Traveling to Mexico
Traveling to Mexico click here for updated passport information.
Link: www.travel.state.gov
When traveling into Mexico, crossing the border at Reynosa or Nuevo Progreso and visiting for just a few hours or for several days further into Mexico, the following may help you have a safe, smooth visit.
If you are going across to a border town shopping or just visiting, you do not need a tourist visa. You should have some personal identification with you such as a driver's license or a photo I D.
TEMPORARY TOURIST VISA: When traveling beyond the checking point, which is about 18 miles south of the border, you need to obtain a tourist visa. The tourist visa can be obtained across the bridge at the Mexico Customs and Immigration office by presenting your birth certificate, Tourist visas are issued for three days free of charge and for seven days to six months at a cost of about $22.00 dollars. You pay this at a local bank. To avoid a fine, each of these visas must be returned by their expiration date.
AUTOMOBILE PERMIT: When traveling to Mexico driving your own automobile beyond the checking point, you go to the Temporary Vehicle Permit Building to get an automobile permit, and your tourist visa can also be issued here. For your automobile permit you need the title of ownership or the automobile registration card and you need to pay with a major credit card, such as; Visa, Master card, or American Express. This permit is good for six months and you must return it by the expiration date.
TEMPORARY VEHICLE PERMIT BUILDING: When you cross the bridge and go by the Vehicles line proceed until you come to the first street ( Aleman Street runs West to East). Take a left and go three streets and turn left, then go straight until you see the large parking lot and the building. Here you can obtain your automobile and tourist visa permits.
MEXICO ROADS: In Mexico just like in the United States, there are toll roads and non toll roads. In Mexico, if you choose to travel through the toll road, it is called autopista or "quota". The price you pay can be high, any where from $2.95 to $ 30.00 dollars depending on how far you travel. The Reynosa / Monterrey one way trip is approximately $23.00 Dollars. If you travel through non toll roads called" libre," there is no charge, but beware these roads are not in a good condition.
BUS TRAVEL: (Address 1501 Business 83, Entrance on 15th Street) Bus service to all points in the Republic leaves from McAllen's bus terminal every 25 minutes. The bus makes a stop at Reynosa's Customs office to allow passengers to get tourist visas.