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Checklist for a Summer Road Trip to Mexico

By Jim Labelle

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 03Jul2011
Word count: 577
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Summer time is here and for many, that means it's time to hit the road. For some, that road leads south to the golden, sun-kissed beaches of Mexico. With airline travel becoming more expensive with each tick of the clock, many people are re-discovering the fun and adventure of an old fashioned road trip. Travel by road to a foreign country does necessitate a bit of planning. You will need to get your paperwork in order, for example. These are some of the most essential bits of planning necessary to ensure a smooth and hassle free trip.

1. Mexican auto insurance. Whatever vehicle you drive into Mexico, whether it is a truck, bus, RV or car, it needs Mexican auto insurance. Your U.S. or Canadian insurance will not cover you in Mexico. In Mexico, it is a crime to drive without insurance. If you get caught without it you could face a heavy fine and possibly jail time. You can easily obtain a Mexican auto insurance policy online before you even hit the border.

2. Travel insurance. Having optional travel insurance, such as legal aid, roadside assistance and international health insurance, is highly recommended when traveling in Mexico. Some U.S. companies offer well-rounded travel insurance policies providing all these. For just dollars a day, you can have 24-hour access to bilingual legal assistance, roadside assistance coverage and emergency medical benefits. Travel insurance can be purchased as well, online at the same time you purchase your Mexican auto insurance.

3. Passports. In the good old days you didn't need a passport to travel into Mexico. Things have changed, and today, each and every person traveling into Mexico needs a passport. Yes, even for travel into Baja. If you don't have a passport already, make sure you apply for one as soon as possible. Passport applications can take 6 weeks or longer to process.

4. Pet papers. One of the reasons many people prefer traveling by personal vehicle is because it gives them the freedom to bring along their furry friend. Dogs love driving and they love the beach, so bringing them along to Mexico is a great idea. You will need to provide a Certificate of Health, which can be obtained from your vet, when you cross the border.

5. Cell phone. Bringing your cell phone to Mexico is a great idea. In order for it to work in Mexico, however, it must be unlocked. Call your cell phone company and explain to them that you are traveling to Mexico on a road trip and would like to have your phone unlocked so you can use the services there. Once in Mexico, visit any cell phone service office, such as TelCel or Movistar. Purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM card. Replace your phone's SIM card with the new Mexico SIM card. To charge your new Mexico phone for use, you will purchase cards for varying minute amounts. Cards come in $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 and $500 peso increments. You can also purchase minutes with an authorized dealer who will automatically charge your phone. Once charged, you are free to talk as long as the minutes last!

Getting your paperwork and cell phone ready for your trip to Mexico takes a little time but is well worth it. The road is always full of adventures. The more prepared you for them, however, the less of a challenge, and the more fun, those adventures become.

Mexpro.com is a website owned by International Insurance Group, Inc., the leading provider of Mexican Car Insurance. The first online Mexico Car Insurance broker to offer multiple company options, Mexpro.com offers the best Mexico Travel Insurance available and online.

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