Driving to Central America – Belize or Guatemala – through Mexico
Avoid the number one mistake about driving to Central America (Belize or Guatemala). Crossing the Mexican border at Brownsville / Matamoros is not your only choice. In fact, for some people you cannot cross the Mexican border at Brownsville / Matamoros. If you can, it may add hours, if not days, to your journey. This tidbit of information alone will more than pay for the purchase of this fact sheet. It will be the best $6 you ever invested.
The very first person who bought it said: I didn't expect much for $6, but I figured it was worth a shot. Your info was spot-on and the broker you recommended was much less expensive that others I'd contacted, spoke English and was efficient. He did what he said when he said he would do it. Knowing what I needed to do before I left saved me hundreds of dollars and several days of frustration. Thanks, Mike. - Bob R. from Minneapolis (now living in Honduras).
Regardless of how you cross into Mexico, here are some facts most people miss.
- Did you know about a US requirement that, if you don't meet, you will pay a $500 fine and be delayed 3 days?
- You are either a tourist or a transmigrante. You need to know which before you leave.
- You can be considered a tourist if: (4 requirements) ....
- If you are a transmigrante, you have to: (4 requirements) ....
- A fire extinguisher is required in all of Central America. It is required in Mexico, too, though seldom enforced.
- You are required to have 2 triangle warning reflectors for accidents in Central America. I know, most folks use a pile of rocks, but those are the requirements.
- Nicaragua and Belize will require you to get their insurance at the border, but the liability limits are a joke, so real insurance would be wise to have.
- To get Central American insurance, allow two weeks. If you can’t allow two weeks, don’t hassle the insurance guy. It’s not his fault. (The agent's phone is in the report).
- You will need a customs broker IF ....
- You will find conflicting information about what you can take through Mexico. The rules change. Call the broker in the FAQ and he will tell you what is true today, not last month.
I have put the answers to most questions in the FAQ. Please don't write me and ask for free advice. My products are my knowledge and my time.
Although there is one simple map in this FAQ, it is just from the only border crossing you can use if you are a transmigrante to the main highway down the Gulf Coast. If you want a map to get through Mexico, I sell maps for your trip on my web site. Since a lot of Belize and Guatemala bound customers do not want a map, I kept the cost down and did not include them with this pamphlet.
Can you traverse Mexico as a tourist or are you a transmigrante?
Learning what that means will make all the difference in the world for your journey.
(There are 4 important restrictions to pass as a transmigrante.
A tourist is someone who is visiting Mexico and is expected to spend some time poking around. (There are 4 requirements to pass as a tourist).
A transmigrante needs a customs broker, but not just any broker. You need one who specializes in transmigrantes. Most of them do not speak English. I provide you with the name, email and phone of one who is honest and charges a reasonable fee and speaks English well.
I can’t count the people who have called me from the border upset because they crossed at Matamoros and were turned back. Then, they call me! At that point, I can’t help them. Save yourself the grief and find out before you leave what you have to do.
If this sounds like it would make your life easier, order the full report. It is only 5 pages. But I guarantee that this is the right information. My Gulf Coast maps are also in the shopping cart.
There is now an accurate GPS (Global Positioning System) available for Garmin for Central America. It is produced by Bici Maps, who do such a good job with Mexico GPS systems.
Central America
All of Central America in a single package. This map includes the following countries: Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. $ 159.00 USD To order, go to my shopping cart, please. |