Driving in Mexico

Highway Green Angels

Dial 078

To help motorists on major highways, the Mexican Tourism Ministry operates a fleet green pickup trucks, known as the Angeles Verdes, or Green Angels. The green Angels are similar to the AAA in the U.S. The Green Angels are a government paid bilingual crew that patrol the toll roads throughout Mexico every day in green trucks, carrying tools and spare parts, looking for motorists in trouble. The Angeles Verdes will provide mechanical assistance, first aid, basic supplies, and towing. In addition They also have a communication network with different government offices and offer basic tourist information. The services they provide are FREE of charge unless your vehicle needs parts or fuel. Even though the services are free tipping is extremely appreciated, however don’t be offended if they do not except it. Dial 078 from any cell phone from 8am to 6pm, 365 days a year.

For more info: www.sectur.gob.mx/wb/sectur/sect_9453_angeles_verdes

Auto Insurance

Adventure Mexican Insurance

ph# 800-485-4075

http://www.mexadventure.com/

This is the company I use to buy MAPFRE insurance. I had a small fender-bender and they called the police. When they call, you call. Locals told me MAPFRE had offices all over Mexico and were the best. Within 10 minutes they were there.

I signed papers and left.

On-line application was easy.

Lewis and Lewis Insurance

is the most popular and highly recommended

http://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com/

Sanborns Insurance

http://www.sanbornsinsurance.com/

You should have one in each hand:

Guia Roji road map of Mexico in one hand and LONELY PLANET, MEXICO in the other.

Some Pemex gas stations in Mexico accept credit cards, but most only accept cash. Change your large peso bills at the Casita de Cobro on the cuota toll roads. At the Pemex, have a 200 peso note in you hand as you open the door. Close door and stand in that area. Show them the bill and say, "dos cientos, Magna" (regular gas)(pronouned MAG - NA) If tank is empty, get M$300 or M$400 in gas, but always have exact change.

They love to show you the zeroing of the meters.

Ask attendant to clean windshield, "Limpia parabrisas, por favor" and tip 5 or 10 pesos.

Drive to the restroom after you have paid. Do not leave your vehicle at the pump.

More hotels are accepting credit cards.

Immediately upon crossing the border, get pesos at exchange booth.

If using credit or ATM cards in Mexico, tell your banks.

Caution when Driving in Mexico City

2016 restrictions have changed.

Check for current updates.

In an effort of fight air pollution, Mexico City has severe driving restrictions from 5am to 10pm, Monday through Friday. Vehicles less than 10 years old can get an exemption sticker. That should include rental cars, but often doesn’t. Check with rental car agency to verify that auto has a sticker. Any car may operate on Saturday and Sunday.

The last digit of the license place numbers, including foreign registered cars, determine the day for no drive.

Monday = 5 & 6

Tuesday = 7 & 8

Wednesday = 3 & 4

Thursday = 1 & 2

Friday = 9 & 0

Mexico City Police really enforce these driving restrictions.

For anyone traveling through Mexico City, the "Hoy No Circula" program as of July 1, 2008 applies to Saturdays. License plates from outside of Mexico City ending in 5-6 cannot circulate the first Saturday of each month, 7-8 the second, 3-4 the third, 1-2 the fourth, and 9-0 the fifth.

Also, no vehicles with Mexican plates from outside Mexico City nor vehicles with foreign plates are now allowed in Mexico City from 5 am to 11 am each day. That pretty much leaves you with the option of going through there in the afternoon--major traffic, or at night--can be a bit scary.

Gasoline Prices in Mexico

Mexico gas prices converted from liters to gallons, and pesos to dollars.

Mexico Gasoline prices, 21-Oct-2019

Liter

U.S. gallon

MXN

19.390

73.399

USD

1.014

3.838

EUR

0.909

3.441

As of March 13, 2016

Regular = $2.81 per gallon

Premium =$2.98 per gallon

Diesel = $2.94 per gallon

As of November 20, 2015

Regular = $2.71 per gallon

Premium = $3.39 per gallon

Diesel = $2.31 per gallon

As of October 30, 2014

Regular = $3.69 per gallon

Premium = $3.91 per gallon

Diesel = $3.86 per gallon

As of March 18, 2014

Regular = $3.64 per gallon

Premium = $3.82 per gallon

Diesel = $3.77 per gallon

On September 10, 2013

Regular = $3.48 per gallon

Premium = $3.64 per gallon

Diesel = $3.58 per gallon

On October 20, 2012

Regular = $3.12 per gallon

Premium = $3.29 per gallon

Diesel = $3.23 per gallon

On July 31, 2010,

Regular = $2.49 per gallon

Premium = $2.95 per gallon

Diesel = $2.60 per gallon

Mexico Maps

Mexico Maps provides many choices when it comes to maps of Mexico For touring and recreational needs, we have folded maps, atlases, paper topographic maps and GPS maps.

They ship to Mexico.

www.mexicomaps.com

World Map Source

Mexico Maps

3920 Maricopa Drive

Santa Barbara, CA 93110

ph#805-687-1011

Skype Name markwalker1011

mwalker@mexicomaps.com

Contact: Mark Walker

Getting an Auto Permit

There are three ways to get a permit:

1. At the border

2. At Mexican Consulates with a Banjercito office in:

Arizona -- Phoenix

California -- Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino

Colorado -- Denver

Illinois -- Chicago

New Mexico -- Albuquerque

Texas -- Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston

Registration is no longer available on line!

Patzcuaro / Cuitzio Cuota

On the Mexico City / Guadalajara Cuota, about 5 miles west of the Cuitzio/Morelia libre, is the Cuitzio/Morelia/Patzcuaro Cuota. It is well marked coming from either direction.

About halfway is the Capula exit. Go east to Morelia or west to Quiroga and Lake Patzcuaro.

14D continues past Patzcuaro to Uruapan & 37D to the coast and Lázaro Cárdenas.