Crossing
at Colombia
The Colombia Friendship Bridge
Part 2
From near Laredo, Texas USA to near Nuevo Laredo, Nuevo Leon EUM
The information contained in this article is accurate as of March, 2003
By Don Adams © Don Adams 2003
Okay, we're back in the saddle and headed south. You've been through the most stressful part of this trip but as I said last time, you do have a couple of minor situations to deal with yet.
At mile 59.3 you'll see a sign instructing Automovils y Autobuses to bear right where the road divides. If you fail to heed this instruction you'll probably zip right past the next official stop and thereby become the object of a high-speed pursuit by the Highway Patrol. Don't risk it. At mile 60.1, if you turned right when you should have, you'll pull up to phase one of Checkpoint Charlie, a Migracion booth where there may or may not be someone on duty who may or may not want to look at the papers you just got back at the border. I've played it out in all the possible permutations so almost anything can happen. Once they wave you on your way, at mile 60.2 you'll find another Aduana traffic light. Same game as at the border except this one is an automated version of Russian Roulette. There's no button to push.
Roll up and stop, look toward the Aduaneros ahead of you and follow the signal they give once the signal light flashes. Stop or go. If it's red they'll usually direct you to one of the lanes beneath a large covered area and subject you to some sort of search. It can be anything from asking a question or two before sending you on your way, on up to requiring you to open every piece of cargo aboard. I think it depends upon how bored they are or how much you piss them off. If you draw a green light and they wave you on through you've got it made. In case you think anyone mistreated you, or if you were hit up for la mordida, a bribe, during the crossing and inspection process you can call 01-800-0014-800 or 01-800-2238-262 to tell someone about your problem. In Spanish. Or go to the Spanish language website www.aduanas.gob.mx to see the official method of complaining. Otherwise, keep rolling south.
Rolling south is about the same kind of deal on either side of the border so there's not a lot more you need to know, but here are a few tidbits you might be able to use. Earlier I mentioned showing your passport at the border. You can enter Mexico without one but some things are a lot easier if you have one. First, the FM-T form has a place where they ask for your passport number, expiration date, and place of issue. You can use a notarized copy of your birth certificate in lieu of a passport, but why not get one? Many banks in Mexico want to see your passport if you try to cash Travelers Checks. And if you decide to apply for an FM-3 you'll need it. Trust me, things are much easier if you have one.
The traffic laws are about the same down here as they are where you come from but there's one old piece of misinformation that I want to clear up. If you commit a parking violation down here the police officer who discovers the infraction may remove your license plates and hold them until you return to pay your fine. Some folks advise you to avoid this inconvenience by placing your tags in an inaccessible location, such as inside the rear window. Don't. Mexican law states that it is against the regulations to drive a car with the license plate mounted in the wrong place.
Three other things of some importance are some reasons your car can be impounded. First, for driving without license plates. Second, for parking in a prohibited (no parking) area. Third, for driving without proper car papers or a valid driver's license.
Remember all the paperwork you got at the border? As soon as possible make copies to keep in a safe place and keep either the originals or another set of copies in the vehicle at all times. I've never had any problems from anyone who stopped me and to whom I showed copies. The driver's license issued by your home state or province (or parish) will be recognized as valid in Mexico as long as it is not expired. As far as the International Driver's License is concerned I've heard and read information giving both answers; yes, it's recognized, and no, it's not. I'm staying totally away from that discussion.
Some folks tell me that they drive all over the country without liability insurance coverage. Since I don't really care about their delicate sensibilities I'll just state publicly that I consider that to be an extremely unwise move. Look on www.hispanicvista.com for an article by Patrick Osio, Jr. titled "Mexican Tourist Auto Insurance: buy right or face consequences." He explains it all. The policy issued by your state or province is absolutely no good in Mexico. You need to contact a company authorized to write coverage for your vehicle while it's in Mexico. Many won't offer full theft and vandalism coverage like you're used to. One that will is the company I use, International Insurance Group, of Flagstaff, Arizona. Their toll free number is 1-888-467-4639 and their website is at www.internationalpro.com. Contact the Unit Manager, Nancy Hicks at mexico@mexpro.com for more information. Everything can be handled by phone, mail, e-mail, or fax prior to your departure for Mexico.
On one occasion I failed to plan well (actually that was only one of an on-going series of occasions on which I failed to plan at all) and found myself in Tampico with a policy that was quickly expiring. I called their office and renewed my coverage and received a faxed copy of my new policy within 30 minutes. Same deal when I changed vehicles up in Texas. One short phone call and the faxed paperwork for the replacement vehicle was in my hands within an hour. There are a number of other companies you can use but I recommend these folks because I have several years of personal experience with them.
There are a few things you need to know about coverage down here. Carefully read any policy you purchase to see if these items apply. One, loss or damage to under-parts of the insured vehicle as a result of overloading or rough roads is usually not covered. That means if you slam into a tope (speed bump)at an injudicious rate of speed you probably won't get reimbursed for repairs. Two, if you're pulling a trailer that is not identified or listed on your policy your coverage for the unlisted trailer, as well as the towing vehicle, might be denied in case you need to file a claim. And always make sure that your policy provides Bail and Legal Defense coverage. Ask at the time of purchase to make sure you're covered. And the Guadalajara newspaper recently ran an article about a rather unique insurance scam. It seems that the policy issued by certain companies offers only ADVICE, not coverage, in case you have an accident down here. Check it out, darlin'.
