Mexico offers beautiful beaches and warm weather, but if you’re not careful, your road trip can turn into more of an adventure than you expected! If you’re considering taking a trip to Mexico, these 5 tips will help make your travel more stress-free and less stressful.
1) Get a Good Map
It’s a good idea to buy an up-to-date road map before you head out on the highway. Most gas stations sell them, but you can also find them at bookstores, grocery stores and convenience stores. Make sure that the scale is large enough to show your desired area of travel.
2) Fill Up Before Entering Mexico
If you are from the United States, you will need to fill up before entering Mexico. The gas prices in this country are much higher than ours and it’s a good idea to top off your tank before crossing the border. When filling up at a gas station, be sure that the pump is set to pesos (the symbol for pesos is $). This will allow you to pay with your credit card without needing any Mexican money.
3) Prepare Emergency Supplies
In the event that you do find yourself in an emergency, it’s important to be prepared with some essential supplies. They should include: a flashlight and batteries, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, an emergency contact list of phone numbers (including your embassy’s), water and food for three days, a map of the area with instructions on how to get back to the US border if needed.
4) Stop at Stations
Gas stations are plentiful in Mexico, so don’t worry about running out of gas. However, keep an eye on the gauges in your car to make sure it doesn’t get too low. Plus, fuel costs less than half of what it does in the U.S., so fill up!
5) Choose Your Gas Station
When driving in Mexico, it’s always a good idea to fill up at stations located near the American border. It’s typically cheaper to buy gas in America and bring it into Mexico than to buy gas in a Mexican city like Cancun. Just make sure you’re aware of any restrictions on bringing fuel across the border before you do so.
