Travel to Mexico

njoysrvin · 12-15-2006, 02:32 PM

Has anyone gone to Mexico lately ? We are headed to Kino Bay in the State of Sonora next month. There is so much in the news about the safety of persons going into Mexico. What experience do you have?

Cracker · 12-15-2006, 04:20 PM

A simple fact. You'll be travelling in a country where your spare tire is worth as much as most of the locals earn in a month - and frequently your life is worth even less! The U.S. Embassy can't do a thing for you except to lend a sympathetic ear to whatever plight you find yourself in. The "untouchable American" is a thing of the past. In all likelihood you won't have any problems - and you'll probably have a great trip - but don't underestimate the potential! It doesn't matter what "recent" history says - this problem has been with us well back into the '70's - and it applys to most of the countries with a high percentage of poverty. There is strength in numbers and, for me personally, I would not venture forth in less than a caravan of three.

SilverSurfer · 12-15-2006, 04:24 PM

I just got back, my car got broken into in Ensenada. Don't take anything with you that you can't live without. Carry your important things with you and brush up on your spanish. If you have a dog, bring it. I have been reading some scary things about traveling in Mexico lately, so do some research on areas you are going. I love Mexico, but it's definately another world there.

SilverSurfer · 12-15-2006, 04:40 PM

Make sure if you are getting gas in Mexico that you watch them zero out the pump before they start! Often, they will not zero it out and you will end up paying for your gas on top of what they just pumped! This has happened to me! Be prepared and know your pesos!

ZoominC6 · 12-15-2006, 04:52 PM

When traveling abroad, especially in Latin America, I always visit the US State Department website for travel warnings Travel and Business
Good luck.

streamer23 · 12-15-2006, 05:01 PM

I guess I've led a sheltered life having never travelled outside Canada and the United States.Sad commentary on the world today reading some of the previous posts in this thread.

clancy_boy · 12-15-2006, 05:21 PM

Check with your insurance company - it may not be valid in Mexico for theft - go figure. No guns or even ammunition - instant lockup. Carry your passport - required now. Medical Insurance companies can be the same as auto insurance companies - Mexico has that effect on them. My advice - visit Texas - all the charm of Mexico and many of the same people.

hendrie42 · 12-16-2006, 12:31 PM

i would love to go to mexico.but????????

crazylev · 12-16-2006, 12:56 PM

We have been talking about driving through Mexico some day. We've looked into the caravan companies like Tracks and Adventure(?) but their brochures show to many SOB's and I'm not sure we would fit in well.

Common sense is the first thing I would pack. Obvious things like driving during daytime only and securing a site somewhere before dark. Don't flaunt expensive items around, i.e. cameras, jewelry, etc.

Being courtious goes a long way anywhere you go.

Our dream trip would be to drive to Copper Canyon, piggy back, catch ferry and drive back up Baha.

Since we are broke right now, we have loads of time to think about this.

We traveled to Oaxxca a few years back (by airplane) and stayed in a nice hotel in the "zocolo", city center. Even back then there was a teacher strike, though not as violent as this current one, which is now apparently over.

If you search some of the other RV sites, there are probably lots of people that can offer up advice.

Jonathan

ArtStream · 12-16-2006, 01:43 PM

I too would love to caravan to Mexico!

I've read travel logs from other travelers in the hopes of finding reassurance, without any.

Michael

Silvertwinkie · 12-16-2006, 01:47 PM

I think in a caravan through Mexico, though sketchy, would be safer than say...Egypt....but thats just my opinion.

Pahaska · 12-16-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazylev

We've looked into the caravan companies like Tracks and Adventure(?) but their brochures show to many SOB's and I'm not sure we would fit in well.

Our dream trip would be to drive to Copper Canyon, piggy back, catch ferry and drive back up Baha.
Jonathan

I did the Copper Canyon trip with Tracks To Adventure a few years ago when I owned my Scamp. Except for my spare being stolen while I slept in the trailer (despite "security"), it was a great trip. With 14 rigs and an experienced wagonmaster, I felt quite safe.

The only way you can "piggyback" the canyon is with a group. It takes a crew of about 10 to load the rigs, chain them down, and erect a fence on the curb side of the flatcar. The train only goes 25mph max and stops at night and at scenic spots.

We had a B-van in our caravan, but all others were SOBs. Despite that, I could detect no bias toward any sort of rig; the wagonmaster had a huge Lance camper on a diesel pickup. If there was any bias, me and my little Scamp would have been the target. We also had the B-van with a solo retired female teacher and a business-type van fitted with little more than a porta-potty and blankets.

I would go again, this time with my wife along, but the price has escalated and my friends that proposed the trip looked at the current price and said "No way!".

An advantage of caravans is that you have enough folks to hire busses for side trips.

musketeer · 12-17-2006, 09:52 PM

We spent four weeks in Mexico a couple of years ago, Baja only. The day we crossed back over the border we decided the biggest problem we had experienced was a rude mariachi ! We traveled by ourselves. Expect to be stopped and searched by young men (Army) with big guns, Spanish definately helps and take your dog (the bigger the better). We were generally disappointed with most of the campsites but felt that boondocking was imprudent. There are lots of Americanos traveling in Baja, but no Airstreams that we saw

handn · 02-28-2007, 04:39 PM

We spend the winter at our house in San Carlos Sonora which is south of Kino Bay and frequently travel elsewhere in Mexico by r.v.
A trip to Kino Bay would be a good first time trip for anyone interested in rv travel in Mexico. It is a short one day trip on good roads and there are lots of r.v. parks in Kino bay.
A vehicle permit is not necessary for travel in this part of Sonora.
Formalities are a tourist card, easily obtained just south of the border crossing at Nogales and a passport to reinter the U.S. Mexican insurance is necessary but this can be purchased by the day at many locations on the internet or at or near the border. If pets are taken, they must have a health certificate on a U.S.D.A. form that your vet will know all about.
I know lots of people who have never been there have lots of opinions about Mexico. The truths are the following: Your throat will not be slit the moment you cross the border. Other than well publicized drug wars, there is less voilent crime in Mexico than in the U.S. Corrupt officials will not pick you clean the minute you cross the border. The truth is officials are courteous and have been instructed to do everything possible to get you the money spending tourist across the border. Unless you break a traffic law, you won't be stopped by the police. If you do make a mistake, most likely all you will get is a warning not a mordida bite. All the gas pumps are digital, once the nozzle is put back, the pump shuts off and must be reset to zero to pump gas. That makes gas pump petty swindles more difficult but not impossible.
Travel in Mexico is different than the U.S., but by no means as difficult as some imply. I urge anyone who has an interest in going to Kino Bay or elsewhere in Mexico to do it and not accept counsel from those to nervous to go themselves.