Member's Home Forums General Discussion Mexico Mexico Airports MMES - Ensenada MMES Pirep

Flew to MMES for a couple days. Originally intended to fly directly to MMES, but because the DGAC wasn't answering the phone and I didn't want headaches, I figured it was worth the ~2 hour detour to fly to MMSF, get the multi-entry permit and clear immigration there, and double back to MMES.

I found the MMES airport far less GA-friendly than MMSF, perhaps because it is a military base. All of our belongings were thoroughly searched. There was $10 landing fee, as well as a $16 per night parking fee, CASH ONLY. The DGAC reviewed our multi-entry aircraft permit.

Plane was parked in a gravel lot, all the other planes there were in a state of disrepair (missing engines, etc.). Although MMES is a military base, there have been quite a few reports of thefts of GA aircraft (perhaps even by the military personnel themselves), so the strong recommendation is to leave absolutely nothing valuable in the plane and to make sure your aircraft insurance is in order.

On exit back to San Diego, flight plan had to be approved by DGAC, Customs (Aduana), Immigration, and Airport (four separate stamps) before flight plan could be approved. An immigration exit fee was due for my passengers as well, I think about $8 each or so. On exit, ALL, and I mean ALL of our belongings, were again thorougly searched, which I found somewhat odd (after all, we're leaving the country, not entering it!).

The good news is that MMES is fairly close to downtown Ensenada itself, although we had trouble getting an Uber or a Taxi (perhaps because there are far fewer Ubers on the road these days due to COVID). All in all, I'd probably drive to MMES from San Diego rather than fly, although not having to wait 3+ hours to cross the border back to the US on the weekend was definitely a plus. CBP at San Diego Brown Field was a breeze.

Hello frcabot, thank you for this Pirep about MMES.

Flying to MMSF instead of MMES because the DGAC (which recently changed its name to AFAC - Federal Civil Aviation Agency), was not answering was a wise choice.

We always recommend talking to the Authorities first in order to inform them about your arrival and confirm that they will be able to receive you, as well as inquiring about any special requirements or restrictions that could affect the operation.

Unfortunately, it is common practice for customs authorities at most mexican airports to search your belongings on the way out of the country.

It's also good to know that clearing customs with CBP at KSDM was a pleasant experience.