If your goal is to drive with a dog to a destination in central Mexico, I highly recommend crossing the border in Texas using the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge.
It is about a 30-minute drive west of Laredo Texas.
Below is information about crossing from Texas to Mexico with pets at the Columbia Bridge.
I provide tips on places to stop and get gas, have lunch at a pet friendly restaurant and where to spend your first night in Mexico.
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What you need before crossing the Texas-Mexico border
Paperwork Requirements For You, Your Car, Your Dog.
For YOU to enter Mexico:
Passport –A valid passport that is good for the duration of the visit.
Have a few black-and-white copies with you.
Note: For some reason Mexico does not allow color copies.
NEW Visitors Permits Requirements (FMM)
Getting a FMM is not the same as it used to be. The Mexico Immigration Office no longer allows tourists to visit Mexico for up to 180-days automatically.
A FMM is a visitors permit, known as Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM. It is what you need to enter Mexico legally.
When driving across the border you will be required to complete the FMM card at the immigration office.
Often times the desk for the FMM is in the same building where the desk is for the TIP (temporary import permit, for cars) is located.
The immigration official will ask how long you intend to stay in Mexico. Be sure to let them know your plans so that they provide you with sufficient days for your visit.
The immigration official may ask for proof of how long you are staying; such as hotel, Airbnb, and VRBO reservations.
If you are flying out, show the airline ticket.
Be sure to surrender your FMM and TIP when leaving Mexico!
Their new systems will keep track of your entry and departure.
The officials will look you up on their system before determining how many days they allow you to stay in Mexico.
You can learn more about the FMM here.
For your CAR to enter Mexico:
Bring your current Driver’s License. Make sure it will not expire while you are visiting Mexico.
Bring a few black-and-white copies with you. Again, no color copies.
Registration of the vehicle
Original and photocopy of the registration of the vehicle issued by a foreign authority in the applicant’s name. If the title or registration is in the name of a spouse, a marriage certificate must also be presented. Only the titled owner of the vehicle and/or their spouse can get a TIP.
Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) for your car
This allows foreign plated cars to cross the border into Mexico from other countries, such as the U.S. and Canada. TIPs are obtained at Banjercitos.
The good news is that the Columbia Bridge has a Banjercito on site. Note: deposit and fees apply.
Proof of temporary Mexico auto insurance for the car.
More detailed information on TIPs, driving with a leased car and more can be found at this very helpful website Mexperience.
For your dog to enter Mexico
Mexico does not require a health certificate for your dog.
However, bring the following documentation with you:
- An up-to-date rabies certificate
- Record of all vaccines and due dates
- Record of medications for flea/ticks/mites and lice. Plus, heart worm prevention.
Columbia Bridge Border Crossing Information
Point A – Enter Mexico at Colombia Solidarity International Bridge
If you are driving from the US or Canada this is one of the easiest and most straight forward border crossings from Texas into Mexico.
The popular name is the Columbia Bridge border crossing.
The official name is the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge.
It is about a 30-minute drive west of Laredo Texas by taking Mines Road heading west.
It is small and convenient place for processing all the immigration paperwork.
You are able to get a tourist FMM card and a TIP (temporary import pass) for your car. All in one building!
You cannot bring your dog with you inside the building unfortunately.
You do not need to show any paperwork for your dog. No one will inspect your dog; however, they will inspect your car.
Aerial View of Customs & Banjercito Building
Once you cross the bridge you will drive straight ahead to the Aduana/Customs and Banjercito building.
The building will be on the right. There is a small parking lot in front of the building.
On our first time crossing here we missed the entrance to this parking lot. We ended up parking at the car inspection station.
We were able to park there and walk back to the main building for our FMM and TIP.
Once you enter the building, head towards the right-hand side. This is where you will get your FMM card.
In the center of the building is a small shop with a photocopy machine in case you need it.
To the left-hand side (once you enter the building) is where you will get your TIP. This is the Banjercito office.
Get your FMM first, then get the TIP for the car.
The Banjercito no longer provides the holographic sticker to prove your car is legal to drive in Mexico. All you need is the paperwork they will provide you. Make copies and keep one in the glove box.
Be sure to use a credit card to pay for everything, especially the TIP. When you leave Mexico the deposit for the TIP will be refunded to your credit card.
Car Inspection
After you are done getting all the proper paperwork, drive your car to the inspection station.
Be prepared to open your trunk and doors. (We kept our dogs leashed and outside of the car while they inspected.)
They will ask you questions about what you are bringing in such a food and alcohol.
Bring copies of any purchase receipts for items that are new or items you may have a large quantity of. For example vitamins.
Be sure to take all items out of their retail box before packing.
After you are done with the inspection, set your GPS to Matehuala San Luis Potosi Mexico.
Regarding GPS apps. We found that using the WAZE App in Mexico was far superior to Google Maps.
WAZE never got us lost or sent us to the wrong location.
