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Mexico/Questions Answered by Expert Mexico Mike
| Subject | Date Asked |
| legalizing american in mexico | 9/23/2011 |
| Q: how do i go about making my auto legal in Mexico, my husband is Mexican and i put it in his name in ... A: The short answer is I doubt it. There is a process to legalize cars that changes frequently and is ... | |
| Trip from Ixtapa to Melaque | 1/9/2011 |
| Q: I want to thank you for offering your services. I hope you can help. We are planning a trip to ... A: Trip planning is my specialty as is map-making for drivers. I recently drove that same route. In ... | |
| Driving Tour of Pacific Coast | 12/16/2010 |
| Q: I am planning on taking my family (four kids ages 11, 13, 15 and 17) on a vacation this June into ... A: Greg, First of all, good for you. That is a trip your kids will remember all their lives. That is ... | |
| Best driving route from Mexico City to Reynosa | 7/13/2010 |
| Q: Two of us are driving our 4x4 pick-up truck back from Central America to the Texas border and would ... A: Vanessa, It is pretty simple. Just take MEX-57 North almost to Saltillo, taking the toll road ... | |
| update | 7/8/2010 |
| Q: sorry to bother you, and thank you for your website, and answer, in advance - just a short quest- I ... A: Sharp eyes, Jackson. Actually the US State Department either moved or hid the more recent stats. I ... | |
| CanCun - Queretaro | 6/20/2010 |
| Q: How far is CanCun from Queretaro? (in terms of miles and hours?) Thanks A: Jerry, When I get a question like this, I have to qualify the answer. You cannot compare driving ... | |
| Safety Question | 5/3/2010 |
| Q: My husband and I are planning an R.V. trip through Sonora and into Sinaloa via Nogales. We want to ... A: and (may I say humbly) asking the right person. The short answer is: by all means, go. The long ... | |
| Buying car in Mexico vs. bringing car from US | 4/26/2010 |
| Q: I currently own a place in Mexico but do not have an FM3. I don't spend enough time there now to ... A: Anybody who lives in southern Oaxaca has got to be alright in my book. Sure, you can buy a car ... | |
| car travel | 3/7/2010 |
| Q: What is the quickest, easiest route between oregon and Barra de Navidad, driving? Thank you, Lyn A: Lyn, Why do people always want to know the quickest route rather than the most interesting route? I ... | |
| Apartments in Veracruz | 2/26/2010 |
| Q: Me and friend are going to do some traveling/working in Veracruz for about in a 6 months and we are ... A: Alicia, I am concerned, from the wording of your letter, that you may not know that what you are ... | |
| border cross when flying from Mexico airport | 2/18/2010 |
| Q: Would you happen to be aware of whether their is a requirement that travelers crossing into Mexico ... A: Guy, I have done this myself. No permits are required for border visits under 72 hours. No papers ... | |
| trailering | 1/28/2010 |
| Q: COULD YOU GIVE ME YOUR ESTIMATE FOR TRAVEL TIME PULLING 5TH WHEEL FROM LAREDO TO CANCUN.I ALSO CARRY ... A: I am glad you are driving to Mexico. It will be a wonderful experience. First of all, diesel is ... | |
| Canceling a car permit in Nuevo Laredo | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: Do you happen to know if there are cancellation modules at the checkpoint south of the city or on ... A: That sounds like a Christmas / Paisano Programa thing as I indicated. I imagine it will be ... | |
| Canceling a car permit in Nuevo Laredo | 12/28/2009 |
| Q: Do you happen to know if there are cancellation modules at the checkpoint south of the city or on ... A: Normally you have to go back to the Banjercito / Miogracion offices where you got the permit. There ... | |
| Is there ANY quiet place to live in Mexico? | 12/12/2009 |
| Q: My ears are sensitive and Chapala is the absolute noisiest place I have EVER lived in over 6 ... A: I certainly got a chuckle from your letter, which is why I am answering it. Noise bothers me too. In ... | |
| Driving to Cuernavaca, MX from Laredo, TX | 11/21/2009 |
| Q: My BF and I are driving from Laredo, TX to Cuernavaca, MX. We had planned to stay in Monterrey, ... A: I suspect that you two have never driven in Mexico before, so I sincerely suggest you visit my site ... | |
