On the libre (free) roads (for example, Puerto Escondido to Huatulco), watch for topes/ reductors (aka speed bumps)! Some are marked, some are not marked, some are 10 or more metres past the tope sign. I like to follow at a safe distance behind another car so that when they fly over the bump, I slow down. One more trick - some drivers turn on their 4 way flashers (emergency lights) when they approach the speed bump. I am still trying to understand all the reasons that people use 4 way flashers in Mexico. That could be the subject of a whole video! PS - stunning landscapes! Oaxaca is my favourite city (and state) too!
@@Vancouver_Dan I rode on motorcycle the road Puerto Escondido to Huatulco, as well as many many other roads. Yes, state of Oaxaca seems to have the biggest amount of topes. I would say people use emergency lights in two cases in Mexico: topes and slowed down traffic ahead. Thank you Dan!
I know this video is a year old but recently I was almost a victim of the new scam. They’re called “monta choques”. They have an already beat up car especially of a dark color. They start driving close to you and want to cause an “accident” and they blame you for it and how are we going to fix it? This happened to me in the Nuevo Laredo-Monterrey almost to the Lincoln periférico. When they saw me on the phone that I was contacting law enforcement they just left. Mexico City is not bad to drive in when you have a tag pase for most tolls and I use the second floor of the periférico just to avoid unbearable traffic and other interesting people. I drove from Iowa to the state of Guerrero near Taxco. Get your temporary import permit at your closest embassy. And good Mexican insurance because you’ll never know what will happen. 911 works on bigger cities, 088 is for the national guard and they’re everywhere and respectful. Traveling at night? Follow the speed limits and depending where you are. Questions? I will do my best to answer as well. It’s really a blast to drive here and oh so good food!
Good video and cool drone footage! Yeah, do not rent cars in Mexico. Very unpleasant experience. Expect to pay 300% of car rent price for insurance that will be forced on you. If you somehow end up not taking insurance be prepared for scummy practices like "oh, this there is new scratch on a car after you returned it"
I like the way people use the center line as a 2-way passing lane. You avoid the aggravation of 1000 cars getting stuck behind one slow truck. You have to pay attention, but if that's a problem, perhaps you shouldn't be driving. You're not likely to get pulled over for swerving slightly in your "lane" in Mexico, whereas in the U.S., such a major infraction can cause you to talk to a cop for upwards of 30 minutes. The shoulder is a half-lane everybody drives in, except when there are mules or BBQ stands or stopped buses in it. You have to pay attention. Cuotas are the way to go, unless the most direct route makes them inconvenient (which is rare). I wanted to avoid Chapala from a small town east of there, and went around it on a road that was so littered with garbage the garbage had been broken down and reduced to the point that it looked like confetti. The "potholes" were big enough to fit a car in, and were really more like small hills. So it was a road of small hills littered with confetti. I was glad to get on the pavement again.
I have no problem with center lane being a passing lane, the problem I have is that a lot of people do it recklessly. In general Mexican drivers have very little respect to other drivers on the road. Concept of "road safety" is not taken serious in my opinion. Obviously, if I decided to drive, I need to be more careful, but not everything on the road depends on me. I wouldn't compare being pulled over in Mexico vs US. Road conditions are different, laws and cops are different. I was never harassed by cops while driving in US, compering to pretty humiliating episodes of dealing with Mexican police, who will do everything to take as much money as possible. Cuotas are okay, but sometimes I feel like they are too expensive for average people. I wanted to go to Chapala, but never went there, thanks for advice.
I'm Mexican, some northern and southern states here have a lane and they are regularly (libre) state highways, but most are 2 or 4 lanes on federal highways (cuota).
Driving to Oaxaca from California for the first time in my own vehicle, BUT, not the first time driving to Mexico. Last time I drove down to Oaxaca was with my parents in 1997. My parents would take us to Oaxaca every summer since I can remember and we would drive every year. In fact, i'm in the process of digitizing a bunch of VHS videos we recorded as far back as 1986. 1997 was the year I graduated high school, and soon after that I joined the Marine Corps, and with 9/11 happening , I stopped going to Mexico for years. I think 2009 was the first time I went back as an adult, but every time I've been to Mexico since then I have flown in. The parents still drive down to Oaxaca very regularly and I'm pretty comfortable so I have no worries about the trip. I even have a couple friends that want to come along for the trip.
