On the Road

Special Report: RVing South of the Border

Myths and misinformation about Mexico abound both online and in print. Most often, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Here are some of the most common concerns about our neighbor to the south.

Is it safe to RV in Mexico?

If people in the U.S. lived life according to the newspaper headlines, we’d never leave home. Stories of violence and corruption sell papers, but they also create a distorted view of our society. According to veteran RVer David Eidell, Mexico suffers from the same problem. Stories of kidnappings, theft, drug-related violence and worse all keep people from enjoying the beautiful country and kind-hearted people. Yes, these things do happen, but no more so than here in the U.S.  While tourists can stand out in a crowd, they generally fly under the radar of most major problems. Pickpockets and petty thieves will likely be your biggest issue, and they are easily thwarted by simply not presenting easy targets.

It’s important to look at the source and date of any safety information you’re reading. Times change quickly, and you should seek out the most current advice from credible sources. Eidell has written an entire series of articles about RVing in Mexico, all updated as of May/June, 2008. If you have safety concerns, take a look at this article. And this one. Always remember to pack your common sense. Here are a few safety precautions to think about, wherever you travel.

*Don’t drive after dark.

*Don’t walk on the beach alone late at night.

*Don’t flash valuables or cash.

*Do check US State Department websites for any recent warnings in your area of travel.

*Do travel in pairs or groups whenever possible.

*Do trust your gut feelings. If you’re uncomfortable in any situation—just leave.

Do I need a Passport?

These days it’s getting harder and harder to go anywhere without a passport. If you don’t already have one, get one. You’ll need it at the border. There are also other papers, fees and documents you’ll need such as a tourist card and car permit. The maximum time a vehicle may stay in Mexico on a single permit is 180 days. For a complete rundown of the permitting procedure, check out this article (updated in June, 2008)

Also, American insurance doesn’t cover you in Mexico. You can purchase Mexican insurance at home, or at the border. It’s much cheaper and easier to take care of this before you leave.

Is there decent fuel available?

All fuel produced and sold in Mexico is controlled by the government. Petroleos Mexicanos (or PEMEX for short) gas stations are common throughout the country; and in central areas, you can find super-stations with attached mini-marts that allow overnight parking for RVers.

There are two grades of gasoline. Magna Sin is 88 octane and Premium is equivalent to premium gasoline sold in the states. There are also two grades of diesel, regular and ultra-low-sulfur (not widely available, except at the border.) Diesel prices are significantly lower than in the US, but you need to prepare for possible water and “dirty fuel” contamination by installing a pre-filter. Ask about these at your favorite RV supplier.

What if I don’t speak Spanish?

Most Mexican schools teach English, so you can usually get by using English along with a few Spanish phrases and hand gestures. Don’t let the perceived “language barrier” stop you. Get a language guide book and practice on your way down.

What about the water?

Purified water is readily available everywhere in Mexico. Huge purification facilities exist specifically to prevent sickness in both tourists and natives. You can purchase drinking/cooking water almost anywhere, or purify tap water yourself with chemical additives or a “super filter” attached to your tap. Be sure to bleach your holding tanks for your shower water, too. When purchasing ice, in general, cubes are made with purified water. Block ice is used for refrigeration only and is not made with potable water.

I’m hooked—where should I go?

Depending on what you like to do, there are several routes to take you through Mexico. Many people opt to go the coastal route down the western edge of the country from the Nogales/Sonora border crossing all the way to Acapulco and beyond. You’ll find plenty of white sand beaches where you can fish, snorkel, swim with the dolphins or just lounge away the afternoon listening to the waves lap the shore.

Other routes through central and eastern Mexico offer great opportunities for outdoor adventures like exploring ancient ruins, hiking, kayaking, biking, nature watching and more. You can decide whether you’d like to hit all the major cities or stick to more rural routes. Just make sure you plan where you’re going to stop and resupply. Not every town has a Costco. There’s a rundown of Mexico’s most popular destinations here.

Several Mexican travel guidebooks have been published specifically with RVers in mind. These can be very useful when planning where to go, what to bring and how to deal with unfamiliar situations. Here are a few to get you started:

*The People’s Guide to Mexico

*Mexico Road Logs & Driving Guides

*Traveler’s Guide to Mexican Camping

Do your research, make your plans, take precautions and have a great trip!