Mobile Phones In Mexico

Mobile Phones in Mexico by Mexican Insurance Store

Story by Jim Foreman

For Americans, and to a lesser extent Canadians, traveling or spending time in Mexico, a priority concern for most people is Mobile Service.

Having talked to thousands of people who are interested in traveling to Mexico, it’s clear there is a lot of confusion.  Add to that the fact that options have changed relatively recently.  This means what was a great choice a year or two ago is no longer a wise choice, now.

There are actually two questions that need answering.  The first is, “Do I use my US/Canadian based plan in Mexico?" or "Do I get a Mexican Carrier SIM Card?”

For many, a combination answer is the most reasonable choice.

The biggest determining factor for this answer is how long you plan to stay in Mexico.  If you are staying for one to three weeks, your answer may be one way.  If you are staying over 30-days, your answer is probably another.

If you are staying 30 days or less, in Mexico, in most cases, your US-based mobile carrier will function just fine.  There are exceptions, nuances, and most importantly, not all carriers have the same offerings.

If you are staying longer than 30 days, it’s probably best to get a Mexican SIM card and go on a pay-as-you-go plan.

Telcel has, by far, the best coverage and service options.  Also, Telcel offers smartphone users free use of the Facebook and WhatsApp Apps on your iPhone or Android phone.
This means you can use the two apps free of any data usage.

As long as your phone is unlocked, you can pop out your US SIM and slide your Mexican SIM in its place and be on your way.  You will have a Mexican phone number.  During this time, calls to your US-based phone will behave as if your phone is turned off.

If your US phone is locked and you don’t have another unlocked phone you can use, you can buy an inexpensive smartphone and use it primarily for Mexico.

Though most Mexican mobile plans offer free calls to the USA from Mexico, having a local number makes communication with people in Mexico much more natural.

Telcel

To get a Telcel SIM card, one can walk into any OXXO, 7-Eleven, or Telcel store and buy a SIM card and prepay any amount you wish.  The more money you prepay to your account, the more free data and minutes they include.  If you buy it at the Telcel store, you can have more choice in your number and area code.  You will have to ask before they issue the number.  Some use of Spanish helps a lot here.  At other stores, your choices in numbers are very limited.
Recharging is very simple.  Just walk into any Oxxo, 7-Eleven, or Telcel store and recharge with cash.  Reloading on the website or App may prove problematic with a non-Mexican bank credit card.  Both the App and Website are only in Spanish so that may be a limiting factor.  The Telcel app is pretty easy to use and figure out how much service you have left before needing to recharge.

There are several other mobile carriers in Mexico including Movistar and AT&T.  Their coverage and service are nowhere as good as Telcel.

Top Tier Mobile Carriers

As of January 2018, this is the current offering of the top-tier US Mobile carriers.  The companies that make up the top tier are AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.  Second tier carriers often have more limited coverage or are regional.  Some examples of these mobile carriers include Virgin Mobile,  Boost Mobile, and Cricket Wireless.

An important consideration for those who will use their US carrier in Mexico is that they all put a limit on consecutive days outside the US for their included features.  That number is generally 30 days.

For those who want a simple, “Tell me the Best one to get.” T-Mobile has the best plans, pricing, coverage, and options for regular travelers and visitors to Mexico.  As long as T-Mobile has good coverage where you live and work, it is currently the best carrier, as of this writing.

Now the breakdown of the Top-Tier US-based Mobile Carriers in ranking order based on a combination of price, features, and coverage domestically and  in Mexico.

T-Mobile One Plan

A single line is $70/month including taxes and fees, with auto pay.  Auto Pay is where the monthly charges are paid automatically from your bank or debit card account.  T-Mobile is the US Presence of Deutsche Telekom.  Deutsche Telekom is probably the biggest mobile carrier in the world.   The benefit of that is that in addition to unlimited US text, calling, and data, Canada, and Mexico calling and data,  you receive limited included phone, text, and data in 140 other countries.  All of this is yours without spending a penny more on add-on features.  If you have two or more lines, T-Mobile also includes Netflix service for free.  In the US, after 50GB of downloads in a 30 day period, service may be temporarily reduced during peak usage.

In Mexico, you are not locked to a carrier.  You can choose the carrier in your phone’s ‘Cellular Settings.’  This is important as TelCel offers 4G speeds when roaming in Mexico while Movistar only allows 2G speeds.  2G feels like dialup.  Forget media-rich sites or messages with 2G.  This is T-Mobile’s policy limitations regarding roaming in Mexico or Canada in their Terms and Conditions. “50% of your voice and/or data usage being off-net (i.e., connected to another provider’s network) for any 3 billing cycles within any 12 month period.”

AT&T Unlimited Choice or Unlimited Plus

A single line is $60/Mo plus taxes and fees, with auto pay and paperless billing.  The Unlimited Choice plan’s data speeds are limited to 3Mb/s.  4G LTE is typically 12Mb/s with burst rates up to 50Mb/s.

The Unlimited Plus for $90/mo is full-speed 4G LTE.  In the US with the Unlimited Plus Plan, after 22GB of data in a month, service will be temporarily reduced during peak hours.

Unlike T-Mobile, AT&T will, by default, lock you into a carrier in Mexico.  This means you will be forced to use AT&T Mexico (4G LTE) or Movistar at 2G speeds.  Again, 2G feels like dialup.  You may call customer service to have that restriction lifted.  According to AT&T, the usage policy in Mexico or Canada states: “Roaming feature may be removed if voice, text, or data usage in Mexico and/or Canada exceeds 50% of total voice, data or text usage for 2 consecutive months.”  AT&T offers HBO for free after 2 billing cycles.

Verizon BeyondUnlimited

A single line is $85/Month plus taxes and fees with Auto Pay.  Like AT&T, Verizon will temporarily reduce the service after 22GB domestically in a month, during peak usage.

When traveling in Mexico or Canada, phone, text, and data are included at no additional charge.  There are some restrictions.  After the first 500MB/day, speeds are reduced to 2G (dialup).  Roaming in Mexico or Canada is limited to less than 50% of your talk, text, and data usage in a 60 day period.  If those limits are exceeded, service can be interrupted or removed.
It is unclear if Verizon locks you to a particular Mexican carrier.  Best guess is that they don’t.

