Tips From the Anal Retentive Traveler: Driving in Mexico

2. Try to stay on toll roads. I know it’s pricier, but even during the day, a speed bump or strolling donkey can be a hazard. Also, unless you know your area well, you could find yourself driving on a drug-runner route or come across police checkpoints every 10 miles or so. And unfortunately, there are still some police out there that want a bribe. It is less likely you’ll come across this on toll roads.

3. Make sure you have car insurance. If you are in an accident, you don’t want to discover firsthand whether those urban legends are true. Every car is legally required to have insurance, but not all drivers do have it. If a minor accident happens and one or both parties are uninsured, it is generally resolved amongst the parties with a quick determination of the cost of damage and payment. But if the police show up, everything becomes official and the uninsured motorist will be in trouble.

4. Make sure your car is in safe working order, but also carry enough cash with you for unexpected repairs. I know everyone gets their car checked out before trips (hint hint), but the roads in Mexico can be harsh, and tire punctures, among other things, can happen - and they happen quite frequently. Luckily it’s fairly inexpensive to repair or even replace a tire, but you’ll almost certainly need to pay for any repairs with cash.

5. Know the rules of the road. Actually, I’m only kidding here; I’m not sure that anyone knows the rules of the road, or for that matter, if there are any. For example, a left-hand turn signal flashing can mean that the driver intends to turn left, but it also can mean that it’s safe for other cars to pass on the left. These are contradictory meanings and can result in nasty accidents. So really, this tip is “watch the other drivers vigilantly to see what they are doing.” It’s a different approach than driving in most countries, but if you pay attention closely and figure out what everyone else is doing, you can reach your destination safely without hitting anyone else.

If you do a lot of driving in Mexico, you’ll discover that drivers from different states have different driving “personalities.” My experience has been that many drivers from Michoacán can be polite and will drive on the shoulder to let you pass if you appear to be going faster than they are. My experience with drivers from Districto Federal (Mexico City) is that they are generally in a rush, will tailgate relentlessly until you let them pass, and will pass other cars on curves if they feel like it. In Zihuatanejo, the locals are more tranquil, and will even give you a courtesy wave if you let them in front of you, but many of the local taxis drive in a maniacal fashion - but isn't that true everywhere?