Our goal at El Duque Dive Charters is to make your trip to San Carlos both safe AND fun! Check out our Van Transportation. It takes the hassle out of driving!

Read the information below carefully and completely, then print out the Traveling to Mexico Checklist when you're done.

If you have any questions, need further information about items covered below, or have special needs, we'll do our best to address any concerns that you have.

• Driving Across the Border
• Paperwork All Tourists Must Have
• Vehicle Permits
• Mexican Auto Insurance
• Traffic Accidents
• Fuel
• Tolls
• Breakdowns
• Traveling to Mexico Checklist

Driving Across the Border

When driving to San Carlos you must stop at the 21-Kilometer checkpoint and ALL passengers MUST provide proof of citizenship (Passport, Birth Certificate and Driver's License, or Affidavit of Citizenship with photo ID) to obtain a tourist permit (visa). The form you will fill out will look similar to this.

The cost of a tourist permit is 170 pesos (about $18 at current exchange rates) per person. You cannot pay the immigration inspectors but must pay at any of the 27 banks listed on the form. The bank will stamp the form after you have paid, making your tourist permit legal. (The bank office at the 21-Kilometer checkpoint is the easiest place to do this.)

There are usually only two customs officials on duty at the checkpoint, so try and get there as early in the day as possible (the office opens at 6 am). As the day goes on, the line WILL get longer--delays of up to an hour or longer at this station are not uncommon, so plan accordingly.

The vehicle owner will also need to complete additional paperwork to obtain the necessary permits for temporarily bringing their vehicle into Mexico. This requires going to a couple different stations to get your vehicle permit and can be time-consuming and somewhat frustrating. If you follow the instructions in Vehicle Permits and have all your paperwork in order when you arrive at the checkpoint, the process can be relatively painless. Above all, remember that you're a guest in a foreign country and please be patient.

Alternately, if you plan to drive often, you can get 180-day permits and visas in Nogales, the 21-Kilometer checkpoint, or in Naco. While Naco is a longer drive from Tucson, the wait times are significantly shorter than in Nogales or at the 21-Kilometer point.

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Paperwork All Tourists Must Have

• Proof of Citizenship: ALL passengers MUST provide proof of citizenship (Passport, Birth Certificate and Driver's License or Affidavit of Citizenship with photo ID) to obtain a tourist card (visa).
• Minors Traveling Without Their Parents: Minors traveling without their parents MUST have written NOTARIZED permission to travel from both their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Minors traveling with one parent MUST have written NOTARIZED permission from the non-traveling parent. If you need help locating a notary public, please call the Travel Desk at (520) 887-2822.

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Vehicle Permits

There are two types of temporary vehicle permits you can obtain for driving in Mexico. Regardless of the type you choose to obtain, be prepared with both the originals and copies of all your paperwork before you arrive at the 21-Kilometer checkpoint.

Sonora Only Permit
There is no charge for the Sonora only permit. You will receive paperwork and a car sticker from the officials. The permit MUST be returned when you leave Mexico. There is a return booth located at the 21-Kilometer checkout.

You will need both the originals and copies of the following documents:

• The tourist card (visa) issued to you in the customs office. (You will have to have one copy made of the tourist card before you can present your paperwork to get a vehicle permit. There is a copy station inside the main building. The cost is 25 cents per copy.)
• Current vehicle registration. (You must be the registered owner of the vehicle. It is possible to drive someone else's vehicle with a NOTARIZED and signed letter of permission, but expect delays and confusion.)
• Current driver's license.
• Proof of current US vehicle insurance. (Play it safe, bring copies of both your insurance card and policy.)
• Proof of citizenship. (Passport, Birth Certificate and Driver's License, or Affidavit of Citizenship with photo ID.)

Six Month (180 Day) Permit

This permit will allow you to bring your car into Mexico for six months from the date of issue. If you're going to buy a six-month permit, be sure to request a tourist card (visa) for 180 days at the customs office. The permit (a small sticker which you mount on your windshield) MUST be returned to same checkpoint where you bought it before it expires or you may be fined. There is an approximately $17 fee for the permit and you can ONLY pay with a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit card. (The name on the credit card must match the name on the vehicle registration.) No cash or debit cards will be accepted.

The benefit to getting a 180-day tourist card (visa) and purchasing a six-month vehicle permit is that you will not have to stop at either the customs office or the return booth for the next six months that you travel in Sonora.