Two more items to consider are time and place. I've heard that some policies require you to remove your vehicle from the country at specified intervals in order to keep your coverage in effect. I know this sounds a bit loony but I've learned to ask questions about almost everything down here. You might want to consider doing the same.
One of Mexconnect's advertisers is MEXican insurance for Americans and CANadians. Their website is www.mexacan.com. When you open their homepage you'll find links to a large body of information regarding the coverages they offer as well as other useful items. Scroll to the bottom of the page and look under the headings reading "Link Pages", "General Information", and "Insurance Information" for access to some helpful explanations of insurance realities down here as well as some good articles. And they can handle everything via e-mail, telephone, fax, or surface mail before you get here.
If you have questions about what happens if you're involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) in Mexico you can go back to the Index of Authors right here on Mexconnect and look up Alan Cogan. In his list of interesting and informative writings you'll find one titled "Surviving A Highway Accident In Mexico". I strongly suggest you check this one out. And then read the rest of the articles he's written. Good stuff. As long as I'm on the subject, too many of you are ignoring the vast amount of information provided on this site. Spend some time studying the indexes and then exploring the varied offerings and you'll begin to fully understand just how beneficial Mexconnect really is. End of sermon. Amen and amen.
And speaking of beneficial, no trip guide is complete without a nod to the Green Angels, Los Angeles Verde, the mechanics in motion on most of Mexico's highways. These are government employees who drive well-equipped trucks on the main thoroughfares to offer free assistance to anyone who has mechanical problems. If you had the foresight to load up spare parts before you left home they'll be able to help. Some of us suggest that you carry extra hoses, belts, and filters, and fluids just in case. On a recent trip from the border I had a minor problem just north of Saltillo. I pulled to the shoulder of the road, raised the hood, grabbed a paperback and climbed into the bed of the truck, and settled in to wait for assistance.
Within 15 minutes a Green Angel truck rolled up behind me. It took Hector, the driver, about 3 or 4 minutes to determine that a clogged fuel filter was the problem, and another 15 minutes or so for me to dig a new one out of the tool box and watch him install it. Total charge? Zero, but I gave Hector a cold Pepsi, a Snickers, and 100 pesos in appreciation of his help. The peso amount might have been an excessive tip but it was the smallest amount I was carrying. And the cost was still a bargain.
There are a few more details you need to know about crossing the border at Colombia. The few minor disadvantages. There are no vendors there which means that you need to purchase your insurance policy before you get there. You may be able to convert dollars to pesos at the Bital window or over at the Banjercito but don't count on it. There are two simple solutions to this problem. You can ask your local bank if they can arrange a peso purchase for you prior to leaving your hometown. Many can't, but they can refer you to someone who will be able to order funds for you. In Houston it took about a week at the bank I used several years ago.
Or do what I usually do. Drive on in to Laredo and spend the night so you can rest up and be refreshed before you cross the border the next day. There are many good motels and hotels available, along with good restaurants and fast food establishments, and lots of casas de cambio; money changers. You'll get a good exchange rate with absolutely no hassle. You can also get pesos from many of the bank ATMs with you're your credit card or debit card. There will also be a number of places where you can buy auto insurance coverage if you failed to do so before leaving home.
The next morning just stop by a local store to re-stock your cooler with lots of water and soft drinks or fruit juice and toss a few more travel snacks in a bag and head back up Interstate 35 until you see the signs directing you to the Colombia Solidarity Bridge. This may seem like a lot of extra time, driving, and inconvenience until you find yourself parked in a long line of traffic trying to cross into Mexico on one of the International Bridges in Laredo. Then you'll realize just how good this information is but at that point it will be too late because you've already screwed yourself and gotten trapped in a long slow line of fume belchers that you can't escape.
In case you're aces up, shipshape, and watertight and don't need to go into Laredo, my advice is to stop in Cotulla for the night. For about fifty bucks for the pair of you you'll be able to bed down at the Cotulla Executive Inn. You get a nice room with a king-size bed, TV with HBO, a microwave, a small refrigerator, and a Jacuzzi tub away from the shower. For reservations call (830) 879-2488 or fax (830) 879-2569. Danny, the manager is very helpful. And the next morning just drive back a quarter mile or so and eat breakfast with the hunters and the locals at the Country Café. Gooood grits, and eggs al gusto! This all happens at Exit 67 off I-35 about 60 miles or so north of the Laredo city limit.
For even more excellent driving and border crossing info you can go back to the main page of Mexconnect and follow these instructions to access some articles by other contributors. In the column on the left side of the page under "Finding Stuff" read down until you see "Forums Search" then click on "By Subject". That will take you to a well laid out page where you'll scroll down to the "General Information" heading. Click on "Driving in Mexico" and you'll be taken to an index of writings by folks who know what's happening on the highways and byways of Mexico. Or go to the navigation bar on the home page, click on "Forums" and then choose "Traveling Mexico" to get to the excellent and informative forum moderated by the lovely and talented Tony Burton.
That's it for this month folks. If you have any specific questions about something that's not covered in this article or any of those I referred you to just e-mail me and I'll try to come up with some kind of answer.
Que le vaya bien, ya'll!