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City Guide - Mexico City - Road | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Road Mexico's motorways, although not up to European, Canadian and US standards, are fairly well maintained. They fan out from Mexico City and most large cities can be bypassed. There are more then 6000km (3700 miles) of cuota (toll) roads in Mexico. These are often four lanes and in much better condition than the via libres (free roads), which have dangerously large potholes and children, livestock and drunks wandering onto the road to contend with. Cuotas (tolls) vary; on average, it costs US$1 for every 10-20km (6-12 miles). This high cost means they are often empty and are generally much safer. Driving at night in Mexico can be dangerous and is not recommended. Speed limits are usually 100kph (62mph) on motorways and 30kph (19mph) or 40kph (25mph) in cities. A valid driver's license from the driver's home country is required and an International Driving Permit is recommended. Insurance is not mandatory but is very strongly advised; note that Mexican law only recognises Mexican seguros (insurance). The minimum age for driving in Mexico is 18 years. There is no legal limit for blood/alcohol levels. SECTUR, the Mexican Ministry of Tourism, has teams of Angeles Verdes (Green Angels) who patrol most of Mexico's main roads and provide free assistance to motorists in trouble. They have a 24-hour hotline in Mexico City (tel: (5) 250 8221). Alternatively, there is a 24-hour national tourist assistance number in Mexico City (tel: (5) 250 0123 or (800) 903 9200). Emergency breakdown service: Angeles Verdes (5) 250 8221 Routes to the city: The 57/57D motorway links Mexico City to the north and Querétaro, San Luis Potosí and Monterrey, with 45D branching west at Querétaro to reach León, Aguascalientes and Zacatecas. Route 150D heads east to Veracruz and Puebla (with branches to Oaxaca and Villahermosa), while 15/15D goes west to Toluca and Guadaljara. To the south, 95D links Mexico City with Cuernavaca and Acapulco, with a branch to Taxco. Driving times to Mexico City: From Cuernavaca - 45 minutes; Taxco - 2 hours 30 minutes; Acapulco - 3 hours; Guadalajara - 8 hours. Coach services: The country's coach services provide an efficient and cost-effective alternative to air travel, with direct buses connecting Mexico City with most cities in Mexico. The buses vary considerably from non-stop, luxury, air-conditioned services to rickety, second-class affairs. There are four main long-distance bus terminals in Mexico City. All have left-luggage facilities, pay phones and booths (casetas) where you can make long-distance telephone calls, post offices, ATMs and cafeterias. Only Terminal Norte and TAPO have casas de cambio (bureaux de change). Terminal Norte (north), Avenida de los Cien Metros 4907 (tel: (5) 587 5200; Metro Autobuses del Norte), is served by 30 different bus companies linking Mexico City to the north of the country, Guadalajara, Colima and Puerto Vallarta. Terminal Oriente (east), Calzada Zaragoza 200 (tel: (5) 762 5977; Metro San Lázaro), is better known as TAPO and serves destinations east and south-east of Mexico City such as Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca and the Yucatán Peninsula. Terminal Central de Autobuses del Sur (south), Avenida Tasqueña 1320 (tel: (5) 689 9795; Metro Tasqueña), offers southward services, including Acapulco and Zihuatenejo. Terminal Poniente (west), Avenida Sur 122 (tel: (5) 271 4519; Metro Observatorio), handles westbound services, including frequent shuttles to Toluca. |
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