Sherri H
Hi, we are a male and female couple in our 20's. We were thinking of buying a van and driving from LA down through the Mexico boarder, down the coast of Mexico out to Panama. Is this safe enough to do? My boyfriend is now concerned that its too dodgy. We were originally going to camp in the van (we are sheltered here in NZ) but have decided that its better to stay in cheap hotels as we hear its dangerous to drive at night. I just need some opinions so that I can make my boyfriend relax. Thanks heaps!
Answer
Hola! Although I have not made the trip you mentioned in quite a while...I do drive in Mexico alot, and there are many things I can tell you to do and not to do.
Yes, you can drive this. Its actually a very cool trip. But, as you make your way through Mexico, Guatamala, Nigeragua, Costa Rica and finally Panama you will find each country have alot of differences!! Oh please please do research prior to just up and going! Tons of books on driving the Pan-American highway.
Costa Rican roads are famous for their car sized potholes. I know.
I never drive at night. Many cars on the roads don't have headlights. Farm animals are very suicidal at night! Many locals drive drunk on holidays and weekends. Most cars and some transport trucks that are extremely unsafe drive at night.
Sleeping in your van on the side of road or isolated area is almost asking for trouble. Especially one with maybe american plates? oh so bad. You should mark out your trip, amount of driving you want to do in a day, and then make sure you have plenty of time to get to your accomodation, or even just a caravan park, remember safety in numbers. Never just pull over or maybe camp out on a beach with no one else around.
Transport trucks hate cars and they will do almost anything to run you off the road. Some just drive right down the middle. Very scary to come up on suddenly. Especially when there is usually no sides to most 2 lane highways in latin america. I've screamed in horror a few times, but some how made it by a b-train truck unscathed. Yes, there are lovely toll highways scattered throughout, but expect horrible roads.
Also expect to go long distances without finding services (food, gas, bathroom, water) etc. Not all gas stations have gas. Not all ATM's have money. Bring lots of extras with you, or you will be stuck.
Knowing some Spanish is such a really smart idea. My favorite toy right now is an electronic translator. I type in what I want to say and it says it. Oh I tell ya that has gotten me out of lots of crazy situations and playing exhausting games of charades. Cat? No Tire. I need a Tire, not a cat.
Each country has a whole set of rules and road regulations, border patrols, federal police roadblocks, so expect to be stopped and checked alot.
Dodgy? Oh god I just got back from Australia and I love that adjective. Yes....the Pan-American Highway is dodgy, but its also do-able.
Hola! Although I have not made the trip you mentioned in quite a while...I do drive in Mexico alot, and there are many things I can tell you to do and not to do.
Yes, you can drive this. Its actually a very cool trip. But, as you make your way through Mexico, Guatamala, Nigeragua, Costa Rica and finally Panama you will find each country have alot of differences!! Oh please please do research prior to just up and going! Tons of books on driving the Pan-American highway.
Costa Rican roads are famous for their car sized potholes. I know.
I never drive at night. Many cars on the roads don't have headlights. Farm animals are very suicidal at night! Many locals drive drunk on holidays and weekends. Most cars and some transport trucks that are extremely unsafe drive at night.
Sleeping in your van on the side of road or isolated area is almost asking for trouble. Especially one with maybe american plates? oh so bad. You should mark out your trip, amount of driving you want to do in a day, and then make sure you have plenty of time to get to your accomodation, or even just a caravan park, remember safety in numbers. Never just pull over or maybe camp out on a beach with no one else around.
Transport trucks hate cars and they will do almost anything to run you off the road. Some just drive right down the middle. Very scary to come up on suddenly. Especially when there is usually no sides to most 2 lane highways in latin america. I've screamed in horror a few times, but some how made it by a b-train truck unscathed. Yes, there are lovely toll highways scattered throughout, but expect horrible roads.
Also expect to go long distances without finding services (food, gas, bathroom, water) etc. Not all gas stations have gas. Not all ATM's have money. Bring lots of extras with you, or you will be stuck.
Knowing some Spanish is such a really smart idea. My favorite toy right now is an electronic translator. I type in what I want to say and it says it. Oh I tell ya that has gotten me out of lots of crazy situations and playing exhausting games of charades. Cat? No Tire. I need a Tire, not a cat.
Each country has a whole set of rules and road regulations, border patrols, federal police roadblocks, so expect to be stopped and checked alot.
Dodgy? Oh god I just got back from Australia and I love that adjective. Yes....the Pan-American Highway is dodgy, but its also do-able.
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Title Post: We are a young couple from New Zealand who are wanting to drive from LA down through Mexico. Is this safe? ?
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Rating: 95% based on 9878 ratings. 4,5 user reviews.
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