This is a nice June 2009 update from the field by drivemeloco user Kevin N who drove a Mercedes to Costa Rica---who said you need a 4x4. Thanks for the update Kevin!
"I made my trip no problem to Costa Rica a few weeks ago, I drove a 1983 Mercedes Benz Turbo Diesel. No mechanical problems what soever. It also helps I checked everything before the trip. Mexico was a beautiful country until we reached Mexico City to see the Pyramids. We got stopped 3 times be police and had to bribe about $200-300 dollars each time because they said foreign plated cars are not allowed in the State Of Mexico M-Sat 5am-11:pm or with plates ending with 0 or 00. I called 911 and eventually spoke to police officer that said it was true, but the fine was only about 1500 pesos---but the car would have to be towed until the fine is paid.
Do not enter Mexico City at all. We did see the Ruins---very nice, better to go see the Ruins near Oaxaca or in Guatemala. Honduras is getting very dangerous now especially near Copan and San Pedro Sula area and the West route to Nicaragua has very bad roads. So you need to go a little further north to through the mountains, then come down to the border at Sonoma which is a much better crossing. Also some people gave me directions to avoid Granada, and Managua and I got the border in 4.5 hours to CR."
I agree with Kevin about Mexico City, avoid it. My recommendation is to drive to Guadalajara and then take a bus or flight to DF, hang out for as long as you want, go back to Guadalajara grab your car and continue on your journey.
Today the Wall Street Journal wrote about the escalating violence near the border and now there seems to be all this fear that it will spill over into the US and they (they that are in power) are talking about sending troops to beef up security. I am sure if you are thinking about a trip to Mexico or Central America you are also thinking about violence and other safety issues and many people write in asking about taking a gun.
First of al you should know that you may go to prison even if you were not aware of the Mexican law if your get caught with a firearm---I have taken them before, I used to hide them under the hood of the car or in a secrete department---but this was back in the day when I didn't feel I needed instant access to the weapon.
Is it better to die at the hands of a criminal or go to jail alive?
Hell, the police in northern Mexico can't even protect themselves these days, do you think they are going to be able to protect you? I have to say that the recent violence makes me think twice about my original "don't take a gun" recommendation. Still, I think it is a risk and I am not sure you'd be able to out-gun a bad situation in Mexico---but then again, with a firearm you'd have a chance.
If you decide to take one you probably won't get caught taking it in, hide it well (a good place is in the spare tire or a secrete compartment) and whatever you do don't try and sneak it back in to he USA after your trip---you can pay off the police in Mexico but not the border agents in the USA.
Be aware of the Red Light/Green Light as you cross the border, because you can still be randomly selected for secondary inspection. If you get a green continue to pass through, but if you get a red light, or a customs official flags you over for a secondary inspection, drive to location as identified by the officials. They will generally want to look into your trunk and inside the vehicle to see if you are bringing anything that should have been declared. This usually takes only few seconds and the search is rarely DEEP into the vehicle.
If you did not declare something that you should have, depending upon the items you may have to pay the required duty, pay a fine, risk getting your merchandise confiscated, or go to jail (or more likely pay a bribe).
The drive through Mexico and Central America is a wonderful experience, however, it's not an adventure for everyone. What type of person would like this sort of trip? First and foremost, you go to like to drive---if the open road turns you on then this is a great trip for you. Even through you could rush the trip, ideally it is better to have an open agenda tat isn't too pressured by time. You don't need tons of money but you should have a nice money reserve for emergencies and potential car issues.
Places and conditions change, thus be prepared to make variations or detours altered from the original directions; though generally speaking things in Central America change slowly---except for Costa Rica where it seems different every time I go back, which has been every six months for the last decade.
There is no one correct way of doing anything and therefore if you find a way or route that you feel is easier or less complicated, please send your comments to us at DriveMeLoco so that your information may be included in the next publication and so that the loco community gets updated---we are stronger together.
Which Route?
There are three main routes through Mexico, one is along the Atlantic Coast (actually the Gulf of Mexico), the second is through Central Mexico and Mexico City, and the third is by the way of the Pacific Coast. From Texas the four main entry points are El Paso, Piedras Negras, Laredo and Brownsville. There are several east-west, north-south links as you journey south through Mexico.
The Pacific Coast route is the hands down favorite among travelers. The roads are better overall, drivers don't have to circumnavigate Mexico City, and there are plenty of beautiful sites along the way. Those travelers that have driven all three route agree that the Pacific Coast route is by far the best. The route detailed in the city-by-city portion of this guide is the Pacific Coast route of Mexico, until Chiapas where I recommend diverting to the interior to see the jewels left by the Mayan civilization.
If Central America is your goal, then the central route bogs you down too much in Mexico City and the surrounding areas. The Atlantic route is just plain hard on vehicles and the scenic delightful places are fewer. Head for the Pacific Coast and then south through Mexico.