Sprint Unlimited Freedom Plan

Sprint has the Unlimited Freedom plan starting at $60/month plus taxes and fees with Autopay.   Sprint tiers their domestic data streaming rates depending on if your streaming video, gaming, or Music.  Generally, one won’t notice any limitations during normal operation.

In Mexico Sprint includes, according to their website, “Free LTE/4G high-speed international data roaming in Canada & Mexico. Free calling and texting while roaming in Canada & Mexico.”  Without being specific, Sprint’s terms and conditions state that “Service may be terminated or restricted for excessive roaming.”

It is unclear if Sprint locks you to a particular Mexican carrier.  Best guess is that they don’t.

Second Tier and Regional Mobile Carriers

Second Tier and regional carriers are much less consistent with their plans and roaming in Mexico policies.  While not complete, here is a general rundown of the offerings available.

Boost Mobile Unlimited Gigs and the Todo Mexico Plus add-on.

Boost Mobile offers the Unlimited Gigs Plan for $50/month including taxes and fees.  Like Sprint they also cap the datarate for video, gaming, and music streaming.

For Mexico, you will need to add the $5/Month Todo Mexico Plus which includes "Data Roaming, up to 8GB, Unlimited calls to U.S. & in Mexico, and Unlimited International text (SMS only)."  The Boost Mobile Terms and Conditions state: “Data roaming provided at 2G/3G speeds; data roaming access ends when applicable allotment depleted & restored at next plan cycle. Includes unlimited int'l. text & talk to landlines and mobiles in Mexico and Canada (excluding Northern Territories/area code 867). Not for extended int'l. use; first & primary usage must occur on our U.S. network.”

Virgin Mobile Inner Circle

Virgin Mobile’s Inner Circle is $50/month plus taxes.  Fees are included.  Virgin Mobile uses the Sprint network.  Plans are domestic only and do not offer any minutes, texts or Data when roaming in Mexico.  Doing so will be at the mercy of whatever the carriers wish to charge.

Virgin Mobile is NOT a good option to take into Mexico.  It’s best to leave that SIM at home and get a Telcel SIM or switch carriers.

Cricket Unlimited Plan

Cricket’s Unlimited plan is $55/month with autopay.  Taxes are included.

Roaming in Mexico and Canada is included.  Here are Cricket’s Terms and Conditions: “Includes calling/texting in Mexico, Canada and between the U.S., Mexico & Canada. Also includes use of the high-speed data allotment from your plan while traveling in Mexico and Canada. Actual data speeds vary by device and location. Each number of texts, number of voice minutes, and data usage sent, received or used while in Mexico and Canada cannot exceed 50% of the total number of texts or voice minutes or data usage (including domestic use) in a month for any consecutive three month period or service may be terminated. Roaming services not guaranteed, limited coverage in select markets outside the U.S. Other restrictions apply.”

Google Project Fi

Google Fi is a newcomer for personal communications.  It's got some appealing aspects including worldwide data at one rate in over 135+ countries.
The cost is $20/month for domestic only calls and texts and $10 per Gigabyte.  Any Gigabytes you prepay for and don't use get credited toward your next month's bill.
If you use 5 Gigabytes of data a month, your bill comes to $50.  If you go over and use 9 gigabytes per month, you pay $90.
Project Fi rides on top of existing major networks so coverage is usually pretty good.  The downside is that the major networks sell off their extra capacity to Google Fi or Virgin Mobile at typically reduced data rates and quality.
This service is also strictly limited to Google Pixel phones.  Forget it if you want to use your iPhone or Galaxy 8.  Use of an existing or established phone number is complicated.  Voice calls outside of the US are billed per minute.
It may be an excellent choice for some tech savvy travelers.  There is a helpful questionnaire one can use to determine if Project Fi is a good choice for them.

Conclusions

Sometimes the little details make all the difference.  This is especially true with mobile service in Mexico.

Plans and included services change often and typically get better and better for the consumer.  It wasn’t too long ago that no carrier included Mexico roaming.

Call your carrier and make sure your plan is capable and compatible with Mexico roaming and what the restrictions and limitations are.  If your phone is locked, by your carrier, you may be able to unlock it for free, legally.  Most offer to unlock the phone when your contract expires.  Contact your mobile carrier for details.

Traveling in Mexico is fun and easy.  All you need is your passport, depending on where you go, a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit, and lastly, Mexican Insurance.

Head out on adventure and discover the wonderful offerings from our great southern neighbor.

15 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid When Traveling In Mexico

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. -Saint Ambrose

Story by Jim Foreman

We’ve all been there. We’ve all made that first trip to Mexico, as green as a cucumber.

What’s more, everyone, it seems, from the news, family, and friends will try to impart some conventional wisdom. The problem is that these same people offering their advice have either never been to Mexico or went so long ago, the memories are grossly embellished.

Originally this was going to be only ‘6 Rookie Mistakes.’ As the thoughts and situations kept appearing, the number rose to 8, 10, 13 and finally 15. Truthfully, this list could have exceeded 16, 18 or 20 points. Sticking with the self-imposed limit of 15, take a moment to ponder, read, and think about what’s listed below. These can mean the difference between a ‘Meh’ trip and a wonderfully memorable journey.

The list below isn't about rules to follow such as not driving at night or taking the toll roads. Instead, these are some key details and perspectives that will make your first trip and future trips memorable and enjoyable.

1) Pay with Pesos

If I had a dime for every time some well-meaning Gringo told me to pay with US Dollars when in Mexico, I’d have a 50-gallon drum filled with dimes. Unfortunately, I would have overpaid for everything in Mexico negating the value of those dimes. When in Mexico, get Pesos and pay with Pesos.

Several things are accomplished by this. First, you are going to be most likely to pay the local price for goods, food, and services. Second, and perhaps more importantly, you show respect to Mexicans by paying in Mexican currency. If you need more details about paying for things in Mexico, take a look at this story.

2) Learn a couple of key phrases in Spanish.

