Driving your own vehicle through Mexico or renting one to drive while on vacation is not as problematic as they tell you. And driving your own car or rental car provides a wonderful, go-at-your-own-pace type of experience. It gives you a sense of freedom. But there are several things about traveling in Mexico you should know about. Knowing theses tips can avoid you a lot of trouble in Mexico.
When driving in Mexico with your own car or rental car is very important to have you own insurance. First of all insurance in Mexico in no obligation. So everyone who drives in Mexico should have his or her own insurance to avoid major problems or expenses. An accident, even if you are not at fault, will not be just an inconvenience, but could affect the rest of your vacation. There are many companies who exclude coverage in foreign country and a policy supplied by your insurance company may not be valid in Mexico. Just be careful of the insurance vendors on both sides of the border, because they sell you insurance that don’t cover all the expenses.
You should have insurance that covers also lawyer costs etc. because you never know in what problems you can be involved in your travel. It is always better to investigate in your own country what coverage you have with your own insurance. Sometimes it is much cheaper to have a complimentary for your insurance that includes coverage in a foreign country. That will cost you most of the times less many then have a new insurance somewhere else. And most importantly you will start your travel more secure from the beginning.
In case you drive your own vehicle across the border you will need to be aware of regulations regarding bringing more than $300 of merchandise into the country. What the border guards are looking for are items that could be easily sold in the country. You can avoid most trouble if you take the tags off of new clothing, anything in a box should be opened and taken out and the packaging discarded, and don't have any new supplies in shopping bags. Distribute anything new among your baggage and you should be fine.
Driving on the highway systems will probably remind you of many roads back home as they are, for the most part, modern and well signed. Most of the roads are toll roads, because, in Mexico, tolls pay to keep the roads maintained instead of taxes. It is always good to have a lot of cash for this "pay as you go" system. But the cost of tolls is definitely worth it because the highway roads are much better than the pothole ridden two lane roads you would have otherwise used.
It is also advisable to avoid driving at night in Mexico because of the bad lightning system on the highways or federal streets. Many of the smaller two-lane roads will have livestock issues that could be dangerous and most assaults that would happen on the roads would certainly happen at night. Be also aware that most tourist deaths that happen in Mexico involve automobile accidents. Be also aware that the signs are not always accepted by every automobile driver so even if you have preference always keep looking everywhere before crossing some intersection.
That means that is better to practice defensive driving while in Mexico. Mexican drivers, especially truck drivers and bus drivers are very polite and will let you pull out or pass them. But other drivers, especially in the cities can be aggressive. You don't want to get into an accident if you can avoid it because, if an accident causes an injury, all cars will be impounded until the situation can have a complete accounting. This could turn into quite an ordeal, even if you are innocent in the matter.
Make sure that you obtain insurance that will protect you while driving in Mexico. Try to stay on the main toll roads and avoid rural areas where livestock might be a dangerous hindrance. Avoid driving at night whenever possible for safe driving and for security from possible assaults. Don't forget practice always defense driving at all times. All these tips will help make your vacation safer and easier while on vacation in Mexico.
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