|
|
|
Rent a Car to Visit Sonora
|
|
|
So you want to visit Mexico, and would like to
have the freedom and flexibility that only driving
a vehicle can offer. But, you’re in Arizona on
vacation and don’t have a car, or you live in
Arizona and aren’t so sure about taking your
personal vehicle to Mexico until you’re more
familiar with the area.
The answer – rent a car to visit Sonora.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I rented this Ford Focus from
Enterprise Rentacar in Phoenix.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Almost all of the major rental agencies will rent you a car to drive in
the “free-trade” zone of Sonora, not more than 200 miles south of the
border. That means you can drive to popular locales like Rocky Point,
as well as lesser-known gems like Magdalena, Santa Ana, Caborca
and Desemboque.
When arranging a recent car rental for a trip to Phoenix, I asked the
agency about the possibility of taking the vehicle into Mexico. No
problem, I was told – you’ll just need to buy daily Mexican insurance.
Armed with that information I called other agencies to compare
Mexican insurance rates. The following table shows the rates as of
January 2008, as a basis of comparison. Check with each agency for
their current offerings and rates.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Taking pictures of scenery while
driving is not recommended.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sampling of rental agency Mexico insurance rates from January 2008. Prices don't
include applicable taxes. Check with carrier for current availability.
|
|
|
|
For the trip that would take me to Caborca, Santa Ana, Magdalena
and points north I decided to cross the border at the Lukeville point
of entry, crossing into Sonoyta, Sonora. I’d chosen that route not
only because it’s probably the most convenient from Phoenix, but also
because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to take the car past the 21-
kilometer checkpoint south of Nogales. For commercial reasons, the
Mexican free trade zone in Caborca that was established by Mexican
President Fox a few years back requires some commercial traffic to
pass to Caborca from that port of entry.
As I stopped at the 21-km checkpoint south of Sonoyta, I answered
the routine questions (where I was coming from, where I was going)
and the only document the customs officer asked to see was the
rental contract. I asked about whether rental cars can cross the
Nogales checkpoint, and was told that they pass at any Sonora
border checkpoint.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Approaching the 21km
checkpoint south of Sonoyta.
|
|
|
|
|
• Plan your trip, to know exactly what days you will be in Mexico – you
will need to provide that information to the rental agency when you are
renting the vehicle, so they can prepare the insurance documentation.
• Keep a close eye on your rental contract – you will need to present it
at the 21-kilometer checkpoint in order to be able to continue on your
travels, and it will come in handy when you pass back in to the US as well.
• When comparison shopping, consider the price of the insurance in
addition to the price of the rental. If planning to spend the majority of your
rental period in Mexico the insurance may have a greater impact on the
overall cost of renting the vehicle.
• Keep your insurance document in a safe place, preferably on your
person. You will need to present it to authorities in case of an accident, and
if the car is stolen you will need to have the document to contact the
insurance company.
• Make sure you’ve got some extra padding on the credit card you use
to rent the car – oftentimes rental car companies will hold a larger deposit if
you plan to take the vehicle to Mexico.
• Don’t drink and drive. This is not only a good general rule, most
Mexican insurance carriers won’t cover accidents where the driver was under
the influence.
• Be familiar with the rental agency’s rules and regulations – they differ
from agency to agency, and it pays to be aware of any special policies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Another option would be to rent a car inside Mexico, in
which case you wouldn’t be limited to driving in the free
trade zone. There is a hotel in Santa Ana that rents cars,
and rental cars are also available at the Hermosillo airport.
Expect to pay more though; rental car rates in Mexico are
about double the price you would pay in the U.S.
For an extra $20-$30 a day on your rental car charges, you
may find that renting a car in Arizona to visit Sonora is not
only an economical travel option (especially for groups,
when compared with paying commercial transportation
costs), but one that allows you to explore on your schedule
and terms. Enjoy your adventure!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
