Welcome to Mexico! Driving in Mexico is safe and fun, but you must understand some of the customs that drivers use in Nayarit. Because Nayarit is basically jungle and agriculture based farms, driving here is much different than anywhere else in Mexico. Here are the key differences;

1.Only Use Your Left Blinker When You Want Someone to Pass You! This one is a killer. If you are following a truck and he turns on his left hand blinker, he is telling you that it is safe to pass....he is not going to turn left. NEVER use your left turn blinker to turn left, as the cars behind you will immediately speed up to pass you.

2. Always Pull Off to the Right Hand Shoulder to Turn Left! If you wish to make a left hand turn, pull off to the right hand side of the road and wait until the traffic is safe to make the turn, NEVER make a left hand turn from the center lane. If you do not understand the customs in Nayarit and decide to make a left hand turn from the center of the street and turn your left hand blinker on, expect to get crashed into...and it will be your fault if it happens!

3. Always Make Turns From The Side Roads In Cities When They Are Available: While driving in Jalisco you will see side roads that parallel the main road. If you wish to make a turn, pull onto the side road and then wait for the left turn signal to allow you to turn. NEVER try to make a left hand turn from the main road! This is especially true in Puerto Vallarta.

4. Rather Than Drive in Downtown Puerto Vallarta, Park at Sam's Club and Take a Taxi! Taxis in Puerto Vallarta are inexpensive and abundant. Unless you know P.V. like the back of your hand and are an experienced Mexico driver, park on the outskirts of town and use the taxis and buses to get around. Virtually all taxi drivers speak excellent English and can take you right where you want to go without any stress and potential for accidents.

5. Always Carry Mexican Auto Insurance! NEVER drive in Mexico without it! Mexican laws are different than in the Untied States. If you are involved in an accident, you are required to take care of the damages right on the spot. If you do not have insurance, be prepared to be held in custody until you have paid for your damages.

6. Never Drive Faster Than Road Conditions Allow: During our last stay in Punta Mita we were driving up to Sayulita on the new road. About half of the way there we hit a washed out spot in the road going about 40 mph and almost flipped the car. I should have known better, but just assumed that the road was in the same condition as it was about 4 weeks earlier. Had I followed this advice I would have seen it coming and been able to slow down in time to avoid the erosion. Later that day, someone tied some yellow tape to a bush on either side of the erosion signaling that danger was imminent. Always slow down if you see yellow tape or cloth tied to a bush along the roadside. This is the Nayarit way of warning you.

Be Careful and Have Fun!