Driving Mexico

Both adventurous and challenging, traveling to Mexico by road in your car or RV is about as safe as traveling in the U.S. or Canada. 

While many may say driving in Mexico can be "hazardous to your health", the same can be said about driving anywhere you have never driven before.

The key is to be extra careful when driving in a country you have never driven before.

RV to Mexico

And we will get to some driving tips in a moment.

Mexican citizens are generally friendly and helpful and will many times go out of their way to help you out if you are lost or need help changing a flat tire.

Mexico map - country view

 

Driving to Mexico There are some basics you need to know about driving to Mexico.  Taking note of the following will help make your road trip more enjoyable. Entry to Mexico When you come to the Mexico border you will need the following documents: Your passport or original birth certificate (not baptismal certificate) and one piece of photo identification such as your driver's license. Vehicle registration or title - must be in the driver's name.  You will not be allowed to bring in a borrowed vehicle.  If you are bringing in a rented or leased vehicle, you will need to have the original contract on hand. A notarized letter from the vehicle's lien holder (bank, financing company) with their consent for you to enter Mexico with the vehicle. International credit card - again, in the driver's name.  You will need the credit card to get a temporary vehicle permit which costs approximately $11 U.S.  Be sure you turn in the permit at the border when you leave Mexico.  Without an international credit card, you will have to put up a deposit equivalent to the value of the vehicle. Tourist card - if you plan on visiting Mexico for more than 72 hours.  The tourist card is good for up to 6 months and can be picked up at the border.  The cost is approximately $20 U.S. You will be asked to sign a promise letter indicating you will return the vehicle to your homeland and not attempt to sell the vehicle in Mexico.

Auto Insurance

Be sure to get the appropriate insurance for traveling to Mexico by car or RV.  Click here for more information on Mexico insurance.

Customs - For Entry to Mexico by Vehicle

When driving into Mexico you are allowed to bring in, in addition to your luggage (see below for allowables),  items worth up to $50 U.S. per person.

So if there are 4 people entering, you would be allowed to bring in up to $200 U.S. for everyone in the vehicle.

You will be required to fill out 1 Mexico customs form to declare your goods per family.

Regardless of how you enter Mexico (land, air, sea) your personal luggage can consist of:

• clothing, shoes, etc
• 1 camera
• 1 video camera
• up to 12 rolls of new film or video tapes
• 1 cell phone
• 1 pager
• 1 typewriter
• 1 laptop computer (you may have to pay a tax if you try to bring a desk top computer in)
• 1 portable radio (or boom box)
• 5 laser disks, 5 DVD's, 20 audio CD's or cassette tapes
• a few books and magazines
• 5 toys per family
• 1 pair of binoculars
• 1 musical instrument per family
• 1 tent
• 1 set of camping equipment
• 1 surfboard or sailboard
• 20 packs of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco
• up to 3 liters of wine, beer or liquor

Great Mexican driving tunes for your drive to Mexico.

"All The Best From Mexico: 40 Mexican Favorites" [2-CD SET]

(After clicking on the CD cover, a new page will open and you will be able to click on the title on Amazon's web page.  Scroll to the bottom of that page to listen to some music samples)

If you bring in more than the allowable you will be subject to an import tax on those items.

As meat, dairy and fresh foods are not allowed to be taken into Mexico, you can purchase your perishables in Mexico.

There are many food markets available.

Do not attempt to bring firearms, ammunition or any sort of weapons into Mexico - a definite "no-no".

And if you're thinking of bringing even the slightest amount of drugs - DON'T!  You'll spend a lot of time in a Mexican jail if you're that crazy!

Border Wait Times

The time you will have to wait at the border before crossing into Mexico all depends on the time of day and day of the week.  Check out the current U.S. Customs Border Wait Times by clicking here.

Checking the above site several times during the week before your trip should give you a good idea of the best times to cross.

Next: Driving in Mexico

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