Tag Archives: vacations in mexico

Surf and Travel in Baja California. By: Miguel Sedano

December 3, 2011

 

What you need to know to stay safe and have fun south of the border.

Fun in Baja California

In 2007, violent assaults and robberies experienced by American surfers and off-road enthusiasts in Baja California rocked the avid Baja travel community in Southern California.

That news combined with the very real violence and media coverage of the drug war in Mexico caused many Baja stalwarts to abandon their lifestyle dedicated to surfing, fishing, off-roading, diving, hiking and just plain enjoying one of the world’s most spectacular natural and cultural regions.

Thankfully, the Mexican government finally responded to the surge in incidents in Baja by increasing roadside patrols and strategically combatting and reducing narco violence.

Tourists are slowly returning to Baja again.

According to Mexico’s Tourism Secretary, border tourism increased 9.4 percent this year compared to 2010.

As someone who works and plays in Baja California, I can attest to the increased security and the fact that for the most part, the majority of the peninsula is as safe as ever.

That is especially true in Baja California Sur, which is considered one of the safest states in Mexico.

Last year I took a 2,970-mile round-trip to the East Cape from San Diego with my two teenage sons.

We traveled down some of the peninsula’s most remote coastal dirt roads and encountered friendly locals, lots of smiles, great wave and cold cervezas.

WiLDCOAST, the organization I run, has an office in Ensenada. At any given time our staff can be found in some of the most remote corners of the peninsula or the most trash-infested colonias of Tijuana.

So far we have had no problems at all.

To get an update on the situation south of the border, I checked in with some of Baja’s most knowledgable and experienced travel experts who spend lots of quality time visiting Baja’s nooks and crannies.

Geoff Hill is the Vice President for Business Development for Baja Bound Insurance Services and a longtime Baja surfing and travel vet.

Susie Albin-Najera is the creator and editor of The MEXICO Report, MEXICO Travel Writers and is a Community Manager for the recently formed Mexico Today. She has been published in numerous publications including San Diego Magazine, Latin Style, Vallarta Tribune, Baja Traveler and Baja Breeze.

Angie Mulder is the Program Director for Baja Discovery, an adventure and outdoor outfitter that specializes in natural history tours of Baja California. The company’s destination eco-camp in San Ignacio Lagoon is one of the world’s premier locations for whale watching.

Kimball Taylor is the author of Return by Water: Surf Stories and Adventures, a columnist for ESPN.go.com, and a former Senior Editor of Surfer Magazine. He has co-authored books on both Pipeline and Jeffrey’s Bay. He is a longtime Baja California travel vet with many miles of deep Baja surf trips under his worn out tires.

Patch: From your perspective has the safety/security situation in Baja improved?

Geoff Hill: I really don’t feel that Baja has a safety problem as much as it has a perception problem. Every year I drive an average of 5,000 miles all over the peninsula and always have positive experiences wherever I travel. Be respectful, use common sense and Baja will treat you well. It’s not the scary place the media has made it out to be. I always look forward to being down in Baja. I love the warmth and friendliness of the people that I interact with and the rugged beauty.

Susie Albin-Najera: Baja is an excellent destination for road travel, whether it’s visiting the border territories or heading further south. The real safety issues are just simple road conditions but the toll roads are safe and constantly being improved. I’ve always felt safe driving in Baja, but always encourage people to purchase insurance and take normal road trip precautions.

Angie Mulder: After our nearly three decades of travel in Baja, times have certainly changed, but applying the rules of safe travel has not. Whether exploring the peninsula with guests or pursuing our own adventures, we do not drive alone or at night, and don’t carry a lot of cash or take along expensive electronics. Just use basic common sense. We continue to run our natural history trips without incident.

Kimball Taylor: The safety issue is a tough call. Although instances of shocking violence have decreased in Tijuana and the Rosarito to Ensenada corridor, the discovery of a massive pot farm near El Marmol indicates serious narco activity in Baja.

Patch: If tourists have a problem on the road, what should they do and who should they call?

Hill: To start with, it’s a good idea to carry a Mexican insurance policy that includes roadside assistance and towing. That will give you direct contact to assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. HDI Seguros and ACE Seguros are the two Mexican insurance companies that Baja Bound works with and they both have English-speaking representatives that are ready to assist you. You can also dial 078 anywhere in Baja which is the Tourist Assistance Hotline provided by the Secretary of Tourism.

