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Travelling from Canada
Posted by Patsyw on October 19, 2024, 8:55 am
We will be coming to La Manzanilla for two months this winter and are thinking of driving down for the first time. Using the Nogales border crossing. Any advice?
Re: Travelling from Canada
Posted by SpencerC on October 19, 2024, 10:17 am, in reply to "Travelling from Canada" Moderator
If this is your first time driving down, you should look for current experiences of travelers on Facebook. There has been some trouble in Sinaloa along highway 15D and the situation changes almost daily. “On the road in Mexico” is one Facebook group with recent information.SpencerC/Moderator
We drove the Ensenada to Sonoyta to La Manz seven times in this past year and the last time a month ago during the hight of the Sinaloa/Culican troubles that haven’t stopped and we didn’t notice anything major different other than the FB negative chatter. That said do not make any overnight plans in Sinaloa, especially Culiacan. Only get gas along the toll roads. Leave your foreign currency home or it could get confiscated as “counterfeit”. Be courteous to all the various folks at the checkpoint but do like let them out of your sight.
I travel the freeway from Calgary/Las Vegas/Pheonix/Nogales usually a couple of times a year. Freeway all the way then toll freeway all the way to Manzanillo. Stay on it. There are hotels and fuel stops. Hide your cash on your body. Only keep enough in your pockets for tolls, fuel and food/hotel. The military stops (I was searched early July 2024 three places between Nogales and Tepic) Always looking for cash, drugs and ammunition in that order. Somehow got a few thousand off me while counting in front on me. Stick to toll freeway 15D and you'll be safe as it now bypasses most big citys. A few sharp corners to watch for but the road is not bad
I crossed at Nogales many times over the years--when I was living in Vancouver. Crossed there again early this year after Baseball spring training games in Phoenix.
If driving south on I5 in the US -- avoid Los Angeles -- traffic monstrosity. I always headed across country to Wickenburg (I93) then south to Phoenix.
Usually stayed overnight in Nogales because from the border it is a three day (two night) drive to La Manz.
At Nogales, do not enter the town. There is an exit (trucks crossing) that turns 90 degrees to the right off Hwy 19. Gasoline is much more expensive in Mexico. It is worth filling your tank.
To drive your personal vehicle in Mexico you will need to have a Temporary Import Permit (and Mexican Insurance). Order your "TIP" online at Banjercito -- the Mexican government's Military Bank. This is the Link:
order your Mexican Insurance online -- I have used the company below. Can't vouch for their service etc. because I have never had an accident. Their costs seemed reasonable.
Once you cross the border -- you will need to get your visitor's permit. That is done 21 km south of the border. It is a group of white buildings on your right. There is a fairly large parking lot and the office opens at 8 am. Upon returning north you will need to check in your vehicle across the street at one of the two small white kiosks. There they will photograph your vehicles VIN and start the process for reimbursing the deposit you paid for the Temporary Vehicle Import.
I recall the total for the Hwy tolls from the border to La Manz were about 2000 pesos. Credit cards and foreign currency only accepted at the first 2-3 toll booths south of the border.
on October 19, 2024, 8:55 am
