Road Trips in Mexico: The Best Routes

Fascinated by taking a couple of roads journey in Mexico? There’s no higher solution to fall in love with a spot than heading on a street journey and driving the route your self.

For those who’ve by no means been to Mexico earlier than, you could be questioning if it’s protected to drive in Mexico. We spent six months touring throughout all of Mexico from Baja California to the Yucatán Peninsula and had a beautiful time on our journey!

It’s a lot safer to journey in Mexico than most individuals anticipate, however there are some issues to remember to have a protected and pleasant time.

In terms of planning out your excellent Mexico street journey itinerary, now we have you lined! On this publish, we share among the finest routes for street journeys in Mexico.

See additionally: Tips for Planning the Ultimate Trip to Mexico

Street journeys in Mexico: The most effective routes to discover

Baja California

The Baja California Peninsula spans 760 miles from Tijuana right down to Cabo San Lucas. Residing in Southern California, I’ve traveled to Baja California on a number of events, together with spending a couple of weeks driving throughout the whole peninsula.

Baja California is a well-liked area to go to within the winter when the climate begins getting colder within the US and Canada.

There may be a whole lot of floor to cowl in Baja California so I like to recommend setting apart two weeks should you plan to drive the whole route. For those who’re brief on time, focus your journey planning on sure areas like northern Baja or southern Baja.

See additionally: Where to Stop Along a California Coast Road Trip

Listed here are among the prime locations to go to at Baja California:

Valle De Guadalupe

Valle De Guadalupe is usually referred to as the ‘Napa’ of Mexico. This area produces 90% of the wine bought in all of Mexico and is finest recognized for upscale, boutique inns and wine-tasting.

See additionally: Guadalupe Canyon: A Hot Spring Oasis in Mexico

Ensenada

Ensenada is a well-liked getaway vacation spot for Southern California locals. That is additionally a stopover on the 3-day cruise from Lengthy Seashore that I’ve taken a number of occasions. Prime sights in Ensenada embody the oceanfront La Bufadora, off-roading adventures, and native markets the place you may get superb offers on handcrafted items.

Todos Santos

Todos Santos is a hidden little gem that many individuals don’t learn about. On this small, however welcoming city guests can take pleasure in browsing, yoga retreats, galleries, and leisure at laid-back boutique inns.

La Paz

La Paz was considered one of my favourite stops alongside our Baja California street journey. Right here guests can spend the day lounging at Playa Balandra which is legendary for its blue, clear water.

Cabo San Lucas

Whereas Cabo San Lucas has a popularity for being a ‘Celebration City’, there’s a lot extra to this metropolis than nightclubs and bars! Cabo is dwelling to distinctive pure rock formations comparable to The Arch of Cabo San Lucas, together with beautiful white sand seashores and enjoyable out of doors adventures.

Learn the full Baja California itinerary on FunLifeCrisis.com!

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Yucatán Peninsula

For a relaxed Mexico street journey, begin with Cancún after which head south alongside the 200-mile shoreline towards Bacalar. The whole Yucatán coast is so beautiful that you simply’re certain to have a good time!

Take a look at the ruins in Tulum, discover underground cenotes, and keep in top-rated inns alongside the best way.

See additionally: Where to Stay in Tulum: Budget Beachfront Accommodation

Listed here are among the finest areas to go to on the Yucatán Peninsula:

Cancún

Cancún is likely one of the hottest trip locations in Mexico and the place to begin for these heading on street journeys within the Yucatán and Quintana Roo states. From Cancún, you too can hop on a ferry over to the tropical Isla Mujeres Island which is thought for world-class snorkeling and scuba diving.

See additionally: Cancun Historical Sights and Attractions

Playa Del Carmen

For those who’ve received time, I like to recommend stopping at Playa Del Carmen whereas driving between Cancún and Tulum. Playa Del Carmen is a relaxed coastal resort city that has a popularity for having world-class seashores and superb coral reefs full of colourful fish.

Tulum

In terms of Tulum, individuals both adore it or hate it. We spent a couple of days visiting Tulum on our Yucatan street journey and actually loved our time right here. However this metropolis is a bit commercialized so it’s not as genuine as visiting different locations in Mexico.

Tulum is finest recognized for boutique inns, top-rated eating places, eclectic retailers, beachfront bars, and the historic Tulum Archaeological Zone.

