Drive to Playa from Texas - Page 2

absoluteAL · 07-21-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasUSA

We plan on driving from Dallas to McAllen on Saturday, July 31. Cross the border by foot that eve to do the paperwork. And then drive across the border Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. We are going to take AbsoluteAl's advice and do the car registraton on-line (thank you for the advice Al!).l

I am not sure what paperwork you are referring to when you are saying "cross the border by foot that eve to do the paperwork". With your Temporary Import Sticker properly displayed on your windshield - not sure if there is any paperwork not unless you are referring to doing your FMM (formerly FMT) tourist card.
Drive safe, have fun, be aware of your surroundings....and we will see you in Playa soon.

JimmyMN · 07-21-2010

That's what I did the last time Al...

Parked in downtown Brownsville, walked across the bridge into Mexico, got my tourist visa and import sticker. Then walked back over the bridge, through US Imigration and back to the car. Took about an hour. By the way, that's the only crossing that's fully functional for paperwork 24 hours a day in Matamoros.

In the past, I'd drive the vehicle in and take the returno lane back into the US when I was done... but that would take forever now.

Jimmy

susango · 07-24-2010

The area in Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey was hit really hard from the recent flooding from Tropical Storm Alex. The highway finally reopened last week and the flood warning at the Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge was canceled this week. The other flood warning in Laredo is supposed to be canceled this weekend. We were going to leave Tuesday, but there was violence on Friday in NL and a travel warning so we delayed the trip again to this coming Sunday. There has been more violence and more travel warnings this week. One of them is specifically on the road from the Colombia Bridge. There are other warnings at the NL US Consulate and near Bridge II. Locals were advised to stay indoors last week. There is gunfire in multiple parts of the city and many carjackings where they use the vehicles to block the roads. Monterrey has had increased violence recently too.

Someone in Laredo recommended Highway 57 from Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras to Saltillo, but that road is closed right now from the flooding. He also recommended south of Reynosa right now. We are thinking about Brownsville/Matamoros. I know Matamoros is in the travel warnings too, but it seems quieter right now than Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa.

We are in Texas and we would definitely be willing travel together. I sent you a PM.

July 22, 2010 - U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
July 21, 2010 - U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
July 20, 2010 - U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
July 16, 2010 - U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
July 9, 2010 - U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo, Mexico

Mexico

gguerra · 07-26-2010

To the OP. I wish you luck.. Stick to the major highways and travel by day. I have not heard of any problems on the coastal highway. Just to let you know, there have been problems on the road from Reynosa to Monterrey with the drug cartels setting up fake road blocks. Try to be as inconspicuous as possible. The "poorer" you look the better. Don't wash the car, don't wear jewelery, that sort of thing. Things get better the further south you get. I dont want to scare anyone this is just a heads up. As soon as you cross from Tamaulipas into Veracruz you will encounter very rough roads. They will get better as you go along.

Check with Sanborn's Travel in McAllen to see what route they recommend. They specialize in travel to Mexico by car. Sanborns Travel Web Site

If you can't go by in person give them a call.

Seakony · 07-26-2010

yep..having another couple make the crossing with you sounds like a smart idea.

susango · 07-26-2010

The road from Reynosa to Monterrey is on the travel warnings. I keep hearing from people from Mexico or live near the border about how bad it is. I know some towns are worse than others. The highways from Nuevo Laredo were highly recommended from someone who drove down the coast and in the interior, but it was before the recent violence.

TexasUSA · 08-04-2010

Well Cheryl and I decided to just fly down for our first month here. We took possession of our condo yesterday (Tuesday). It is fully furnished but we still brought 4 checked bags, each weighing exactly 50 lbs, and 2 carry-ons and our computer bags. We still want to drive our SUV down at some point... Keep us in mind in the future if anyone wants to car pool down. We are busy trying to get settled in and are having a great time!

TexasUSA · 08-04-2010

I meant to thank everyone for the great information! We did go to the Mexican consulate in Dallas, got our vehicle windshield decal, bought a new GPS with Mexico maps and all...we were ready. Thanks again, may need some additional advice and suggestions here in the near future for a drive down!

susango · 08-04-2010

Glad you made it. Did you have to pay extra for the bags? We're still planning to drive. We have 90 days from the issuance of our FM3 in mid-June to get to Mexico. Do you know for sure that you are driving or when you are planning to drive?

Seakony · 08-04-2010

Susan.. just buy a really mean German Shepard or pit bull and take it with you.

susango · 08-04-2010

I had the same thought about bringing a dog. Our friends have 2 big bull dogs and I'd love to borrow one for the trip.

We'd have to make room for her and I'm not sure we could sleep with her snoring.

The hotels might not like it either.