This is a biggie. One doesn’t have to be fluent in Spanish to get along, but one should make an effort to know a little bit of Spanish. Starting with ‘Por Favor’ for Please and ‘Gracias’ for Thank You, it’s easy to build one’s vocabulary. Frequently used words like Baños, Cerveza, Comida, Escribe, and numbers in Spanish will help even more. There are many fun and easy ways to pick up Spanish. Some of the best are entirely free.  Duolingo, and the BBC offer great Spanish Language courses.

3) Don’t assume all police are crooked.

They’re not. Police in Mexico have taken great strides to weed out corruption and discipline those that prey on visitors. If you are stopped by the police, chances are you were speeding, blowing through a stop sign, or some other offense. Imagine all the craziness Mexican officers have to put up with from locals as well as foreigners.

Dealing with the situation is a little different than in the US or Canada, but handling oneself professionally is up to both you and the officer.  For advice on handling police encounters in Mexico read this story.

4) Don’t go in with expectations. Let Mexico unfold on you.

One of the biggest mistakes first-time visitors to Mexico make is building up a set of pre-conceived notions about the people, culture, and attitude. Many of these conclusions derive from stateside people of Mexican descent. Mexicans in Mexico are very different from Mexicans in the US. This is particularly the case of the second generation and further Americans of Mexican heritage.

Keep your politics, tasteless jokes, and other disrespectful perspectives back home and open your mind to a warm, welcoming and wonderful people.

5) When driving, pull to the right to let people pass you.

For some reason, Americans have the hardest time with this. You don’t own the road in Mexico or back home. If someone wants to pass, pull to the side and let them pass. It does nobody any good to hold up other drivers, and it’s the fastest way of building animosity anywhere you go.

6) Don’t be a slave to your GPS.

This bit is another biggie. Turn the darn thing off. Get a paper map, look at where you want to go for the day and what major cities are along the way. Then follow the signs. It is surprisingly easy to travel around in Mexico without the Sat Nav. By turning off the GPS, you will be much more inclined to see interesting sights, attractions, and towns. The GPS will only route you on the toll roads where you see remarkably little. In bigger towns, the GPS can be quite helpful but when driving distances, turn it off. You’ll notice your happiness increase by the kilometer.

7) Do Take the Libre road sometimes.

In most cases, there are at least two ways to get where you’re going. A free road and a toll road or 'cuota.' Toll roads on a map are designated with a ‘D’ after the number. Some Libre roads are much nicer than the toll roads, other times the toll road is the only practical way to go.

Simply put, be flexible. Ask locals at the café or people at the gas station if one option is better than another.

Todos Santos, BCS

8) Don’t rush your visit. Take the time to explore.

Americans are notorious for trying to cram too much into a day. Don’t. Relax. You’re in Mexico. Take the time to enjoy traveling and being in Mexico. Enjoy down time and don’t make the mistake of packing too much into a day.

9) Ask locals for interesting things to see.

Whether you are only at a luxurious resort or driving to a Mexican Hamlet by the Sea, make friends and ask locals if there are worthwhile attractions in the area. Take the time to check them out. The costs are typically minimal, and the enjoyment can be quite surprising.

10) Don’t make hotel reservations in advance.

Unless you are flying into a big resort or are traveling during a Mexican holiday period such as Semana Santa, don’t pre-plan your stops. Again, this is a very American thing, but it is absolutely the wrong way to enjoy Mexico. Drive and enjoy the land and when you feel like it, find a hotel. You will almost always find it for less that you would have paid on your fancy phone app. Asking for a promotional rate or discount is perfectly fine. It may seem very counter to the obsessive compulsive individual, but trust in this. You may want to stay the night in the Pueblo Magico rather than the bland city you initially were targeting.

11) Don’t spend too much time in hotels, ‘Gringo’ restaurants, and RV Parks.

When you arrive at the hotel and have freshened up, go into town and walk around. This is especially true for those in RVs. Get out of the RV Park. You will enjoy much better food and most likely better company by venturing out. Look for places that have a lot of Mexicans. Those places are busy for a reason. The food will certainly be much better and as a bonus, much less expensive.

Getting out of the hotel or RV Park also benefits you and the locals. Both you and they can share experiences and learn from each other. One doesn’t get that from a sweet septuagenarian New Englander escaping the brutal winters back home.

Querétero Centro

12) Do walk the city center.

Most Mexican towns are built around a church. There’s most likely a town square and some activities, restaurants, and attractions to enjoy. You won’t find out much online so just get out and pound the pavement a little bit and explore the area. Most hotels have a map for guests. If the distance is too far, hire a cab to take you and pick you up. The experiences one will gather will often be the most memorable to one’s trip.

Mariscos El Cuchupetas in Villa Union, Sinaloa is known nation wide and worth the wait.

13) Don't eat at familiar American chain restaurants like Mc Donald's or Applebee's.

You're now in a region with some of the best food in the world.  Great food may be served on a sidewalk or a surrounding street in the centro.  Look for restaurants or cafes with lots of Mexicans patronizing it.  That's where the best food and surprisingly best prices are going to be found.

Try new foods and dishes.  That's what traveling is all about.  Leave your American diet sensibilities behind.  Avoid those pesky salads which are often rinsed in tap water.  Go for the tacos, cocteles, and grilled fish.  It's surprisingly healthy and more often than not, the vegetables and fruits are locally and organically grown.

14) Don’t be loud.

Americans have this thing about being loud when they are in unfamiliar places. No matter where one goes when one hears loud voices, it’s almost certainly made by Americans. Don’t Be Loud! Relax. Talk slower and softer. People are often surprised by how much better they are received when they simply quiet down a little bit. This may seem like a subtle point, but it’s not. Next time you’re out and about in a foreign land, take a listen. You’ll spot the Americans in no time. Shhhhhh…

15) Don’t get the cheapest auto insurance.

This is critical. Yes, this story is sponsored by Mexican Insurance Store, but this bit of advice has nothing to do with that. Many policies sold at the border kiosks, especially brokers selling only one brand, in particular, are a very poor choice for travelers into Mexico. These policies are often unrated or poorly rated. Unrated means, no outside company has evaluated them to see if they are solvent enough to pay out if you have need to file a claim. More so, the 'too-cheap' policies have such minuscule coverage that they’re rarely worth the paper they are written on.