Albin-Najera: The Green Angels also provide 24/7 free roadside assistance to visitors with mechanical problems. Tijuana, Ensenada & El Hongo toll roads: 01-800-990-3900 Tijuana, Tecate toll roads: 1-800-888-0911

Taylor: By far the most dangerous aspect of travel in Baja is Highway 1 (the trans peninsular highway). Although the highway is being widened and improved in places, it is still just one slender ribbon of asphalt with little to no shoulder and dubious engineering. With the advent of Costco and Home Depot in Cabo San Lucas, commercial traffic and semi-trucks increasingly burden the road. I would advise to keep driving to daylight hours and to refrain from the nighttime blitz drives that were popular in earlier decades.

Patch: What destinations do you recommend visiting in Baja?

Hill: Some of my favorite memories are surfing at Scorpion Bay back in the early nineties when it was still relatively undeveloped. Tucked up in a pine forest at an elevation of almost 10,000 feet is the San Pedro Martir Observatory. They have three giant telescopes at the facility and tours are available every day starting at 10 am. The views are incredible, and on the right day you can actually see the Sea of Cortez to the east and Pacific Ocean to the west. I recommend this trip in the warmer months. It can snow on the mountain during the winter. Erendira is a sleepy little farming and fishing village about four hours south of the border that has fun surf, nice spots to camp on the water, good fishing and is a beautiful area to relax and unwind.

Albin-Najera: Baja is a mecca of eco-adventure, marine life, dessert and natural beauty. There are so many ways to enjoy the Baja region. I’ve visited all of the regions in northern Baja and each area offers something special. I recommend visiting all of the areas, either on your own with a road map or via guided tour. You can have great experiences all around Baja. For example, some of the activities available are surfing, scuba diving, whale watching, fishing, cave exploration, off road riding, beaches, biking, art galleries, culinary festivals, brewery tours, world class golfing and wine tasting. I recommend the Discover Baja California website to get an idea of all of the options. Even just driving along the coastline from Tijuana to Ensenada offers stunning ocean views.

Mulder: Our favorite Baja destinations include the rugged and beautiful desert in Cataviña and San Ignacio. In San Ignacio must sees are the Mission and cave painting museum, followed by dinner at Rene’s. And of course San Ignacio Lagoon, where we spend most of our time. The whales, people, flora and wildlife make it a very special place that keeps us coming back year after year.

Taylor: I recommend a visit to San Ignacio. The town and mission represent both the romance and reality of Baja. With the famous San Ignacio Lagoon and its gray whales nearby, the oasis is also a way station to San Juanico for those heading south and Punta Abreojos for those heading north.

Patch: What are your favorite places to dine?

Geoff Hill: I am a sucker for carne asada tacos. My favorite stands are Los Traileros in El Sauzal (just north of Ensenada) and Tacos El Yaqui in Rosarito. Tapanco in Rosarito is a great option for a steak dinner, and Rey Sol in Ensenada has a unique French-Mexican fusion that is amazing. If you have never been to the wine country just north of Ensenada you are really missing out! Most people have no idea that there are over 50 wineries producing some unbelievable wines that are just now starting to gain notoriety worldwide. The region is also producing some fantastic artisanal cheeses, jams and olive oil. Most of the wineries offer tours and wine tastings for about five dollars.

Albin-Najera: Tijuana has garnered a lot of positive media attention among foodies and food editors as the new gastronomic hot spot. I could be just as happy eating at a no-name food stall in Tijuana as in a fancy restaurant. As a chilaquiles connoisseur, I am partial to La Casa de Mole in Tijuana, and lobster, Puerto Nuevo style. There are many new upscale restaurants in Tijuana though, that I’m eager to visit.

Angie: Outside of San Ignacio, we stop for chicken tacos at Quichules, the best beans ever.

Taylor: My favorite places to eat are the roadside taco stands in Ensenada, or just around the campfire.

*La Fonda,  Las Gaviotas and Club Marena K38 still some of the best surfing spots in Baja.

If you are thinking in moving to Mexico, don’t think more act today.  We Can Help.  Call today 858-433-0561 or email Miguel Sedano  info@rentinginmexico.com the perfect home is waiting for you.

