Planning Your Trip

Departure Checklist

• Have your Passport

  • A valid passport is required to enter Mexico. Due to Covid-19, passport processing time can be as long as 16 weeks so get you forms submitted ASAP.

• Get your FMM (Tourist Card)

  • A Forma Migratoria Múltiple, aka FMM, is required to travel in Mexico. It can be obtained at the border at an INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) office or online here. If you get it online you’ll be sent an email with a link to print it out. It can take a few days to verify payment and send you the link to make sure to do this at least a week in advance. Make sure to also print your proof of payment. You’ll still need to stop at the border and have it stamped. It must also be stamped within 30 days of printing so wait until closer to your departure date. The FMM will allow you to stay in Mexico for up 180 days. (See here for instructions on getting your FMM stamped)

• Get Auto Insurance

  • You’re legally required to carry Mexican auto insurance when driving in Mexico. We’ve been using Baja Bound for years and have nothing but good things to say. You can get a quote from them here.

• Other documents

  • Make sure to have your drivers license, vehicles registration and title with you.

• Health Insurance (Optional)

  • Your health insurance most likely will not cover you outside of your home country. A policy that covers catastrophic injury and medical evacuation is recommended. Inexpensive coverage is offered by Safety Wing, World Nomads, and others.

• Traveling with Pets

  • Travelers from the US & Canada are not required to provide any documents to bring cats or dogs into Mexico. Your pet(s) may be subject to inspection upon entering but this is very rare when crossing the border by land. Consider bringing your pet's proof of ownership and vaccination records. Although not a requirement, it may come in handy.

• Vehicle Permits

  • A vehicle permit is not required while traveling in Baja. You will need one if you intend to travel into mainland Mexico. See here for permit information.

• Cell Service

  • Check with your service provider. Many offer coverage in Mexico but will likely have speed, data, and length of stay restrictions. Alternatively, you can purchase a local sim card and service from Telcel. You can find Telcel stores in most towns. Check out coverage maps here.

• Internet

  • Some providers may offer packages for additional speed and data while roaming in Mexico. Alternatively, you can purchase a sim card and service From Telcel. You can find Telcel stores in most towns. An inexpensive method is to purchase a plan with a small amount of data and use their option for “Internet for time” (Internet por tiempo) to purchase unlimited internet for 2 hours at a time for 15 pesos (about 75 cents). We also suggest that you set things like app updates and apps that use large amounts of data (such as Spotify) to download over wifi only. Check out coverage maps here and instructions for using a Telcel SIM card here.

• Money

  • Most of the banks near the border will have Pesos available for exchange if you want to get them before crossing. After crossing, there will be an ATM and/or bank near the immigration office where you get your FMM stamped. Check the terms of your credit cards and try to use one that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

• Supplies

  • There are several long stretches along both highway 1 and 5 that are without services. It’s a good idea to have some snacks, several gallons of water, and some toilet paper in case you need to make a roadside pit stop.

• Keeping Warm

  • It can get quite cold on the beach at night. Bring some warm clothes and heavy blankets.

• Covid-19 Restrictions

  • Several times throughout the pandemic, it has been reported that the border is only open to essential travel. In both our personal experience and in conversations we’ve had with other travelers, this has never been enforced by Mexican immigration and travel across the border has remained unrestricted.

• Plan Your Route

  • We have some suggestions below but also take a look at Baja Like Nowhere Else and consider purchasing the excellent Baja California Road and Recreation Atlas.

• Solar power

  • There’s nowhere to plug in at Escapar or in many of the best camping spots in Baja. Consider adding a solar power system, such as those offered by Go Power! to your rig.

• Renting a Campervan

  • Do you want to rent a van in Baja? Do it!