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thomas rodd

May 29, 2002, 7:13 AM

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Question -- good idea to rent a car at matamoros or nuevo laredo?

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My brother and I want to travel from pittsburgh, pa. to visit my son in xilitla, south of monterrey, in July, and also do some traveling, we think in a rental car would be best, in eastern mexico -- perhaps as far as veracruz, for a week. Flying directly to monterrey seems to be substantially more expensive ($650 v. $350 from a quick web search) than flying to laredo or brownsville. Is it practical and sensible to fly to one of these two texas towns, cross the border, and rent a car in mexico, and go on from there. Or would it be such a hassle, time-comsuming, other problems, difficult, etc. as to make flying to monterrey and renting a car there a much better experience, even if more costly? I didn't have much luck finding car rental agencies in matamoros and nuevo laredo on the web, but I haven't tried triple A or a travel agent yet. I welcome all suggestions and other ideas and comments. You can e-mail me directly at thomasrodd@hotmail.com. THANKS!

Rolly

May 29, 2002, 6:43 PM

Post #2 of 2 (896 views)

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Question -- good idea to rent a car at matamoros or nuevo laredo?

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Most of the American rental companies have offices in many cities in Mexico. Check the web sites of the name-brand rental companies.Expect to pay more than in the USA. Gas is about $2.35/gal. The toll roads are excellent and expensive. The free roads are another experience -- and a slow one.Why not take the bus? Bus service in Mexico is excellent, far better than anything in the USA, and it goes everywhere for a low cost. I'd bus it until you get to Xilitla and then on to Veracruz, there you can rent a car, but taxies would be cheaper, and they almost never get lost. With a little hunting you can find an English-speaking taxi driver who you can hire by the day to be your personal tour guide. And its still cheaper than renting a car and getting lost in the city.Leave the driving to the professionals, so you can enjoy the scenery and have a real Mexican visit.Or at least, that’s the way I’d do it.Hope you have a good trip,