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San Ysidro “Stacked Booths” will speed up border crossing. By: Miguel Sedano

August 20, 2011

San Ysidro Border 2011

Even though demolition at the San Ysidro Port of Entry will be closing as many as five re-entry lanes at a time in the next few months, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said Thursday that traffic may actually flow faster through the busiest border crossing in the Western Hemisphere.
Traffic will be “channeled” into fewer lanes, the pace shouldn’t slacken because Customs will be opening additional inspection booths at each gateway to process two vehicles at a time. The so-called “stacked booths” are being used at other border crossings according to officials and have proven efficient.
San Ysidro is undergoing a massive, three-phase, $577-million reconstruction which requires the contractors to tear down existing structures that sit directly over the top of the 24 lanes of wall-to-wall, bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Since June, the Colorado-based Hansel Phelps Construction Co. has been “surgically” dismantling the sprawling administration complex above the traffic. Central to the process is a towering yellow crane that dominates the border landscape.
Starting at the end of August through Thanksgiving, the project enters a particularly tricky phase as remaining shell of the building must come down. To accomplish this, processing booth areas will be closed off as each section is torn down, affecting up to five lanes.
When it comes to figuring out which lanes are functional, Customs and Border Protection will try to remove the guess work for border travelers. A traffic engineer in Tijuana has been contracted to design a strategy for channeling vehicles to the “stacked booth” gateways.
By the end of August, Customs will have operating 10 gateways with “stacked booths” to process two vehicles simultaneously.
When completed, the reconfiguration and expansion of San Ysidro will have 62 northbound inspection booths, expanded processing facilities, a dedicated bus lane and express lanes for the “trusted traveler” programs – SENTRI and Ready Lane vehicles.
This first phase is fully funded and is on track to be completed by the summer of 2014, officials say.
The second phase, which includes the construction of the new administration building and pedestrian route and Phase 3, the realignment and expansion of I-5 south with expanded capacity and a transit center on the Mexican side of the border are as yet unfunded.

If you are thinking in moving to Mexico, don’t think more act today.  We Can Help.  Call today 858-433-0561 or email Miguel Sedano  info@rentinginmexico.com the perfect home is waiting for you.

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Rosarito Metered Parking “Pay And Display” By: Miguel Sedano.

June 16, 2011

Parking meters were installed in the downtown Rosarito (BLvd Juarez) and are already in use;  Here how it works:

Pay and Display means you buy a ticket from the machines located in main street and to avoid a fine you must display your ticket on the dashboard.

How do I use a SmartMeter?
To use a SmartMeter, just walk to the nearest pay station and make a payment. SmartMeters are usually in the middle of every block on both sides, so you shouldn’t have to walk far. The instructions are clearly marked on the machine. To print your receipt, press the green button. The pay station will print out a receipt showing the amount paid, the date, and the expiration time.  To avoid a fine you must display your ticket on the dashboard.

When do I have to pay?
In the Downtown District, parking meters operate 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Sunday, unless otherwise posted.

What if I don’t use up my time?
While your receipt is still valid, you can move your car to another SmartMeter space. There are no refunds for unused time.

SmartMeters Accepts Mexican Pesos Coins and 25 Cents US Coins, The Parking meters DON’T GIVE CHANGE. 25 Cents are good for 15 minutes.

If you are thinking in moving to Mexico, don’t think more act today.  We Can Help.  Call today 858-433-0561 or email Miguel Sedano  info@rentinginmexico.com the perfect home is waiting for you.

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New Otay Border Crossing Option “Ready Lane” By: Miguel Sedano

May 2, 2011

Ready Lane

 

Otay Mesa, Calif. — Beginning Monday, May 2, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will open a new Ready Lane at the Otay Mesa port of entry for travelers who have a travel document enabled with Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, technology.
The Ready Lane is a lane for vehicle traffic that only accepts RFID-enabled cards. The new Ready Lane at the Otay Mesa border crossing will be open Monday through Friday from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. In order to use this dedicated lane, all adult passengers in the vehicle over the age of 16 must present an approved travel card. The U.S. Passport Card, SENTRI card, the new Legal Permanent Resident “green card” and the new Border Crossing Card are all RFID-enabled documents.
For example, the Ready Lane can be used by a group of travelers in one vehicle who may have different kinds of RFID-enabled travel documents, such as if the driver is a member of the SENTRI trusted traveler program, and the passengers all have other kinds of RFID-enabled documents, such as a U.S. Passport Card or a new Border Crossing Card. While only vehicles with all SENTRI members can use the dedicated SENTRI lane, a group with any mixture of RFID-enabled travel cards can use the Ready Lane.
Travelers using the Ready Lane should follow these three simple steps as they approach a U.S. land port of entry with their RFID-enabled travel card:
•    Stop at the beginning of the lane and make sure each passenger has their card out.
•    When it is your turn, drive slowly through the lane and hold all cards up on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
•    Stop at the officer’s booth.

