Reader’s Corner
Reader’s Corner–Here’s your chance to help out a fellow RVer!
Dave and Debbie are looking forward to taking a trip to Costa Rica. They have a fifth wheel and would like to hear ideas about taking long trips and tips on foreign travel with an RV.
Got a suggestion?
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An On The Road reader had this to say about foreign travel…
Regarding Foreign Travel by RV “South of the Border”:
The best tip I can ever give a fellow RV’er is …….. DON’T!
Yes, there are many success stories about RV’ing in Mexico, Costa Rica and other “south-of-the-border” countries or other southerly countries places easily reached by land from the USA — without taking one’s RV by boat somewhere “overseas.”
But, the general conditions and experiences are not usually as “nice” as in RV’ing the USA or Canada.
Stories abound from many RV’ers regarding the availability, cost and quality of gasoline and Diesel to being able to locate qualified and professional RV assistance in case of a breakdown. Other concerns are the condition of much of the roads.
Security is another big concern with traveling “south.”
Anyway, I shall stay safe and have a nice time in the good ol’ US of A and should I wish “foreign travel” any place south I’ll do it by normal avenues ……. never in an RV.
Another reader had this to say about traveling to Costa Rica by RV….
Fly instead! Costa Rica has a pretty stable government, but some of the countries getting there don’t and it is too dangerous, in my humble opinion. If you do go by RV you need to take a spare part of everything. You won’t find dealers in every city or every few hundred miles to fix anything that breaks. You better do a lot of due diligence to make sure there will even be gas to buy the whole way. I hope you can find someone who has done this and can get lots of advice. Just thinking about such a trip and leaving your Constitutional rights behind you at the border, gives me a knot in my stomach. Don’t romanticize a trip like this, it will be hard and dangerous and you have to be ready for anything. My gut feeling,is, don’t do it. Fly with a tour and go see the hummingbirds in the incredible rain forest instead, please.
Marsha
Another reader had this advice about traveling to Costa Rica…
Years ago, I was told that when traveling in Central America that it is a good idea to find the Coke or Pepsi bottling plant and ask for a water refill for an RV as they have purified water.
The roads in Costa Rica had unexpected bumps because of the fault lines crossing the highway and the earth and roadbed frequently shifting.
The road to the hummingbird sanctuary in the cloud forest on top of Montevideo was unpaved and really only for a 4 wheel drive vehicle, it was so ungraded and full of big rocks. It rains a lot and makes the trails difficult to walk, even with the hiking stick they loan you. Be
sure to visit the feeding stations on the patio, even in the rain, and check the schedule for the evening slide show when you arrive, not when it’s too late to see it before you go.
After a soak in the hot springs, plan to spend the evening at an outdoor restaurant viewing Mt. Arenal eruptions. Take binoculars.
Happy Travels,
Doris Wood
Well, unless I had a mack truck or a HUGH 4 wheel
drive, I would not consider driving to Costa Rica.
Furthermore, unless I was an EXPERIENCED 16 wheel
driver I would not attempt to drive/pull or otherwise
navigate the roads between the US and Costa Rica.
Also of interest would be to see what the various
countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and
Costa Rica require for bringing in an RV.
While I do not reside in Costa Rica now, I have spent
many months in Costa Rica since 1991 and have driven
the roads and would not consider driving an RV there.
I am the owner of a 35 ft. Motor home and would not
subject the vehicle to the roads, nor would I want to
drive on the roads.
Good Luck!
In 2000 I traveled from San Diego using a 1988 Chev 3/4 ton Suburban with 454 engine pulling a 31 foot Holiday Rambler Trailer. Entered Mexico in Brownsville Texas and the experience began. Took 20 days to finally arrive into Guatamala after many stops by every so called law enforcement or Federalie agency in Mexico. Many local townships had their hand out with police that were far from honest. The speed bumps (topes) also take there toll on most trailers or fifth wheels as we encountered many people having springs replaced if they were able to find parts . The torsion suspension of the Holiday Ramble had no trouble. I could go on about Mexico travel for pages however the excitement really starts when you enter the Central America countries. Every border crossing is one big hastle.
The best part of the trip was the trailer park we found in a small suburb of San Jose near the new International Airport. The town is San Antonio de Belen and owners wife is an American relocated from Los Angeles. We stayed over 18 months and really enjoyed the people and a wonderful climate………
Best of luck and hopefully the travel down will be better than it was seven years ago.
Gordon Merrill
On The Road Reader
An On The Road reader had this suggestion…
Try the book ” 99 Days to Panama” , an exploration of Central America by
Motorhome, by Dr. John & Harriet Halkyard. Published by Brindle Press…
We are also interested in info on driving to Belize, Any one else
thinking about that journey????? Thanks, Preston & Kay ,,, at
mhmesa@wildblue.net
This is a comment for Elmer who would like to leave In. and travel thru Canada and the Northwest states. My husband and I live in Fl. and traveled thru Canada and Alaska touring states to and from (14,700 mi. RT), the Northwest States (19,700 mi. RT), and the Southwest (14,500 mi RT). The only place he mentioned that I did not see was the Calgary Stampede due to time of year we were traveling. All 3 trips were 3.5-4 months in lenght. He may contact me if he needs help with his trip. Linda
For Kathy – If you want to use the internet on the road, I think the best way is to get a good Lap-Top PC. There are plenty of places you can pull into and get Free Wireless Internet Services such as coffee shops, malls, most radio shacks and many restaurants and many camp grounds now have free internet. I know most hotels in the Grand Teton National Park have free service. Most of the time it will pick up from the parking lot but you can go into the lobby and sit by the fire. We have not had any trouble finding a place to get online.
Happy Trails: BecandJim
Good post.