"Hatunen" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:44:14 -0700, "Technobarbarian"
wrote:


"Hatunen" wrote in message
. ..

Cool. But do check on the Tourist Card (not mentioned on that web
site): http://www.mexonline.com/visamex.htm

The 72-hour requirement is stated a bit ambiguously, but the card
is required, even in the border zone. On the other hand, you are
quite unlikely to be detected without one if don't encounter any
internal check points.

I don't know where you're getting your information, but there is NO
requirement for a tourist card in the border zone, which includes
Ensenada.

http://studenttravel.about.com/od/me...exico_visa.htm

So, ok, I did a bit more digging. Online I can find support for your
version and support for my version. As a technical matter you might be
right. As a practical matter no one gets an FMT for the border zone. Here's
the thing: The tourist card has to be stamped at an entry point. When you
drive in this has to be done before you can get the FMT validated at a bank.
The OP isn't going to see an entry point. The entry points are on the south
side of the border zone and at airports. Take here locally in Southern AZ
for example. If I wanted to get a tourist card to stay in Nogales Sonora I
would have to drive down to the 21km checkpoint on the south side of the
border zone to get it stamped and then return to Nogales. There's no record
that you entered Mexido until you go through an entry point. Up until that
point the Mexican government has no way of knowing how long you've been in
the country.

While I was digging I also found sites that claim it's important to
return your tourist card. I've had quite a few of them. The only time I've
ever returned one was when I left Mexico through an airport.

TB