The problems with this arise when you are in a moderate to serious collision and the damage is determined to exceed the coverage limits or the insurance coverage you think you bought turns out to be non-existent.   You will be jailed, until full monetary restitution is made.  Furthermore, the fact that few Mexicans wear seat belts, despite a federal law requiring them, make your risk and exposure even greater.

The brokers that offer policies at low-ball rates have a long list of exclusions, limitations and practices that should cause one's hackles to rise.  Some exclusions include:

• Not being able to get your vehicle repaired in the US
• Ridiculously low hourly rate paid for repair services on a damaged car
• No guarantee on repair services
• A history of low-balling vehicle loss at the 'poor quality' trade-in value

When you shop, only buy policies from Ace Seguros, Mapfre, or HDI. These are all top rated (A.M. Best) insurers that will provide adequate quality coverage throughout the entire country of Mexico.  If your provider is missing from this list, it's not by accident.  Don’t skimp on this and think you're doing yourself a favor.

When traveling by car, motorcycle or RV, go to MexicanInsuranceStore.com to shop up to 7 quotes from top rated insurers. We all hope we never need to call our insurance company to file a claim. Should you ever have to, though, it’s good to know that you will be covered by honest and reputable companies who have served travelers reliably for decades.

©2017 Jim Foreman All Rights Reserved.

The Baja Ferries

Traveling Across the Sea of Cortez

Story and Photos by Jim Foreman
Sponsored by Mexican Insurance Store.com

When looking at any map of Mexico, one’s eyes are immediately drawn to the Baja California Peninsula.

This unique region of Mexico is known for phenomenal weather, excellent wines, playful resorts, and a diverse topography featuring mountains, deserts, sea, and ocean.

By this time one begins to wonder, “Now I’ve explored Baja, Now What?” Alternatively, a traveler may decide it’s more interesting to travel north back to the US or Canada via Baja California.

How does one easily get across with a vehicle?  The answer is, “Take the ferry across.”

Now, a typical Norte Americano will think, “I’ll just go online and book passage.” Quickly, if not immediately, one will become quite confused and frustrated.

Booking passage on the ferry is not terribly complicated or confusing, as long as you do it like a Mexican.

Mazatlan office of Baja Ferries

Ferry Options

Ferry Routes by Martin McGowan

Two companies operate ferry service between Baja California and mainland Mexico. The primary and biggest company is Baja Ferries. Baja Ferries operates several ships between Topolobampo (Los Mochis) and La Paz and Mazatlán and La Paz.

Alternatively, a much smaller and more infrequent ferry, Ferry Santa Rosalía operates between Guaymas, Sonora and Santa Rosalía, BCS.

Ferry Basics

It’s easy to book passage on a ferry. That said, when traveling by car, you should not book it too far in advance unless you plan on sailing during one of Mexico’s holiday celebrations.

The best and most reliable way to book passage by ferry is to go, in person, to one of the many ticket offices in the vehicle you wish to transport. If you are traveling in anything other than a standard car, the complexity skyrockets. Additionally, if you want to book a cabin, that is also fraught with confusion. Go in person. The website is helpful to know the addresses of the ticket offices and the hours and days of operation. Nine out of ten travelers who try to book passage online get it wrong and end up in a much more complicated situation.

The ferry can accommodate any vehicle that is roadworthy. Bicycles, motorcycles, cars, light trucks, box vans, recreational vehicles (RVs), trailers, and semi-trucks with trailers are all welcome. If you are taking any vehicle other than a standard car, light pickup, SUV, or motorcycle, it will need to be measured. The tariff or fee is calculated based on its length, and possibly it’s width.

The ferries DO NOT run every day.  Check their respective websites to learn what days they travel from your embarkation point.

Fees

Here is where gets very confusing, very quickly. There are up to four different costs you will need to pay. The first one is for yourself. Each person traveling on the ferry must pay for transit. In most cases, the vehicle fee will include the driver, but only the driver. Any additional passengers will have to pay separately. The second fee is for the vehicle. The third fee is optional, and that is for a private cabin. The fourth and final expense is the La Paz Port Fee which ranges from $76MN to $254MN depending on the type and size of your vehicle. Motorcycles pay $76MN each. Cars pay $153MN. This fee is collected separately when arriving or departing La Paz.

Current Baja Ferries rates and Santa Rosalia Ferries rates are available on their respective websites. Again, it’s confusing.

What’s Included In Your Fare?

The standard fare includes passage, use of a comfortable airline type seat with lots of legroom, and a meal. The seats often have movies playing. It’s wise to bring earplugs if you intend to sleep.

An included meal is served at the beginning of the trip and is basic, at best.  There is also breakfast meal served on the run between Mazatlan and La Paz. Do not expect gourmet. It’s not hospital food, but it’s not awesome either.

A la carte items and snacks are available at vending machines, the lounge, and shops, on the ferry. They are priced only slightly higher than an Oxxo. They will have bottled water, sodas, candy, and snacks.

Baja Ferries California Star

What to Expect

The Baja Ferries (both Baja Ferries and Santa Rosalia Ferry) are NOT Princess Cruises. It’s best to not act like a princess with your expectations or demands. The ferries are clean and comfortable but mostly utilitarian. Most have a lounge, often with live entertainment. Usually, one or two bars are also available up until around midnight.

Baja Ferries operates mostly larger ships that once served European ferry companies. Most were built in the 1990s and 2000s.

The Santa Rosalia Ferry is rather small. Availability is quite limited. This is particularly the case for larger vehicles. It’s an older ship with much fewer amenities, also.

The voyage duration between Santa Rosalia and Guaymas is approximately 10 hours. Expect around 7 hours from Topolobampo to La Paz and 13 hours between Mazatlan and La Paz.  These are the actual voyage times and do not factor loading and unloading.

Many of the electrical outlets will be 240v and use the standard European plug. Most computer and phone chargers will work at 120v or 240v. Having a European to North American adapter will enable you to stay fully juiced while others look helplessly for North American power sockets. Use this as a great opportunity to make friends by offering use of your adapter.

Many passengers will set up bunks or mats with sleeping bags in the open passenger compartment. On warmer days, they may also set these up outside. Unless the ferry is at capacity, there is plenty of seating room. They are comfortable seats. Restrooms are a different story. It’s best to use them early. You would be wise to bring baby wipes for both the toilet and your personal needs. If you have to go, and it’s late (or early in the morning), it's ok to utilize the family or disabled restroom for a cleaner and more comfortable experience.