07-21-2010	#17 (permalink)
JimmyMN party machine Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Minneapolis-St. Paul Posts: 3,556	That's what I did the last time Al... Parked in downtown Brownsville, walked across the bridge into Mexico, got my tourist visa and import sticker. Then walked back over the bridge, through US Imigration and back to the car. Took about an hour. By the way, that's the only crossing that's fully functional for paperwork 24 hours a day in Matamoros. In the past, I'd drive the vehicle in and take the returno lane back into the US when I was done... but that would take forever now. Jimmy

07-24-2010	#18 (permalink)
susango lost on fifth Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PDC Posts: 22	The area in Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey was hit really hard from the recent flooding from Tropical Storm Alex. The highway finally reopened last week and the flood warning at the Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge was canceled this week. The other flood warning in Laredo is supposed to be canceled this weekend. We were going to leave Tuesday, but there was violence on Friday in NL and a travel warning so we delayed the trip again to this coming Sunday. There has been more violence and more travel warnings this week. One of them is specifically on the road from the Colombia Bridge. There are other warnings at the NL US Consulate and near Bridge II. Locals were advised to stay indoors last week. There is gunfire in multiple parts of the city and many carjackings where they use the vehicles to block the roads. Monterrey has had increased violence recently too. Someone in Laredo recommended Highway 57 from Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras to Saltillo, but that road is closed right now from the flooding. He also recommended south of Reynosa right now. We are thinking about Brownsville/Matamoros. I know Matamoros is in the travel warnings too, but it seems quieter right now than Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa. We are in Texas and we would definitely be willing travel together. I sent you a PM. July 22, 2010 - U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo, Mexico July 21, 2010 - U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo, Mexico July 20, 2010 - U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo, Mexico July 16, 2010 - U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo, Mexico July 9, 2010 - U.S. Consulate General Nuevo Laredo, Mexico Mexico

07-26-2010	#19 (permalink)
gguerra ruined Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 90	To the OP. I wish you luck.. Stick to the major highways and travel by day. I have not heard of any problems on the coastal highway. Just to let you know, there have been problems on the road from Reynosa to Monterrey with the drug cartels setting up fake road blocks. Try to be as inconspicuous as possible. The "poorer" you look the better. Don't wash the car, don't wear jewelery, that sort of thing. Things get better the further south you get. I dont want to scare anyone this is just a heads up. As soon as you cross from Tamaulipas into Veracruz you will encounter very rough roads. They will get better as you go along. Check with Sanborn's Travel in McAllen to see what route they recommend. They specialize in travel to Mexico by car. Sanborns Travel Web Site If you can't go by in person give them a call.

07-26-2010	#20 (permalink)
Seakony añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 16,151	yep..having another couple make the crossing with you sounds like a smart idea.

07-26-2010	#21 (permalink)
susango lost on fifth Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PDC Posts: 22	The road from Reynosa to Monterrey is on the travel warnings. I keep hearing from people from Mexico or live near the border about how bad it is. I know some towns are worse than others. The highways from Nuevo Laredo were highly recommended from someone who drove down the coast and in the interior, but it was before the recent violence.

08-04-2010	#22 (permalink)
TexasUSA way into it Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fort Dodge, Iowa then Rockwall, Texas, now Playa Del Carmen Posts: 224	Well Cheryl and I decided to just fly down for our first month here. We took possession of our condo yesterday (Tuesday). It is fully furnished but we still brought 4 checked bags, each weighing exactly 50 lbs, and 2 carry-ons and our computer bags. We still want to drive our SUV down at some point... Keep us in mind in the future if anyone wants to car pool down. We are busy trying to get settled in and are having a great time!

08-04-2010	#23 (permalink)
TexasUSA way into it Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fort Dodge, Iowa then Rockwall, Texas, now Playa Del Carmen Posts: 224	I meant to thank everyone for the great information! We did go to the Mexican consulate in Dallas, got our vehicle windshield decal, bought a new GPS with Mexico maps and all...we were ready. Thanks again, may need some additional advice and suggestions here in the near future for a drive down!

08-04-2010	#24 (permalink)
susango lost on fifth Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PDC Posts: 22	Glad you made it. Did you have to pay extra for the bags? We're still planning to drive. We have 90 days from the issuance of our FM3 in mid-June to get to Mexico. Do you know for sure that you are driving or when you are planning to drive?

08-04-2010	#25 (permalink)
Seakony añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 16,151	Susan.. just buy a really mean German Shepard or pit bull and take it with you.

08-04-2010	#26 (permalink)
susango lost on fifth Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PDC Posts: 22	I had the same thought about bringing a dog. Our friends have 2 big bull dogs and I'd love to borrow one for the trip. We'd have to make room for her and I'm not sure we could sleep with her snoring. The hotels might not like it either.

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