If you are thinking in moving to Mexico, don’t think more act today.  We Can Help.  Call today 858-433-0561 or email Miguel Sedano  info@rentinginmexico.com the perfect home is waiting for you.

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Interest in Mexico tourism surges, despite safety worries

April 4, 2011

by AFP Relax news

A leading hotel booking website has revealed a sharp increase in interest in travel to Mexico, as the country struggles to rebuild its reputation after an escalation in drug-related violence.

Earlier this year, US college students were warned against spending their annual spring break in Mexico, a sign of how serious authorities in some states believed the situation has become.

But it seems that not all travelers are being discouraged by the headlines resulting from Felipe Calderon’s war on drugs, launched in 2006, which has prompted a surge in violent incidents as the army struggles to crush the country’s drugs cartels.

Expedia revealed last week that travel bookings made to Mexico from its portfolio of global brands, which includes the Expedia and Hotels.com websites, were up nearly 25 percent in the last 12 months.

The majority of the interest was from the US, Canada and the UK, said Expedia, which described the country as one of its top three destinations in terms of traveler feedback.

The online giant made its comments at Acapulco’s Tianguis Turistico (March 25-28), an annual event organized by Mexican tourism officials to boost the country’s profile as a top Latin American tourism destination, where Mexico’s Tourism Secretary Gloria Guevara Manzo said March 24 that the country had “made real and sustained progress in making Mexico safe and secure.”

Ahead of the conference, financial giant Visa also noted that the amount spent on its cards by inbound visitors had gone up from $4 billion in 2009 to $4.4 billion in 2010, describing Mexico as a “sought after destination.”

No surprise then, that country’s beautiful beaches and rich cultural heritage are continuing to attract hotel chains, who are betting on an eventual end to the drug wars — at which point they believe the country is set to be a lucrative destination, thanks to its excellent location in the Americas.

Later this year, Sol Melia will open two flagship resorts, Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla, both on the country’s stunning eastern Caribbean coastline.

Last month, Ritz-Carlton announced that it will open a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Los Cabos, a 124-villa complex with views across the Sea of Cortez and private infinity pools, butler service and outdoor fireplaces.

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Ocean Front Condo for less than 300K? By: Miguel Sedano

March 2, 2011
Palacio del Mar 2020 sq ft Unit.

Paradise Found… this is Palacio Del Mar which has unspoiled coastlines and awe-inspiring sunsets. Luxury oceanfront resort offers 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms unit (2020 sq/ft) with designer decor and state-of-the-art amenities. The finest of amenities including: Indoor Pools, Jacuzzi, Fitness Center, Private Movie Theater, Private Shuttle Service, Play Room, Library, Tennis courts, and fine details such as granite counter tops and designer furnishings.
If you are thinking in moving to Mexico, don’t think more act today.  We Can Help.  Call today 858-433-0561 or email Miguel Sedano  info@rentinginmexico.com the perfect home is waiting for you.

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An Added Amenity at Palacio del Mar. By: Miguel Sedano

December 14, 2010

Yes our private shuttle service will take you and all your family on time to catch a plane and fly to many destination in Mexico, with rates as low as $79 Dollars with Volaris a low cost airline that has a lot of flights from and to Baja Mexico.

Actually you can fly to: Los Cabos (San Jose del Cabo), Puerto Vallarta, La Paz, Acapulco, Can Cun, Morelia, San Miguel Allende, Cuernavaca, Mexico City, Toluca, Hermosillo, Culiacan, Mazatlan, Veracruz, Zacateca, Puebla, Oaxaca, Aguas Calientes, Merida, Ciudad del Carmen, Huatulco, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Ciudad Obregon, San Luis Potosi, Manzanillo, Tapachula, Lazaro Cardenas, Tepic, Saltillo, Colima and internationally to Tokio and Shangai with rates as low as $990 Dollars for a round trip (That’s a Deal, just like Palacio Del Mar Deals).

