AboutMexico Mike Expertise I cannot answer car permit questions. I can intelligently answer just about any question about driving in mainland Mexico, living in Mexico and hot springs in Mexico. I do not recommend specific hotels, there are quidebooks for that.
I am not a Baja expert. That is a different part of the country and there are plenty of people who know more about it than I do.
Naturally, I have a web site (www.mexicomike.com) and make a living with personal consultations, but am here to offer good advice for general topics for free. But please understand that I can't answer detailed questions about moving or extensive driving trips to Mexico here without being unfair to my paying clients. And please, no car permit questions.
Experience Driving Mexico -- I have been driving to Mexico since 1968 and writing travel guides for drivers to Mexico since 1984. I frequently drive the country and have a reputation for honesty and integrity. I will tell people the plusses and minuses of traveling in and living in Mexico.
Living in Mexico -- I have lived and done business in Mexico. My book, 'Live Better South of the Border' has been in print since 1997 and speaks to people of all ages, not just retirees.
Hot springs of Mexico -- I have been researching and enjoying Mexican hot sprigs since the lsat 1980's. My book 'Spas & Hot Springs of Mexico' was the first book on Mexico's hot springs. It is now out of print, but selling for $60 or so on Amazon as a collector's item.
Organizations Chamber of Commerce, McAllen TX
International Committee, Chamber of Commerce, McAllen, TX
Publications Frommers, Fommers, Insight Guides, Dallas Morning News, Mexico Business Magazine, McAllen Monitor, Mexico City News, San Miguel de Allende paper 'Atencion' and so on
Education/Credentials As the author of more than a dozen books on Mexico and psychology, I believe that speaks for my being educated.
Awards and Honors NY Times -- Profiled for writing about driving Mexico.
Wall Street Journal -- Profiled for writing about driving Mexico.
Texas Monthly -- ditto.
Former Mecia Spokesman (1997) for the Mexican Tourimm Ministry
Question QUESTION: Hi, my mother in law is driving from los angeles to mexico city with car full of her stuff(she's moving there). I have used yahoo maps to figure out some basic routes. I'd like to know though, whether its safer to drive to from LA to mexicali and down from there to ciudad obregon to mazatlan to guadalajara mexico city or from LA to tuscon, nogales and down from there. I was thinking it would be safer from calexico since a friend told me that there is alot of drug trafficing to nogales and would not be so safe for her. But i noticed there is a railroad track along the wat from calexico, which my wife tells me is the route taken by the mara salva trucha travelling from el salvador to los angeles. I tried googling but maybe im using the wrong search term.
Thank you,
Dru
ANSWER: Dru,
There are a number of things in your question that require serious consideration, beyond the scope of this type of site. The route you suggested is probably the worst one she could choose.
If your mother does not have an FM3, she cannot bring a lot of stuff to Mexico and will be turned back at the border. If she does have an FM3, she needs to use a broker to utilize her one-time exemption from customs duty. And there are certain items she cannot take into Mexico.
I suggest seriously that she look at my web site www.mexicomike.com to get a better idea of what she is doing. I do offer trip-planning and moving to Mexico services which she should at least consider. The trip-planning is a lot different than Internet maps, but more importantly she needs to consider what she is taking in her car.
I have no idea of what you are looking for with mara salva trucha as that is the name of Salvadoreno gang members.
Regarless
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QUESTION: Thanks for the reply. She is a Mexican citizen, she just lived here for a year. So then is it best to go through Phoenix, tucson and Nogales then? And south from there.
Answer Yep that would be best. But she had better check to see if she can drive a US-plated car. I doubt it. The only way to know for sure is to find someone at the consulate in LA who will talk to her or find someone in a Hacienda office in Mexico. In general, Mexican citizens cannot drive US-plated cars period. And if she intends to import it, the car must be exactly 10 years old. And she will have to have it regularized. Again, check with Hacienda/Banjercito for the current rules.
