Rocky Point Beaches - Beach information in Rocky Point

To enter Mexico, you will need either a valid passport or your original birth certificate along with a valid photo ID such as a drivers license. Citizens other than U.S. or Canadian may have other requirements such as a visa.
NOTE: If you are entering Mexico by any means other than airlines or cruise ship (see below) and staying for over 72 hours and/or traveling more than 20 miles beyond the border, you will need a Tourist Card.

 

For those of you entering on an airline or cruise, your identification must be presented at the airline/cruise check-in. Once on the plane/ship you will be given two forms to fill out - one for Immigration (Tourist Card) and another for Customs (Customs Declaration Form). There are restrictions as to what you can bring to Mexico......Some of these restrictions are limits for "duty free" and some are absolute, such as firearms without a permit not to mention drugs (do not bring either into Mexico).

 

All tourists traveling to Mexico have the right to take with them their personal luggage duty free.
Most commonly encountered restrictions are (import duties could be assessed if you exceed these amounts):

 

Some food items - especially plants and seeds
Cigars and cigarettes - up to 20 packs per person
Liquor and wine - up to 3 liters per person
Film or videocassettes - up to 12 rolls/cassettes
Medicine for personal use - must have a prescription if the medicine is psychotropic or if you needed one to get the medicine in the first place
Illegal controlled substances & drugs - a no no!
Firearms - only for hunting and must obtain a permit from the Mexican Consulate in advance
The Immigration counter is your first stop after you disembark the plane/ship. Here you will have to present your passport (or birth certificate) along with the Tourist Visa you filled out. Your tourist visa and passport will be stamped to make your arrival official. (You will need to keep your passport and tourist visa with you at all times while in Mexico - make copies in case you lose your originals). Next proceed to the baggage claim area for your luggage.

 

Customs is the last step, here you will need to have your Customs Declaration Form handy (the other form you were given on the plane/ship). Mexico has adopted a "Red Light - Green Light" system for customs. If you have put "Nothing to declare" on this form, you will be asked to push a button....... If the light is green you can exit without inspection; if the light is red you will be subject to inspection. This is a random system, and therefore there is no way to know whether you will get a green or red light. Consequently you need to be honest on your Customs Declaration and declare anything over and above what is allowed, paying all applicable duties. If you do not, and are caught by a red light, the fines may be very steep. One note, Mexican customs officials may assume you know about the "Red Light - Green Light" system and not say a word. No problem, step up & push the button.

 

 

All of the above applies to those who enter by land. Other than picking up your Tourist Visa/Card and having the proper identification, the only difference is the "green light - red light" system. If you are driving, the lights will be in the lane you cross in. Look for yours and if it's green, then drive away. If it's red (and there should be a bell or buzzer sounding) then you need to pull over to the Customs (you'll be pointed in the direction by an officer) area for an inspection.
Same process for those of you walking in to Mexico. More than likely you will be directed to push the button on a solitary "stoplight" with the same system as other entries. Some busy border crossings like Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez may not have you push the button unless you have packages. It's the Customs officials decision. These borders are so busy with tourists and locals crossing back and forth that it would be almost impossible to have everyone do this so they will randomly select people to push the button.

 

NOTE: If you are driving, sailing or boating to Mexico, you must have Mexican insurance for your vehicle/means of transportation.

Only Sonora
 
New “Only Sonora” vehicle checkpoint location makes it easier to visit Sonora.

 

Visitors to the interior of Sonora are now able to drive directly to such cities as Guaymas, San Carlos, Hermosillo, Kino Bay, Magdalena and Santa Ana without the time-consuming process of obtaining a car permit.

 

With the relocation of the “Only Sonora” vehicle checkpoint, visitors to the state will no longer have to obtain a car permit in order to travel south of Nogales. Effective December 15, 2005 paperwork to obtain the decal for visiting the interior will be done at a new checkpoint on Highway 15, just south of the Guaymas-bypass on the road to Ciudad Obregon.

 

For the next six months, Sonora will continue to staff a booth at kilometer 21 checkpoint that will collect paperwork from vehicles that are returning to the US.

 

Minimally, the elimination of this paperwork means a savings of 15minutes to travelers. However, around certain holidays, the measure may save visitors up to several hours. The “Only Sonora” program, unique in Mexico, allows Americans to visit Sonora without paying the customary (federal) fee of $27.00.

 

Travelers intending to go beyond Sonora will still have to obtain a “Banjercito” federal permit. A permit is not required for travel to Rocky Point and other border cities, which are classified as “free-zones.” Required for a permit: proof of US residency, a driver’s license and proof of vehicle ownership.

 

The “Only Sonora” program, unique in Mexico, allows Americans to visit the State of Sonora without paying the customary (federal) vehicle registry fee of $27.00, “Only Sonora” requires motorists to show proof of US residency; a visa to visit Mexico; a driver’s license and proof of vehicle ownership.

 

Americans going beyond the Kilometer 21 Checkpoint into Mexico’s interior will still be required to obtain a visa, which is valid for up to 6 months and good for multiple entries. The Banjercito will remain at KM 21.

Travelers to regions of Mexico that do not use Highway 15 will still be required to obtain either “Only Sonora” or Banjercito permits.