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ROSARITO FEDERAL ZONE USERS:   Here’s new information from the Federal Zone City Hall collection office:  As of today, if bills are not paid on time, a fine will be assessed plus penalties. Bi-monthly rate will be increased every six months. 

EXTRA BENEFIT FOR SENIORS: By presidential decree, INSEN is the official bureau that cares for seniors in Mexico. If you’re an FM-3 holder and at least 65 years old, you can apply for a card that will save you serious money in travel fares, pharmacies, air lines, buses, hotels, Rosarito taxis, Mexican drivers/auto license, etc. You can check these benefits by calling or stopping at the new Rosarito City Hall.

CONFISCATION: Once again, we must warn you of the danger of lending your car to a National. If you let him drive across the border, and on the way back, he is sent to secondary inspection, if the inspector in charge requires him to show proof of ownership, license and U.S. permanent resident card, and he can’t supply it, they will confiscate your vehicle. It’ll be very difficult to get it back, and, in a worse-case scenario, you might lose the vehicle.  This could also happen on the road in a routine traffic stop.

BRINGING ITEMS ACROSS THE BORDER?  President Vicente Fox has recently increased the amount of merchandise you are allowed to bring across to Baja. This is great news! The old limit was $50 per person, and this has been increased to 150 U.S. dollars per day, per person, with a maximum of $400US.
One small catch: you must be a resident of Mexico! (Need FM-3). Any excess will be taxed at 17.3%, if the merchandise is from Canada or the U.S. All other items from other countries will be taxed at 60.3%. Liquor & cigarettes are limited to one liter and two cartons per person.

NEW SMART & FINAL:   I strongly suggest you pay a visit to any of their fine stores, and you do not need a card. Just browse their isles and check their prices, especially if you need cleaning and picnic supplies. Now in Rosarito Main Street nears our “Quinta shopping Plaza”.

FEDERAL POLICE: When you drive on any Federal road, these are the people who take care of any accidents and traffic assistance. Their distinctive black and white cars are easily identified. They normally have authority on the roads between cities and towns, or on open highways,

STATE POLICE: Identified by the words: (Vialidad y Transportes) on the sides of their cars) These State trooper police supervise of all commercial vehicles, and are clearly marked in white, yellow and blue vehicles. They don’t handle normal traffic tickets or accidents.

MUNICIPAL POLICE: These officers are just like the local police in the US. They enforce all driving traffic conditions. Every once in a while, you will encounter a ‘bad apple” who will be seeking a small bribe to let you off.  Do not pay the fine! Instead, insist on going to the Police Station to pay the fine. Most times, they will simply go away and seek other victims.

CAPITAL GAINS TAXES: Taxes are minimized when you transfer your property by showing an FM-3 at least two years old, plus utility bills in the name of the current trust owner. However, if you have property under a Corporation, such benefits do not apply.

HOW MANY CARS AT THE BORDER? Telnor now has an easy service number to call to find out the traffic situation at the border.  Dial asterisk-GARITA. (*427472).

MEXICAN HOLIDAYS: The new 2009 desk calendars are here. This calendar has a feature to help you keep track of all U.S., as well as Mexican Holidays. Here are the days where most governmental offices, banks, insurance companies/offices and few merchants will be closed: >>January 1, February 2, March 16, May 1, Sept 16, November 16 and December 25<<<, Please notice that are also some holidays that many merchants grants as an extra courtesy holiday like; >> Easter week - end (April 10, 11, 12), Mother's day (May 10) and Mexican Memorial day (Dia de los Muertos November 2)<<

SENTRI LANE: This has been proven to be the ultimate solution to avoid long crowded lanes going to the U.S. You’ll need an application and must call for later appointment, but this is very worthwhile. Extensive investigation from the Bureaus will apply. Telephone number for appointments is (619) 661-3170.

ATM MACHINES IN MEXICO: These machines are available in most major cities, and they disperse Mexican currency only. The most frequently visited here in Rosarito are BANAMEX and B. B.V.A.-BANCOMER.

BANK TRUST WARNING:  If you’re late with these fees, most banks usually charge big penalties.  And, be aware that bank trust fees are paid in advance, not after the period covered. 

NEW CITY HALL:  Good things are happening with the new Rosarito City Hall.  Not only has the immigration office been upgraded with new professional people, but there is also an office to help foreign residents with common everyday problems.  Plenty of parking is available and all the main offices you might need are in one easy-to-reach central location.

FREEBIE!  A small gift for our valued customers is available at both of our locations.  Stop by and pick up a 2009 calendar that shows all the Mexican holidays.  Such a deal!  And while you’re at it, pick up any extra files you might need for your records.

