Tijuana Travel Forum

my family and i are flying to guanajuato, mexico. we found cheap tickets from tijuana, but i was wondering if a passport is needed to fly, since we arent leaving from the u.s.

What is your nationality?

If you are a USA citizen, you do not need a passport coming across the border by land.

Mexico does require documentation if you are traveling more than twenty-five miles in and staying more than 72 hours, so you'd need something to attach their visa on to. I'd suggest a passport for your own security and convenience.

From http://travel.state.gov (New Travel Requirements for US Citizens)

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda 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.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents 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.

Even though you may not need a passport to get back into California from TJ, I agree with the previous poster. Get a passport before you go, if at all possible. It's the best ID a traveler can have.

Martha Racine Taylor, Author of Spanish--Live It and Learn It, The Complete Guide to Language Immersion Schools in Mexico

Martha, do you have more info about the document requirements for this person going all the way to Guanajuato?

I meant, documents required by the Mexican government?

If you are American citizen maybe will ask for passport or the tourist card. There is 20 KM southern of border you can travel whiout the passport but before this is better to take it.

So my recomendation is better take the passport.