Hey dude nice video , i have a question im planing to do a road trip to mexico exiting the us from nogales border i what to spend 6 months in mexico and i also heard that your (TIP ) its only good for the amount of tour visa but what if they only give like 30 0r less days ?
Great video. Now I want to see at least some parts of the libre roads. Titel: "Libre vs. payed roads in Mexico: 10 things to concider BEFORE choosing one!"
I went to Oaxaca only for a weekend and I didn't film anything there. I did a big video about Dia de Los Muertos in Oaxaca, when I when there last year! Next videos will be about Villa del Carbon and New York! 😀
Free roads are safe in some states and not all of them are in bad conditions, especially in more developed states...Oaxaca are one of the poorest states in Mexico.
You just described it exactly right. Driving in Mexico is just "unpredictable". If you are still there, try hitting the beaches, they are gorgeous. By the way, you look huge in that tiny Chevrolet Beat.
Thanks! I’m getting used to drive here, but every time I still get “surprised” what people do on the roads! Lol I’ve been to Puerto Escondido and have more plans to go to Pacific side, when I’m back to Mexico soon.
I had my eyes closed while in the back seat. My cousin’s husband drove. We did the drive Mexico City to a Tuxpan. Couldn’t believe how the heck they didn’t have more accidents while passing he car in front of them.
Does the GPS tell you where the toll roads are? Im driving from Tijuana to ensenada soon and i also want to know if you recommend any car rental agencies? Thank you.
Hey Andrii I met you and your girlfriend in Mexico City while waiting for churros, a great video, thank you for promoting Mexico in a good and truthful way, you always tell the good the bad and the ugly and I like it, from Oregon, I hope all your loved ones are doing great in your motherland, хай живе україно!
I’m arriving at 1300 to México City and as renting a car to drive to Oaxaca. It looks like the sun will set right before we get to Oaxaca. Do you think it makes sense to spend a night halfway then drive the rest. We were looking at stopping in Tehuacan then driving the rest the next morning.
If you are not in rush, I would suggest you to stop in Puebla, which is a great city to check out and then early morning continue to Oaxaca. Don’t over estimate your timing, things are slow in Mexico. By the time you get your car and get thru the CDMX traffic, it will be 3 pm or more.
I was thinking of driving to tulum mexico from cedar city Utah it would take 2 days of full driving but maybe even 3 or 4 days cause I would rest at night, maps gives me way to get there so would I have to pay to cross the border? How much is gas there compared to United States?
The thing is that dust gets into drone’s rotors and gimbal, which shortens the life of drone and will require a cleaning. So better to take off in the area clean from dust.
Planing to drive from NY to Cancun on my own car so what would you say about Mexican part of my trip? Is it safe to go? Some people telling scary stories about criminals on the road
...and those stories are true! Some routes are less dangerous, some are more dangerous, do you research which road to take, as things change all the time. There are also very safe regions of the country as well when you pass the border. You can see my other video where I ride 1000 miles on motorcycle from CDMX to Texas, see the roads and my comments about them.
Stay on the cuotas, cross the border early in the morning so you go through the border area before the criminals wake up, and don't worry about it. I drive a big red van w/ American plates and am an obvious gringo and have talked to lots of police with less-than-great Spanish; they have NEVER asked me for insurance (though, definitely get it), usually never ask for an ID, and have never shaken me down for any money. Some masked guys/cops asked me if I had drugs, searched my van, and let me go w/o incident in less than 5 minutes. I look them in the eye w/ neither fear nor attitude and they can tell I'm committed to the trip, that it's not really a tourist situation. Which may or may not help, dunno. But don't go through Zacatecas. Last month the state of Zacatecas canceled classes due to drug blockades (burning buses in the highway). But the Monterrey-San Luis Potosi-CDMX route should give you no troubles whatsoever. I've been as far as Oaxaca, but have never driven in the Yucatan.
Greetings! I want to drive from Los Angeles to Nicaragua and my family is telling me not to drive through Mexico because it’s to dangerous. These videos are making me think they’re over reacting
Hey! Thanks for watching! Please remember that North of Mexico is more dangerous than South of Mexico. I would suggest you to research routes very well and choose the most safe one. Also, use only the most recent information, as things change all the time. It’s doable for sure, but you must be well prepared. Good luck!
