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Getting
to Cancun from Belize - By Car
Before you start the journey, you should ensure that
you have the correct insurance documents for Mexico
and your driving license in the vehicle with you.
Try RFG
Insurance in Belize City or call 00501 227 7494
Getting to Cancun from Belize by car is relatively
easy, and takes about 7 hours, plus time added for the
Border crossing. The route is straight forward, as you
follow the Northern Highway from Ladyville all the way
to the Border, and then from Chetumal you follow the
Route 307 all the way to Cancun.
The drive from Ladyville takes approx 2 hours, depending
on weather conditions and time of day, as driving at
night requires caution due to lack of street lighting
along the route.
Once you arrive at the Belizean Border checkpoint,
you will require your passport and $37.50 Belizean to
leave the country. If you are crossing during daylight
hours, you will be able to change money at the border
from Belize dollars to Pesos.
As you cross the bridge into Mexico, you should pull
in to the small parking area on the right hand side,
before you go through the customs checkpoint. This is
so that you can get your Tourist visa at the immigration
office before entering Mexico. THIS
IS REALLY IMPORTANT or you can be deported for
being illegal in the Mexico.
Next, once your papers are complete you should head
through the customs & military check points. Your
vehicle may be searched by one or both of these agencies.
Should you require Mexican Pesos there is an ATM right
alongside the customs checkpoint.
Occassionally there will be a person from the Mexican
Ministry of Agriculture there to check bags, making
sure that you don't carry fruits, vegetables, meats,
diary produce & seeds into Mexico.
Once you are cleared and on your way to Chetumal City,
look out for the department of agricultures spray booth,
where you must get your car sprayed for foot & mouth
type diseases. This costs $5.00 USD. Make sure that
you get the receipt as proof of having been there.
http://www.ontheroadin.com/yucatan/mapyucatanpen.htm
You will need to refill your vehicle, just to be on
the safe side. Continue on the road until you reach
the newly constructed flyovert. Turn right, and get
into the left hand lane. You will soon see a RETORNO
or return point, and a PEMEX on the opposite side of
the road. (Green is Unleaded & Red is premium grade.
Unleaded is also a lot cheaper).
Follow the retorno through the central reservation,
fill up the vehicle, remember that they accept cash
only, then head back towards the flyover and follow
the signs for the Route 307 to Cancun. The next petrol
station won't be found for about 20 kms in a small village
named BACALAK. There may also be a military checkpoint
as you enter this village.
The next PEMEX is in "LA ZONA MAYA" at around
Km 46. There are also toilets and a small shop in this
location.
Once you reach Tulum the petrol stations are in almost
every village along the remainder of the route.
Things to watch out for:
Cars with insufficient or no lights, Road works
that are not marked, piles of rocks at the side of the
road (people use these when they don't have a car jack),
Topes or speed bumps, as many of these are unmarked
and quite large, animals loose on the roads, and there
is a lack of street lighting along almost the entire
route.
Drive defensively - Mexicans (especially taxi drivers)
have no idea what indicators are for, and are likely
to just change lane at a seconds notice, even if there
isn't room, neither are they educated about the Dip
don't Dazzle rule with oncoming traffic.
Many parts of the Route 307 are being widened and
resurfaced. This new surface is VERY slippery when wet,
so reduce your speed when it starts to rain, especially
as there may be a lot of surface water on the road.
The Federal Police are found along the route 307,
and have radar guns, so watch your speed. If you are
caught speeding you are looking at a $100.00 USD fine,
and the Police will take your drivers licence to make
sure that you pay.
The Return
Journey
PEMEX have a petrol station in the hotel zone Cancun
at Km 15, so it is adviseable to fuel up before you
begin your journey back. Again try to plan your journey
so that you are not driving while it is dark.
What to
do if you break down or have an accident
Stay with the vehicle - unless you need hospital treatment.
If you leave your vehicle at the side of the road, it
will be towed away. Always try to put out a warning
Triangle or some other kind of warning to other drivers.
If you can manage to get the vehicle of the road, then
that is obviously better.
If you have an accident, wait for the Federal Police
to come, they will assist you with Insurance details
etc. however - be prepared for the you're a foreigner,
so you must be in the wrong approach.
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