RRC Archives

I'm thinking about driving down. Some people i've spoken with said it was a hassel and others say it's not so bad. If you guys have any thoughts or experience on the matter let me know.

You really don't need a car once there. It was pretty casual to fly to Montarry, catch a cab to Potrero, then just walk or hitch rides into town.

Wes

ahh yes. i was meaning to ask a serious question for once. i'm driving to mexico in a couple weeks. what's the deal? do you usually have to get some kind of "extra" insurance, buy some down there, or what?

If you have a lien on you car, I think there is a "deposit" of some kind. And, I hear it is a good idea to get Mexican car insurance as well.

Wes

I have read about extra insurance and think it's worth looking into. All I know for sure is that you should obey the speed limits in Mexico, and carry cash for tickets (AKA bribes) just in case. Also, it should go without saying, but don't carry any guns, plants (as in herb or otherwise) or even fresh fruit or vegetables. I've been harrassed at the border coming back into the US and it's only getting worse lately. Also, I recommend having a passport AND a driver's license. You really could get by with one or the other but both is better and keep them in seperate places.

it is not to bad. you don't need a car while there though it is nice to go into town, to the market, to check email, or to luche libre!!!!(mexican wrestling).

your car would be totally safe at homero's. i can't vouch for the other campgrounds. expect some hassle at the border but if you are clean no problems. allow for up to 2 hours for the crossing. it gets faster the more times you do it. it never took me more than an hour but you never know. ask for a 6th month permit becuase it costs the same as a one month. here is an assement of the costs


1)insurance is expensive $90 for a week. i would say risk it and don't get it or else just get it for the day you drive in($27). purchase this on the us side of the border at one of the many shops off the interstate(exit 2 will work)

2) 2 dollars to cross the bridge into mexico

3)$64.60(646 pesos) for 2 people's traverlers permits and a vehicle pass. (once every 6 months)

4)tolls $16.70(167 pesos) for the toll road(take it)
$1.60 (16.00 pesos) for a small one that gets you most of the way to hildalgo.

so the total costs for two people in a car with one day of insurance is $111.90

it will be 20 or so less than that for 2 people.

as for directions (this is from memory so it might not be accurate)
get to laredo texas(stop and climb at enchanted rocks on the way past austin)
cross the border and follow the signs to the immigration permit place.
then follow the signs to monterray.
take the cuota(toll road) not the libre(free road) it will take you most of the way there.
get off when you are almost to monterray at the exit for saltio near the airport. get off the mini toll road and head towards monclava on 53. go left at the split in the road at hildalgo and follow the green signs to the portrero.


get a new guidebook from tami at homero's. look to see if there is a climb called Fierce Invalids(3 pitches 10a/b, 11b, 11d/12- 4 stars) in it. i was on the FA team and it should be in the next edition. new editions come out every few months.

you can drink the water at homeros and probably the other campgrounds as well. eat at checo's which is a 2 minute walk away. ($2.50 for a meal with beer)

i ranked the long multi pitch routes i did from favorite to least favorite so if you only have time for a few it might help you choose.

1) snot girlz 7pitches 10d
2) space boyz 11 pitches 10d
3) black cat bone 9 pitches 10d
4) estralitta 12 pitches 10b or 11b
5) treasure of the sierra madre 7 pitches 10d
6) yankee clipper 13 pitches 10b with 2 bonus pitches 10b,12a/12c

you might want to try timewave zero a new 23 pitch route that goes at 11a/b. there is a 5.12a pitch on it that also goes at A0. it is high on my list for next year.

anyway if you want more beta let me know.

oh you do need either a passport or a certified birth certificate and a drivers liscense. as well as the title for the car.

here is how the bribes work(it is pretty rare)
have about 100 pesos in small bills and spread them out among the people in the car. start with 20 and if it is not enough have every one scrounge around and act like they are trying to find their cash. go up to 50, then to 75. it is doubtful that you will go above that. if you are on the way out of the country let them know that you are almost all out of pesos. that should solve any problems. while i didn't have to deal with this there was a guy at homero's that has driven down to costa rica a number of times and gave me this beta.

ah, yes, that's right. I forgot the choice was birth cert or passport.

We had our car tossed at the border once (they didn't find anything) but they took their sweet time - about 3 hours. You just have to be curteous and patient and try not to look like a terrorist.

I recommend crossing at the Columbia Bridge entrance. Usually hassle free. It's a couple miles before the main border crossing.

Also, the owner of the vehicle has to have a major credit card in his/her name. If not, they charge you something crazy like 10% the value of your vehicle to get in, which I hear is most of the time not refundable. Otherwise it's a base rate to get in. Or, you can go to one of the major cities down there (I forget which one we went to) and get a Texas temporary license plate for like 20 bucks. I kinda recommend doing this anyway because it makes you stick out less.

Wow....this is interesting. I never figured it would be THIS much hassle to get into and out of Mexico as a U.S. traveller. Very good info to know. My Aunt/Uncle have a second house in Mazatlan (yeah, I know, long drive from Cincy, but might be fun anyway) they spend the half the Winter and Spring at and I've often thought about driving or riding the MC down there. I'll bet Mexico (and US) make a fortune on all the people that don't know to get this stuff ahead of time (like me).