Car in Playa del Carmen?

[Francis]

Hi all,

My wife and I bought a condo and we should be moving in sometime this fall. It's a permanent move and the condo comes fully furnished (even bed sheets and utensils) so we're selling what we think we won't need, which is just about everything.

We have a 12 year-old Mercedes in A1 condition with only 130,000 km. It's not worth much on the market and it will last another 10 years so whoever buys it would make a very good deal. I'd like to keep it.

We're also thinking about buying a scooter as it looks like an easy way to get around in PDC, but I figure we still need a car to do the groceries and go to Cancun once in a while.

My question is: is it worth it for us to bring the car to Mexico? It would have to be shipped by boat as we're in Canada, so it's not exactly cheap.

Do you think we'll really need a car? I would feel sort of naked without one but maybe it's too much trouble?

Thanks!

Francis

[SUNBABY]

I would have to have a car...a small one will do. Bringing a mercedes could be a problem getting repairs or parts. I haven't seen too many there..in fact I don't recall seeing any there. But then again, I'm not one to pay attention to what people are driving. Maybe some locals will have more info.

I'm am scared of those scooters...too many speeding taxis on the road.

[Babaloo]

drive it down...it would be an adventure
i drove here from Jersey...you can do it from Canada
...that's just a little north of Jersey, right?

...and forget about shipping it down by boat... $$$$$$$

[shoediva]

Babaloo - it's Friday night! Don't you have anything better to do than haunt these forums (unlike me)?

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by shoediva

Babaloo - it's Friday night! Don't you have anything better to do than haunt these forums (unlike me)?

it's a slow night in Paamul
hell...every night is a slow night in Paamul

[Francis]

Hi,

Yes I am 5 hours away from NJ. How long did it take you to drive down?

Francis

Originally Posted by Babaloo

drive it down...it would be an adventure
i drove here from Jersey...you can do it from Canada
...that's just a little north of Jersey, right?

...and forget about shipping it down by boat... $$$$$$$

[Michele]

The Fives, while it is a fabulous project, isn't anywhere near Coco Beach. You will need a car. Drive it down or hire someone to do it for you. Shipping is way too expensive.

[jamnkats]

for first-hand shipping information, check the Merida Insider forum. Your vehicle will arrive to Progresso (Yucatan state).

I personally, would be concerned about parts and mechanics for your car but disagree that a car is essential. The colecivos and taxis and buses provide ample transportation. If you find you need a car after being here for a while without one, there is a large population of ex-pats (Euros and NA) from whom you can broker a car or you can purchase a Mexican car.

[Page]

Francis, my husband and I drove a 94 VW Golf from E. Ontario to Playa in Jan 07 because we wanted a car for our winters there (and the Golf was given to us). It was a blast and we were able to include a side trip to Chiapas, which was incredible. If you'd like to see our trip report, PM me and I'll send it to you.

Bringing a car also gives you room to bring some household goods, which you are allowed with your first FM3 after buying property. Apply for it through your nearest consular office.

Fwiw, I wouldn't drive a scooter in Playa if you paid me danger pay!

Caroline

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Francis

I thought Xcalacoco meant 'coco beach'..?

Francis

Coco Beach is located in Playa del Carmen, roughly between calle 40 and the CTM. Xcalacoco is 10 minutes by car north of Playa del Carmen. The access road from the highway to your residence is quite long and I am not sure I have seen any colectivos on it. The Fives is going to provide shuttle service for its residents and guests to and from Playa del Carmen. For the most flexibility and the freedom to explore your new home country, you will ultimately want a car. I spent the first year without one and we did very little sightseeing, save going to the beach. We purchased both of our cars here but it is very easy to bring one down from the states.

[Francis]

Thanks.

Are cars more expensive in PDC than in the US?

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Francis

Thanks.

Are cars more expensive in PDC than in the US?

Generally speaking, yes. You can get some good buys in Merida.