| Expired Vehicle in Mexico | 11/6/2009 |
| Q: I drove into Mexico and crossing into the border I got my car registered for the 6 months temporary ... A: Carolyn, It is difficult to answer you completely because like most things dealing with regulations ... | |
| Expired Vehicle in Mexico | 11/6/2009 |
| Q: I drove into Mexico and crossing into the border I got my car registered for the 6 months temporary ... A: Carolyn, I am sorry, but I cannot give you good news. The reason for the car permits is to prevent ... | |
| FM 3 "Registration" | 10/23/2009 |
| Q: Hey Mike, We got our FM 3's in Denver Sept 9, 2009 without hassle, went to Yucatan with the FM 3 w/o ... A: Jeff, you have to have a Mexican address for your FM3 to be valid and you need to inform the ... | |
| Driving/camping | 10/21/2009 |
| Q: My wife and I are thinking of doing a driving tour through Mexico. Our first choice of destinations ... A: First of all, good for you! Driving is the best way to really see the country. In terms of your ... | |
| trip to veracruz mex | 10/13/2009 |
| Q: What is the best way to drive from Los Angeles Ca To Veracruz Mex, my daughter has a tennis match ... A: Cary, That is a deceptively simple question. First of all, there are many things about driving in ... | |
| driving from los angeles to mexico city | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: my mother in law is driving from los angeles to mexico city with car full of her stuff(she's moving ... A: Yep that would be best. But she had better check to see if she can drive a US-plated car. I doubt ... | |
| driving from los angeles to mexico city | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: my mother in law is driving from los angeles to mexico city with car full of her stuff(she's moving ... A: Dru, There are a number of things in your question that require serious consideration, beyond the ... | |
| Medical care in Mexico | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: I have a very good friend who needs a medication that is not permitted in the US, but it is ... A: I do work with Mexican physicians on my web site www.mexicomike.com and you can read about what we ... | |
| Tequisquiapan (vs Xalalpa) | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: we're coming down this winter to scout out a location for spending winters. We were pretty zeroed ... A: Jim, Have you ever been to Tequis? It is a Mexico City tourist escape for weekends. I do not know ... | |
| Tequisquiapan (vs Xalalpa) | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: we're coming down this winter to scout out a location for spending winters. We were pretty zeroed ... A: Jim, First of all, good for you for thinking of these two lesser-known locales. I cover Xalapa in ... | |
| Driving on an Expired Sticker | 8/26/2009 |
| Q: Mike, I have been living in Monterrey for one year. It is time to renew my FM3 visa, which I have ... A: Branden, Do not be nervous. Here is the official deal. Your car permit is supposed to be valid as ... | |
| car permit continued | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: I have a car in Puerto Vallarta that was bought into mexico in 1987. had FM-3 and got a banjercito ... A: Ken, You are welcome. Actually, if you can renew your FM3 then I think that your problems would be ... | |
| car permit | 8/24/2009 |
| Q: I have a car in Puerto Vallarta that was bought into mexico in 1987. had FM-3 and got a banjercito ... A: Ken, This is way out of the norm. Generally, I deal with tourists who want to get back into Mexico ... | |
| car permits in Mexico, more info | 8/23/2009 |
| Q: First, thanks for your prompt response to my inquiry. In order to simplify my inquiry, I did ... A: David, this was certainly an interesting saga. But you know what? It shows how those people who are ... | |
| car permits in Mexico | 8/23/2009 |
| Q: My friend and I drove to Mexico about Aug 1, 2009, entering at Nogales. He did not bring his ... A: Dave, I have only once in more than 25 years of working with driving tourists heard of someone who ... | |
| info on puerto vallarta | 8/13/2009 |
| Q: only gringo there and my spanish wife, there is a hot springs just 20 min from my place, neat little ... A: Ronald, I'm answering this publicly so that your link could possibly show up in a search. But I ... | |
