Garmin GPS in Mexico

We have had a Garmin GPS since 2009 with Mexico maps. Prior to this trip, I did a purchased update of all maps (Canada, US & Mexico). No big surprise since Guadalajara, Morelia and Oaxaca are sizable cities and the box got us exactly where we needed to go. Prior to heading out, we were given an address in Teotitlán del Valle, OAX for a family of woolen rug weavers and I had plugged it into the GPS. I had searched Google Maps: https://maps.google.com.mx/maps?q=teotitlan+del+valle,+oaxaca,+mexico&hl=es-419&ie=UTF8&ll=17.025437,-96.516309&spn=0.016086,0.025749&client=firefox-a&hnear=Teotitl%C3%A1n+del+Valle,+Oaxaca&gl=mx&t=m&z=15
and found their maps definitely lacking in street names. The Garmin not only recognized the street but was able to provide turn by turn directions. The actual house number was a challenge and after taking the wrong choice on a 50/50 decision, we were able to turn around and find the address without asking a soul.

As the Dawg will attest, this residence is quite a ways off the main road through town and can be reached via a combination of concrete, cobblestone and dirt roads. Won't say that it took us on the most direct route but if you have ever visited Teotitlán del Valle, OAX, I think you too would be amazed at the relative accuracy!

For all of the old timers that prefer to claim that GPS units are useless - I defy you to have the same performance from a Guia Roji set of maps!

I've been to Teotitlán del Valle and I'm pretty impressed. Getting to the town is easy enough, but having it direct you to a specific location within it is impressive. Even so, I can't imagine using one of those GPS things. Not for everybody.

Sometimes addresses don't always work. But if you know the destination, you can go to Google Earth and get the lattitude/longitude coordinates and plug those in.

Just a suggestion.

Or you can just pull over and ask a local for directions,if you speak Spanish...

Fantastic results with the new Garmin 2013 map version in Guadalajara. I use Garmin 2013 map in conjunction with BICIMapas and between the two I get fantastic results. Not all addresses are searchable but if you use Garmin Basemap to pre-search your destination you can find an address across or down the street usually. You can also search on neighboring points of interest if you know of something close to your destination. I generally don't travel without creating routes in Garmin Basemap and/or Google Earth on the PC and then saving them to my GPS unit.

Got old getting lost. Got Garmin. Got Love Back! Spouse and I are talking again!

A semi good concept Chris if one is fluent in Spanish, however, I have been with fluent Spanish speakers who have asked for directions and received totally wrong ones from a person just trying to please.

The GPS was invented by a man who refused to ask for directions and had a wife who flunked map reading 101!

What's the best way to get Garmin maps? download from Garmin? or buy a disc from where? or what? - Thanks!

If making a purchase of a new Garmin, make sure it has the Mexico maps included and the suffix LM. This gives allows Lifetime Map downloads for the unit purchased.

We just updated our Garmin maps before we went to the states and use it in Guadalajara once in a while. Thought it was more confused in the US then whenever we use it in Mexico, go figure.

As pointed out by Kiri, any model with a number followed by LM means that you have lifetime map free upgrades and now the North American package includes Mexico in addition to the US and Canada. Like any other piece of technology, Garmin is always upgrading the features but also the memory, etc. When I did our most recent update, tech support recommended changing to a 4Gb card because of the limited memory in our 3 year old unit. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had added numerous places of interest in Mexico. For example, under shopping, they had a number of Soriana stores here in Oaxaca.

CheenaGringo wrote: I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had added numerous places of interest in Mexico. For example, under shopping, they had a number of Soriana stores here in Oaxaca.

Jeez Neil you didn't drive all the way to Oaxaca to shop at a Soriana did you?

I bought a Garmin nuvi 1300 last year prior to moving here, and ordered MX map cd that disappeared from my mailbox in Laredo. Anyone know if I can download MX maps from the Garmin website?

Chris:

I guess it is Neil's turn in the box. No we didn't drive all the way to Oaxaca to shop at Soriana! Adjacent to our hotel, we have an OXXO but they don't carry our preferred mixer of Squirt and we needed a couple of other staples like hair spray for the boss!

angela04101:
Yes, you can download the Mexico maps from the Garmin website. Check the maps available for your model at www.garmin.com. Depending on your ISP speed, the download can take quite a bit of time.

CheenaGringo wrote:Chris:

I guess it is Neil's turn in the box. No we didn't drive all the way to Oaxaca to shop at Soriana! Adjacent to our hotel, we have an OXXO but they don't carry our preferred mixer of Squirt and we needed a couple of other staples like hair spray for the boss!

Just kidding around Neil.
Have a great trip amigo.

I say give that Garmin pucker a good test: Guanajuato City, el centro historico!

angela04101 wrote:I bought a Garmin nuvi 1300 last year prior to moving here, and ordered MX map cd that disappeared from my mailbox in Laredo. Anyone know if I can download MX maps from the Garmin website?

Yes for $ 50 US.

Mexico GPS with Lifetime Maps search via specs on left side of page



Garmin nüvi 2455LMT 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Map

After bragging about how well the GPS performed the other day, I decided it didn't have a clue going to the ruins at Monte Alban today. Instead of paying attention to its directions, I chose to follow the signs to Monte Alban from Centro Oaxaca. Not only were we following the local "agua truck" up the back side of the mountain on a road that should have been one way, we had to back up for buses and other vehicles coming down the mountain. When we arrived at Monte Alban someone declared that she was very close to messing her shorts! On the way back down, we followed the route the GPS wanted us to take with a great deal less stress.