[Scharke]

Welcome neighbors. We just bought a house in Lol Ka Tun up the street from the Fives. We love the beach there and plan to hang out at the Fives beach club when it's complete. We'll see you there.

Xcalacoco is very close to Playa but the Grand Coral is between it and the town and there are no local roads through. The only way is to take the highway. When we considered the purchase we knew that a good reliable car was a must. We have a 91 VW Beetle that runs great, we bought it in Playa for 18,000 pesos (>$1,800). I love it, but for the long run we plan to buy a new car.

I have not seen Mercedes here, come to think of it. BMWs, Hummers and Porsche, but Mercedes... hmmm. May be hard to repair. I had a bad experience with a hard to repair car and a crooked mechanic. That's why we bought the very simple and ubiquitous Beetle.

[Scharke]

I prefer to ride my bicycle. I've searched all over for a back route that avoids the highway but I haven't found it. It seems that the highway is the only way around Grand Coral. I went through Grand Coral, past the MareAzul construction and entered Playa using the worker's gate in the fence. That worked fine the first time, but the second time the guard said I couldn't, he let me through but said I couldn't in the future. I was actually thinking about getting an ATV and taking the beach route to town. I think our best hope is a dirt road that runs parallel with the highway. The Plaza Las Americas Mall in the Ejido is easy to get to and may become a regular trip for groceries and a movie. We're also fans of the Toks restaurant there. Their Sopa Tlapeño is awesome.

I stopped in the MareAzul sales office and they assured me that ONLY MareAzul and Grand Coral will have gated access to town. They said that there is no way they are going to let the other places (The Fives, SelvaMar, etc.) have access to town, therefore I had better buy at MareAzul if I want to ride my bike into town.

I'll keep looking for the fabled "back-road access". Let us know if you find anything as well.

[Tony]

Originally Posted by Scharke

.
I have not seen Mercedes here

A very strange comment. The Mercedes dealer in Cancun has no other make of new car on their lot. Just like other Mercedes dealerships they only sell...........Mercedes! Although you can special order an AMG Mercedes if you really want one. (I know because a friend of mine did just that). And that AMG used to be in Playa every week day.

However, plain old Mercedes cars, station wagons and SUVs are not uncommon in Playa. I see them every single day that I'm driving around town.

I don't know why (and two people posted this) people would post that comment. If I drive to Chedraui from my house I'll probably pass two or three E classes and M classes on the roads in town.

I think a car is an important necessity and I am in trouble whenever mine is being serviced.

There are a few places in town to get work done on your Mercedes if you don't want to go to the dealer in Cancun.

[Scharke]

I never really looked for Mercedes, just going by memory. In response to the original poster, then definitely drive your Mercedes down here. A car with foreign plates is fine in the state of Quintana Roo as long as you have your FM-3. That's what I understand. If you want to drive it across state lines, say to Chichen Itza, you need to get some sort of permit in Puerto Morelos. Again, all this info is from memory and hearsay so hopefully someone can confirm or clarify.

Living in Xcalacoco you will want a car and not a scooter. Although it's very close to Playa, you need to use the highway to get to town. I have researched this fully and it's the only way. There is no back road access to town and I don't think there ever will be.

[Tony]

Originally Posted by Scharke

you need to get some sort of permit in Puerto Morelos.

At one time you could get them at P M but that ended a few years ago. The nearest office to Playa is now in Cancun. The permit is a temporary import permit. You'll need one to travel across Mexico in your foreign vehicle. And so you'll probably get your first one at the border of Mexico. If that expires and you need another (to go out of Q Roo) then you can go to Cancun (in theory) or to Chetumal (more practical in some cases).

[Francis]

Thanks for the information. Your answers are very useful.

The 4000-mile drive is too much for me, I'm bored stiff after just one hour of driving..

I also can't keep the car registered in Canada as I will be a non-resident and can't keep so much as a toaster in Canada.

Is it complicated to register a foreign car in Mexico?