24 HRS EMERGENCY PHONES:

• Red Cross         Tij 065 Ros 066
• Police               060
• Fire                  068
• CFE (street light failure) 071
• CESP (water)   073
• Exact hour        030
• Information       040
• Calls Collect      090
• Rosarito D. A. (661) 613 – 1805 / 1897
• Federal High Way      (664) 682 – 5285
• Tourist assistance 078
• Hot lines: Tijuana: 01-800-028-0888 or U.S. 888-775-2414 Rosarito: 01-800-027-3137 or U.S. 1-800-962-BAJA  Ensenada: 01-800-025-3991 or U.S. 1-800-310-9687 & Mexicali: 1-01-800-025-5887 or U.S. 1-888-342-7323 

 

DRIVE DEFENSIVELY: Please while driving in Mexico, always consider driving defensively. This will avoid traffic violations and unexpected accidents. Remember, in Mexico, we have the “NAPOLEONIC” laws. You’re guilty until proven innocent. We always recommend to carry at least minimum Mexican Insurance, BUT including “LEGAL” assistance that will assure bail, in case you are in an accident with bodily injuries.

NEW PHARMACY: Although medicines are easy to obtain here in Mexico, you have to be careful to make sure they are declared when going back to U.S., especially if you have SENTRI privileges. New Millennium or Gusher's pharmacies have many central locations. One recently opened at the border and now in Rosarito: Benito Juarez # 314 right across from Ortega’s Restaurant. They’re offering a 30% discount. 

CARPET CLEANER: If you ever need a reliable service to clean your carpet, office, furniture/ mattresses, buff/ polish/wax your car, etc., do not hesitate to call Mr. Ignacio Gonzalez Martinez, who gave us a few validated vouchers applicable for an interesting discount for your first call, or just tell him you’re our referral. His telephone is: (661) 613- 5384

NEW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: Jorge Jr is now offering Property & Association Management, including: Plumbing, Electrical, Constructions/Add-on, Public Accounting, etc. He’ll be happy to assist you in any way he can. All his work is guaranteed!!
Tel. 011 52 (661) 612 – 5826
Fax.             (661) 613 – 0491 Nextel: (664) 105 - 7329 or 152*135744*1
e-mail: jorgecuadros@mail.com   MAILING ADDRESS: P. O. Box 531019 San Diego,  CA  92153-1019

NEW ON-LINE SERVICE: We would like to say with great pride that we're the (one and only) on – line service provider. Three easy steps are necessary to see your statement any day 24/7. We invite you to visit our web-page at www.jorgecuadros.com and learn all about our professional services. Please visit or call for an appointment and we'll be more than happy to explain all about us.

BANK TRUST INSTITUTIONS: I'm pleased to give you most important bank institutions names and telephone numbers that deal with Foreigners in the so call "Forbiden Zone", 100 KM from the border and 50 KM from the ocean, any foreigner who want to acquire property, we suggest to put it immediately in a Bank Trust. Here are the most important:

BBVA BANCOMER: Rosarito branch located at the north end of town. Trust officer: Lic. Guadalupe Bejarano gbejarano@bbva.bancomer.com Tel. 661-612-3269 or Lic. Cesar Garcia M100329@bbva.bancomer.com Tel. 661-612-3257

BANAMEX: Paseo de los Heroes # 10289 corner     Zona del Rio  Trust officer Mr. Guadalupe Madrigal   gmadrigal@banamex.com  Tel. 664-633-4720 or 633-4704 Fax. 664-633-4722

HSBC: Plaza Financiera, Blvd. Sanchez Taboada # 10111 Zona del Rio Trust officer Miss. Priscilla Manzo Tel. 664-633-6512  633-6446  633-6515 Fax. 633-6517  priscilla.manzo@hsbc.com.mx

SCOTIABANK INVERLAT: 4th street (downtown # 816) Trust officer.    Lic. Jose Luis Rodriguez  Tel. 664-685-2918 D or 688-1488 ext. 1004 Fax. 688-1530 Assisance: Mr. Sergio Correa rcorrea@scotiabank.com.mx or Mr. sotero Vega Sandoval svega@scotiabank.com.mx

SERFIN SANTANDER: Blvd. Agua Caliente # 237 corner Calle Rio Grijalva. Trust officer: Lic. Alma Lopez Rubio aalopez@santander.com.mx Tel. 664-6334925 Ext. 54706 Fax. 664-633-4912 Ext. 54741 or Assistance: amazariegos@santander.com.mx

BANCO INTERACCIONES: Javier Mina # 1571 6th floor Ste 602 (Edificio Ixpalia) Trust officer: Lic. Joaquin F. Gil Samaniego jfsamaniego@interacciones.com Tel. 664-900-6274 Fax. 634-0805 Nextel. 152*142842*1 or Lic. Connie Ramirez connierd1@hotmail.com

BANORTE: Paseo de los Heroes corner Antonio Caso Zona del Rio  Trust officer. Lic. Rodolfo Jimenez Aguilar rodolfo.jimenez@banorte.com  Assistance. Miss. Monica Mayela Martinez monica.martinez.lozano@banorte.com  Tel. 664-633-3016 or 633-3007