Mexican transportation by car rental, plane, bus and even taxi are all popular options - depending on where you're planning to travel.
Mexico Transportation: Car Rentals
Rental Cars in Mexico aren't a very good idea for those unfamiliar with Mexico 's transportation system, Mexico 's roadways and Mexico 's driving regulations. However, for Mexican transportation a rental car provides freedom, flexibility and access to outlying areas. To rent a car you must be 25 years-old, with a credit card and a valid driver's license.
Getting around Mexico by car isn't as dubious an undertaking as it used to be. Rental cars are available in most major cities and tourist destinations, and about 1.5 million North American visitors drive into Mexico each year.
If you're considering driving beyond the 12.5-mi/20-km border zone, be aware of the following requirements: A visitor driving his or her own car to Mexico must have proof of ownership (title or registration), a valid driver's license and a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit. If your car is financed, you must also have a notarized letter from the financing institution giving you permission to drive it into Mexico . Under no circumstances may you take someone else's car. You'll also have to provide assurance that you won't be leaving the car in Mexico , which can be done in one of three ways: with a credit-card imprint, with a nonrefundable bond (up to 2% of the vehicle's value) or with a refundable security deposit equal to the car's total value.
Note : If you've opted for the credit-card imprint, make sure to get your Temporary Vehicle Import Permit stamped when you leave the country or fines will start mounting up.
Mexican liability insurance is not required by law, but you should have it. U.S. and other foreign insurance is not recognized in Mexico , and should you be involved in an accident without having Mexican insurance, you will face many problems, including automatic imprisonment until responsibility is determined. It's easy to get a temporary policy. Agencies are located in nearly every U.S. border town. The insurance carriers are also good sources of information about document requirements and driving conditions—stop in one before you attempt to drive across the border.
For rental vehicles brought in from the U.S. , the rental contract must be in the visitor's name, and you will need written permission from the rental agency to cross the border. Be aware that many agencies do not allow their vehicles to cross international borders, and others may have strict guidelines: Be sure to check first. Although it's not always the case, plan for delays of about an hour at border crossings.
Mexico 's highways range from excellent paved (usually toll) roads to pothole-ridden two-lane blacktops and rutted dirt roads. Toll roads can be very expensive, however. Expect to pay roughly the equivalent of US$1 for every 6-12 mi/10-20 km.
Although you will hear tales of banditry on Mexican roads, most visitors drive in Mexico today without incident. Still, you should not drive after dark, and some isolated roads should be avoided altogether—the only other traffic is likely to be drug traffickers (or the army in search of them).
To find out if any roads are considered unsafe when you'll be traveling, consult the Green Angels, Mexico 's excellent highway patrol. By day, hundreds of green trucks manned by an English-speaking staff patrol the country's main roads. They will not only provide you with accurate, up-to-date information but also assist you with towing or simple repairs. (There's a charge for parts, but not labor—though a tip is always appreciated.) Local tourist offices in Mexico can provide you with the phone number of the appropriate Green Angels office.
Mexico Transportation: Flights
Mexico 's two major airlines are Aeromexico and Mexicana, which offer the most unrestricted travel schedules and routes within Mexico 's transportation network. Both Mexican airlines have airports throughout the country; so flying from one city to another is efficient and safe. Keep in mind, that while Mexico 's air transportation is vast, domestic flights can be relatively expensive because both airlines are owned by the same company; so there is no battle over lower flights. Although smaller, independent airlines exist in Mexico , the air transportation routes and schedules tend to be limited.
Mexico Transportation: Buses
Transportation by Mexico 's buses is a great way to travel if on a budget. Mexican tourists can buy tickets aboard luxury buses for peanuts compared to the price of air travel. Luxury bus transportation in Mexico is similar to executive-style travel with routes covering the entire country. These modern buses are air-conditioned and limit passengers to 25. Executive buses use toll-routes so journeys are efficient. Mexico 's 2nd class bus transportation offer safe budget travel, but efficiency is compromised with stops at every little town along the route. Local Mexican bus transportation is the cheapest and buses exist in every Mexican city and town.
Mexico Transportation: Taxis
If you're going to use a taxi, as your choice of Mexico 's transportation service, ensure you use only official taxis - those associated with a ‘Sitio' (reputed taxi company) or one called by your hotel. Many Mexican hotels have affiliated with –Sitio- taxi companies and will call one for you.
For the most part Mexican taxis are inexpensive because they judge the fare by meter or zone (usually pre-determined fares depending on which zone you're traveling to).
Taxis are plentiful and are usually moderately priced, but exercise caution in obtaining a cab. In Mexico City , you should never hail a taxi in the street.
Always use a radio taxi. Your hotel can provide the phone numbers of reliable companies. In smaller towns, taxis don't use meters. Agree on the fare with the driver prior to getting into the cab. If it's metered, make sure the previous fare has been cleared. For traveling between nearby towns, shared taxis are often a good option. These will usually await fares beside the town's main plaza.
Train
Rail service from the U.S. and within Mexico does not exist. The only exception is the famous Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad, which runs through the Copper Canyon area.