Information on cars in Mexico

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Driving in Mexico can be a great experience and, generally, there is no reason to be concerned about bringing your vehicle to Mexico. The stories you've heard about not being able to get insurance, banditos, roads in terrible shape, etc., are highly exaggerated or in most cases simply not true.

However, expect to encounter different driving habits, highway markings and ‘rules of the road.’ Mexicans are fairly easy going people… that is until they get behind the wheel of a car… The first few times you drive, especially in Guadalajara you’ll likely feel a little overwhelmed by the amount of traffic, crazy drivers and the glorietas (traffic circles).

In this section you will find helpful information about using and driving a car in Lake Chapala and throughout Mexico.
As other information becomes available, this section will be updated, so check back often. Focus would like to make Ask Focus as complete as possible, so if there is something that we have not included, please send us the information by clicking here and going to the Ask Focus content suggestion...

Car Keys your all purpose security system

Car keys small Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get into your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator.

Cars in Mexico

Q: Do I need to worry about the kind of car I should bring to Mexico? Will I be able to get anything and everything repaired?
A: That's a good question and one that we've been asked a lot.

Fuels In Mexico

Mexico's petroleum industry is wholly government owned. Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX for short) manufactures, distributes and sells gasoline, in a state-owned monopoly. PEMEX gasoline stations are common. They are franchise operations, with the franchisee providing the land, the electricity and the manpower to operate the station. All gas stations in Mexico are full service, and you're not permitted to pump your own. Also, if the attendant gives you extra attention (cleaning your windows, for example), you are expected to tip him. In the Lake Chapala area, most of us get used to using the same station and attendant all the time, so I think most of the people in the area tip the attendant.

Names of streets in Mexico

In México, as well as many other parts of the world, there are many streets named after famous people and phases of history. You can visit different cities, villages or towns and you will almost always find a street named after Chistopher Columbus (Colón), Benito Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, Miguel Hidalgo or others. Also, you will surely find a street called Independencia (Independence), Revolución (Revolution), Insurgentes (Insurgent), Niños Héroes (Hero Boys) and much more.

Roads in Mexico

Green Angels Truck Driving in Mexico can be a great experience and, generally, there is no reason to be concerned about bringing your vehicle to Mexico. The stories you've heard about not being able to get insurance, banditos, roads in terrible shape, etc., are highly exaggerated or simply not true in most cases.–

Spanish 101 Road Signs

Just in case some of you are thinking of traveling throughout Mexico during the Christmas holidays, we thought you could use a little help in understanding the road signs you’ll see along the way.

Traffic chief goes above and beyond

Lake Chapala's quaint streets make for a variety of vehicle choices

Jose Zanabra, 90, has been a resident at the Chapala Casa Ancianos (home for the elderly), since 1996. For many years he and his brother worked for a Mexican family as gardeners and general laborers. When the family sold their house and moved away, the two brothers found a hut in the hills above Chapala and made it their home.

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