| expired vehicle permit | 7/31/2009 |
| Q: I drove my vehicle into Mexico in 2006 for vacation and have yet to return my vehicle permit. I know ... A: John, I have been told that: 1. There are not fines (for the vehicle permit). 2. That there are a ... | |
| car permit | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: nathalie A: I am not sure I understand your question. However, if someone else brought your car to you (actually ... | |
| Safety | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: I am wondering how safe the Iberostar Paraiso Maya is as far as crime rate goes. Mainly, my ... A: Shawn, The Cancun Corridor is perhaps the safest area of the country. However, even more important ... | |
| prescription medication | 7/8/2009 |
| Q: What is the policy on taking prescription medication in to Mexico? I take minocycline, an ... A: There is no problem whatsoever. In fact, I have never in 40 years had anyone look at anything in a ... | |
| Expired car permit | 5/21/2009 |
| Q: .. I've been living in Cancun for 7 years and originally brought my car in from the US on a tourist ... A: Laura, I seriously doubt it. Would I take my own advice? Absolutely. Hacienda / Banjercito ... | |
| Expired car permit | 5/21/2009 |
| Q: .. I've been living in Cancun for 7 years and originally brought my car in from the US on a tourist ... A: Laura, The best thing for you to do is to go to a Hacienda office there in Cancun and ask their ... | |
| Bringing US Car to Mexico | 5/14/2009 |
| Q: I have an FM -3 and a home in PV. I would like to drive one of my spare cars down to PV and leave ... A: The answer is very simple. Any American can temporarily import a vehicle for six months. As am ... | |
| turist permit | 5/6/2009 |
| Q: how can i cancel my tourist permit with out going back to mex? i live in Michigan. A: If you are talking about your immigration permit (FMT), you cannot. Period. You have to go back to ... | |
| jungle | 4/10/2009 |
| Q: My question is; I want to visit a jungle portion of Mexico that is close to Mexico City airport. I ... A: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, so please don't shoot the messenger. There is no jungle, real ... | |
| Driving through Mexico | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: Really enjoy your sites and articles over the years, keep it up! For some time now, I've seen lot's ... A: Bill, First of all, thanks for remembering. That must make you an old guy like me. You keep it up ... | |
| Vehicle Permit Cancellation | 3/22/2009 |
| Q: Can I still cancel (turn in) my vehicle permit at the border (Nuevo Laredo) even if it has expired ... A: Yep, it will all be okay. Your car is in no danger of being confiscated. Quite the opposite. All ... | |
| Vehicle Permit Cancellation | 3/22/2009 |
| Q: Can I still cancel (turn in) my vehicle permit at the border (Nuevo Laredo) even if it has expired ... A: Absolutely! Do not waste a moment worrying about it. Banjercito is remarkably easy to deal with. ... | |
| Queretaro bus station | 3/12/2009 |
| Q: Hola Mike. Have always enjoyed your insightful comments. Am driving to Queretaro and would like to ... A: Aw heck, Jack, you made my day. Seriously though, I actually did what you want to do once (same bus ... | |
| Spanish in Guanajuato - Safety | 3/10/2009 |
| Q: I would like to spend 2-3 months overseas studying Spanish in the near future, preferably in ... A: Too many people read the headlines and just won’t go to Mexico. I have answered this question in ... | |
| Cancun area | 2/28/2009 |
| Q: I am going to Cancun are in the next few weeks and I must admit that I am concerned with safety. I ... A: Jay, if I did not know Mexico as I do, or have as many friends of different nationalities who live ... | |
| Driving through Mexico | 2/24/2009 |
| Q: I am driving through Mexico to Nicaragua in May with my Wife ,daughter (1 1/2) and another couple ... A: First of all, congratulations on considering driving through Mexico and also wanting to see the ... | |
| Train or Bus from Tijuana to PV?? | 1/8/2009 |
| Q: Glancing on this great website, I can't believe it's true, but are there no trains on this route?? ... A: The way to get to Vallarta by driving is practically a no-brainer. Drive to Nogales AZ and head ... | |
| columbia bridge | 1/8/2009 |
