Visa requirements to visit Ensenada Mexico are fairly relaxed. The area up to Ensenada from the US border at San Ysidro is considered a free zone or border zone and there are few requirements to visit.

However if you whish to travel further south past Ensenada, even just for the day then you will be required to have a valid tourist card.

Additionally if you are traveling in your own vehicle, you DO NOT need to fill in temporary import permits to bring your vehicle to Ensenada, however if you plan on going further south past Ensenada you will be required to process a temporary import permit

When crossing the border into Mexico from the United States at San Ysidro, you will simply drive across the border into Tijuana. Border control is fairly relaxed in comparison the United states border check with intermittent inspections.   

If you would like to obtain a visa this can be done about 1 mile after the border on the Tijuana side, all you will need is a valid passport and about 15 US dollars.

Tourist visa’s known as FMT visas permit you stay and travel within Mexico for up to six months at a time. The same office that processes the tourist visas will also be able to process the temporary importation of your vehicle.

For a comprehensive set of visa requirements and regulations the following websites offer some useful information:

http://math.ucr.edu/ftm/bajaPages/TouristCard.html

http://www.baja.com/entrance.htm

http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/visa.html

If you are considering retirement in Mexico, you will need to apply for an FM3 Visa. The FM3 visa is defined as follows:

An FM-3 is a one year permit to reside in Mexico. This document makes the holder a No Imigrante (Non-Immigrant) like the tourist card but, unlike the tourist card you are allowed to live in the country for an extended period of time.

The document must be renewed each year as long as you continue to reside in Mexico. After your fifth year you can either upgrade to an FM-2 (apply for citizenship) or simply request a new FM-3.

For a comprehensive set of visa requirements and regulations on FM3 visas the following websites offer some useful information:

http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/immigration.html

http://www.consulmexny.org/eng/visas_fm3_other.htm

http://www.mexicomike.com/livebetter/lb_fm3.htm

If you would like some assistance in processing your visa, you can contact Carlos Victorica from unique personal Service (U.P.S) located right here at Baja Cove in Punta Banda:

Punta Banda Office:        (646) 154 2962

Mobile Phone:                (646) 149 2772

USA                              (323) 908 6873

Email:                           mailboxups@yahoo.com

Kindly note that Carlos Victorica (U.P.S) is not associated in any way to Baja Cove Beach and Lagoon or its management and provides and independent service.

Additionally the visa requirements mentioned above are only a guideline and may change or vary for individual visitors, it is advised that you contact the local Mexican consulate nearest you before your departure.