| By :
Nick Messe
One way to turn a summer road trip through the United States into a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience is to dip down into Mexico. Although many Americans have become familiar with Mexican cuisine and culture in their hometowns, the experience is very different from actually crossing the border into the country. Going as little as two or three blocks across the border can yield amazing shopping opportunities, truly authentic Mexican food, and a taste of being in a foreign nation. Most people do not realize how large and diverse Mexico is. On the basis of population, it is the eleventh-largest country in the world, and the largest Spanish-speaking country. It also enjoys the world's thirteenth largest economy. Its population is made up of a mixture of the descendants of Mexico's native people, including the Mayans and Aztecs. The Spanish settlers and conquistadors who settled there in the 16th Century brought the Spanish language to Mexico. It has a rich culture, including unique art and music, and a varied geography. It also has a strong manufacturing base which produces, among other things, Bombardier regional jets, Volkswagen Beetles, and Panasonic HDTV's. As a sign of how strong Mexico's economy is, the richest man in the world is Mexican businessman Carlos Slim. A number of major Mexican cities are located within a short distance of the US border. You can go and see a bull fight, eat a delicious meal, or buy Mexican handicrafts for a small fraction of what they would cost domestically. Why not see the studios in which Titanic was filmed? All this can be accomplished with a quick day trip into Mexico. Driving in Mexico is remarkably similar to the US, traffic stays on the right and speed limits are frequently posted. The toll roads available in places like Baja California are in many ways better than US freeways. Unleaded gasoline is now easy to find in and near major cities, but there is one fundamental difference. US insurance stops at the border. It is crucial to purchase a special insurance policy if one intends to drive into Mexico. In Mexico, having insurance is required by national law, and driving without it is a crime which can be punished by jail time and the impounding of your vehicle. Furthermore, Mexico's legal system is based on the Napoleonic Code which has a presumption of guilt, rather than innocence. In the event of an accident, if one cannot prove the ability to pay for any damage caused, one can be imprisoned until fault is determined. Luckily, Mexican automobile insurance is readily available and extremely affordable on a daily or weekly basis. Although most border towns have on-the-spot agencies, a much better idea is to pre-purchase Mexican insurance at home. An insurance broker located near your home can offer quotes for the cheapest possible insurance from a reputable company. This can not only offer better coverage but it will almost always also offer a cheaper price.
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