Earplugs and something to cover your eyes are a great idea. The movies play at loud volumes. Often, one can be a hero by turning the volume down a little, on the TV.

Are Cabins Worth the Extra Money?

This is a much more subjective question. Generally speaking, yes.  Cabins range in price from $860MN to $1560MN (as of January 2017) ranging from Estandar (Standard pictured) to Master Suite VIP.  The cabins will be quieter. You’ll have your own restroom, shower, and a comfortable bunk. Don’t expect towels folded into animal shapes. The cabin offerings may vary from ship to ship. The earlier you go and book your passage the more likely you are to get a cabin. If you don’t get a cabin, it’s not the end of the world. Just keep a sense of humor and your expectations in check.

What You Need to Do and Bring to Book a Reservation

-Bring your state driver’s license and passport of all the people who will travel.

-Vehicle registration may be asked for, so have it available.

-Temporary Vehicle Import Permit, especially if going to the mainland. You WILL be asked for this when departing La Paz. Make sure you have one.

-Bring your license plate number of your vehicle. Just write it down.

-Payment, in cash or credit card.

If you don’t speak Spanish, there is often someone available who is reasonably good at English. Ask 'Habla Ingles?' kindly. They are professional and work hard to help you out. Do not be a jerk if you don’t get your way or if cabins are not available. Whining about it will only make you look pathetic and make them less likely to help you.

Forming the line to board the ferry

How it Works On the Day of Travel

Have your ticket(s) with you at all times. They will be checked and marked several times.

You will be told to arrive a couple of hours early. You will be directed through several inspection points. Be patient and courteous. One of those checkpoints will be to confirm you have a TVIP. Make sure your sticker or paperwork is readily visible.

Trucks are loaded first. The first vehicles boarding will be the last ones off. Motorcycles can go to the front as they are usually tucked into a corner or under a staircase.

Let the staff guide you as to where to wait with your vehicle. Again, be patient.

Special Instructions for Motorcycles

If you are on a motorcycle, they often have straps there, but it’s best to have a couple of your own, especially if there are a lot of bikes traveling. Strapping points may not be ideal. Remember it’s only a gentle swaying and not the harshness of being on a trailer or pickup.

It’s advisable to center-stand your bike if you have one. Only two straps are needed. One at the front and one at the back to keep your bike from moving. You can also secure your bike with only one strap across the seat or a sturdy part of the frame. Remember, it’s a ship. There are no sudden stops or starts. Expect only gentle swaying.

Special Instructions for RVs

The ferry loading team will probably have you gather with the trucks. You will be backing your rig in. It’s best not to be distracted by family or devices during this process. You will not be allowed on your RV or to stay in your RV during the voyage.

Special Instructions for Non-Driving Passengers

Baggage will be x-rayed and checked into a cargo hold. You will not have access to any of these items during your voyage.

Bring anything you need during the voyage as carry-on.

Transporting Pets

Any pets must be in their own carrier and are taken to a special pet section. They will be kept in their carrier the entire time. While you wait to board, it’s best to give them every opportunity to run, play, and potty before boarding the ferry. No, they can’t go with you or stay in your vehicle.

Outside Food and Drink

The rules state you cannot bring alcohol or outside food. This rule is only lightly enforced. If you pack some quesadillas or burritos in your carry on bag, no biggie. Be discrete. Do not bring plates or boxes of food. They will not be allowed, and the ferry loading staff will enjoy dining on your disallowed meal.

Alcohol is another gray area. Discretion is the most important rule here. If you bring a flask or transfer your beverage into a nondescript container like a reusable water bottle, there is no problem. Do not bring bottles of alcohol. Also, do not get inebriated or become the idiot borracho.

If you need to smoke, do so on deck, at the rear of the ship.

Disembarking

Leaving the ferry is usually quite orderly. When you reach port, drivers will be allowed back to their vehicles. Personal vehicles disembark first.

Once off the ship, there is a series of checkpoints by the Military, Federal Police, and Port Authority. Be calm and patient.

That’s it. It’s simple and easy so long as you keep your expectations reasonable. Do not go out of your way to read the reviews of the Ferry. Curiously, all the negative comments are written by whiny Gringos. They clearly expected everything to be to their vaulted fantasy standards. Reading them after the voyage can be quite entertaining as it’s easy to see how they were acting like princesses.

Santa Rosalia Ferry Ticket Office at the Santa Rosalia Port

Where to Book Tickets

Ticket offices are at the ports and in some of the city centers. Again, unless you are doing a simple standard package of a car and one person only, don’t book online.

Go to a ticket office. You can’t book passage for Mazatlan to La Paz at the Topolobampo ticket office. Book the trip at the city or port you intend to embark. For example, if you are staying in La Paz, Los Mochis or Mazatlan for a few days, go to the port as soon as possible, to book your tickets. This will give you your best opportunity to get a cabin.

A list of Baja Ferries offices are found on their website.

Santa Rosalia Ferries offices are at their respective ports.

Driving in Mexico and especially taking the ferry across the Sea of Cortez is an adventure. Before you cross the border into Mexico make sure you have your Mexican Auto Insurance. Not only is it the law, but the coverage includes roadside assistance and many other valuable benefits.

It’s easy to shop, buy, and print your top rated coverage at MexicanInsuranceStore.com. Policies are available for any duration from one day to one year.
©2017 Jim Foreman  All Rights Reserved.

Driving in Mexico. A Practical How-To Guide

Story and Photos by Jim Foreman

Traveling in Mexico is different than traveling in Canada or the United States. Gone are the strict traffic rules nearly all Norte Americanos are programmed to follow. Signage, customs, courtesies, and right-of-way are all irregular to an unseasoned driver.

Furthermore, stories of corrupt cops stopping travelers for bribes are aplenty. Many stories are real but even more are embellished to make the protagonist sound noble and heroic.

Let’s start with the premise that you understand safety in Mexico, know how to use currency in Mexico, Know what’s legally required to travel to Mexico, and are still ready for an incredible adventure. If you are not clear on these topics, please click on the links for each one for clarity.

