district, because there is a clean and inexpensive motel there. And it is never boring. They were cool, did their search and took off.

 

[uberman]

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 thought about this a lot after you posted. Mexico has certainly become industrialized over the past 25 years, but it still is a third world country in my opinion.

Third World Country

Third World

 

[lupi]

Been there before without.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: uberman

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: uberman
The corruption with the police regarding bribes is part of Mexico's culture. Cop's are poorly paid so "mortida," the bite, is accepted. They tried to ban it once in Mexico City, but it didn't work.

I think I read that in "Distant Neighbors" by Alan Riding, a great book on the history and culture of Mexico.

The most common thing is for them to ask you to buy them a "refresco" which is a soda. However, you "pay" a bit more for a soda for a cop down there.

I've had zero experience with the police down there or in other parts of Latin America. I speak enough Spanish so that they won't/can't take advantage of me. Typically I'm there with a native or someone I know, so I let them know that if they stop me. They are way less likely to hassle someone who looks like they know what they are doing or has contacts there. They are looking for silly gringos walking around with a camera around their neck.

I never had the cops mess with me even when driving like a nut in Mexico. I rented a convertible Mercedes there, and they would only grin when I blew past them. I did, however, see them roughing up a fratboy one night in Cancun. He was drunk, wouldn't leave a club, and then tried to get arrogant and belitting with him. They just started kicking him on the ground.

I've spent a lot of time in Mexico and have never had a cop try to bribe me. I guess 1.5 years, I've gone to school there and traveled from Tijuana to Merida overland. The people of Mexico are honest and have always been kind to me. I don't do stupid things though, you are in someone elses country and I tread litely, I'm a guest.

A few years ago I got the red lights behind me and I pulled over. I thought I was going to be asked for a bribe. The cops said they were looking for drugs and guns. While one cop went through my car, the other questioned me. He had a great smile and I had him laughing so hard, it was funny. You see, he asked me where I stayed. I told him in the middle of the red light district, because there is a clean and inexpensive motel there. And it is never boring. They were cool, did their search and took off.

Yeah, I've never had a problem either. I've been searched many times when entering buildings in Colombia, but they've always been nice and professional. I think you don't have to worry unless you are an unlucky person.

 

[spp]

Originally posted by: scott916
How was Rosarito on new years? Iggy's and Papas and Beer are always nuts...

It was not as crowded as I thought it would be. I went to papas and beer and it was only half full... but then again the place is pretty big.

I loved the 95 cents tacos though

 

[JS80]

Did you experience the TJ squat?

 

[spp]

Originally posted by: uberman
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.

$5 a night? wow that's really cheap. WE found a condo near the beach for like 350/night.... it was split between around 10 people so it's not so bad. the beer is like 3 bucks each.
o yea i was in rosarito

 

[spp]

Originally posted by: JS80
Did you experience the TJ squat?

haha... we took the wrong turn and ended up in TJ for a little bit... No policion thankfully.

 

[BoomerD]

From a Fodor's newsletter I got today:


"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has set January 23, 2007 as the official start-date for when travelers flying into and out of the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico must start carrying a valid U.S. passport."