Also did you know that a border crossing connecting Baja’s international airport to a passenger terminal in San Diego County cleared a key bureaucratic hurdle last week, winning a presidential permit from the State Department. Presidential permits are necessary authorizations for the construction of new border infrastructure, such as ports of entry, rail linkages, etc. The crossing would allow travelers to park on the U.S. side, walk across an enclosed pedestrian bridge into Mexico, and board planes directly out of the General Abelardo L. Rodríguez airport, located 16 miles north of downtown Rosarito.

Please be aware that all Americans need to have a valid passport and if you don’t live in Mexico please make sure that your passport get a stamp (FMT) prior to boarding your plan in the migration boot at the airport.  Airlines will not check if you have a valid stamp, they only check for a valid passport. If you don’t stamp your passport you will be subject to a fine that could go anywhere from  $100 to $5000 Dollars plus a not pleasant time with the Mexican immigration authorities.

If you are using our Shuttle service to the airport you don’t need to worry about anything because the concierge team at Palacio Del Mar will make sure that all the proper documentation is on place.

If you are thinking in moving to Mexico, don’t think more act today.  We Can Help.  Call today 858-433-0561 or email Miguel Sedano  info@rentinginmexico.com the perfect home is waiting for you.

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Best “Out of Office” Automatic Replies. By: Miguel Sedano

November 8, 2010

Splash BajaEmail inefficiency is probably a major contributor to the  technology Stress that some of us experience. My wife and I have often joked, sometimes seriously, about clever auto-responders to help filter the daily load. Here’s a couple of funny ones that I, ironically, got in a junk email:

1. You are receiving this automatic notification because I am out of the office. If I was in, chances are you wouldn’t have received anything at all.

2. Thank you for your email. Your credit card has been charged $5.99 for the first 10 words and $1.99 for each additional word in your message.

3. Thank you for your message, which has been added to a queuing system.
You are currently in 352nd place, and can expect to receive a reply in approximately 19 weeks.

4. I will be out of the office for the next 2 weeks for medical reasons. When I return, please refer to me as ” Sharon ” instead of “Steve”.

5. Hi, unfortunately I am out of the office sipping margaritas on a beach somewhere in Baja-Mexico. I’ll be back, Month Day, Year, tanned, relaxed and likely avoiding your email then.

If you want to have an auto response like number five, please contact Miguel Sedano Miguel.sedano@bajaREgroup.com  858-433-0561.  We can help you escape from daily stress, here in beautiful Baja.

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What do I need to know when crossing the San Diego – Tijuana border? By Miguel Sedano.

January 21, 2010

What do I have to do when crossing the border?

Select carefully the lane to enter the country:
•    Nothing to Declare Lane
It is used when your exemptions do not exceed the permitted limits
•    Self-declaration Lane
It is used when you bring goods worth more than the personal or family exemptions, or when the amounts of goods exceed those amounts allowed in your personal luggage
Upon crossing the border, your vehicle will activate the Automated Selection Mechanism (stop light). When crossing the border on foot you will be asked to activate the mechanism:
o    The red light indicates that your luggage will be inspected
o    The green light indicates that you can drive through the Customs facilities without inspection
If you or your vehicle has been selected for inspection, a Customs Inspector will conduct the examination. If the Customs Inspector finds goods that should have been declared and you did not do it, the Inspector will classify and appraise the goods and will impose the corresponding sanctions.

If you mistakenly choose the wrong lane, you may approach a Customs Inspector and ask for a classification and appraisal of your goods for the corresponding payment of duties and taxes.

Customs Inspection

In some cases the customs Automated Selection System (stoplight) may determine, without human intervention that your belongings will be subject to customs inspection.

This is a simple procedure. We would appreciate your cooperation in order to make it an agile one too. Please follow our customs personnel instructions. They must treat you with courtesy and respect while they ask you to open your luggage and proceed with its inspection. Also, they must handle your belongings with care. Remember that all persons entering Mexico are obliged to comply with Mexico’s customs provisions.

What can I bring in duty free?

•    The items allowed in your personal luggage, according to the length of your trip
•    Up to 75 USD per person in permitted goods, or its equivalent in other currencies. Passengers traveling with family members (spouse and children) may combine their personal exemptions only when arriving together on the same vehicle. In order to claim this additional exemption, passengers must have the corresponding commercial invoices or receipts available
•    Beer, alcoholic beverages, manufactured tobacco and motor vehicle fuel (except for the fuel contained in the vehicle’s fuel tank) may not be included in this additional exemption

Which items may be included in my personal luggage exempt from duty?