Getting To The Toll Road – Quota
When leaving the inspection area, head towards Highway 1 for a short drive to Highway 2.
Be very careful because Highway 2 is known for speed traps! It is a small two-lane road.
Highway 2 will take you outside the big busy city of Nuevo Laredo and take you directly to Highway 85D – which is a toll road (Cuota).
To tell the difference between a Calle Libre (free road) and a Cuota (Toll Road) look for the letter “D” after the number. If it has a “D” – then is it a Toll Road.
Try to use the Cuotas when they are available.
Cuotas offer a more direct route, and are continuously being repaired and repaved. I have even seen people cleaning the guard rails!
Point B – Stop for lunch in Saltillo Coahuila Mexico
Saltillo is about 2 ½ hours drive from the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge border crossing.
I suggest eating lunch at the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton in Saltillo.
It is conveniently located on Highway 40, on the right-hand side if you are driving south.
This is a pet-friendly hotel with a nice restaurant. There is a patio in the back where you can bring your dog and have lunch.
The parking lot is secure, so you can leave your luggage in the car while you eat.
If you need gas, there is a Costco gas station 5 minutes from Four Points Hotel on Highway 40.
Saltillo is one of the most industrialized areas in Mexico. It has one of the largest automotive clusters in Mexico, with plants such as Grupo Industrial Saltillo, General Motors, Fiat Automobiles, Chrysler, Daimler to name a few.
After filling up the car with gas, continue to head south to the 57D toll road towards Matehuala in the state of San Luis Potosi. About a 3-hour drive.
Point C – Spend the night in Matehuala, San Luis Potosi
In total, this town is about a 6.5-hour drive from the US border on the Pan American Highway – Toll Road 57D.
Normally folks spend the night in Matehuala and then leave the next day for their final destination.
Las Palmas Motor Hotel a perfect place to stay for the following reasons:
- Pet Friendly
- There are carports available for many of the rooms. This means you can park your car right next to your motel room door and never unload the car (if you wish).
- A safe place to stay; completely fenced in.
- Large grassy areas for dogs to walk or run around.
- The restaurant on site is decent and offers weekly specials.
- Nice pool, fairly large and clean.
- Friendly staff
Matehuala is the jumping off point to other cities in central Mexico:
- Aguascalientes
- Guanajuato and San Miguel Allende
- Guadalajara
- Querétaro
- Mexico City
I would like to suggest taking some time to visit (some not so famous) interesting places in this part of Mexico.
A really cool ghost town, an Opel Mine where you can mine your own opals, a great place to buy some wonderful cheese and wine, plus more.
All of these places are pet friendly and kid friendly too!
Read more about my pet friendly/kid friendly road trip!
Travel Resources
The GrinGO App for traveling in Mexico.
WAZE is the best app for directions and up-to-date information on accidents and where the police are. All information is supplied by other drivers. It is also a great resource to contact other drivers around you to find out why you find yourself stuck in traffic.
Another great resource is the private Facebook group called On The Road To Mexico. Even if you are not a fan of FB, this private group is well worth joining.
There are 56K+ members who can help to answer your questions real-time with up-to-date travel information all throughout Mexico.
Google Translate, as it allows you to use your phone’s camera to translate menus, signs, ads etc if you are not familiar with Spanish.
WhatsApp for free texting and internet phone calls all over the world.
Uber and DiDi for ride -share services. Very inexpensive in Mexico. Note: not all states in Mexico allow ride-share services.
As always… safe travels!
You may also be interested in…
Flying to Mexico City with dogs – our step by step experience in 2023
Driving to Mexico with Dogs – What you need to know before you go!
My Review on 10 Pet Friendly Airbnb Lodgings
Pet Friendly Places To Visit in Mexico City with Dogs
Flying to Mexico City with dogs. This article is about our experience flying into/out of Mexico City with our two dogs and the experience we had with the OISA and bringing our dogs into Mexico.
Thank you so much! We’ve wanted to take a 5-week road trip to central Mexico with our dog, but we’re spooked about various highways from the border–so this is extremely helpful, having concrete recommended places to stay.
Hola Laura!
Thank you very much for letting me know you found this article helpful. =8-)
There are some nice places to visit in central Mexico!
If you need some ideas of places to explore in central Mexico with your dog, see if my article about a Pet Friendly Road Trip is also helpful.
Have a wonderful time in Mexico!
https://www.travelingwith2dogs.com/pet-friendly-mexico-road-trip/
This was so helpful today. I just want to thank you
Gracias Rini for taking the time to say Thank You. =8-)
Very much appreciated! Safe Travels…
What is the best time to cross into Mexico?
Hola Nelson!
Here are the answers to all the questions you posted:
In Mexico, only dogs and cats are considered pets. Anything else is not. Therefore, yes, your cat will receive the same treatment as a dog.
The best time to cross the border is first thing in the morning. As soon as it is open.
