8 Important Tips For Fun and Great Times when Off-Road traveling in Mexico
Off-Pavement in Chihuahua
Story and Photos by Jim Foreman
More and more areas in the United States are being cut off from off-highway use by misguided politicians and an increasingly ignorant electorate. Because of that, more Americans are discovering or rediscovering Mexico as an exciting and wonderful place to get some dirt or sand under your wheels.
It makes no difference what style of adventure suits you. You may be into Jeep trails, taking out quads and dirtbikes, or bringing the fancy ATV like the popular Razor. You may just want to take your 4×4 pickup. There’s something for everyone in Mexico.
Let’s Get Started
Regions such as Baja California and Sonora including the north area surrounding Rocky Point are excellent places to head off-pavement.
Off-Pavement and Off-Road traveling are very alive and well in many parts of the country. It doesn’t matter if world-televised events like the Baja 1000 inspired you or it’s only a fun weekend with friends. It’s essential that one doesn’t let the spirit of fun and thrills get in front of common sense and respect for nature and others.
Follow these 8 important tips for off-road traveling in Mexico.
1. When crossing the border, make sure the vehicles are titled or registered in someone’s name that is also along for the trip. Back in the 1980’s many vehicle thieves were headed straight south without hindrance. The US and Mexican governments agreed to have random vehicles stopped when crossing south to verify the registration or title. A color photocopy or printout of the registration or title is almost always fine.
2. Know that outside of the populated areas, you probably have no mobile phone service. If using GPS, make sure everyone has the coordinates for the basecamp or hotel. Someone in the group needs to act as a leader and know where to find the nearest medical facilities.
A spectacular unique view of Copper Canyon
3. Before you begin riding, make sure to stock up on water and have a general idea of the terrain. The most prominent medical issue for off-roaders is dehydration. Once you become dehydrated, something much worse is imminent. If you begin to feel it, it’s too late. Therefore, drink water or Electrolit and relax for a while, in the shade.
Pro Tip: Mexican insurance is required for any on-road or off-road travel on Mexican roads.
4. You should only travel during daylight hours, no matter how many lumens your lightbar puts out. Also, have a plan to end the riding long before sunset so you can transition to great food, drinks, stories, and friendship. Animals, as well as illicit activity, are much more active at night.
5. If you’re unfamiliar with the area you plan to travel or explore, ask others who have been there recently. This may seem obvious, but a lot of people end up in an uncomfortable situation because they don’t heed this simple advice.
The infamous Coco’s Corner in Baja California
6. Be careful that you are not invading someone’s private property without permission. Again, this should be obvious, but more so on the mainland, there are a lot of extensive ranches that are private property. Landowners don’t know who you are and what your intentions are. Find out and ask permission, if necessary, before trouble finds you.
Don’t forget to use your head
7. If you come across a situation that doesn’t seem right, turn around quickly and get out of there. Don’t be too curious and know when to get away from a potentially negative situation.
Tom enjoying the sea around Mulegé
8. I would travel with some beer and water on ice. Don’t drink until you are done riding for the day. Instead, keep it, along with water, for when you get stuck somewhere or need help. Few things will make someone happier to help you than an ice-cold beer in their hand.
Additional Advice
Beyond these tips is a necessary understanding. Above all, if someone gets seriously injured, it’s really up to you to get that person to medical facilities. No helicopter will be hovering overhead in 30 minutes, or ever. Therefore, having someone along with some basic first aid or Wilderness EMT training is very wise.
As far as Mexico insurance goes, If you’re insuring a truck, jeep, or street-legal motorcycle, understand what’s covered and what’s not. For example, if you’re off in the dunes and end up damaging your vehicle or someone else’s, you’re not covered. Few, if any insurers will underwrite your coverage as a result.
Off-Road and Off Payment
Now, off-Road and off-pavement are two different things. You will discover many roads and even some federal highways that have unpaved portions. If it’s a road one can find on a map, you are covered, if you have full coverage. If your vehicle becomes disabled in a remote area or primitive road, you’ll need to find someone with a truck to help you get it into a town so your tow service included with your insurance can help you. Use the AAA standard logic. If you’re a member of AAA ask yourself, would they come here to retrieve my disabled vehicle if this were in the US? If not, you are responsible for getting it to a place they will be able to load it up and transport it.
Off-roading is fun and more than rewarding. Do it safely and with a hefty dose of good sense.
Remember, if your vehicle is traveling on the Mexican streets, you must have proper coverage. Mexican Insurance Store has the best Mexico insurance to protect you and your vehicle in Mexico.