1.    Goods for personal use, such as clothing, footwear and personal toiletries and beauty products, as long as they are appropriate for the duration of the trip, including wedding party items.
2.    Two photographic cameras or video recorders, 12 rolls of film or videocassettes; photographic material; two cellular telephones or radio phones; a portatil typewriter; an electronic calendar; a portable computer (laptop), notebook, omnibook or similar items; a copier or portable printer; a portable projector, and their accessories.
3.    Two sports equipment, four rods, three speedboats with or without sails and their accessories, trophies or recognitions, provided that they can be transported normally and commonly by the passenger, one stair climber and bicycle
4.    A portable radio for the recording or reproduction of sound or mixed tapes; or a digital sound reproducer or portable reproducer of compact discs and a portable reproducer of DVD’s, such as a pair of portable speakers, and their accessories.
5.    Five laser disks, 10 DVD disks, 30 compact disks (CD) or magnetic tapes (audiocassettes), for the reproduction of sound and five storage devices or memory cards for any electronic equipment.
6.    Books, magazines and printed documents.
7.    Five toys, —included those that are collectible— and a video game console and videogames.
8.    One device that permits measurement of arterial pressure and one for glucose, as well as medications of personal use; in the case of psychotropic’s the medical prescription should be shown.
9.    One set of binoculars and a telescope.
10.    Valises, trunks and suitcases necessary for the movement of goods.
11.    Passengers over 18 years of age, may introduce a maximum of up to 20 packs of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco and up to three liters of alcoholic beverages, and six liters of wine; in excess of the above, cannot be imported without complying with applicable regulations and restrictions.
12.    Baby travel accessories, such as strollers and baby-walkers
13.    Two musical instruments and its accessories.
14.    A camping tent and camping equipment, as well as their accessories.
15.    Handicapped or old travelers may introduce items for personal use, useful to have a better performance of their activities, such as walkers, wheelchairs, crutches and canes.
16.    A set of tools including its case, it might have a hand drill, wire cutters, wrenches, dices, screwdrivers, current cables, among others.
17.    Beddings, that will be able to include a set of matching sheets and pillowcases, a set of towels, a set of bath, a set of table linen and a set of kitchen.
18.    Up to two dogs or cats, maybe introduced as well as their accessories, provided that the corresponding zoo sanitary import certificate issued by (SAGARPA) is presented to the customs officials.

In which cases should I pay taxes?

•    Remember that you are entitled to bring in up to US$300 worth of goods in addition to the goods included in your personal luggage, and that you are allowed to combine this amount with family members
•    If you exceed this exemption, or if your family’s combined amount exceeds the combined exemption, you must pay duties and taxes. There is a flat 15% rate of duties and taxes, which is applied only to the amount exceeding the exemption (individual or combined). You must fill out a payment form, which is available at the Customs counter
•    If the value of the goods surpasses three thousand dollars (per family member) after subtracting the US$300 exemption, or if any of the goods is subject to non-tariff regulations or restrictions, you must hire the services of a customs broker. Private brokerage services are always available at the airport
•    From November 1st, 2009 until January 10th, 2010 you will be able to import goods in the mentioned procedure, as long as its value does not exceed 3,000 dollars
•    If you bring a desktop computer, you may pay duties and taxes by filling out a payment form as long as the value of the computer and its peripherals and accessories do not exceed US$4,000. If the total value of the computer and its peripherals and accessories exceeds US$4,000 you must hire the services of a customs broker

Which other items must be declared?

•    Animals, agricultural products and medications
•    If you are carrying more than US$10,000, or its equivalent in other currencies, in cash, checks, money orders or any other monetary instrument, or a combination of them, you must declare the amount exceeding US$10,000. You will not have to pay duties or taxes, but you must declare it on the Customs Declaration form. Failing to declare it is a violation of Mexican Law and such violation is sanctioned with administrative and even criminal penalties

Which goods are restricted?

•    Firearms and ammunition. In order to import firearms and cartridges you must secure an import permit from the Ministry of Economy and from the Ministry of National Defense.

For further information please visit the following websites: www.economia.gob.mx  and www.sedena.gob.mx.

Which goods are prohibited?

