Driving in Mexico
By Casey Wilson, East Sierra Branch
Along with my eldest son Phillip and his wife and daughter and my youngest son Geoffrey, I went on a two-week SCUBA adventure to Akumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Akumal is a relatively small resort on the Caribbean side of the Yucatan Peninsula. Highway distance is about 105 kilometers (about 65 miles) south of Cancun. Akumal Bay is famous for its sea turtle population and hatching beaches.
During the pre-trip planning we mulled over various schemes for transporting baggage for four adults, one child, dive gear, and cameras; five large bags, five carry-on suitcases, and a complement of backpacks. After eliminating public transportation in favor of convenience we settled on renting two mid-sized (Mexican Class E) sedans. The cost of the two sedans equaled that of one SUV and gave us the most flexibility for our menage.
The mandatory Collision Damage Waiver insurance from a Mexican company would have more than doubled the rental prices. Phillip’s and my US credit cards provided the same coverage.
After a walk-around inspection noting dings and scratches, we packed up and headed out. I had taken two portable transceivers so we could communicate on the road. These are similar to the old CB handi-talkies but with more power. They got little use.
Mexico Highway-307 from Cancun to Akumal is a highway, not a freeway. Neither car had cruise control but since the speed limit varied from 40 to 60 or 80 or 90 to 100 KPH, seemingly every couple of hundred yards or so, the feature wouldn’t have been worth much. Where we went, Hwy-307 is two-lanes each direction and divided by median divider. Typically, 10 KPH or so above the posted speed limit seemed to be the norm. Being a foreigner, and not wanting to deal with their law system, I drove pretty conservatively. Well, most of the time anyway.
Highway signs are plentiful but it pays to Google up and study an illustrated guide before you go. I suggest also planning out your routes and driving distances even if you can read and speak Spanish. I zipped right on by my turn point more than once. Maybe even several times.
For decades, Pemex held a government monopoly for filing stations. A newcomer, La Gas, is encroaching into the business but Pemex outnumbers them still. Pemex is full-service. An attendant will pump the gas while another cleans your windshield. I didn’t ask for it but I’m sure they would check the tire pressure and oil level also. Usually, only two gasoline and diesel, and only one grade of either is available. Gas was 14.8 pesos per liter the two times I filled up. On the day I wrote this article, the price per US gallon in USD was $2.71. Make sure you have some cash when you roll into the station. Pemex requires payment in advance in either USD or MXP but will not accept any credit card. By the way, mind your dollars and pesos carefully. Rumors of sleight-of-hand abound.