The rules
for Mexico travel change on occasion, and the rules may be enforced
differently in different parts of Mexico.
As of May 2006, these are the current rules for Tourist Card
requirements for driving your US or Canadian vehicle to Puerto Penasco
and other parts of the state of Sonora:
The Sonora Free Zone has recently been expanded to everything west of
highway 15 to as far south as San Carlos/Guaymas. Puerto Penasco is
in the Free Zone. See Free Zone map below
All US or Canadian citizens who enter Mexico should get a Tourist Card
if you are staying more than 72 hours in Mexico, or if you are traveling
further into Mexico past the Free Zone (some visitors to Puerto Penasco
choose to not get a tourist card even if they are staying longer than
72 hours, but technically you are supposed to get one).
If you are staying less than 7 days, the Tourist Card is free.
If you are staying for longer than 7 days, then you need to pay the
approximately $20 USD for your Tourist Card at the time you get it stamped.
You will need to get your tourist card stamped upon entering Mexico,
and you will also need to pay for it if you plan to stay more than 7
days.
If you are staying within the Free Zone, you no longer are required
to get any type of vehilce permit either! If you plan to travel outside
of the Free Zone, your will be required to get a temporary vehicle import
permit.
Because the rules do change, and sometimes the rules are enforced differently
in certain parts of Mexico, we recommend the following before making
your trip.
1: If you are staying at a hotel, ask the hotel what the current tourist
card requirements are.
2: You can also ask the Mexican authorities at the time you cross the
border as to whether you need a tourist card or not.
Read this page for information on the types of identification
you should bring with you to Mexico.
Sonora Free Zone in Yellow
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