Mexico auto insurance from Mexican Insurance Store – Road tips for rookie Mexico drivers
While driving is pretty intuitive anywhere, foreign locations can have some unique characteristics that could throw even a seasoned and confident driver for a loop. As you travel in Mexico, a Mexico auto insurance from Mexican Insurance Store policy is absolutely a priority. When those unexpected road issues crop up, an auto accident could be seconds away. A lack of Mexico insurance could turn road problems into very large legal and financial problems.
Learn more about Mexico auto insurance from Mexican Insurance Store .
Road Ready with Basic Information
Road conditions may be your biggest challenge as you travel. Construction can be encountered without adequate warning in busy areas, so be aware of traffic patterns. Topes are important features that you need to watch for throughout the nation. These speed bumps can be placed in unusual locations, and although there are often warning signs, foreigners may not notice or understand them. Unfortunately, some such speed bumps are placed on busy streets. If you have a difficult encounter that paralyzes your vehicle because of damage, your Mexico insurance allows you to arrange for towing free of cost. You can have your vehicle towed to a nearby repair location for assistance.
You should be aware of the use of a left signal on highways and other long roads. While this signal could certainly indicate a pending left turn, you might find that a courteous motorist uses the signal to inform you of safe passing ahead. Pro Tip:Mexico auto insurance from Mexican Insurance Store allows you to drive the toll roads, so pick up Mexico insurance to save time and money!
Remember, Mexico auto insurance from Mexican Insurance Store is required!
Avoid off-road activity while you are driving in Mexico, at least in your own vehicle. Your Mexico insurance does not cover off-road driving incidents, and you could lose your coverage completely if you have an accident in that type of setting. Conventional roads could be dirt roads, so you are not prohibited from driving on dirt. However, off-road activity as you drive on a beach or a desert trail could expose you to a serious risk of accident.
Mexico auto insurance from Mexican Insurance Store can be purchased on an iPhone!
Road Tips for Rookie Mexico Drivers – Mexico auto insurance from Mexican Insurance Store
Pokemon Go in Mexico? Don’t Forget Mexico Car insurance from Mexican Insurance Store
There are plenty of controversies related to the latest Pokemon release, the Pokemon Go app. Because the app encourages players to venture out into the real world to find digital characters, there has been a unique and rapid movement involving players of all ages as they explore parks, museums, foreign countries, and their own neighborhoods. If you are wondering about pursuing your characters in Mexico, it is wise to begin by hunting down the right Mexico car insurance from Mexican Insurance Store. Although your Mexico insurance won’t guarantee you success in the game, it could prevent disasters related to vehicle problems during your travels.
Check out Mexico car insurance from Mexican Insurance Store to save time, money and frustration
Creative help catching Pokemon
One taxi driver in Veracruz astutely turned the craze into a business venture. As a Pokemon hunter, he is charging an hourly rate to drive individuals around in search of the characters. This is an option for safely pursuing your digital interests as your taxi driver can manage the driving while you look for Pokemon. However, this may not be practical, and driving your own vehicle allows you more flexibility in time without costing hours of expensive taxi fees. If you are going to search while mobile, it is wise to travel with one or more companions to avoid wrecking. Similar to having a designated driver for parties that involve alcohol, it is a good idea to have a designated driver overseeing safe travel for Pikachu parties.
Is Mexico car insurance from Mexican Insurance Store required?
Your Mexico insurance allows for multiple drivers on the same policy, but there are a couple of caveats. Each individual driving in accordance with your Mexico car insurance from Mexican Insurance Store must have a valid driver’s license. They must also be 21 years of age or older. Your Mexico insurance policy could be voided over an accident involving an ineligible driver, which means that it is not appropriate to have an underage driver share the responsibilities while in Mexico. Pro Tip: Mexico car insurance from Mexican Insurance Store lets you drive the toll roads, so secure a Mexico insurance policy before leaving!
Your smartphone or tablet can be used for much more than just chasing Pokemon Go characters in Mexico. You can review details of your Mexico car insurance from Mexican Insurance Store policy, especially if you decide to stay longer or increase the scope of your travels to involve more states. You can also update your Mexico insurance pretty easily.
Mexico car insurance from Mexican Insurance Store includes Roadside Assistance throughout Mexico for your peace of mind!
Pokemon Go in Mexico? Don’t Forget Mexico car insurance from Mexican Insurance Store
With wildfires plaguing many areas of California, you may wonder if similar issues are a concern south of the border. The Border Fire, which is 85 percent contained, is in San Diego County near Portero. Fires can also occur in Baja California, which makes it important to be attentive to conditions as you travel. You need Mexican insurance for visitors to cover potential damages in accidents, and your coverage can also be helpful in providing you with access to emergency information and support services if you get into a difficult driving situation. Fire safety may not be your first point of focus as you travel, but Mexico insurance protection is a wise investment from a safety perspective.
