I was in the process of helping a friend with his first driving visit to San Carlos, trying to make it easy and uneventful, when I found that the Sonora Is Safe web site directs tourists to NOT stop at the K21 checkpoint.
Quote from sonoraissafe.com.com
"Proceed on toll road to "21K Checkpoint". You do not need to stop here simply go to the lane with the red/green light.
Drive to the Custom's Inspection area where you will choose one of the following options: Declaration of merchandise to be imported OR Activation of the Fiscal Control Light. If you have no merchandise to declare, you will take the left line, where you will encounter another red light/green light.
If you get a red light, you will have to stop your car and have it inspected.
If you get a green light, or after the inspection, you may proceed to your destination."
What's with this? No visa? I would think that it be prudent to get this right.
Whoever knows the person or people running the web site, please let them know that this is a problem. I emailed them but do not know if someone really monitors the address.
Sure, under the heading "Travel Tips" - "Passports & Visas" it says:
"According to the law you must have the Tourist Card on you while traveling (make a copy if possible in case original is lost). You can pick up a card at the border, just stop at immigration as you cross into Mexico, parking is available."
But the driving directions tell the reader to bypass the immigration office! It does not tell the uninitiated that the stop is at K21.
I get questions from people up Norte all the time about how difficult and dangerous it must be to drive to San Carlos and these sorts of oversights do not help the situation.