Mexico is an exciting and fascinating destination by road and offers amazing sights, wonderful food and some of the warmest and kindest people on Earth.

A Word of Caution: Don’t rely on too many sources for answers. If you pose a question on a Facebook Forum, you’ll get an extensive range of answers and it becomes quite difficult to separate the nonsense (over 95%) from the sage advice (less than 5%). Don’t try to learn too much ahead of time. Most Americans are guilty of this. One ends up trying to re-live the experiences of the authors rather than forming unique and individual impressions of situations, sights, and locations.

Go with a blank canvas. Promptly and completely disregard everything you think you know about Mexico from the interwebs, news, TV shows, movies, and that loud-mouthed woman at the river who kept talking about misadventures with ‘Federales.'

Only rely on what you have directly experienced or can learn from a trusted person of sound judgment who has recently been to the area you are planning to go.

Know a Bit of Spanish

Knowing a little bit of Spanish can mean the difference between a difficult and frustrating journey and a fun and memorable trip through Mexico. There are many methods to learning some key phrases. Relying on Google Translate should not be one of your primary options. Use Google Translate only as a last resort. Some learning options are very costly while some of the best ones are free. Regardless of which method one chooses, one will never learn Spanish unless one practices and does the lessons.

Some of the expensive options that do work include taking courses at your local community college or community center. These are quite useful for those that need structure and an organized plan.

Secondarily, computer or audio book based language lessons do work. Some of these examples include Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, and even the free BBC Language Courses. They are frequently started but quickly ignored to make room for Facebook updates or binge-watching TV shows.

Another option is using a smartphone app. There are dozens of apps available to help you learn key words and phrases. At the top is Duolingo. Duolingo is fun and an easy interactive language learning tool. Just 5-7 minutes a day will have you speaking and understanding Spanish in little time.

Papa's & Beer in Asheville, NC

One way to practice in your hometown before departing for Mexico is to enjoy several meals at an authentic Mexican restaurant. Ask the server if you can practice ordering in Spanish. They will usually oblige and even feel proud to help you learn a bit of their language and culture. As you go about your daily tasks, try to think in Spanish. Use Spanish numbers when counting or thinking about decisions.

Finally, a quick cheat-sheet of highly useful phrases to learn in Spanish can be found in this informative article from Tom Campbell posting in No Hay Bronca.

Heading to Ciudad Chihuahua from Ciudad Juarez.

Driving in Mexico

Driving in Mexico requires a different mindset than driving in the USA or Canada. One must pilot their vehicle with eyes up and on the road, in active mode. Mexico roadways are not the place to be complacent or to daydream. Don’t take this to mean one should drive like a paranoid or nervous wreck-about-to-happen. Rather, drive alert, look into the distance for surface irregularities or potholes, detours and deviations (desviaciónes), broken-down cars, animals and livestock, gravel, or a passing vehicle. Active and alert driving is the way everyone should be operating their vehicle, regardless of location. Sadly, technology, passivity, boredom, and predictability have replaced these fundamental skills for far too many drivers. Start at home by keeping your chin and eyes up. Remain aware of who and what is around you. Spot potential hazards ahead in the roadway.

Consider practicing some evasive and emergency driving skills in an empty parking lot. Emergency Braking and evading of road hazards will go on to serve you very well in life.

Another option that can be quite fun is to seek out a high-performance driving course. Often you’ll find these at a racetrack.

Crossing Puente Baluarte.  The World's Tallest Cable Strayed Bridge dividing Sinaloa and Durango

Rules of the Road – Highways

There are, in practicality, only a few actual ‘Rules of the Road’ in Mexico. Here is a pragmatic set of ‘rules’ that aren’t necessarily codified but will help you have a great experience and avoid trouble in Mexico.

Don’t Drive at Night. This rule can be bent but be careful not to break it.
Here’s the truth. ‘Banditos’ aren't typically the primary reason for this important advice.  Road hazards are often difficult to spot during the day.  At night, they are nearly impossible to see with any time to evade them. Virtually all travelers who suffer serious injury or fatality on the roadways were driving at night. Don't! Just Don’t.

Since we all love bending the rules, here’s how the rules can be bent.  If you are on a well-traveled toll road and your destination is less than an hour away, you are probably fine to continue to your destination.  Ask a local or two if it is safe to travel to the destination before you set off. It’s far wiser and probably much more interesting to get accommodations where you are and enjoy a night in a new town.

 Listen to the locals. They are not stupid. It’s the stupid and arrogant travelers who don’t listen to local wisdom who end up in the emergency room or morgue.

Another rule bending allowance is driving at night in a medium to large city. If you are within a town, you are usually OK to travel at night. Know exactly where you are going and how to get there. A GPS can be helpful, but it won’t know which areas are high crime spots or are places to avoid. Do not venture into the outskirts of town or onto back roads as this increases your risk of danger, exponentially. Also, don’t get gas or visit the ATM at night. Wait until daylight.

The second rule is to Ignore the ‘Right of Way.' It’s the right of 'who is bigger' followed by 'who is first' that you must respect. If an oncoming truck is passing another vehicle and is in your lane, you better be immediately thinking of evasive action. Busses are known to do this, too. More often bus drivers are better, but not always. None of them are trying to mess with you. They will try to avoid hitting you, but you need to make way.

Be friendly and gracious and don’t drive with an ego. If someone wants to pass you, pull to the right side and let them pass. Wave to them nicely and smile as they pass.

You don’t own the road and should not drive like one who thinks they do. (Read this line twice!)

If someone is stopped at the side of the road and it appears safe to offer assistance, do so. At least offer bottles of water or a lift into town so they can retrieve help. If it’s an overly attractive woman at the side of the road, it may be a robbery setup. Use your good judgment. If it’s a family, motorcyclist, or a single person in the middle of nowhere, there may not be mobile service and can probably use your help. Remember, those same individuals will stop to help you when you are stuck at the side of a road.

Take warning signs seriously. Mexican roadways have very few warning signs compared to the US or Canada. When you see one, it’s a wise person who takes their message seriously. ‘Curvas Peligrosas’ means Dangerous Curves. ‘Aguas’ means ‘Heads Up’ or ‘Watch Out’ not water.

