Requirements for Rocky Point
Sunday January 6, 2008
I was contacted recently by Byron, who wanted to visit Rocky Point.
My wife and I are from Illinois and are visiting family in the Valley for the Holidays. We are interested in a weekend getaway to Rocky Point, Mexico this upcoming weekend....We are very interested in visiting Rocky Point. After reading the information on your site, I had a couple of concerns:The travel requirements are confusing. Land crossing rules for U.S. citizens going into Mexico have not yet been finalized, so the passport requirement has been delayed. Still, someone traveling without a passport needs two forms of ID: a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. If your wife doesn't have that with her, you are taking a risk by traveling without it. If you leave the border zone, you also must have a Mexican tourist card. As far as the car is concerned, you either have to own it, or you have to be leasing/renting it and be able to show a contract with your name on it as the driver. There are other conditions, but none of them I saw involved driving a friend or relative's car. Details on this varies depending on whom you ask. If you are going to do it, I'd at least get a notarized letter from your friend (the name shown on the registration) authorizing you to use the vehicle.
1) Passport is required.
- I brought a passport with me, but my wife's has expired. We both have IL driver licenses.
2) Car must be registered in our names.
- we flew to Phoenix and were planning on driving a relatives car, which wouldn't be in our name.
Will these 2 issues prevent us from going?
I'd say that in both cases, ID and car, you are taking a risk by going. On my trips I have never been asked by anyone for ID, nor have I been involved in in any accidents or police mishaps. That's certainly not been everyone's experience. Remember -- in Mexico, if there's a problem, you are guilty unless proven innocent! Also keep in mind that I am totally risk averse when it comes to venturing into unknown territory, so I'd just as soon skip it. Maybe you'd rather just drive to the border, park the car, and enjoy a day in Nogales? If you do that, La Roca is also my favorite place to eat.
Comments
We travel to Rocky Point on a regular basis. It is considered to be in the “free zone” so you do not need a tourist’s visa. You do need to make sure you have auto insurance coverage specific to that area of Mexico. Coming back into the U.S. they will ask to see your ID(drivers license, etc.)
Keep the rocky point trip simple by taking a bus…tours are fun and safe. 2, 3 day tours. not spendy. world span tours and travel… phone 480-983-1866 or 480-641-6331 in mesa. i did one a few years ago, the bus thing is a no brainer…no passport, no driving. just the best ever. free meals, music, shopping, sights, beach, good money spent! best buy for comfort and fun!
This answer is so sadly out of touch with modern Mexico, which is safe and wonderful. Please do not let less informed Americans scare you.
Until at least January 31, 2008 a driver’s license is all that this couple will need. No birth certificate or passport is required to travel to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) and back during the holiday time. The highway between the border and Puerto Penasco is in great condition, there is almost no crime (less than in Phoenix) and it is a beautiful trip. Go and enjoy!
Despite your claim, Aaron, that I am uninformed, here are the entry requirements.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html#requirements
Are they adhered to? As I said, I have never been asked for more than one ID. And if you’d drive someone else’s car there, I guess that’s OK for you. When I provide answers at About Phoenix, I try to provide technically correct answers, and then explain where decisions need to be made.
Modern Mexico is not always safe and wonderful. I happen to enjoy Mexico very much, as apparently you do. Although it has never happened to me, there are plenty of Americans that have been stopped by officials, or people impersonating officials, in Mexico. I don’t believe they are all lying. So not everyone agrees with you. If you don’t believe me, check out some of these Rocky Point reviews.
http://phoenix.about.com/od/rockypointreviews/Rocky_Point_Reviews.htm
My point was that if you don’t follow the rules exactly, you are taking a risk. How much risk that might be is up to each individual. People can decide for themselves.
if it all gets too confusing for you…consider puerto rico! fajardo and culebra in the east are beautiful, and you don’t even have to leave the good ole u.s.a.!