Mexico Information

As you might expect this is a LEAVE NO TRACE EVENT.

A large part of the magic of this event is the location in which it is held, please help us in insuring that this place stays magical for those who come after us.

PACK IT IN - PACK IT OUT

Bring enough heavy duty trash bags to pack everything out. We (The Fuente Crew or the family that hosts us) will NOT be disposing ANY trash for you! We know that in the past the family have taken a fee to do so. That is no longer the case. If you bring it, it must leave with you.

No cutting Trees (firewood is for sale).
No Collecting of Rocks or Plants from the Desert.
No pets allowed.

Passport requirements notice:

* Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by AIR ONLY between the United States and Mexico will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PASSPORT, YOU NEED TO GO APPLY FOR EITHER A PASSPORT OR PASSPORT CARD.

* As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Mexico by land or sea (including ferries), are required to present a valid passport or other documents (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST, Passport Card, etc.) as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

INSURANCE

Mexican Auto Insurance is the law. If you do not have it and you get pulled over or in an accident you will most likely be going to jail. Google search for Mexican Insurance and you can by online very cheap. Alternatively, you can purchase Mexican insurance at the border for very cheap. Be sure to leave teh contract carefully. If you get into an accident, make sue to call the Mexicn Insurance before leaving Mexico. The best website is http://www.mexpro.com/

FEDERALES

Travelers to Guadalupe Canyon will encounter 1 or 2 Federales (Mexican Army) check points up on return to US. They are looking for the illegal guns and drugs. They may want to look in your car. Be polite and you will soon be on your way. I have never had any reports of unprofessional behavior by the Federales. There are usually no checkpoints on the way to the canyons.

Toll Way

From the Tocate border, it is about a two hour drive to the canyons. You want to follow the signs to Mexicali (highway 2) and continue on the Toll way. DON'T TAKE THE FREE WAY (Libre). There are two toll booths on the way. The first is $4.75 and the second is $1.25. Make sure to bring enough change for both ways.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

WARNING:Mexican customs prohibits the following items from entering the country in your car. These items will be confiscated if your caught. There could also be a fine.

Gasoline
Computers (used)
Clothing (used)
Plants of any type
Rice and beans
toilets or bathroom furniture
Fire arms and ammunitions
also many chemicals, paints, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals

YOU ARE ALLOWED TO BRING A NORMAL AMOUNT OF FOOD OR CLOTHING FOR A NORMAL VACATION.

Passports and Driver's Licenses

Information about traveling into Mexico from the US available here on the travel.state.gov website and Baja Bound website.


SECURITY:
As many of you know, Mexico is undergoing some political turmoil these days. As such, we will be elevating the level of security at Fuente this year. It is more important than anything that our family and our retreat be safe. Even though a lot of the issues occur far from our location, we will be taking preventative measures with security from both sides of the border, so that we can all rest assured and have a safe event. Please exercise caution (as always) while traveling through Mexico to our location. We suggest using the Mexicali crossing, as it means less actual driving time in Mexico. Try to carpool, don’t drive at night, and once you hit the playa that heads for the Canyon, do not stop until you reach the location.

And as always… Rule #1: Don’t be dumb.

03.01.2007. 03:21