Permit· Baja California Pacific coast (Ensenada to Cabo Falso)· Mexico

Ensenada Port of Entry (CIS Ensenada)

31° 51.5′ N · 116° 37.2′ W · approximate

Ensenada is the first Mexican port of entry south of San Diego and the place almost every independent southbound boat clears in: Immigration, Customs, Port Captain and the Banjercito bank all sit at windows in one federal building (the CIS, Centro Integral de Servicios) beside the harbor.

Practical

Coordinate is approximate: The Log places the CIS building across the street from the northeast corner of Ensenada harbor, so the pin sits just inland of Cruiseport Village Marina's published position; confirm the door with your marina. Procedure: visit the windows in order (Health, Immigration, Customs, Port Captain, then the Banjercito kiosk to pay and collect the receipt). Weekdays only - Noonsite (updated November 2021) says officials do not work weekends; with paperwork in order it takes a couple of hours; bring plenty of pesos in small bills. No agent is required, but Marina Coral, Baja Naval and Cruiseport Village staff will walk you through it (Cruiseport advertises this free for guests); ship's agents charge more. Since 2023 you can email the INM crew-list spreadsheet and fee receipts to BC_ensenada@inami.gob.mx up to 48 hours before arrival to shorten the visit. 2026 immigration fee: 983 MXN per person, paid at the bank or via an agent at the port - not online if arriving by boat; passports are now stamped instead of issuing a paper FMM, and officers set the number of days, so check the stamp. TIP (about US$60, bought online 11-60 days ahead or in person here - Ensenada has a Banjercito office, Cabo San Lucas does not); the Ha-Ha First Timer's Guide 2026 says the TIP term was cut from 10 to 5 years in 2026, while The Log (Nov 2025) still describes 10 years - verify at Banjercito. Fishing licence needed for every person aboard if any fishing gear is carried; a boater's card/operator licence is increasingly requested. Buy the CONANP Conservation Passport here if you plan to stop at the Pacific islands, Laguna San Ignacio, Cabo San Lucas or Cabo Pulmo. The Mexican Navy treats foreign yachts that skip Ensenada clearance as illegally in the country; the next port captain south is Cabo San Lucas.

Best for

Clearing into Mexico before the long run south

Nearby