I was told I might be kidnapped, shaken down by corrupt police, or possibly caught up in a cartel shootout. I asked other travelers a lot of questions and googled everything I could find on driving into Mexico. Out of all the friends who warned me about traveling across the border, I discovered none of them had actually done it themselves.
Their opinions were based on something they heard on TV or read somewhere. There have been lots of reported violence in recent years, but most of what I found seemed to be between the drug cartels and police and not in areas most people are likely to visit.
I asked a few paisano friends of mine their opinions and discovered that some of them regularly traveled to Monterrey and had never experienced any problems. I decided to proceed cautiously and do the trip despite my apprehension. I drove from Houston to Laredo, and crossing the border was easy. Things get a little more complicated once you drive outside of the border towns. You need Mexican insurance for your car, a tourist card, and a temporary vehicle importation document.
The good news is you can do all of that in one stop. Officials are very strict about collecting the card back when you leave by air, but no one asked for it when I crossed the border in my vehicle. You get this at the immigration desk. Mexican insurance: You can buy this online before you leave, at the border or at the same place where you get your tourist card.
You are guilty until proven innocent and you could end up in jail. Buy it. Luckily, I made it through the country without ever needing these surfaces, but it would be handy to have them around so frequently. Several towns will have an entire row of various mechanics which may seem useful or a symptom of a worrying amount of potholes and speedbumps , but I have heard plenty of stories of mechanics knowing essentially nothing, so maybe brush up on your car repair knowledge.
Just like in the United States, roadwork can easily become frustrating and repetitive. Unlike the United States, if a road is closed, you are almost guaranteed to actually see people working. Many times, a road will be closed down to one total lane so both sides take turns going down. Most importantly, keep an eye out and be careful of the roads. The police in Mexico usually drive pickup trucks and do carry guns, which can be a little intimidating.
To be clear, I have never had a bad experience with the police in Mexico unlike some other countries and every interaction I had was perfectly pleasant. Shortly after entering a new state, there will be a police stop.
You will pass through areas of the road where there will be rows of stalls selling fruits, nuts, trinkets, etc. There will be rows of the same items over and over throughout the street with little to no differentiation. People will sometimes stand in the middle of the road to try and sell you stuff. If you need a snack in the middle of the long drive, make sure to patronize one of these stands and pick up some fresh fruit.
Yield signs and stop signs seem to be pretty random in most round-a-bouts and a lack of clear lanes makes it complicated, but just be observant and you should be just fine. Driving through Mexico for a week, I was never really able to figure out what all turn signals are used for. Just like in the United States, you should use turn signals when, you know, turning. Or when you're passing. However, people seem to use them for a lot more than just that.
Driving in any city can be tough on its own merit. Add in a lack of language comprehension, strong infrastructure, stop lights, etc.
Be aware of taxis and even some buses that will do anything they can to get even an inch or meter ahead in traffic. Always make sure to use your turn signal when you're passing and check the other lane! You need more space than you think to pass, so make sure there are no cars coming the other direction. Also importantly, a lot of the roads especially on the coasts or in the mountains are wind-y.
Primarily in the Northern regions of Mexico, there is plenty of sand, which is ever changing with the wind. Sometimes the sand will blow onto the road which causes some minor issues. Trust me, I would know. Day one in Mexico was slightly troublesome Mexico is a gorgeous country and nearly every state has a completely different geographical make-up. Oaxaca is largely farmland, Sonora is desert, and Nayarit is forest.
A lot of the country, especially closer to the coasts, is full of forests and jungles. What Do I Do? What Is Comprehensive Coverage? Retrieve a saved quote. Skip to main content Explore Allstate. Popular Searches. Allstate We help customers realize their hopes and dreams by providing the best products and services to protect them from life's uncertainties and prepare them for the future.
Skip to main content Toggle navigation Log in. Edit location. Select a product to get a quote. Register new account Pay your bill. Get your ID cards. Quality Auto Coverage Starts Here. Get a quote Find an agent. According to the Department of State , you'll need to obtain the following documents as you prepare for your drive to Mexico: A U. Passport or Green Card A U. Getting ready for your trip may be more manageable if you follow these four steps: Step 1: Begin Gathering Documentation and Determine Your Driving Route Plan ahead for your trip by gathering existing documents that are necessary to cross the border — for example, many travelers likely already have a driver's license, passport and car registration.
Step 2: Purchase Mexico Tourist Auto Insurance Whether you're driving your own vehicle or renting a car, you'll need to purchase a Mexico tourist auto insurance policy for your trip.
Otherwise, you can get one directly at the border crossing, says the Department of State — adding that travelers may be asked to present this card at road checkpoints while within Mexico. Step 4: Prepare for Your Road Trip Before departing on your trip, it's a good idea to spend some time familiarizing yourself with driving laws in Mexico, road signage and any current travel advisories, says the Department of State. Our pages are filled with helpful tips and information about the topics that most of us face in our everyday lives.
We focus on safety and maintenance issues with regard to your home, auto, apartment, motorcycle, boat, small business, finances and more.
0コメント