Speeding… On Mexican highways, there are speed signs posted. They are often absurdly low. Only the Policia Federal can pull you over on the highways. If anyone else attempts to pull you over, it’s most likely not for legitimate purposes.

Often, the police will be on the outskirts of towns and hit you on Radar. Then they will direct you to pull over and have a talk. Occasionally, they will get behind their intended target and light them up to be pulled over. There are many kilometers of highway and rather few of the special ‘Highway Patrol’ designated traffic cops. In the open stretches, the highways in Mexico are like the German Autobahn. Don’t drive in the left lane. Leave it for passing. Go as fast as you like, but remember, if you crash, it may be an hour or two before help arrives. Slow down and give room when you see a police vehicle on the side of the road. Don’t try to be the fastest one on the road. Let someone else do that and possibly get stopped. While driving, if you see brake lights ahead, there may be a cop visible just over a crest or past a bend with radar. Take appropriate action.

Rules of the Road - Cities and Towns

Slow Down! You may have been running at 160Kph (100MPH) on cruise control on the highway, but when you get into town, you MUST slow down! Excessive speed is the reason 90% of travelers get pulled over. Failing to stop at a Stop Sign ‘Alto’ is the reason for nearly all the other traffic stops.

Drive slightly slower than the flow of traffic and keep your eyes up and aware of road hazards, animals, missing utility covers, and pedestrians. Policia Municipal are in charge of the cities and do a majority of the stops.

Don’t stand out and give them a reason to stop you.

Dealing With a Traffic Stop

Mexico has been making significant and substantive efforts to crack down on corrupt cops who pull people over solely seeking a bribe. Most big city cops are quite professional and care about their community. State Police and Federal Police (Policia Estatal and Policia Federal) will almost never pull someone over and seek out a bribe. If you got pulled over by la Policia Federal, you most certainly committed the violation.

Drunk woman trying to bribe police with $100MN ($5USD)

Mexican police have to deal with a lot of idiocy.  They have seen it all.  Be mindful of their difficult job and don't be unnecessarily troublesome.

If you were driving drunk and get into an accident, you will be arrested and held until you pay the fine and arrange to make restitution to the cars or people you damaged, either with insurance or cash. You will remain in Jail until either of those requirements are met.  If you plan on drinking, please walk or take a taxi to and from your location.  It's better for everyone.

Sadly in some smaller and rural towns, some Policía Municipál still try to augment their meager salary with the unwilling help of foreign travelers.

Here’s some sound advice for dealing with a traffic stop either legitimate or not in many countries including Mexico.

1. Show no fear. If you act scared, it may prompt a bad cop to try to shake you down for a bribe. Don’t be rude, macho, or arrogant, but don’t be afraid either. Unlike in the US, It’s OK to get out of your car and casually go to them and shake their hand.

2. If you committed the violation, do everyone a favor and don’t be a jerk. Take it and look for the best way to resolve the situation. Decide if you want to accept a deal with the officer or go to the station to pay the rather small penalty.

3. If you know a bit of Spanish, try to explain what happened. Often expressing how sorry you are and that you didn’t realize the speed or stop sign will help.

4. If you don’t know much Spanish, without being insulting or demeaning, try to explain with hand gestures or poorly worded phrases. Don’t treat the cops like they are dumb. They aren’t. Be sincere and relaxed. Try your best.

5. If a cop starts telling you the fine is $400 US Dollars, or some such nonsense, simply and politely say, ‘No.’ Suggest that you go to the station to pay or ask for ‘El Jefé’ their supervisor. Again, be polite but firm.

6. Always allow the cop to save face. Never insult or demean them. In fact, telling them how important their job is and how they deserve respect is often helpful.

7. If it is just a shakedown, being calm, relaxed and unwilling to give in will usually have them let you go in 15-30 minutes. If they still don’t, ask them for the ticket, in writing. Take a picture of what they wrote or run your phone on movie mode to capture the conversation. Have a pen or pencil and write their names and ID numbers.

8. If you are let go, offer to buy them a coffee (café) or Coke (refresco) for the trouble of pulling you over. $20MN-$50MN ($1USD-$2.50USD) will not be seen or taken as a bribe but an offering of goodwill.

9. If you have been wrongfully shaken down, bring your evidence (names, numbers, photos, video, or audio recording to the police station and ask for the captain. Explain what happened honestly and factually. You can also report it to a national hotline by calling 91-800-00148.

Crooked cops are becoming rarer in Mexico. Bad cops are being fired with a stain on their reputation. That serves as an example to other potentially dishonest cops. Don’t assume that officers, acting lawfully, are going to shake you down. Most cops are doing their best to perform a difficult job.

Traveling in Mexico is an adventure in itself. Some of the best experiences are completely unplanned. Keep an open mind and heart and don’t journey in fear. Don't do things you wouldn’t do back home and use an extra dose of street smarts and (not-so) common sense.

When traveling in Mexico in your car, RV or motorcycle, you must have Mexican Auto Insurance. It’s the law. In less than 5 minutes, get a quote from top rated insurers. Go to Mexican Insurance Store and choose the insurer and coverage you want.  Buy it, and print out your policy. You are now ready to go, with confidence.

©2016 Jim Foreman  All Rights Reserved

First Time Traveling Into Mexico

A Guide for First-Time Overland Travelers

Story by Jim Foreman

Many people throughout Canada and the United States have visited Mexico on holiday. Mexico’s idyllic beaches, warm winters, and high value for the money have made it a top destination in the western hemisphere. Despite overblown safety concerns by US news and media outlets, hundreds of thousands of US and Canadian citizens are in Mexico at any given time. If you have concerns about safety, please read this article for a no-nonsense perspective about Safety in Mexico.

A majority of visitors arrive by air into Mexico. Necessities like a visa are handled proficiently at the airport.

What happens when you wish to traverse Mexico in your vehicle? Whether by car, motorcycle, or RV, Mexico makes an equally charming and festive destination over land.

Though it’s relatively easy to travel with your vehicle into Mexico, there are several things you must do and have in order before you depart.

It’s also imperative to take care of some tasks after you cross the border and prepare to follow-up before you leave.

Don’t be dismayed. It’s not difficult. With so many fantastic destinations, the hardest part will probably be deciding where to go.

