subject: Checklist For Planning A Road Trip To Mexico For The Holidays [print this page] It's that time of the year again, time for those that loathe the cold and love the sun to head south for the winter, or at least for part of it. Before you can leave, however, a little planning is advised. Being prepared can make your road trip smooth and easy, making your vacation relaxing and worry-free. Here are a few things you will want to take care of before you hit the road to Mexico.
1. Mexican Auto Insurance. Whether you are driving a car or an RV, you will need Mexican insurance. Don't wait until you get to the border to get it, as this can cause unnecessary delays. Plan ahead and get your Mexican auto insurance policy for your vehicle online before you go. You can get a policy just for the time you need it, be it a weekend or 6 months. Policies can be extended easily online or by phone if you find your vacation lasting a little longer than anticipated. Mexican RV insurance is also available online.
2. Road Map. Unlike Canada and the U.S., where you can find road maps at every gas station, road maps are practically impossible to find in Mexico. Get yourself a good road map before you leave. Mexico road logs are a good source and available online.
The Guia Roji is another map recommended for Mexico. If you have a GPS unit, you can order and download maps on your unit for the area you will be traveling through, before you go. However, based on experience, you may want to have a back up physical map as well. You can never be too safe! Getting lost is, as they say in Mexico, no bueno.
3. Reservations. The month of December is a popular time for tourism in Mexico, for foreign and national travelers. Some of Mexico's most popular destinations can be booked solid during this month. If you know where you are heading, it is a good idea to see if you can make reservations before you arrive. This is especially true of Mexico's popular RV parks. You can make reservations online or by phone at most of Mexico's popular hotels, RV parks and hostels.
4. Additional Mexico Travel Insurance. While no one plans on getting injured or running into problems during their vacation, accidents happen. Prepare for the unexpected by getting additional travel insurance when you get your Mexican auto insurance policy online. No matter what situation you may encounter during your road trip, you will have the peace of mind that help is only a phone call away.
5. Get Your Cell Phone Ready. You can get your cell phone ready for use in Mexico by contacting your service provider and having the phone unlocked. Once it is unlocked, you will be able to walk into any cell phone service provider office in Mexico (typically TelCel or Movistar) and get a new SIM card with a local Mexico number. Take out your old SIM card and insert the new, and you will be able to use your cell phone in Mexico without incurring high, out-of -area fees. A cell phone can come in handy in many situations in Mexico, so having your phone ready for use in Mexico is advised.
With the holidays quickly approaching, it is never too early to start planning for your road trip to Mexico. Being prepared will make it easier once you hit the road. Feliz Viaje Amigos!
