This gets complicated. An IMN migra told me in February
"Yes the FMM is law. But here in Baja California, as far south as Ensenada, we do not enforce it. We do issue a 7-day free permit which visitors should get if they stay 72 hours or longer or go south of Maneadero. Any stay longer than 72 hours then we ask the visitor to get a regular FMM".
Spoken to me in the INM office at Garita 2, Tijuana, on 6 February, 2017. He was el jefe de la oficina.
I am not quoting the law. I am merely repeating what the IMN official told me. Keep in mind however, common sense dictates that what he told me applies only to a specific area.
I did this in request to a group of first-time tourists who asked me to help them. I told them they spoke English but a red headed green eyed Irish sweetheart of a young lady convinced me. I had just come from Aduana. The Jefe shook my hand and said "Muchas Gracias" for "helping". I departed with a smile.
