I have crossed at both Colombia and Laredo in both directions.Perhaps,its just been bad luck but I always seem to be in a major line up at Laredo.For that reason,I only cross at Colombia now.People will say that Colombia is out of the way coming from both north and south but personally,I would rather drive a bit further rather than be stuck in a line.I have found the clerks working at Colombia to be efficient and friendly and the car import/tourist visa are promptly issued. Be sure not to speed from Colombia to the Monterrey turn off as a couple of friends have been ticketed in that area.Thanks,I found "rutas punto a punto"on another thread. I still would like to know which of the Laredo border crossings is most recommended.
I have crossed at both Colombia and Laredo in both directions.Perhaps,its just been bad luck but I always seem to be in a major line up at Laredo.For that reason,I only cross at Colombia now.People will say that Colombia is out of the way coming from both north and south but personally,I would rather drive a bit further rather than be stuck in a line.I have found the clerks working at Colombia to be efficient and friendly and the car import/tourist visa are promptly issued. Be sure not to speed from Colombia to the Monterrey turn off as a couple of friends have been ticketed in that area.
I read in another thread where RVGRINGO was talking about using the Progresso crossing and then driving to Ciudad Victoria and stayng the night there. I'll be coming from San Antonio and my end destination is the city of Guanajuato. Does anyone have an opinion as to whether Progresso would be a better place than Laredo/Columbia to cross.
I'll have a car full of things "for my rental". I have read the aduana web page saying what is permitted with an FMT and I think I might push it just a little and hope for "la verde". If not, I'll be prepared to pay a little. Is one of those crossings more apt to inspect my car than the other, or is it just pure chance?
Any feedback from you folks who have made crossings at either place would be much appreciated... my countdown is down to less than 3 weeks and I'm psyched!!
(also any route advice?... i.e. Columbia/Monterrey/San Luis Potosi/Guanajuato or Progresso/Ciudad Victoria/San Luis Potosi/Guanajuato)
Thanks much
Is the Real Villas a "no-tell" as in an amorous rendezvous kind of place? I like the secure parking and room service aspects, but we're traveling with our 6 y.o. child - would it be an appropriate place for us??Thanks Mr. Chips,
I'm actually writing this from Guanajuato so I found Real Villas and, as you said, it was hard not to see it - it is indeed the only pink castle in town. I agree, the room was spotless and the 400 pesos for 24 hours was a pleasant surprise as I'd read it was 400 for 12 hours. The peace of mind of having my loaded car in an attached locked garage was worth more than that.
For anyone else thinking of stopping there, they do have a room service menu with reasonable prices and they deliver it through a nifty privacy carousel in the wall. We didn't order anything because I thought there would be no food available so we stopped at the supermarket and picked up some dinner fixings which worked out fine too.
The border crossing at Colombia was a breeze except for one anomaly. The father of a family of 3 in line in front of me had the same name as someone who had commited a serious crime in Mexico. They had to spend 45 minutes searching databases to make sure he wasn't the same fellow. With typical Mexican bureaucratic efficiency, they wouldn't move to the next person in line until they resolved the issue so we all had to wait. So much for saving time. Así es la vida mexicana. Otherwise, it was very simple and quick. I second the warning about speeding on Mex-2.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and tips; it made my trip less stressful having an idea what to expect and the Matehuala/Real Villas tip was worth its weight in gold!
Is the Real Villas a "no-tell" as in an amorous rendezvous kind of place? I like the secure parking and room service aspects, but we're traveling with our 6 y.o. child - would it be an appropriate place for us??