Road Trip Mexico
Every once in a while, everyone has the urge to hit the road and spend a few days on an epic journey from here to there and perhaps back again. Mexico is often described as the trip of a lifetime. So you toss your kit into your car and set off. Just, don’t forget to pay your VisiTax – the tourist tax that gives green light to travelers to visit the State of Quintana Roo.
It’s a great way to see the “Real Mexico”. Start at the white sands of a crystal clear blue sea, drive through deserts and jungles to historic ruins and stop off at remote places only accessible by car.
Car Hire and Driving Licences
To hire a car, you must be over 21 and under 75. You must have had a driving licence for over 2 years. The licence must be written in English or Spanish. If your licence isn’t in either language, then an International Driving Licence in English or Spanish is necessary.
Crossing into Mexico from the US.
Driving into Mexico can be more complicated than just waving as you cross the border. The first step is immigration.
Car insurance is mandatory in Mexico and the car owner will need either prove on entry that you have valid insurance or buy it when you drive into Mexico.
Step two is Customs. You will need to show your passport, vehicle registration documents, driver’s licence and the Tourist card you got at Immigration. They will want copies of everything except the card.
The Roads
On the road has its ups and downs, sorry!
Mexico has two classes of road, the Carretera Cuota and Carretera Libre.
The Cuota are like freeways, good quality and fast. They are tolled and you must pay cash. Libre roads run parallel to the Cuota and are toll-free. If possible, you should use the Cuota highways. Try not to drive after dark, or in bad weather.
The emergency roadside service number is 078.
Understand that on Libre roads, you are driving in a predominantly rural environment, and the roads are not great. You need to pay attention for potholes, wildlife and other hazards such as Mexican speed bumps, called topes. Topes are both official and unofficial. Official ones are signposted, unofficial ones might not be. Hit one going at speed and it will damage your car.
If you are using Google Maps, it doesn’t work everywhere and can be inaccurate. Double the time it says.
Road Trips Safety
The first question most drivers ask “is it safe to drive in Mexico”? The answer is mostly yes, but a bit of no. Mostly it is safe. Roads can be of poor quality, especially after heavy rain, so you should check on road conditions before travelling. If you intend to travel on a less-explored route, then it is advisable to find out the road conditions before setting out. Dive slowly and with great attention. Be alert at all times, topes are common and sometimes quite vicious.
One suggestion is to use the Facebook forum “Expats in Mexico” to find out about your planned route.
It’s well known that Mexico has a serious issue with drug-related violence, especially close to the US border. You probably won’t encounter it, but it is best to plan for it, especially if you are travelling to or from the US border. Log your route and expected timeline with family and friends before leaving.
This forum is a great source of information about the best entry and exit points and other useful information.
The Cost
Travelling in Mexico is expensive, no question. Petrol is expensive and is probably about the same price as in the US. Highway tolls on the Carretera Cuota are also high.
Accommodation while Travelling
You will need accommodation while travelling. Most recommended routes have value-for-money hotels and guesthouses at stops on the route. One point to bear in mind is the overnight security of your car. Check to see if the hotel has free parking, and don’t leave anything in it.
Where to go on Your Road Trip
That really depends on your objective.
North-west Mexico is close to the US. The border is only about 20 minutes from San Diego. A loop from there to Tijuana and Guadalupe offers a gastro experience in Tijuana, seaside fun at Rosarito, wine tastings in Valle de Guadalupe, and general landscapes of cactus. Take a minimum of five days.
A fun trip in central Mexico is Mexico City to San Miguel De Allende, Real De Catorce And Guadalajara. This trip over Mexico’s central highlands is for people who like the concept of colonial architecture in the Wild West. It offers gothic churches, drinking dens and abandoned villages. Expect to take around 10 days.
A longer trip of at least 3 weeks takes in some of the most spectacular driving scenery in central Mexico. It starts in Mexico City and ends in Palenque, going via Oaxaca and Puebla and a UNESCO World Heritage biosphere site. Oaxaca has a vibrant Mexican cultural vibe and a great gastro experience. Palenque provides the opportunity to visit important Mayan ruins.
A shorter version stops on the coast at Oaxaca.
You can’t ignore the Yucatan peninsula. It offers a mixture of touristy resorts and archaeological sites like Chichen Itza. If you visited Palenque, it’s a short drive to the Yucatan Peninsula to join the route between Quintana Roo and Cancun.
From watching baby turtles hatch in Riveria Maya, enjoying cenote diving, having a jol in the tourist fleshpots of Cancun, and visiting the Chichen Itza pyramids, this route offers something for everyone. Budget at least two, and perhaps as much as four weeks.
You will have fun planning the trip, but please don’t cram too much into it. Leave room for a leisurely stop and smell the roses every so often.