You will need both the originals and copies of the following documents:

• The tourist card (visa) issued to you in the customs office. (You will have to have one copy made of the tourist card before you can present your paperwork to get a vehicle permit. There is a copy station inside the main building. The cost is 25 cents (U.S.) per copy.)
• Current vehicle title and registration. (You must be the registered owner of the vehicle. It is possible to drive someone else's vehicle with a NOTARIZED and signed letter of permission, but expect delays and confusion.)
• Current driver's license.
• Proof of current US vehicle insurance. (Play it safe, bring copies of both your insurance card and policy.)
• Proof of citizenship. (Passport, Birth Certificate and Driver's License, or Affidavit of Citizenship with photo ID.)

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Mexican Auto Insurance

El Duque Dive Charters strongly supports the purchase of Mexican auto insurance if you're taking your vehicle across the border. While Mexican auto insurance is not necessary to receive a vehicle permit from the Mexican government, we do feel that it's prudent to have this protection. Otherwise, if you end up in an accident in Mexico, you could also land in jail until damages are worked out.

We recommend that you check with your insurance carrier first to see if your current coverage extends into Sonora, Mexico.

You will find Mexican auto insurance vendors on both sides of the border crossings. A better idea is to set up your insurance before you go. You might also find that it can be considerably cheaper to do it this way.

While we cannot rate the following local brokers, they do have Mexican auto insurance available for purchase. Rates will be dependent on the make, model and year of your vehicle as well as the length and amount of coverage desired.

• AAA
  6950 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ
  (520) 885-0694 x8432
• Budget/Sanborn's Auto Insurance
  105 West Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ
  (520) 624-9267

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Traffic Accidents

Advice from the Mexican Consulate in Tucson about what to do if you are involved in a traffic accident in Mexico:

• Do not loose your temper. You're not in Kansas.
• Do not leave the place of the accident.
• Cooperate with the legal authorities.
• Do not sign any agreements nor accept any liability.
• Contact your Mexican insurance company immediately--while the vehicle is still in Mexico.

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Fuel

Gasoline is available at stations throughout Sonora. It is sold in liters (3.78 liters = 1 gallon). Magna Sin (green pumps) is unleaded. Prices are about the same as in the US Only cash is accepted and there is no self service (tips are customary for gasoline attendants). Most stations close by 10 PM. El Duque Dive Charters recommends that you fill up in Nogales, on the US side of the border, before you head south and then again in San Carlos before you head back north.

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Tolls

The highway systems between major cities is modern and similar to the freeways further North. What makes them unique is their dependence on toll funding rather than taxation to pay the development cost. So, you'll have to 'pay as you go'. There are currently three toll booths (Nogales, Magdalena De Kino, and Hermosillo) from the US/Mexican border to San Carlos. Have a handful of small bills available so you'll encounter no problems with making change. Currently, the tolls are about $3 to $5 (US) per toll booth.

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Breakdowns

El Duque Dive Charters recommends that you caravan with other drivers for at least the first couple times you drive to San Carlos. You get a feel for the roads without having to concentrate so much on directions and you'll be with a group of fellow divers.

If you do breakdown, major highways are patrolled by Los Angeles Verdes (The Green Angels). These government-operated pickup trucks are driven by mechanics. To date, Mexico is the only country with this service. It's free, except for parts and gas.

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Traveling to Mexico Checklist

• Proof of citizenship for each passenger. Passport, Birth Certificate and Driver's License, or Affidavit of Citizenship with photo ID.
• Minors traveling Without Their Parents: Minors traveling without their parents MUST have written NOTARIZED permission to travel from both their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). If you need help locating a notary public, please call the Travel Desk at (520) 887-2822.
• Current vehicle title and registration. (You must be the registered owner of the vehicle. It is possible to drive someone else's vehicle with a NOTARIZED and signed letter of permission, but expect delays and confusion.)
• Current driver's license.
• Proof of current US vehicle insurance. (Play it safe, bring copies of both your insurance card and policy.)
• Mexican Auto Insurance. Not required by the Mexican government, but a darn good idea to have.
• Driving Map to San Carlos. An absolute must! Don't have one? Download and print one here.
• Drinking Water and Traveling Snacks. You will be driving across the Sonoran desert and, although there are towns and service stations along the route, it's a good idea to pack some beverages and "road chow."

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