From Chiapas I always take the route into Guatemala heading directly for Antigua (one of my favorite cities in all of Central America. From Guatemala you have two choices, continue through El Salvador or through the beautiful rolling hills of Honduras. Surfers may want to head to El Salvador but if you need a break from all the great waves you got in Mexcio and would like to do some diving or spend some time in Copan I'd recommend Honduras.
Gringo Behavior
Most often once officials see your gringo face an unrestrained passage can be expected, usually they ask a few questions and check your paperwork and send you on your way. In all my years of travel I have only been hustled by the police around the USA border, most of the other officials are quite friendly.
In situations where you are motioned to pull over the officers will ask a few general questions and then check your vehicle or migration paperwork. No problem, always present a polite and respectful attitude and the officers will do the same. Idiotic, disrespectful travelers can expect a synonymous response from officials.
If you are traveling with a fluent Spanish speaker, have that person deal with the officials. All things being equal in these situations, have a women talk to a man and a man talk to a women when dealing with border officials or customs inspectors.
Have a great trip, be safe and don't drink and drive or drive at night!
What to know what is going on in Mexico these day?
Looking to review the news headlines before crossing the border into Guatemala tomorrow?
Now you can!
Many of you have asked for more detailed information about the news coming out of each country and thus we have put together a NEW section called CURRENT NEWS FEEDS.
These feeds are taken from the major current news sources in Mexico and Central America and they are sorted by date and news topic. If you desire to read more about the topic just click the link and read the complete article.
In general border towns are areas that you want to move through very quickly. I recommend NOT sleeping in border towns---choose a location that will get you to the border crossing early enough in the morning to strategically process your paperwork and that allows you ample time for any ‘problems’ or complications that may arise. Near Nogales I recommend hanging in Tusan and moving through to Hermosillo or Guaymas after crossing.
If you cross near San Diego I recommend the La Fonda Hotel between Rosarito and Ensenada for a nice leisurely day after crossing. For the more adventurous I recommend the surf hostel at 4 Casas about five hours further south, just before the town of Punta Colonet north of San Quintin---4 Casas overlooks a beautiful right-hand reef and is a great place to hang with a full kitchen, surfboard rentals, and restaurant for $15 per night (more info in the paid version of this guide).
New passport requirements are planned to go in effect for Mexico in June 2009. Get the latest information on your passport, visa, and health requirements—which can vary by travel mode—well in advance of your trip. Drive Me Loco recommends that you get a passport NOW allow a minimum of 6–8 weeks to obtain one. In the US you can get one at your local post office.
Air travel: Passports are now required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from any international destination via air, with the exception of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Land and sea travel: From January 31, 2008 to June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico via land or sea ports must present a government-issued photo ID in addition to proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. A voter’s registration card and social security card are not considered to be proof of citizenship. Children under the age of 16 do not require a government-issued photo ID. Please note: U.S. citizens may need a passport to enter foreign ports.
Summer 2009 rules: Beginning June 1, 2009, passports will be required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States via land, sea, and air—regardless of destination.
United States citizens can visit the State Department’s web site http://travel.state.gov, or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center: (877) 4USA-PPT. Please allow at minimum 6–8 weeks for processing of the passport application. If you need to travel urgently and require a passport sooner, expedited processing is available.
Mexico has traffic laws very similar to the United States. The application of their laws is what accounts for the differences, and the reasons for needing Mexican insurance. DriveMeLoco has partnered with Mexican Online Insurance to provide you with the best Mexican Insurance available and is backed by four of Mexico's largest and most respected insurers, GNP, ABA/GMAC, ACE Seguros, and HDI Seguros.
Insurance is not available in some of the other countries, see the Guide for more information.
Tab Two
Guide Update
If you are traveling and find something missing or incorrect in the Gringos Guide we'd love to hear about it. Please drop us an email and we’ll make sure your updates get into the next edition of the Guide and also onto the website.
We look forward to hearing from you.
DriveMeLoco
Tab Three
Pod Cast Mayan Ruins
A-Pod-Calypto: Mayan Ruins Tours
This is a four part series presented by Lonely Planet, it is a good intro to the Mayan Ruins. You can listen here or download to your computer.
Countries have different travel documents requirements for entry. Some only require Proof of citizenship and birth certificate while others require both a passport and a visa. For more information on the document you might need please see our partner link here .
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What is the Darrian Gap?
The Darrian Gap is a big stretch of jungle that prevents any overland travel from South to Central America, thus you got to ship your vehicle around the trees by sea. Sign-up to get the complete information about the Darrian Gap.
Should I take my gun?
Bringing guns or drugs into Mexico is not recommended. You may go to prison even if you were not aware of the Mexican law. Having said that, I have done one or the other over the years or been with others . . . more
Which Route?
Countries have different travel documents requirements for entry. Some only require Proof of citizenship and birth certificate while others require both a passport and a visa. For more information on the document you might need please see our partner link here . 
Bringing guns or drugs into Mexico is not recommended. You may go to prison even if you were not aware of the Mexican law. Having said that, I have done one or the other over the years or been with others . . . more