In Mexico, however, "ALTO" is used. Although stop signs are not used at every intersection, they are extremely important because they control traffic in dangerous areas. Stop signs require the driver to make a brief and temporary stop, quick glance, and then proceed carefully. This can possibly prevent an accident from occurring.
What do the warning signs in Mexico mean?
Warning signs in Mexico are often red or yellow to advise of potential danger. You should take note of any warning signs in Mexico as they are designed to alert you of possible dangers ahead.
Do you need to learn the road signs in Mexico?
If you’re driving in Mexico for the first time, you should learn the road signs before hitting the road… If you’re driving in Mexico for the first time, whether arriving here directly or bring a rental car into Mexico from the US, it’s wise to learn as many of the road signs in Mexico as possible before hitting the roads.
What do the priority road signs mean in Mexico?
Priority road signs in Mexico are designed to clarify who has priority at the junction / road ahead. If driving in a country where you drive on the other side to the road, priorities are likely to the opposite of what you are familiar with, roundabouts being a notable difference.
Is it safe to travel the Mexican roads?
Traveling the roads of Mexico can sometimes be a little intimidating for tourists, partly because Mexican traffic signs are quite different from those in the U.S. These differences can lead to either a safe and happy journey or one that is filled with great difficulty.
Does Mexico have street signs?
Information signs in Mexico are the most frequently used road signs in Mexico and are generally used on any type of road to provide road users with general information about the road they are using and the road ahead.
Why do stop signs in Mexico say tall?
Both signs signify for a driver to stop. But, the word "alto" does not traditionally mean stop in Spanish. Parar is the Spanish verb meaning "to stop." In Spanish, the word alto commonly serves as a descriptive word meaning "high" or "loud." As in, the book is up high on a shelf, or the boy shouted loudly.
What countries have stop signs?
Stop signs are used all over the world, but most countries outside of North America and South Africa use relatively few of them because all-way stops are never used and in some countries are legally prohibited.
Why do Spanish stop signs say stop?
While the Spanish "PARE" or "ALTO" are used on stop signs in Spanish-speaking countries once colonized by Spain, "STOP" is used in the mother country of Spain (the result of European Union rules specifying English as the language of road signs in order to standardize road travel across EU countries).
How do you say stop in Mexico?
So, how do you say 'stop' in Spanish? Parar, detener and alto are all words that mean “stop” in Spanish. Parar and detener are verbs; therefore, are almost always interchangeable. Alto means stop, but it's closer to the word 'halt' and it's used for formal commands like on a stop sign.
How do you say stop it in Mexico?
Shout "¡Basta ya!" to tell someone to "Stop it!" This interjection is more literally translated as "That's enough!" but it's frequently used to tell someone to knock it off and stop doing whatever they're doing. "Para ya!" is another interjection you can use to tell someone to stop doing something.
What countries use red stop signs?
Most countries have adopted the red octagonal shape, like China, Canada, Brazil, Turkey, Mexico, South Korea, and many others, but there are exceptions, like Japan, which uses a triangular sign.
Why are stop signs blue in Hawaii?
It's not entirely clear whether regular stop signs are forbidden — indeed, most shopping centers in Hawaii use typical, red stop signs — and when the Star-Bulletin asked the Honolulu authorities about the issue (in the article linked above), the city's Department of Transportation Services replied that “there is ...
What countries stop signs say pare?
In the dictionary of the Real Academia it says that "alto" is used in Central America, Colombia , Mexico and Peru. It seems them that the rest of the countries use "pare". The word "alto" comes from the German word "Halt " meaning "stop" again according to the Real Academia Española.
What do Mexican stop signs look like?
The stop signs in places like Mexico are usually red Octagonal signs with white lettering. Instead of the word STOP, you'll see a bold ALTO. The word alto that is used on these signs comes from the German word halten, which means “to halt.” English also adopted halt from this German word.
How do police say stop in Spanish?
How to Say 'Stop' in Spanish: Dejar de. The literal translation of dejar is “to let,” while dejar de means “to stop”.
What does Baja in Spanish mean?
Baja by itself is a noun meaning a drop or fall. But you are correct in saying the baja refers to a feminine short person. The other word for short, corto, is for objects. For Example: Ella es baja.
What does the left turn signal mean in Mexico?
Know what certain signals mean. The left turn signal in Mexico means a different thing compared to what you are accustomed to. For example, a Mexican truck driver may signal a left turn to the driver behind him. In some countries, this may mean the driver is preparing for a left turn. In Mexico, however, this means that the driver behind ...
What is the border zone between the US and Mexico?
The second is the Free Trade Zone which includes the Baja, California peninsula and the Sonora Free Trade Zone.
Does insurance cover damage to a vehicle in Mexico?
The US insurance company may still cover a claim made for damage to the vehicle while driving in Mexico, but it is not likely. The insurance company can tell for sure. If involved in an accident in Mexico, remember that there is a possibility to be taken into custody until a fault is determined.

Overview
The road signs used in Mexico are regulated by Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes's Directorate-General for Roads (Dirección General de Carreteras), and uniformized under a NOM standard and the Manual de Dispositivos para el Control del Tránsito en Calles y Carreteras. The signs share many similarities with those used in the United States and Canada, a reflection of the MUTCD influence in the region.
Tourism and services
• Airport
• Parking
• Bus stop
• Rail station
• Hospital
Guide signs
• Advance directional sign
Other
• Railroad crossing
External links
• Signaling at Secretariat of Communications and Transportation website (in Spanish)