Driving in Mexico Today a significant portion of Mexico's roads are in the hands of the private sector. Modern, safe four-lane toll freeways now connect many Mexican cities. While costly to use (tolls average $8-10 U.S. and may be levied several times during a journey), these new super highways are a welcome alternative to driving in Mexico on older roads that often lack maintenance and are bogged down with commercial truck/bus traffic. Puerto Vallarta-Guadalajara: Drive past maguey fields and over coastal mountains on this scenic 3.5 hour drive that covers a total of 359 km; current one-way toll is $225 pesos.
Nogales-Mazatlán: this route touches the U.S. border, running south through Sonora State and into Sinaloa State. The route takes 14 hours and covers a total of 1,192 kms; current one-way toll is $445 pesos.
Mazatlán-Los Mochis: This busy corridor across the State of Sinaloa allows Copper Canyon visitors easy access to the sunny beach resort of Mazatlán; new highway covers 429 km; one-way toll is currently $232 pesos. The drive takes 4.5 hours.
Mexico City-Acapulco: now just a three and a half hour drive (versus previous six); route covers 343 kms and oneway toll is currently $423 pesos.
Mexico City-Guadalajara: drive time has been cut in half (from eight to four hours) via this new 495 km road. One-way toll is currently $440 pesos. The highway provides easier access to popular “colonial city” destinations such as Morelia and Guanajuato.
Mexico City-Oaxaca: a once grueling 10-hour journey has been cut to a pleasant four hours; the route stretches 456 km and current one-way toll is $258 pesos.
Mérida-Cancún: what used to be a six-hour drive has been cut in half, thanks to this new route. Distance is 315 km and current one-way toll is $240 pesos. This route is also the fastest way to Chichén Itzá. CAR RENTAL
Be prepared for steep rates and limited availability of vehicles. All major rental companies operate in Mexico. You must be 25 years of age, hold a valid drivers license, and a major credit card. Customers are asked to sign two charge slips- one for the rental and the other to cover any damages. This is a normal procedure and should not be viewed with suspicion. Many U.S. car companies operate in Mexico, along with a number of Mexican companies.
BUYING GAS
Look for PEMEX stations (Mexico's nationally owned service station monopoly). Gas is sold in liters (3.78 liters=one gallon). Gas is available in two grades: “Nova” (blue pumps) is a leaded, 81-octane fuel while “Magna Sin” (green pumps) is unleaded. It is customary to tip your service attendant a peso or two. (There is no self-service.)
INSURANCE
Mexican auto insurance is mandatory, since your U.S. policy is invalid in Mexico. Note that even when accepting the rental agency's insurance, deductibles are quite high (often as high as 5% of the vehicles replacement cost!)
TO THE RESCUE
Major Mexican highways are patrolled by the Green Angels (Los Ángeles Verdes). They patrol more than 48,000 km of highway along 254 designated routes. These government-operated pickup trucks are driven by English-speaking, trained mechanics. They have a nationwide, 24-hour hotline that can be reached by calling (01) 800-903-9200. It would be wise to have your cell phone re-programmed to work in Mexico if driving long distances (and don't loose the help number above!). The service is free, except for parts and gas. (In 1999 the Green Angels assisted 588,000 visitors and serviced 143,500 vehicles while patrolling over 21 million km of highways!)
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN MEXICO
Avoid driving at night unless you’re on a major highway (cows don't come with taillights); watch for speed bumps (topes) and potholes; slow down at all railroad crossings; illegally parked vehicles are not treated lightly by the authorities; always lock your car. Remember, mileage and speed limits are posted in kilometers. Above all else, drive defensively and never under the influence!
Finding Addresses & Following Directions Most Mexican streets and addresses are not clearly marked. Maps are frequently of little help, since streets often carry different names or are spelled several different ways, and addresses are sometimes listed as "s/n" (sin número), meaning "without number", or domicilio conocido, meaning "everyone knows the address." And even if there was a street address, many street addresses are in no particular order or sequence. Veteran travelers make one observation about asking directions in Mexico: rather than say they don't know, Mexicans will usually offer guidance, whether or not they have a clue how to get to where you are actually headed! Here are some common, universal terms for finding your way around. Zócalo: the town square, generally distinguished by the city's most important cathedral and government buildings. Malecón: loosely meaning the waterfront. A pedestrian promenade along a beach or harbor.
Mercado: the market, usually an open-air array of stalls and stands. Every city has at least one; bigger cities have several, each devoted to different products.
Plaza de Armas: same as a zócalo.
El Centro: loosely meaning "downtown," or the city's center.
Palapa: describes a thatched roof made of dried palm branches.Driving & Crossing the Border TEMPORARY VEHICLE IMPORTATION
Vehicles (including RV’s) being taken beyond the border zone (defined as a 20 kilometers south of the Mexico-U.S. border) require a temporary vehicle importation permit (note: vehicles exceeding 3 metric tons require special permit; contact Mexican consulate for details). Permits are not required for travel within the Baja peninsula or in Puerto Peñasco and El Golfo in the State of Sonora.
To acquire a permit simply drive your vehicle to a Mexican customs office at the border and present the original and two copies of the following documents: * Valid proof citizenship (passport or birth certificate) and tourist card
* Valid, original vehicle registration (must be in vehicle driver’s name) or original title
* A valid driver’s license (must be in vehicle driver’s name)
* A major credit card (must be US or Canadian issued card - not a checking account “debit card”; Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners; card must be in driver’s name)A fee is paid (no cash accepted; credit cards only) of $18-19 US (depending on peso exchange rate) for a multiple entry permit valid for 180 days. A permit copy isgiven to the driver and a hologram is applied to your windshield. Note that the permit copy and hologram must be returned at the border (look for “Hacienda” office sign) when departing Mexico. Otherwise, subsequent vehicle entry into Mexico may be denied. Get return receipt from Customs Official. Other Considerations All of the above documents must be in the same name. Permit holders must be at least 18 years of age. If the vehicle is not owned outright, a letter from the leinholder authorizing temporary importation into Mexico must be obtained. Sonora State operates a program known as “Sonora Only.” Designed for visitors staying in the State of Sonora, the program eliminates the need for a credit card and waives the $18-19 fee. In addition to normal proof of citizenship documents (needed by all visitors to Mexico’s interior) “Sonora Only” visitors need only to present a valid drivers license and proof of ownership or legal possession by the driver. Legal possession can be proven with one or more (as the case demands) of the following documents: * Vehicle registration (in name of driver) or original title
* Lease contract (for leased vehicles)
* Proof of labor relationship between driver and car owners (for companyowned vehicles)
* Notarized permission from the leasing company or bank (if money is still owed on car) giving the owner permission to take the vehicle to MexicoPermits are valid for 180 days and may be obtained at the check point at Kilometer 21, south of Nogales on Highway 15. Permits must be returned to this check point within the allotted six-month period upon departure from Mexico. For more details please call 1-800-4SONORA. Click to find out Insurance Information in Mexico. Source: www.advantagemexico.com This website provides Relocation-to-Mexico information, Real Estate listings in and around the Ajijic and
Lake Chapala areas of Mexico, tips for Canadian and American and other Expats retirees, as well as links to
Professionals that Lynda MacMahon works with and whose services she highly recommends. Lynda MacMahon
is a successful and award winning RealEstate Professional with a proven track record. You will also find
testimonials from her clients,articles on retiring in Mexico, maps of Mexico's Lake Chapala area, currency
converters and other information. Featured is an enjoyable video of the Ajijic area.
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