See additionally: Reasons to Travel To Tulum, Mexico

Bacalar

Bacalar is a bit beneath the radar for worldwide guests, however it’s actually one of the vital beautiful locations in Mexico. Bacalar is just not straightforward to achieve– it’s situated close to the Belize border, about 2.5 hours south of Tulum. But when you may make it out right here, you may be amazed by Bacalar Lagoon which is thought for its mesmerizing turquoise hues.

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Freeway 307

Searching for a Mexico street journey route that’s a bit extra off the grid? Freeway 307 is likely one of the most rugged however lovely routes in Mexico that’s recognized for beautiful waterfalls, blue lakes, historic ruins, and turquoise rivers surrounded by a lush, dense jungle. The additional you’ll drive on this route, the extra you’ll fall in love with the pure surroundings right here!

Route 307 begins in San Cristobal de las Casas and travels down in the direction of Guatemala in a loop earlier than ending in Palenque. For those who’re up for it, you’ll be able to even cross into Guatemala for a day or two earlier than persevering with your street journey by means of Mexico.

Listed here are among the prime locations to go to on the Freeway 307:

Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello

This Nationwide Park is likely one of the most lovely sights in Southern Mexico that’s located on the border with Guatemala. Right here you’ll be able to go to 59 lakes which might be recognized for his or her beautiful, deep blue shade.

At this location, you’ll be able to go on climbing trails that overlook colourful lakes or join a ship tour that can take you to distant islands on the middle of those lakes. There are a number of major lakes that you could go to right here with various facilities and accessibility.

Yaxchilán

Considered one of my favourite stops alongside route 307 was the Yaxchilán ruins which might be hidden deep within the jungle. You may solely go to these historical Mayan ruins by signing up for a guided river tour that can take you to this distant location – e book a tour here.

This complete journey will make you are feeling such as you’re in an Indiana Jones film! Throughout this tour, you’ll get to see crocodiles, howler monkeys, large lizards, and numerous fowl species that reside within the jungle.

Agua Azul

The Agua Azul waterfall is likely one of the most beautiful locations that you could go to in Mexico. This attraction consists of a shocking blue river, waterfalls, and swimming areas.

At this location, guests may camp in a single day, seize meals at one of many many meals stalls and flick thru the memento stands. There are a number of breathtaking viewing platforms for having fun with views of this blue river and waterfalls.

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Steadily requested questions on driving in Mexico

We hope this publish has impressed you to plan extra street journeys in Mexico! Mexico is actually one of the vital lovely international locations in North America and an unimaginable place to go to should you take pleasure in distinctive out of doors adventures. Whether or not you’re in search of a seashore, jungle or mountain journey, Mexico has all of it!

Earlier than you head out in your journey, listed here are a couple of continuously requested questions on security and driving in Mexico.

Is it protected to journey by street in Mexico?

We spent 6 months touring in Mexico and for probably the most half, we felt protected throughout our journey. We tried to keep away from giant cities and caught to seashore or jungle locations that have been extra laid again and lots much less crowded.

Listed here are a couple of ideas for driving in Mexico:

• Don’t drive at night time. It’s a lot safer to journey in the course of the day for a lot of causes. The roads in Mexico usually are not within the best situations so driving at night time places you prone to hitting a pothole, topes (velocity bumps), or getting caught within the sand (which occurred to us on a number of events).
• Make a copy of your driver’s license, passport, automotive insurance coverage, and automotive registration saved on a cloud in case they get misplaced or stolen.
• Pay for toll roads as a substitute of taking the free roads. Sure, it will likely be so price it! The toll roads are in a lot better form and are quicker than the free variations.
• Get native insurance coverage. It’s required to have native Mexico insurance coverage should you plan to drive there which you’ll be able to simply get on-line.

See additionally: Reasons to Plan a Vacation to Mexico

Is driving in Mexico troublesome?

Whereas driving in Mexico is just not as harmful as you could assume, it’s nonetheless very troublesome, particularly should you’re overlaying a whole lot of floor in a brief period of time.

The toughest half about driving in Mexico is that you’ll want to continually take note of the environment as a result of there’s at all times lots occurring. Even should you comply with all of the driving guidelines and legal guidelines, it doesn’t imply others will. It’s a little bit of a ‘wild west’ with regards to driving so most worldwide guests really feel intimidated to drive there themselves.

Whereas driving in Mexico, others will lower you off, honk, and velocity round you. You will want to be careful for bikes, bikers, children operating on the road, individuals crossing with out discover, animals, canines, cats, chickens… you title it. Evidently, driving in Mexico takes a whole lot of power so we at all times favor to journey slowly and benefit from the drive whereas taking within the unimaginable street journeys in Mexico.