In accordance with the Law of the General Taxes of Import and Export, the following products are prohibited for the import and/or export:
•    Alive predator fish, in their states of young fish, youthful and adult
•    Totoaba, fresh or cooled (fish)
•    Frozen Totoaba (fish)
•    Turtle eggs or any class
•    Poppy seeds (Narcotic)
•    Flour of poppy seeds (Narcotic)
•    Seeds and spores of marijuana (Cannabis indica), even though when they are mixed with other seeds
•    Marijuana (Cannabis indica)
•    Juice and extracts of opium, prepared to smoke
•    Extracts and juice derived from marijuana (Cannabis indica)
•    Mucilage and condensed products derived from the marijuana (Cannabis indica)
•    Stamps or printed transfers in colors or in black and white, displayed for their sale in envelopes or packages, even when they include chewing gum, candies or any other type of articles, containing drawings, figures or illustrations that represent childhood in a degrading or ridiculous way, on attitudes of incitement to violence, to self-destruction or in any other form of antisocial behavior, known like Garbage Pail Kids, for example, printed by any company or commercial denomination.
•    Thallium sulfate
•    Insecticide (Isodrin or Aldrin)
•    Insecticide (Heptaclor or Drinox)
•    Insecticide (Endrin or Mendrin or Nendrin or Hexadrin)
•    Insecticide (Leptophos)
•    Heroin, base or hydrochloride of diacetylmorphine
•    Medication prepared with marijuana (Cannabis indica)
•    Medication prepared with acetylmorphine or of its salts or derivatives
•    Skins of turtle or doggerhead turtle
•    Goods that have been declared as archaeological monuments by the Secretariat of Public Education

For effects of the Customs Law, the import or export of prohibited merchandises is causal so that the customs authorities come to a precautionary detrain from said merchandises and the means of transport. Likewise, it constitutes an infraction related to the import or exports of this type of merchandise and is sanctioned with a fine: Therefore, these merchandises happen to be property of the Federal State, regardless of the penal sanctions establishes by the Penal Code.

If all this information seems to complicated for you, at Palacio del Mar only 35 minutes south of the border you will have a 24/7 concierge service that will be more than happy to assist you with any small or big request.

If you are thinking in moving to Mexico, don’t think more act today.  We Can Help.  Call today 858-433-0561 or email Miguel Sedano  info@rentinginmexico.com the perfect home is waiting for you.

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Telephone Number Scam? By Miguel Sedano

August 20, 2009

Phone scam

Be cautious when calling an unfamiliar telephone number – it could be a costly international telephone call
One of my coworkers recently put an ad up on craigslist to promote a property, received an email response asking him to call back a number. (908 554 2787)
Essentially the email goes like this…

Hello I saw your listing and I am very interested, could you give me a call when you have a moment? Just have a few questions. I am on the road and will not have access to my email. Thanks Mark—809 554 2787
Fortunately he did an online search on the number before calling and saw that it was a scam in that there is a charge (around $5-$10 to call the number). Believe they are called EZ numbers.
In a fact sheet on phone scams, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission notes that calls to certain offshore locales, many of them in the Caribbean do not require the international prefix 011, so it may not be obvious you are calling a foreign number.
“In many cases, the return-call number is an international pay-per-call line, with a three-digit exchange that looks like an American or Canadian area code,” the federal agency says.
Be skeptical about area codes you don’t recognize, especially: 649 (Turks and Caicos); 809 (Dominican Republic); 284 (British Virgin Islands); 876 (Jamaica), or 758 (St. Lucia).
How Can I Protect Myself?
If you are presented with an ad for an information or entertainment service, or receive a call from such a company, you should remember:
•    Be skeptical of ads for services that claim they are “not a 900 number,” “LD rates apply,” or “no premiums apply.”  These services may be even more costly than 900 numbers.
•    Make sure you check your phone bill for charges you do not recognize.  Contact your phone company and long distance carrier if you see any error.
•    Be wary of area codes you do not recognize (i.e. 809 for the Dominican Republic or 664 for Montserrat).  You can check their location in the telephone directory or by calling the operator.
•    Tell your family that they need to get your permission before calling any long-distance services (domestic or international).  This applies especially to children.

If all this information seems to complicated for you, at Palacio del Mar only 35 minutes south of the border you will have a 24/7 concierge service that will be more than happy to assist you with any small or big request.
If you are thinking in moving to Mexico, don’t think more act today.  We Can Help.  Call today 858-433-0561 or email Miguel Sedano  info@rentinginmexico.com the perfect home is waiting for you.

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