| Q: we will be traveling from san antonio to saltillo mexico...we have gone thru laredo before and found ... A: First of all, please, please do not think that it is unsafe to drive in Mexico. While I personally ... | |
| Train or Bus from Tijuana to PV?? | 1/8/2009 |
| Q: Glancing on this great website, I can't believe it's true, but are there no trains on this route?? ... A: I am going to answer the question you only alluded to first. While I will give you a ton of ... | |
| car rental | 12/21/2008 |
| Q: We will be going to Mayan Palace Riveria Maya, address is Cancun, Playa Del Carmen Rivera Maya Qu ... A: Although I write about driving trips through Mexico, not short-term rentals, I have a realistic and ... | |
| Getting a Mexican plate for my US 06' US truck | 12/19/2008 |
| Q: Is it possible to get a mexican license plate on a US vehicle with out importation of the vehicle? ... A: The short answer is 'No.' I tried to help a guy get plates for a bucket truck a year ago, when the ... | |
| travel | 12/11/2008 |
| Q: Have read numerous articles by you so feel that you are the appropriate one to ask if the autopista ... A: The toll portions of the road have been open for at least 3 years, if not more. There are 4 sections ... | |
| cancel car permit | 12/11/2008 |
| Q: my boyfriend never cancelled his car permit back in 2003. He still has the truck but is wrecked and ... A: Rachel, I often get this question on my web site and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you ... | |
| Traveling from Laredo, Tx to Guanajuato, Mx | 12/6/2008 |
| Q: Mike, My daughters dad who live in San Antonio but is originally from Guanajuato, Mexico wants to ... A: Teresa, I normally don’t answer questions about safety in Mexico from this site because most ... | |
| Puerto Vallarta Day Trips & Hot Springs | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: My husband and I are returning for the 4th time to Puerto Vallarta and we're looking for some new ... A: Jodie, Thanks for responding and thoughtfully at that. My web site is www.mexicomike.com and has ... | |
| Puerto Vallarta Day Trips & Hot Springs | 11/16/2008 |
| Q: My husband and I are returning for the 4th time to Puerto Vallarta and we're looking for some new ... A: Jodie, Follow-up. Jodie, I believe you were unduly cruel in your rating of my response and my ... | |
| driving into MX Nogales to PV | 11/2/2008 |
| Q: We are driving down MX 15 to PV for first time ever to bring a car down. Suggest safe stops along ... A: The question about 'safe stops' implies that you think that there may be 'unsafe' ones. There is ... | |
| Moving to Mexico | 10/3/2008 |
| Q: Hey there, i am a young male (22) looking for an extended almost indefinite vacation. I am from the ... A: Been there, done that. The short and best answer to that is that the only way you will know is to ... | |
| Safety in Guanajuato | 10/3/2008 |
| Q: I want to bring my family to Guanajuato, Gto form Jan to June 09. #1 concern is safety -- we hear ... A: Ben, First, let me say that your concern is understandable due to the news coverage of bad events. ... | |
| puerto vallarta to san diego | 10/1/2008 |
| Q: We want to get from PV to san diego california with a 50lb dog. We can fly or drive but don't know ... A: To the best of my knowledge, no rental car company will allow cross-border traffic. Even if they ... | |
| travel within Jalisco | 10/1/2008 |
| Q: How can we get from Puerto Vallarta to Lake Chapala for a few days then back again to PV? and how ... A: It's about 385 kilometers from Vallarta to Guadalajara and could take you as little as 4 1/2 hours ... | |
| puerto vallarta to san diego | 9/30/2008 |
| Q: We want to get from PV to san diego california with a 50lb dog. We can fly or drive but don't know ... A: Driving is my choice, hands down. It is less stressful on the dog and on lots of people. Crossing ... | |
| Choosing a town | 9/2/2008 |
| Q: I currently live in Pto. Vallarta. We no longer like it here: too noisy, messy and dirty (we now ... A: Sandy, Your concerns about climate are easy to address. The rest of your concerns are covered at ... | |
Mexico
Answers by Expert:
Mexico Mike
Top Expert on this page
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
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