The number one auto insurance company in Mexico is GNP. You can get a quote from this insurance broker – BestMex.com https://www.bestmex.com/en/ We have used them in the past.
Safe Travels! =8-)
How do I get Mexico car insurance?
Traveling soon with a CAT. Is it the same treatment at border crossing of Colombia Bridge?
Any chance you folks ever drove with your dogs to Guatemala? Recently went for the first time and now I’m trying to see if it’s possible to drive with my girlfriend and our two dogs from Maine to Guatemala and enroll in Spanish language school for a few months?
Hola Ben! We have not driven across the border to Guatemala with our dogs. One day we hope to do just that! A few things to keep in mind regarding your dog… you will need to get a health certificate at the Mexican border in order to enter Guatemala with a dog. From what I hear there are veterinarians at the border who do this for a nominal fee. It goes without saying you need to bring the rabies certificate (from a U.S. veterinarian). Make several copies. Ask for a copy of the paperwork that the Guatemala border agent puts… Read more »
Deborah,
Do you know if I still need to do the FMM process (or how the process changes) if I am entering Mexico with a Temporary Residency Visa? I understand I will still need to do the TIP process regardless.
Hola Geno! The short answer is YES. Here is the tricky part. You must make sure the officer ticks the box “Canje” on the FMM form or on the stamp in your passport. More detailed information about this can be found in the article from Mexperience. https://www.mexperience.com/entering-and-leaving-mexico/ Show the immigration officer the page in your passport with the residency visa stamp and double-check that the officer checks the box on the form that reads “Canje” (exchange) NOT “Vistante.” (If the officer admits you as a visitor/tourist, this will cause problems when you attend the immigration office to exchange your resident… Read more »
Great thanks for that information. I actually I already have my residency card, so my CANJE process is already completed and I can show my card along with my passport at the border. Do you know how the process then varies if I already have my residency card?
I am not an expert in this subject. I would assume you would do as you wrote “show my card along with my passport at the border” They will stamp your passport most likely. =8-)
Hi Deborah,
Great information, well done.
We are crossing the Colombia Bridge in a couple of days.
Could you please tell me where you stayed State side before you crossed?
I am finding it challenging to find pet friendly lodging close to the Colombia Bridge crossing.
Thanks in advance.
Hola Rita,
There really is no place to stay near the Colombia Bridge crossing (nor would I want to).
We have stayed at these two places, which are about a 45-minute drive to the Columbia Bridge crossing:
– Hampton Inn by Hilton Laredo TX
– SureStay Hotel by Best Western Laredo TX
Both are clean and pet friendly. It all depends on how much you want to spend.
Hampton Inns by Hilton are all throughout Mexico and very pet friendly. We have stayed in a few of them.
Hope this helps! Drive safely! =8-)
Hola Deborah!
I am so glad I found you and looking forward to reading the rest of your blogs! We are planning to drive with our 13 year old dog who is now on a special diet. We are planning to bring several cans of his food with us. Do you know if too much dog food is something they have issues with when doing the car inspection? Thanks so much and thank you for your blog!
Hola Cindy! Thank you for letting me know that you found this article helpful. =8-) Fortunately, when driving into Mexico, the border agents are not concerned about dog food. Just make sure your cans of dog food are not in an unopened box. They are more concerned about you reselling it in Mexico. As long as it appears it is going to be used for personal use, you will be fine. For peace-of-mind, you could bring the receipt showing you purchased it for your dog. I highly doubt they will even ask. They will want to know how much alcohol… Read more »
Gracias, Deborah! This is such a relief to hear as it would have been so stressful to find alternate food that would be right for him and that he would actually eat. Great idea about the receipt! We are so looking forward to the trip and your articles are helping us get better prepared and excited for what’s to come! 🙂
Awwww… thanks for letting me know you find this website helpful. I do this because I want to share the knowledge. I don’t do advertising on my site because I am not in it for the money. I just want to help fellow travelers with their dogs. =8-)
Have a great time in Mexico!
Hola! I’m happy I found this resource, it is super helpful to know what to have ready for the border. I will be leaving from Michigan to Cholula Puebla in a couple weeks with my friend and my dog (all females) (I’ve been living in Cholula and my two cats are awaiting my return). I had always thought I’d cross at McAllen Texas to Reynosa, but now I’m wondering if this would be an unadvisable route? I’m looking for any information about crossing to Reynosa or Matamoros and whether those places are safe/ advisable crossings. My friend was expressing some… Read more »
Hola Sarah! I am happy you find this information helpful! Regarding crossing the border in McAllen or another route… I highly advise you to join the Facebook group “On the road in Mexico” by Bill Bell. You may or may not be a fan of FB, however this group is the best place to get real-time information about driving in Mexico. With 63k members they can advise you on which is currently the best route to take, places to be aware of, speed traps, etc… It is because of this group we successfully travel in Mexico without incidents. =8-) Buen… Read more »