Tips and Tricks: Traveling to Mexico

Below are some tips and tricks that Nick and I have for you if you are planning on traveling to Mexico. Keep in mind that what you need to do to be prepared to travel to Mexico very much depends on how long you will be there and where you will be going in Mexico. These tips and tricks apply if you are planning to travel to what is referred to as a "free zone" of Puerto Penasco Rocky Point, Mexico.

1. Make sure that you have your passport. This should be a no brainer. You will obviously have to present it to re-enter the United States of America.

2. If you plan to stay for more than a couple of days, purchase Mexico car insurance EARLY. We did NOT purchase car insurance when we went down for two days, but we know several people that did. If you get in a car accident in Mexico, your American car insurance policy doesn't cover you. Also, if you get pulled over, your American car insurance policy doesn't cover you. Driving down the freeway into Puerto Penasco is labeled as a "No Hassle" zone, meaning that Mexican authorities are not suppossed to pull you over in this area. We did look up how much it would cost, and it looked like for two days, insurance would have cost about $35 dollars. There are plenty of places along the border selling car insurance, but I would recommend buying early from your provider, as this is much more reliable and you will get better coverage.

Follow the links to find more information:

http://www.dmv.org/insurance/mexican-car-insurance.php 

https://secure.mexadventure.com/app2/quotechecker5.cfm-- Price check from a variety of providers

3. If you are leasing, financing, or borrowing a vehicle, make sure to obtain permission from the lien holder. Again, we did NOT do this for our two day trip down, but I would recommend doing this if you are planning to spend more than a few days in Mexico and a 100% necessity if you are borrowing someone's vehicle. On the way back into the United States, they WILL pull up your vehicle and check to whom the vehicle is registered to. If you are borrowing someone's car, you should obtain a hand written, hand signed letter that states that you are rightly in possession of someone else's vehicle. You should also have the registration of the vehicle regardless.

Several sites recommend obtaining written permission from your lien holder if you are leasing or financing your car. Again, we didn't do this and we are financing, but it is recommended.

https://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/lienholders.php#jump11

https://www.mexpro.com/blog/mexico-vehicle-permission-letters

4. Know what time is best to cross the border. The border is particularly busy during the morning hours on weekdays and on Sunday, particularly after busy holiday weekends. Download this app, BWT, Border Wait times, for updated information about wait times for all border crossings!

5. Know what you can't take home with you. Fruit is NOT allowed back into the United States. They'll ask if you have any with you and sadly, they will confiscate it.

Please leave a comment below or e-mail me if you have any specific questions about what you should or shouldn't do--I'd be happy to answer them!!