Yes, I had very unpleasant encounters with Mexican police. They are very corrupt and all they need is your money, as much as they can get. Usually a normal bribe is 200 pesos, but they will tell you it is 1000 or more. They will threaten you that they will take vehicle and other things. But stay strong and try to get out without giving them any money!
Mexico's cuota roads are like autobahns xD, no one respect speed limits, i know people that do 2 h 30 mins from mexico city to acapulco, and dont get caught by national guard
Not sure I understand your question completely. You pay for Cuota - highways that have fee. In some parts of the country, like in Chiapas, locals can block the road and request some small fee like 10-20 pesos for vehicle to pass.
Do you have any tips for driving in Mexico?
On the libre (free) roads (for example, Puerto Escondido to Huatulco), watch for topes/ reductors (aka speed bumps)! Some are marked, some are not marked, some are 10 or more metres past the tope sign. I like to follow at a safe distance behind another car so that when they fly over the bump, I slow down. One more trick - some drivers turn on their 4 way flashers (emergency lights) when they approach the speed bump. I am still trying to understand all the reasons that people use 4 way flashers in Mexico. That could be the subject of a whole video! PS - stunning landscapes! Oaxaca is my favourite city (and state) too!
@@Vancouver_Dan I rode on motorcycle the road Puerto Escondido to Huatulco, as well as many many other roads. Yes, state of Oaxaca seems to have the biggest amount of topes. I would say people use emergency lights in two cases in Mexico: topes and slowed down traffic ahead. Thank you Dan!
México to Acapulco 🌴
I know this video is a year old but recently I was almost a victim of the new scam. They’re called “monta choques”. They have an already beat up car especially of a dark color. They start driving close to you and want to cause an “accident” and they blame you for it and how are we going to fix it? This happened to me in the Nuevo Laredo-Monterrey almost to the Lincoln periférico. When they saw me on the phone that I was contacting law enforcement they just left. Mexico City is not bad to drive in when you have a tag pase for most tolls and I use the second floor of the periférico just to avoid unbearable traffic and other interesting people. I drove from Iowa to the state of Guerrero near Taxco. Get your temporary import permit at your closest embassy. And good Mexican insurance because you’ll never know what will happen. 911 works on bigger cities, 088 is for the national guard and they’re everywhere and respectful. Traveling at night? Follow the speed limits and depending where you are. Questions? I will do my best to answer as well. It’s really a blast to drive here and oh so good food!
Amazing views and landscapes. I’m in love with Mexican nature ☺️
Thanks! Me too!
Good video and cool drone footage!
Yeah, do not rent cars in Mexico. Very unpleasant experience. Expect to pay 300% of car rent price for insurance that will be forced on you.
If you somehow end up not taking insurance be prepared for scummy practices like "oh, this there is new scratch on a car after you returned it"
I like the way people use the center line as a 2-way passing lane. You avoid the aggravation of 1000 cars getting stuck behind one slow truck. You have to pay attention, but if that's a problem, perhaps you shouldn't be driving. You're not likely to get pulled over for swerving slightly in your "lane" in Mexico, whereas in the U.S., such a major infraction can cause you to talk to a cop for upwards of 30 minutes. The shoulder is a half-lane everybody drives in, except when there are mules or BBQ stands or stopped buses in it. You have to pay attention.
Cuotas are the way to go, unless the most direct route makes them inconvenient (which is rare). I wanted to avoid Chapala from a small town east of there, and went around it on a road that was so littered with garbage the garbage had been broken down and reduced to the point that it looked like confetti. The "potholes" were big enough to fit a car in, and were really more like small hills. So it was a road of small hills littered with confetti. I was glad to get on the pavement again.
I have no problem with center lane being a passing lane, the problem I have is that a lot of people do it recklessly. In general Mexican drivers have very little respect to other drivers on the road. Concept of "road safety" is not taken serious in my opinion. Obviously, if I decided to drive, I need to be more careful, but not everything on the road depends on me.
