Where should I start?!!? Let’s just say, this is our second attempt at bringing this car into Mexico. Last month we managed to purchase the car and bring it to the Mexican border, only to be sent packin back to the States. That’s a story in itself but I’ll stick to the point... our experience driving through Mexico.
Our plan was to leave Houston by 8 but since our watches hadn’t been switched for daylight savings we ended up hitting the road later than expected. That’s just a given when we travel... We need our beauty rest. So, after purchasing a fresh car battery (another long story) we hit the road from Houston with our sights set on Monterrey. We weren’t sure if that was ambitious to complete before dark but... our hopes were to get across the border and initial check point to make sure we wouldn’t have any issues importing “Dulce”, the unofficial name for our new wheels. I’m not onboard with it because our Realtors name is also Dulce. Not to mention my nickname, Papa Dulce!
Anyway, Day 1: Houston to Monterrey
We decided to try a different route home this time. Last trip we crossed at Matamorosos/Brownsville & hugged the coast on the 180. Not the best experience in the world. Lincoln has family near Puebla who drive back and forth between Winnipeg and Puebla every 6 months so we figured we’d take their advice and try the Nuevo Laredo border & toll roads towards Mexico city (around Mexico city, not through it). And so far SOOOO good!
The road from Houston to Laredo , #59, was absolutely gorgeous! A little off topic already, but I must say, since becoming a photographer I have really started to appreciate mother nature. This highway has some of the biggest, most beautiful trees I’ve ever seen. I’m totally guessing, but I think they’re oak trees. They were HUGE!! I image if we would have pulled over to take pics we’d of been there all day! I’ve also found Texas has alot of abandoned looking homes/shaks on the side of the highway. Perfect for a photoshoot!!
So, we head over to Nuevo Laredo, via the International bride, aka highway 1472. This is actually a toll highway... where they don’t accept cash! That’s right. There isn’t even a booth. The signs clearly say NO CASH ACCEPTED. So, we cross over the bridge and stretch of highway nervous that we’ll see someone waiting for us on the other side to pull us over for not paying. Nope, free and clear, and pulling up at the border. We came over this way because the Laredo border was very busy and confusing last time. So, if you just detour over to the West 30kms it’s alot easier. We tested them both last time and neither would let us import our car. Booo...
While we’re on the topic, I 100% recommend if you are importing a vehicle go to the Banjercito (sp?) website and apply for your import sticker online. You need absolutely NO proof of ownership... No nothing. With a VIN and a passport they’ll courier you the sticker within a week, no questions asked. Later you need to email them copies of your documentation but the sticker is already in hand. Would have been nice for us to know this a bit earlier... but anyway... Live & learn.
We did get the red light at the border and pulled over for an “inspection”. 2 minutes later we were on our way. Don’t forget to drop in and get your tourist visa or FM3 stamped at the border. Then about 20 mins into Mexico there is another check point where we get pulled over and checked again and they also verified our vehicle import sticker. So, had we tried to “smuggle” the car in on our first attempt we wouldn’t have gotten very far. Again, 2 minutes and we were on our way. Lincoln & I are surprised how comfortable we feel on our second trip through Mexico. Those army guys with machine guys aren’t so intimidating as they once were. After being in Playa for a year automatic weapons have become an every day sight. Not that I agree with them needing these guns... but they don’t bother me like they used to.... fortunately... hmm... or unfortunately.
Tolls, tolls and more tolls on the way to Monterrey. Thankfully! These roads are awesome! Double lane, divided highway, mostly in great shape. Heck, I`ll pay tolls all the way home to stay on such fantastic roads. Not much more to report on this part of the trip. We pull into Monterrey as the sun is going down and are relieved to see familiar sights, sounds and such. We took the road straight in on the hunt for a hotel. Found a Hampton Inn Suites which we thought might be over the top expensive but was only $75 bucks for the night! Awesome hotel! Clean, friendly, well taken care of and free breakfast! WhooHooo! It’s right next to a Sam’s Club, Vips, Office Depot and of course a Pollo Loco!!
Day 2, Monterey to Puebla:
Wake up, enjoy our free breakfast downstairs, brew a pot of coffee... and we’re on our way! By the way, just a couple things I recommend for a trip through Mex:
- Coffee pot, travel mugs and a thermos! We brew a pot in the morning and never have to think about where we’ll get our next cup, or how disgusting it will be. Seems convenience store coffee here isn’t held to the same standards as the 7-11 coffee I’m used to. It’s hit and miss.. usually miss! Plus, this way you don’t have to stop. You’ve got great, hot coffee anytime you want!