Getting help in a fire emergency in Mexico
If you are traveling in rural areas, especially in desert areas of Baja California, then you need to pay attention if you observe a major amount of smoke in the distance ahead. Although a fire could occur in a community where local fire services are available, it could easily occur in a wild area with lots of brush much as those north of the border occurred. If you need to contact an emergency service to alert them of a wildfire, 911 may serve the purpose. GSM phones typically divert 911 calls to area equivalents, and many modern cellphones will act similarly in Mexico. In a pinch, you could call the emergency number provided with your Mexico car insurance. With access to bilingual representatives, you can explain your situation and get specific contact options for dispatching emergency response personnel. In fact, a dispatcher might handle this communication for you.
Important:Mexican insurance for visitors is now required, so secure Mexico insurance protection before leaving!
Mexican insurance for visitors
Now that you have Mexican insurance for visitors, don’t cause a wildfire
Your Mexico insurance protection helps with legal issues related to car accidents. However, you could face serious legal problems without automatic help if you cause a wildfire. Mexico insurance protection allows you to travel safely on conventional roads, but off-road activity could put you in the middle of dry areas that pose more serious risks of wildfire ignition. Driving in off-road environments is risky because an accident could invalidate your Mexico insurance protection.
Mexican insurance for visitors from Mexican Insurance Store comes with exclusive Roadside Help at no extra cost!
You might wonder about being able to deduct your medical costs related to travels in Mexico. Although you do need to secure Mexican insurance for cars before you go, you need to understand that eligibility for deductions could depend on your home country or state and specific provisions for medical travel deductions. An inability to deduct Mexico car insurance for medical activities does not negate your need for coverage. It’s never wise to drive in Mexico without proper coverage.
Medical Costs
When in doubt, consult
Your tax professional is the most reliable resource for informing you about your own medical issues. They could also inform you about the potential for deductions. For example, a procedure that would not be eligible at home would typically not be eligible if performed abroad. Similarly, medications that you cannot legally access and import are typically not eligible for deductions. Legally accessed medications could be eligible based on your personal situation.
Many people select Mexico car insurance to cover their travel needs as they drive across the border for dental care and other medical treatments, but some presume that a visit to a border town does not warrant the cost of insurance coverage, it is also good to inform yourself when you need a car accident attorney to be prepared. Unfortunately, failing to secure a policy could become very costly. This is especially true if your vehicle sustains great damage or if you cause serious injury or death through a driving error. You don’t need to consult anyone to understand that a lack of insurance could be a serious problem.
Mexican insurance for cars
Authorities Require Mexican Insurance for Cars
Many individuals living north of the border appreciate the ability to obtain affordable care without insurance. Others find settings in which their domestic medical insurance is accepted for south-of-the-border treatments. You need to understand that while some folks successfully use domestic health coverage in Mexico, domestic auto coverage is a different matter. Your at-home policy is not equivalent to Mexico car insurance, and you must carry a Mexican-based policy to ensure that your coverage is valid as you travel at any point on Mexican soil.
Mexico car Insurance from Mexican Insurance Store comes with Roadside Assistance standard for peace of mind!
While exotic carries a connotation of luxury and lushness in a travel context, there are different variations on this idea for the Mexico traveler. You might view beaches as being exotic because of the quality of the waters and sands or because of the types of resorts positioned nearby. You may view jungle destinations in Mexico as exotic as well. Some would classify colonial settings as being exotic. Regardless of your definition and preferences, a drive to any of these destinations requires that you have authentic Mexican car insurance online. Remember, your Mexico car insurance is valid throughout the entire nation.
Limited time: Where to go for an exotic getaway
Travel by air allows you to reach a wide variety of exotic Mexico destinations rather quickly. But when you drive, it can take days to get to those places. For a driving vacation that will be short, you need some more northern solutions. With your Mexico car insurance in place, you could consider the tourist community of Rocky Point in Sonora for a resort area that caters to tourists and provides excellent water activities and superior amenities and services.
You could also consider the beaches of Baja Norte, including Rosarito, Ensenada, and the rural areas of the San Quintín Valley. These rural beaches can be some of the most beautiful. And they tend to be lightly populated, great for the individual who doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by other tourists. Explore some of the more rugged beach formations south of the valley for some great photography opportunities. You can also look to San Pedro Martír for great mountain experiences in Baja Norte.
Mexican car insurance online
Widen Your Options When Selecting Mexico Car Insurance
It’s easy to figure that for a short trip, you need just a small amount of Mexico car insurance. However, a border state in Mexico could have high requirements in terms of damages owed. This is especially true during a serious or even deadly accident. The obligation of an individual causing death in an auto accident in Baja Norte can be many times higher than the obligation in a similar accident in Sonora. The research recommended limits for your policy to ensure that you have adequate coverage before you go.
Mexican car insurance online from Mexican Insurance Store can be purchased on an iPhone!