I wouldn't compare being pulled over in Mexico vs US. Road conditions are different, laws and cops are different. I was never harassed by cops while driving in US, compering to pretty humiliating episodes of dealing with Mexican police, who will do everything to take as much money as possible.
Cuotas are okay, but sometimes I feel like they are too expensive for average people.
I wanted to go to Chapala, but never went there, thanks for advice.
I'm Mexican, some northern and southern states here have a lane and they are regularly (libre) state highways, but most are 2 or 4 lanes on federal highways (cuota).
Driving to Oaxaca from California for the first time in my own vehicle, BUT, not the first time driving to Mexico. Last time I drove down to Oaxaca was with my parents in 1997. My parents would take us to Oaxaca every summer since I can remember and we would drive every year. In fact, i'm in the process of digitizing a bunch of VHS videos we recorded as far back as 1986. 1997 was the year I graduated high school, and soon after that I joined the Marine Corps, and with 9/11 happening , I stopped going to Mexico for years. I think 2009 was the first time I went back as an adult, but every time I've been to Mexico since then I have flown in. The parents still drive down to Oaxaca very regularly and I'm pretty comfortable so I have no worries about the trip. I even have a couple friends that want to come along for the trip.
Hey dude nice video , i have a question im planing to do a road trip to mexico exiting the us from nogales border i what to spend 6 months in mexico and i also heard that your (TIP ) its only good for the amount of tour visa but what if they only give like 30 0r less days ?
How was your trip to Mexico from nogales are legitimately planned on doing the same thing I need to know what you know please
Great video. Now I want to see at least some parts of the libre roads. Titel: "Libre vs. payed roads in Mexico: 10 things to concider BEFORE choosing one!"
Awesome idea and great title! I'll have to risk my life to go on Libre roads, lol. But your naming is really the top one!
another great vid Andrii thanks i guess more vids from Oaxaca are coming soon?👍👍
I went to Oaxaca only for a weekend and I didn't film anything there. I did a big video about Dia de Los Muertos in Oaxaca, when I when there last year! Next videos will be about Villa del Carbon and New York! 😀
Free roads are safe in some states and not all of them are in bad conditions, especially in more developed states...Oaxaca are one of the poorest states in Mexico.
Yes! I traveled a lot through the country, but it is pretty rare that free roads are good and also people drive more crazy on free roads.
You just described it exactly right. Driving in Mexico is just "unpredictable". If you are still there, try hitting the beaches, they are gorgeous. By the way, you look huge in that tiny Chevrolet Beat.
Thanks! I’m getting used to drive here, but every time I still get “surprised” what people do on the roads! Lol
I’ve been to Puerto Escondido and have more plans to go to Pacific side, when I’m back to Mexico soon.
@@AndriiZhulidov what do people do on the roads?
The best infraestructure roads in Mexico are in Queretaro
I've driven to Tequisquiapan and Bernal, but I don't remember a big difference. But I'll pay more attention to State of Queretaro next time!
Nah 🤣🤣🤣
@@AndriiZhulidovcould you answer the GPS question plz
I had my eyes closed while in the back seat. My cousin’s husband drove. We did the drive Mexico City to a Tuxpan. Couldn’t believe how the heck they didn’t have more accidents while passing he car in front of them.
They do get many accidents and I've seen quite a few of them. This irresponsible driving is real danger on the roads.
Does the GPS tell you where the toll roads are? Im driving from Tijuana to ensenada soon and i also want to know if you recommend any car rental agencies? Thank you.
Hey Andrii I met you and your girlfriend in Mexico City while waiting for churros, a great video, thank you for promoting Mexico in a good and truthful way, you always tell the good the bad and the ugly and I like it, from Oregon,
I hope all your loved ones are doing great in your motherland, хай живе україно!
Hey! Thank you for watching the videos and your comment! Thank you very much for supporting Ukraine! ❤️
Love the music, btw
Thanks! Sometimes it takes hours to find the right song! 😊
I’m arriving at 1300 to México City and as renting a car to drive to Oaxaca. It looks like the sun will set right before we get to Oaxaca. Do you think it makes sense to spend a night halfway then drive the rest. We were looking at stopping in Tehuacan then driving the rest the next morning.
If you are not in rush, I would suggest you to stop in Puebla, which is a great city to check out and then early morning continue to Oaxaca.
