I've got a couple of driving questions for the trip from the US to Playa Del Carmen. I've been to Mexico a number of times, but never drove. And when I left the towns, I was always on a day excursion with a tour driver -- so I don't know much about driving in Mexico. What is the shortest, fastest path across Mexico? I'm thinking, from the map, that the quickest place to enter from is Brownsville, TX, with a drive down, roughly, the Carribean coast. Will I have the equivalent of US interstate (divided, two lanes in each direction) all the way, or will it be mixed? If it's mixed, I'm hoping the roads don't get too small and hard to navigate. Also, I'm wondering how many days I should allow for the drive and where I should plan on stopping for the evening. Will I find highway motels, gas, lodging in easy clumps along the way -- like are found at freeway exits in the US? Any thoughts and opinions welcome. Thanks.

My husband and I drove here from the US when we moved here nearly 7 years ago. We drove through McAllen Texas into Mexico and from there we would drive around 8 hours a day, not driving at night, and stayed in Tampico, Veracruz, Villahermosa, Chetuaml and then onto Playa, and it took us 5 days to get here. The roads are mixed toll roads and funky roads, but we had a travel van and we were never unable to pass anywhere. We did get stuck behind a sugar cane truck forever, but it was part of the adventure. Hope this helps!!

I will be relocating to Playa in August. I am planning on driving and keeping my car in Playa. Does anyone know what paperwork, insurance or registration is needed. I contacted the consulate and they stated I could not register my car in Mexico because it is less then 10 years old. I could only get a 6 month permit.
I will no longer be residing in the US so I will need to surrender my plates back to the US. I also understand US auto insurance is not valid in Mexico. I was wondering what other people are doing to maintain there cars while living in Mexico. Thanks

The consulate is correct that you are not eligible for Mexican plates, and you MUST get an import sticker every 6 months that can be processed in Cancun. In addition you are required to get a Mexican drivers license as well as insurance. I would suggest looking here for insurance as they are pretty reasonable and are valid here in Mexico.

www.sanbornsinsurance.com/ Hope this helps!!!

We did the drive about 4 years ago through Brownsville. Sanborns was a big help, you can get your insurance there and they will also give you the trip completely mapped out. The first day in Mexico the roads were not that great but once you get onto the toll highways the roads are great. We did it just after Wilma and there were no signs around to find our way and we still made it with no big problems. So I imagine with the road signs available it will be a easy drive along the Gulf for you.
As for your US plates, you will need them for the drive and you need to have plates on your car here. So I would not give them back. I have been driving in Playa with expired plates for the last 4 years as I can't get Mexican plates for my 2002 truck. If yo don't have plates you will have problems, so keep them.

As the editor said, you will need to go every 6 months to renew your sticker. The office is located just through Cancun, about an hour and a half from Playa. It only takes 15 minutes to do and costs around 400 pesos depending on where the last sticker was given as they charge extra to renew at a new location.

All in all the trip and the maintenance here now was all easy and you have nothing to worry about.

Safe travels!!

Jason.