i am frequently in various Mexican Police Stations (to get my work permit stamped) and often see unsuspecting American tourists who are victims of a common scam

if you drive a rental car (or your own with US plates) there are local drivers who will deliberately crash into you and cause an accident

you- the American- go promptly to jail- that's the law

the local police kindly refer you to an English-speaking attorney who can "make the problem go away" for US$5000.

i.ve seen grown men crying in jail because they had NO IDEA they are in a third-world country

let's see- the driver, the policemen, the judge, the attorney each take a cut.....

Mexico is not Disneyland

OK, CUN is not TIJ, but still.......

and if you read about the corruption of the (very poorly paid) local police, you MUST insure!!

actually- i hire a car and driver- its cheap and easy- and eliminates a lot of risk