what food items can i take into mexico?

[karen17]

I am going to my son's wedding in Rosarita Beach in August. This has proven to be quite a nightmare - I don't think I can rent a vehicle in CA and take into Mexico (does anyone have an answer to that?) and also we're renting a large home and would like to take food from CA to the house becuz I'm not crazy about buying meats in mexico. Does anyone know what can be taken across the border? All responses are really appreciated as I am totally lost!!! Thanks

[StrykerGT2001]

there is a post just below yours that asks the rental car questions (the answer is no)

http://forums.mexonline.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=1021

As for meats, they can and often are confiscated at the border if they are found. My advice is bring your coolers with you and hit a Sams Club or Costco on the Mexican side and pick up whatever meat you need there. Here is a directory of Costcos in Mexico:

http://www.costco.com.mx/sucursales.html

I'm assuming Sams has a similar page somewhere. Your US Costco/Sams card will work to get in - both stores have very nice american style meat selections, very safe and USDA certified.

[RVGRINGO]

I'm always amazed by the folks who have never been into Mexico and seem to think we're all sitting under a cactus, sixgun in hand, waiting to shoot a rabbit or rattlesnake for supper.
Good news folks: Mexico has food! Mexico exports food to the USA! Mexico makes a couple of million "US Automobiles", "Japanese Automobiles" and "European Automobiles", and ships them to the USA every year. They also make computers, software, TV sets and most of your refrigerators.
So, you don't have to bring anything to the wedding; you could even buy the gifts in Mexico. Just get yourself to the wedding location in your own vehicle. Rentals are NOT ALLOWED and no matter how many times you ask the question I'm afraid we can't come up with another answer.
If your nightmares continue, just send them a check; now THAT might be complicated! They might get it about the same time their second child arrives, or not at all, or right away; who knows?

[BajaGringo]

A few corrections...

I know that in many places you cannot rent a car to cross the border into Mexico but here along the border with San Diego is an exception. Most of the Budget Rent a Car agencies in San Diego will allow you to do so as long as you state your intention to do so and buy the insurance for Mexico at the same time from them. Here is their website:

http://www.budget.com

Here are four other local agencies in the San Diego area that I or my family/friends have used that have the same policy:

http://www.courtesyauto.com/
http://www.cabaja.com/
http://www.a1rentacar.com/
http://www.advantagerentacar.com

Now, as far as buying meat - you have got to be kidding me! The meat quality here in Mexico is excellent and if you will be here in Rosarito Beach just go to the new Comercial Mexicano which has one of the best meat/poultry/fish selections I have seen in any market - north or south of the border. All of the guys are excellent at cuts as well as advice/ideas for preparation, etc. The market is as clean and modern as any you will visit in the states.

I'm with you RV - I get so tired of trying to explain to people that there actually exists civilized life down here south of the border. I noticed that in her post that she uses the term "nightmare" to describe her view of the experience. My advice is for people who are so rigid and expect everything to work and function exactly as in the US that south of the border is probably not for them. Afraid of buying meat here in Rosarito Beach? Karen, with all you have going on in planning a wedding that should be the least of your worries...

[StrykerGT2001]

Baja - So the rental agency lets you rent the car, so presumably you could cross into the border area (before the aduana) and drive around, but what happens when you try to get your importation sticker?

Maybe I'm just mixed up, but i thought the place where you crossed the border and the place where you get the sticker for your FMT/FM3 were different.

[RVGRINGO]

Thanks for letting us all know of the 'exception to the rules'. I have pointed out, in other posts, that the Baja California and Frontera areas do have different rules for tourists. I will assume that renting a car in San Diego and driving it within Baja or La Frontera would definitely require Mexican insurance and that it would be prohibited to take the vehicle further into Mexico.
To answer Stryker's question: The sticker is for the car and a visa is required. In most cases, this may be accomplished at a 'bancercito' at the border; usually quite close to customs/immigration. However, you may drive into 'La Frontera' or Baja without the 'importada temporal' sticker on your windshield. BUT: Should you try to go further into Mexico, you will be stopped at the interior customs checkpoint and sent back to the border if you don't have the sticker, vehicle importation papers and your visas.

[RVGRINGO]

Please note Baja's corrections and check with his recommended auto rental agencies. Perhaps you can rent that SUV after all. However, don't try to transport meat; it is kind of like taking 'coals to Newcastle' & you might have it confiscated; Mad Cow, you know!

I'm a travel agent in California. I've done the research... and I now that Dollar allows their cars to be driven into Mexico, provided that you buy their Mexican auto insurance at $25 a day.