Don’t over estimate your timing, things are slow in Mexico. By the time you get your car and get thru the CDMX traffic, it will be 3 pm or more.
@@AndriiZhulidov ok. Thank you for the comment
I was thinking of driving to tulum mexico from cedar city Utah it would take 2 days of full driving but maybe even 3 or 4 days cause I would rest at night, maps gives me way to get there so would I have to pay to cross the border? How much is gas there compared to United States?
I’m arriving in Mexico City at 5am, do you think it’ll be easy to rent a car and start driving towards Oaxaca? How long is the drive?
What kind of drone is that bro? Awesome content btw!
Thank you Juan! This is filmed on Mavic Mini 2. Love this drone, small in size, easy to control and great quality.
Best for mex-190.
What if roof of my car is too dirty?)) curios too see free roads
The thing is that dust gets into drone’s rotors and gimbal, which shortens the life of drone and will require a cleaning. So better to take off in the area clean from dust.
Planing to drive from NY to Cancun on my own car so what would you say about Mexican part of my trip? Is it safe to go? Some people telling scary stories about criminals on the road
...and those stories are true! Some routes are less dangerous, some are more dangerous, do you research which road to take, as things change all the time.
There are also very safe regions of the country as well when you pass the border. You can see my other video where I ride 1000 miles on motorcycle from CDMX to Texas, see the roads and my comments about them.
Stay on the cuotas, cross the border early in the morning so you go through the border area before the criminals wake up, and don't worry about it. I drive a big red van w/ American plates and am an obvious gringo and have talked to lots of police with less-than-great Spanish; they have NEVER asked me for insurance (though, definitely get it), usually never ask for an ID, and have never shaken me down for any money. Some masked guys/cops asked me if I had drugs, searched my van, and let me go w/o incident in less than 5 minutes. I look them in the eye w/ neither fear nor attitude and they can tell I'm committed to the trip, that it's not really a tourist situation. Which may or may not help, dunno. But don't go through Zacatecas. Last month the state of Zacatecas canceled classes due to drug blockades (burning buses in the highway). But the Monterrey-San Luis Potosi-CDMX route should give you no troubles whatsoever. I've been as far as Oaxaca, but have never driven in the Yucatan.
Curious if you actually did the drive. I’ve had plenty of family members drive from NY to Puebla. But Cancun? That’s about 3k+ miles.
Ty!
Greetings! I want to drive from Los Angeles to Nicaragua and my family is telling me not to drive through Mexico because it’s to dangerous. These videos are making me think they’re over reacting
Hey! Thanks for watching!
Please remember that North of Mexico is more dangerous than South of Mexico. I would suggest you to research routes very well and choose the most safe one. Also, use only the most recent information, as things change all the time. It’s doable for sure, but you must be well prepared. Good luck!
If you can drive in Florida, USA or Toronto, Canada during rush hour then Mexico is fine.
very good video
Thank you!
I was wondering if you encountered police pulling you over for a mordida aka a bribe? and how did you dealt with it.
Yes, I had very unpleasant encounters with Mexican police. They are very corrupt and all they need is your money, as much as they can get. Usually a normal bribe is 200 pesos, but they will tell you it is 1000 or more. They will threaten you that they will take vehicle and other things. But stay strong and try to get out without giving them any money!
How many hours was the drive?
how much is the cheapest drone that i can buy?
its definitely different for Americans traveling in mexico due to political/border tensions
Cars -- Sounds like Hertz
to be honest I feel like Ive heard too many cartel horror stories to ever feel comfortable outside of a resort lol
Mexico's cuota roads are like autobahns xD, no one respect speed limits, i know people that do 2 h 30 mins from mexico city to acapulco, and dont get caught by national guard
To funny about the speed limit.
Yep, I have to say I got to enjoy that!
Do I have to pay to drive through places in Mexico!? Might as well get a free ride from the cartel….
Not sure I understand your question completely. You pay for Cuota - highways that have fee. In some parts of the country, like in Chiapas, locals can block the road and request some small fee like 10-20 pesos for vehicle to pass.
It's a shame that driving conditions are getting worse in Mexico
Yes, I wish it would be better. I didn't even mention how often they try to scam people on gas stations.