Topas or Tollroads and other things about traveling in Mexico
Our trip was January 18, 2008 - February 28, 2008 This was a driving trip where we brought a vehicle into the country.
We had read about it, talked about it, and finally decided to go for it! I would strongly urge anyone thinking about going to read the blogs and find information that is tuned to what you are wanting to do. There are several sites where you can pose questions and get up to the minute information.
We crossed into Mexico at the Ojinaga-Presidio border. This one is a wonderful one for a first time, a little nervous person. Also the road from Big Bend-Terlingua-Lajitas to Presidio is one of the most beautiful you will travel on in Texas!
Crossing the border: We had read to make extra copies of all of your papers so we had 3 copies of our truck title, registration, drivers license, passports. We also had laminated copies of our passports to give to roadside checks. Several people had said do not give your originals of anything to the officials! We also talked to a couple that make color copies of their driver's license and then laminate so if they are stopped, that is what they give to the authorities so if it is not returned, it is not the real one. While on the topic of things to make sure you have is that extra copy of the front page of your passport. We also hide at least $100 each in case we are robbed. We never have been in our travels to 49 countries, we were with a girl that had EVERYTHING stolen and she said she probably would have thrown her self under a train except that she had us and another guy to borrow money from while she went through the endless circle between embassy and airlines and traveler's checks hell getting things replaced!!!!
You also must have Mexican insurance to drive in Mexico along with proof of insurance in the state from which you are residing in. We found it was almost as cheap to buy for an entire year that for just 3 months or six months and so we can return using the same insurance within the year.
First thing when crossing is you get your tourist card and then proceed to register the vehicle and get the necessary permits. They made copies of only one of our tourist cards, needed only one copy of one of our driver's license and passport. We were uncertain as to whether we would have to pay for our slide-in camper for our truck. So we had a picture of that when we went in and were told all we had to register was the truck. You are given a permit good for six months to place above your rear view mirror..
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is stated in the guidebook, but we forgot about this. When you leave Mexico, you MUST have the sticker removed in Mexico and then cross the border. We didn't, and a observant customs agent asked us if we were returning in a few days. When we said no, he said you need to go back into Mexico and get that sticker removed or they will think you have sold it in Mexico or worse and not let you bring another vehicle or possibly not enter the country. Thank goodness we were at a border crossing with only about 7 cars in the line!!!
Changing money: This of course is one of those topics that there are wide ranging opinions. Many people prefer the ATM machines. That is fine in big cities..................but in smaller towns or village, not so easy. We had cash, never were charged a commission and it was quick and easy! and we were getting fairly good rates!
Roads traveled: Will make general comments once have sketched out our travels......
Ojinaga to Chiuhiua City - toll roads 71 + 69 pesos = $13.00 (based on varying exchange rates)
Chiuhua City to Creel
Creel to Batopilas (down in Barranca del Cobre) and back out
Creel to Divisidero to San Rafael and low road to Bahuichivo then to Urique out via Mesa de Arturo, Piedras Verdes, Tubares, Choix, to El Fuerte
El Fuerte to Alamos - toll road 58 pesos = $5.35
Alamos to Los Mochis - toll road 58 + 48 pesos = $10.00
Los Mochis to Topolobampo
ferry crossing to Baja Sur de California
La Paz to Todos Santos (Baja)
Todos Santos to Cabo del San Jose
Cabo del San Jose to La Paz
La Paz (ferry to Topolobampo)
Topolobampo to Los Mochis to Obregon -toll road 58 + 48 = $10.00
Hwy 117 to Yecora toward Chihuahua City 69 pesos = $6.50
Chihuahua City to Ojinaga - toll road 71 pesos = $7.00
So as you can see, we did a lot of secondary roads! The decision is what do you want to do-----hit the main highway or take the slower road.
The downside to traveling of some of these secondary roads is the topas (these are called speed bumps where we live) We traveled about 2000 miles during our trip and it appears that we did most of this on secondary roads! We did not run into those "horrible drivers" we had read and heard about. About topos--------it can slow you down, come out of the blue, and you have to sloooooow down for them. Of course, it is interesting to look at the scenery as you pass through. Also some of the areas you don't have a choice about whether you should go toll or not, some of these areas there is no toll road--- so I guess my idea is that take the toll roads when I could to get somewhere faster and bypass some of the larger cities. But the secondary roads--we enjoyed them. Of course it depends on where you are going in Mexico so this may not hold true for you but don't stop your trip because of toll roads or secondary ones! This is where reading up on roads will help you. We also bought a GPS before we went on this trrp. It really came in handy on the road through Chihuahua City! If we got turned around, it would tell us where to turn the next possible time. Otherwise, it was nice to travel on some of these roads. I'm sure you are aware some of the roads, particularily through the Barrancas del Cobre are very rough and could not be classified as roads for all vehicles!
Other advice we could give----
On buying food...... There are supermarkets that are found in the larger cities that have everything you could possibly needmai. Also many of the small shops along the streets have an amazing amount of food and other items. There were also shops that specialized in only single items such as breads, alcohol, fruits etc. We bought a product called microdena(?) in the grocery section that you could clean the vegetables and fruit before eating. We never got "tourista" so I think this did the trick.
Try speaking the language.....it opens doors
|
