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driving in the roo - 1/19/2013 8:54:35 AM
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mevose
Posts: 335
Joined: 12/12/2010
From: Kennebunkport, Maine
Status: offline
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We're renting a car for our upcoming trip so I've been researching the topic and reading lots of posts about the whole car rental/ driving in Mexico thing. We did rent for one day last year, so we're not total virgins, but we're not exactly experienced, either.
I have a couple of questions. First, roughly how much gas is 200 pesos? We'll be in a generic compact (not subcompact) car like a Tsuru or something, so would 200 pesos be about half a tank?
Also, if we do happen to get stopped how do we avoid giving the police officer our license? We're renting from Cancun/Caribbean Rent a car so we'll have the "get out of jail free" card. Don't they have to look at your license? So do you just hold onto it while they look at it? What about making a photocopy to give them? That would never work here, but almost every post about getting pulled over says not to give them your license, and I'm wondering what acceptable alternatives are. Not planning to get pulled over, but I want to be prepared. 
Gracias!
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RE: driving in the roo - 1/19/2013 12:04:28 PM
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panesh
Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline
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We've driven thousands of miles through Q Roo and the Yucatan. Only got stopped once. It was on 307 and I deserved it. 500 pesos later I was on my way. That was many years ago and I know not to drive while tanked. Those margs at Cueva can be dangerous. Since I don't drink any more I have no worries about driving anywhere at any time. Common wisdom says not to drive at night. I don't have a problem driving at night unless we are waaaay out in the country. Driving on 307, or any major road at night is no big deal. The biggest deal there is animals and pedestrian and small motor bikes along side the road.
Once we drove from Oxkutzcab to Mahahual at night in the rain. Everything was fine until the drivers side windshield wiper flew off and I had to go track it down in the dark and try and get it to stay in place. We were following a friend of ours and tried to flash our lights to get him to slow down. I finally had to call him on the cell phone to get him to come back and help. We ended up having a good laugh over that.
The "zona de mordida" runs from the Cancun airport to PDC and then the worst part is just outside PDC going South for the next 40 km. You will see (or not) police pickup trucks along the way. They are the radar trucks. Just keep it around 80km and stay to the right anywhere on the highway and you should have nothing to worry about. You will be passed by speeding collectivos and locals with the occasional speeding tourist. I consider them "sounders". They will catch the attention of the police long before I do.
We are planning to drive from Cancun to Tulum to Belize and Guatemala in a few months. I have no worries at all about the trip. I carry an expired license with me just in case.
As long as you observe the speed limit, drive slowly thorugh any populated area and pay attention you should have no problems at all.
In Dec. gas was about 10.80 a liter (3.79 liters per gallon). So you can get 19 liters for about 200 pesos, that's 4.88 gallons. The Tsuru has about a 40 liter gas tank. They don't list it on the website any more. So you get about half a tank, good for over 100 miles or 160 km.
We are going to get the Gol (or similar) since it has a bigger tank, 51 litre and we are going further than usual. Total cost including the airport tax is just over $600 US for three weeks.
< Message edited by panesh -- 1/19/2013 12:05:50 PM >
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RE: driving in the roo - 1/19/2013 9:55:24 PM
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panesh
Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline
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Cancunrentacar/Caribbean et al Yes on the insurance. Wouldn't go any other way. I've used these guys for a total of three months in the last three years.
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RE: driving in the roo - 1/21/2013 6:00:34 PM
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SnorkelHound
Posts: 96
Joined: 1/18/2008
From: Rochester, MN
Status: offline
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Same here - I have an international license from AAA and only use that.
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RE: driving in the roo - 1/22/2013 7:10:11 AM
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SnorkelHound
Posts: 96
Joined: 1/18/2008
From: Rochester, MN
Status: offline
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Basically it is a drivers license for foreign countries that is in a format that is recognized by other countries. I always use one when traveling in Europe. Here is some information from the AAA web site that describes the license and how to obtain one. This way you do not have to worry about using your U.S. drivers license when outside the U.S. License is good for one year.
When traveling overseas, carry an International Driving Permit ... even if you're not planning to drive. Should you need to communicate with foreign authorities, this recognizable form of identification can help you get on your way more quickly.
Valid in over 150 countries, the permit contains your name, photo and driver information translated into ten languages.
World MapBefore you travel the world, travel to any AAA office for your International Driving Permit. Bring your valid U.S. driver's license, $15USD , and two ORIGINAL passport-type photos (also available at AAA offices). You may also wish to fill out our International Driving Permit application in advance.
NOTE: International Driving Permits may not be issued more than six (6) months in advance of desired effective date.
Simply print out the application, fill in the information requested and bring it with you to the AAA office nearest you. If you prefer to secure your International Driving Permit through the mail, enclose your completed application form, two ORIGINAL passport-type photos each signed on the back, a $15USD permit fee and a photocopy of both sides of your driver's license and mail them to the AAA office nearest you (check locally for payment options). Include additional U.S. funds for expedited return mail service, if desired.
See USPS.com, Fedex.com or UPS.com for rates.
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RE: driving in the roo - 1/22/2013 7:19:24 AM
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SnorkelHound
Posts: 96
Joined: 1/18/2008
From: Rochester, MN
Status: offline
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The whole process takes about 20 minutes to complete at my local AAA store. I have my picture taken there and fill out the paper work and a short time later they have the IDP ready for me. Hope this helps.
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RE: driving in the roo - 1/22/2013 7:20:48 AM
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Jamie
Posts: 2548
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Southern California
Status: offline
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It is just a permit, that translates your license into another language. Mostly recommended on other travel forums for people coming from countries whose language is not English (like China or Russia) into English. Not sure why USA folks would get one of these, got one once when traveling in Europe, waste of money.
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Printable Version
Only cost a few $
I'm too lazy to make a ticker, but we'll be there around the third week of March. 
We will certainly drive very cautiously, and never after margs at Cueva! 
