Mexican Tourist Car or Permit Is An FMM, Not A Visa
You need a Mexican tourist card (FMM) to Travel Mexico Beyond the Border
You do not need a Mexican visa to travel to Mexico as a tourist if you are from the USA or Canada. You need a Mexican tourist card, (it used to be an FMT, but now is an FMM Forma Migratoria Múltiple). Mexican tourist cards (not visas) have not been free for years (except for a 7 day permit). Although the cost of your Mexican tourist card (FMM) varies according to the peso and does go up periodically, a Mexican tourist card will set you back about $22-$25. I got my last (2011) tourist permit for about $25.
I stopped giving the exact price in pesos as it changes, the exchange rate changes and the difference is miniscule. You do not need a Mexican tourist permit for Baja. Your car permit to drive in Mexico is another document you will need if you are driving in Mexico beyond the border.
Although the nice Migracíon (immigration) officials will tell you to pay for your Mexican tourist card at any bank in Mexico, try to pay for it then and there to avoid problems. I always do. You must pay cash for your tourist card, but if you are getting a car permit (and otherwise why would you be reading this website?), you can pay for the whole shebang with a credit card (VI, MC only). If you have to pay for your tourist permit in Mexico, it is relatively painless, at least no more painful than any trip to a Mexican bank.
Migracíon (immigration) keeps an accurate record all tourist permits. Be sure to turn your tourist card (FMM) in to a Migracíon office near the border. Finding these is a challenge, but worth it. Hacienda kiosks are usually near (but not on) the bridge or border crossing. The toll-takers on the bridge cannot take your tourist permit. Since you have to turn your car permit in anyway, find the Hacienda office and turn them both in at the same time. How, you ask? Ask at the 21 kilometer (this is an approximate number. At some point there is a customs/immigration checkpoint -- for those entering Mexico and sometimes for those leaving). If no one is on your side of the highway, I would park, walk across the highway (if there isn't a lot of traffic) and ask the guys on the inbound checkpoint where it is. The next best way is to ask a cop, or better yet, a highway patrol officer for, La casita por los tram it es del autos por extranjeros.
If you do not turn in or cancel your FMM or tourist card, you will incur fines and be denied entrance to Mexico later. See my story about the fines you will pay if you don't return your FMM tourist card. The solution is also there.
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