- Sandwich meat, cheese, buns & pakets of mayo and mustard!! Yum, delicious road side sandwiches!
- Toilet paper... for obvious reasons! Although Pemex bathrooms are usually clean, they rarely have toilet paper , toilet seats or a lock on the bathroom stall. How an old lady would squat while holding the door closed and a roll of toilet paper under her armpit is beyond me...
- Lincoln would say a bottle of Crown Royal. After a long day driving he likes to relax with the tv remote in one hand and a Crown and coke in the other.
Whooops, I digressed again... Right off the bat we’re on the lookout for highway #57. Our GPS with Mexico maps has been working well for us so far. Some of the toll roads aren’t mapped but when in doubt always choose the toll road!! Toll Road = happy stress free ride! (toll road also known as Cuota or Autopista).
We did miss one Cuota near San Luis Potosi. The free road was also double lane but it is much busier, more narrow, and the stinkin’ speed limit was 80KM. 80!! The highway was in good enough shape that it should have been at least 100 or 110. Found ourselves pulled over by the Po Po. At the time I was passing someone but only going like 90. I was nervous we’d be paying a bribe or having some trouble but all he wanted was to see our car import paperwork. This time he actually verified the VIN and whatever else. Less than a minute and we were back on our way. “Es todo”??? That’s it?!?!? I drove away in disbelief of what had just happened.
Although we’ve been in the car most of the day today, we’ve been feeling like this part of Mexico isn’t all that bad. We feel very safe on the toll roads. We haven’t seen a single cop, military check point or TOPE on the tolls. It’s smooth sailing. Even at the gas stations we feel very confident that nobody is trying to rip us off. I’m wondering if that’s because we are away from the tourist zones. There aren’t any foreign plates anywhere around... As far as I know this isn’t an area of Mexico where expats move or tourists visit. I guess since there aren’t many foreigners around they haven’t gotten into the habit of s and sneaky tricks. Or, maybe we’re just being nieve.
The scenery here is surprisingly beautiful. Surprising because it`s mountainous. When I used to think of Mexico I only envisioned beaches! I had no idea there were mountains in Mexico. Now I understand how they manage to supply such humungous Christmas trees at Soriana for so cheap. I just figured the trees must be imported... but apparently not.
My biggest advice for day two is watch for the Tula cuota highway!! This is a new toll road which wasn’t on our map but it’s your ticket around Mexico city and straight into Puebla. As far as we saw there was no warning for this turn, just a sign right at the exit. We missed it, but waited for our next opportunity to turn around, which was about 10km... It was only a small set back but totally worth the wait!
Around dusk we pull into Puebla extremely happy about how well our second day has gone. I highly recommend the Holiday Inn Express. I think it’s a brand new hotel. Our room was huge, clean, new and just plain awesome! We ordered in a pizza and snuggled in for the night.
Day 3, Puebla to Villahermosa
Today was a short day of driving but we didn’t feel like we had much of an option. Past Villahermosa there isn’t a big enough city that we thought we would feel comfortable staying. So, we planned for a 6 hour drive. Slept in a bit and left at 10am.
The roads are beginning to look a little sad. We are still on toll roads but they are degrading quickly. There are also a couple stretches of road that aren`t toll and you can definitely tell! We left Puebla on 150D, then there is a turn off for Minatitlan cuota which our map says is 180D but the highway signs refer to as 145D. This chunk of highway brings back some not sooo great memories of our initial trip though Mexico. We originally travelled this stretch when it was dark and couldn`t find a place to stop where we felt safe. I would not recommend ever driving Mexico in the dark. Mexican roads are not lit well, vehicles travel without headlights, people walk and ride bikes on the highway, speed bumps and pot holes show up when least expected.... just to name a few.
Today we also lost our XM radio. As much as I enjoy the country music stations I could do without the gospel talk and Oraph show. I guess Lincoln was having withdrawls because instead we ended up with a 6 hour counselling session. Let me tell you, it’s difficult to see the roads when you’re crying. Ah, it’s all good... never hurts to have a good cleanse of those old pent up tears.
Our excitement for the day was stopping in at a gas station for a little parking lot pinic with some local ninos. Brother and sister, Alberto and Brenda, kept us occupied while we fed them sandwiches and practiced our Espanol. As we left our new friends we gave them some pesos but they weren’t too shy to let us know they prefer dollars. Hahah, kids...
Pulled in to Villahermosa around 4pm. Just over the bridge, almost out of town we found a Best Western. It’s clean... but not as modern as the last two hotels. We’ve been spoiled, that’s all. It’s great here. Leaving bright and early tomorrow because we’re anticipating our longest day and worst roads. Good night and adios.
