 |
Home Driving Rules Yomexico News Free Vacation About Michael Sites to See Contact |
yomexico sports adventure |
|
SANTA TERESA, USA & JERONIMO, MEXICO BORDER CROSSING | ||||
|
This is the newest US/Mexico border crossing. Everything is
brand new including the roads. Open 6AM to 10PM.
If you look at the map, it will seem to be out of the way to use
Santa Teresa. Well, it just isn’t. First you avoid the
traffic in El Paso. Than, the up to 3 hours I have spent waiting in a 4
mile long traffic jam at the border. Add in the toll for the bridge and the fact that the border guards at these high-pressure crossings are not always so pleasant. And, after that you get to attempt the navigation of Juarez. All of it!
Miles and Miles of stop and go Kilometers.
If you don’t get lost at least once, you are a better man than I.
From Albuquerque, New Mexico......... 
Coming South on I-25 to I-10 East to Texas Exit 8; the Senator Pete Dominici Highway,
(once your back to the New Mexico line). If you are coming east on I-10 to begin with, there is a major short-cut South,
check your map). If you are coming from the East on I-10 you may wish to use one of the El Paso crossings.
Follow the signs through Santa Teresa (usually no lines and a quick pass for gringo tourists) south on Route 02 to Mexico Highway 2, then East to 45 South. Follow the signs to Mexico/Chihuahua. All the highways on the Mexican side are new too. 
A very specialized plant, the Chihuahua Blanket Cactus (Lodix Dumosos) grows only in Northern Chihuahua. The photo shows the very beginning of the harvest in late summer. A very important harvest, with the chilly winter nights to come. [Remember to ask me about the spaghetti growing documentary I saw] Oh, boy…Here comes the 20 K Checkpoint. 20K CHECK POINT- Open 24 hours a day. The first time can be quite frustrating and everything will cost $ beginning with the 20 peso charge for parking. Immigration paperwork (6 month visa) This is usually the easiest part. Go to the first counter to your left when you enter. You could get your tourist visa at Santa Teresa but this is where you get the Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit, so I usually just do it all here. You must have:
Now the fun part; a Temporary Importation Permit (also for 6 months) for your vehicle(s). (Don’t blame the Mexicans for this, it was on the insistence of the US Government in an attempt to halt the flow of stolen vehicles. Didn’t work of course). Anywhere from 20 minutes to 4 hours depending on the time of day and year. I always hit the 20K check between 6 to 8AM. When I am driving my motorhome I sometimes sleep in the parking lot and enter the building so early I must wake everyone up! I often bring a box of Dunkin Donuts. You must have:
One more Biggie! You simply must have a Credit Card that will be used to guarantee your return of the temporarily imported vehicle. The other choice is a ‘refundable’ cash deposit that can be outrageous. Hey, it’s not really that bad. Just be sure to have all your paperwork ready. Every year when I leave that building with all my permits, I am so excited. Wow! Six months in what may be the most Beautiful Country in the World! Leaving the parking lot, you still must have your paperwork checked; a quick stop at Mexican Customs. Usually a matter of minutes and your on your way. YO! I am going to leave everything written above; But, as of July ’05 you can NOW do everything at Santa Teresa including the Vehicle Permit. You can now fill out your vehicle permit online at the following web page: banjercito.com.mx. |
||||
|
For More Information: New Mexico, Land of Enchantment Mexican Tourist Information Maps from Holmans More Maps from the U of Texas
|
||||