First Things First 

Do you have a Passport or US Passcard? Since 2007, you must have one to re-enter the United States. The good old days of presenting a birth certificate and drivers license are long past. This rule doesn’t mean that you will be refused entry back into the United States if you forgot your passport or don't have one. Do expect to be considered foolish by the border agent, to be chastised and possibly have to go through a secondary screening, upon your return.

Additionally, you will need a full passport if you intend to get a 7-day or 180-day tourist visa. If you’re just hopping across the border for an overnight, weekend, or day trip, the Passcard works fine. Fortunately, Canadians are pretty smart about this. US Citizens have the most difficulty grasping that they need to have a passport to cross international borders. Most get it, but an alarmingly high number of people still don’t.

You can download the passport application from the US State Department website and learn where you can submit it along with your photo and money order for the fees.

Visas and Temporary Vehicle Import Permits

The next thing to think about is whether you need a Mexican Visa and Temporary Vehicle Import Permit.

Unless one is a Mexican national, a tourist visa is technically required for anyone from the US or Canada who plans to do anything more than a day trip into Mexico.  Now that sums up the technical aspect.  The reality is a little different.  

If you try to ask for a tourist visa for an overnight or weekend in Ensenada or elsewhere in Baja California or the Sonora Hassle Free Zone, officials will wave you away unless you insist on one.  Here's the reality.  If you plan on staying less than 72 hours in Baja California, within the Hassle Free zone in Sonora, or within a border city, don't bother with a visa.  If you plan on staying longer, get the 180 day visa (around $25USD).  It's good for multiple overland visits to Mexico within the 180 day period.  Though visitors should turn them in at the end of their stay, there's no penalty if you don't.  The free 7-day visa does incur a penalty if not turned in or turned after the 7-day period.

The need for a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TVIP) has a familiar ring to it.  If you are traveling within Baja California or Baja California Sur and will NOT take the ferry over to the mainland, one does not need a TVIP.
Also in Sonora, within the Hassle Free Zone which includes everything west of Agua Prieta to Imuris and down to Guaymas, no TVIP is needed.
If travel beyond Guaymas is planned a TVIP is necessary.  The cost of a TVIP is about $65USD.  A refundable deposit of $200USD, $300USD, or $400USD is collected either in Cash or preferably Credit Card.  It's good for 180 days or the remaining time on your tourist visa.  

One needs to decide if they want to get their Mexican Visa and Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TVIP) before they cross into Mexico or after they cross the border. The vast consensus of experienced travelers points to waiting and getting both at the border crossing INM immigration station and Banjercito.  Many people don’t realize that International Mail or delivery service takes much longer than the already slow US Mail.  Additionally, one may decide on a different vehicle to take, when the trip is actually made.  From the main roads in mainland Mexico, there is an Immigration checkpoint between 20Km and 35Km south of the border that you need to utilize. Simply and quickly get everything handled in a few minutes and be on your way. It’s a cinch.

Temporary Vehicle Import Permit from Mexico

While an 180 Day Visa is not a big deal if it gets lost, you are on the hook if your TVIP is lost or does not arrive before your trip. Imagine if something happens to your car such as it gets stolen, is in a serious collision, or totaled before you cross into Mexico. You will incur tremendous difficulties on the Mexican side. It will be excruciating gathering all the documentation and visiting over one-half-dozen different offices, in Mexico, to convince the Aduana of what happened and avoid paying the import penalty (about half of the value of the vehicle) and recovering your deposit.

Important Travel Tip

Don’t try to pre-book everything unless you are visiting during a holiday week or weekend like Semana Santa.  Relax, when you are ready to stop there will be many lodging options and then you won’t be tempted to do something daft like drive at night to the next city because you had a reservation.

Insurance

The most important thing one should do before departing to Mexico is to acquire your Mexican Auto Insurance online. Unless you travel with $300K USD in your car in the event of a collision, you must have Mexican Auto Insurance. That is unless you like the idea of staying in a Mexican jail. No, your US coverage is most likely not valid when you cross the border.  Check your policy for coverages.

If you wish to acquire travel insurance to cover against mishaps, consider AIG TravelGuard or World Nomads.

Both of these will cover you medically in the event of a personal accident, as well as offer some very appealing services and benefits.  Do keep in mind that medical expenses in Mexico are nowhere near as expensive as they are in the US.  Several hundred thousand Americans travel to Mexico for elective and otherwise costly medical care, annually.

It’s not a bad idea to pick up a map of Mexico at your local AAA office if you’re a member or order one on Amazon.

If you have a GPS unit, make sure to install or load the Mexico maps, if possible.

Crossing into Mexico

Gassing up before crossing at Nogales

When you cross the border, there are several things you probably need to handle.

The first is money. Here is a detailed story on how to manage money in Mexico. If you wish to exchange US Dollars into Pesos, it’s most often best to do so on the Mexican side of the border. Look for the highest 'Compra' or buy price of US Dollars.  Otherwise, find a bank ATM and withdraw some pesos.

If you chose to get your Visa and TVIP at the border, you will need to plan for a short stop at the appropriate location for your crossing. As mentioned earlier, most people find the process at the border to be straightforward and fast and with a lot less hassle than going online.

Important tip when crossing at Tijuana, BC

Depending on where you cross the border, the Immigration may be located just around the corner or up to 40 kilometers south of the international crossing. A great site to show you what to expect at certain border crossings is iOverlander.

One of the more confusing border crossings for getting your tourist visa and TVIP, if necessary is the big one in Tijuana. Once you cross the Red light-Green light lanes, hang a sharp right after the inspection area and park where the busses park.  Then you walk through several buildings and can get your tourist visa, pesos from a bank ATM and use the restroom.


Now you have your auto insurance, optional travel insurance, money, and if necessary, visas and TVIP.  All you need to do is head to your destination and enjoy the warmth, culture, value and comfort of our great neighbor to the south, Mexico.

When crossing into Mexico you must have Mexican Auto Insurance.  It's fast, easy and reliable at Mexican Insurance Store.  Simply enter your vehicle information, the dates of travel and choose the coverage you want.  It's good throughout all of Mexico and will be there for you if ever needed.  

©2016 Jim Foreman All Rights Reserved.