Blowhole at the waterfront of Xcaret Park near Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Toluca on December 24th!

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Want to RV in Mexico...?

Back in 2007 when we first entertained the idea of driving our motorhome into Mexico, we were definitely nervous. We spoke zero Spanish, and the whole idea just seemed so..well.. foreign!

But we had some help, and we traveled for a while the first two winters with another couple who showed us the ropes. We're thinking now that we might like to show some people "the ropes"!

We've had a few emails recently from people who are interested in RV'ing in Mexico, but they are understandably nervous. I mean, how do you manage dealing with all of the bandits, drug gangs, beheadings, and all the crap you're bombarded with in the media? Well fortunately, it's highly unlikely you'll need to worry about any of those things. In six winters of RV travel all over Mexico we've never personally seen anything related to any of those problems.

You may however, have to deal with an unscrupulous gas station attendant or a transit police looking for a small bribe. It's these things that you need to know how to manage, and it would be easy to be intimidated if you're not sure how to handle it.

But if you were with someone who knew the ropes, wouldn't you feel a little more comfortable?

Sherman, dry camping near Chetumal.

So we're thinking maybe we would like to do a friendly little caravan down from the border next year. Nothing official, no paperwork between us. Just going down as if we are friends. Which we would hope we will be by the end of it! We would want no more than four other units, preferably all people who have never been to Mexico before in an RV. 

We're not yet sure that this will all come together...we're just putting the idea out there. Plus, we proved last year that we have no idea  what we'll be doing six months from now. I just thought it was worth mentioning.

What do you think? Are you intrigued by the idea? You can always contact us by email at [email protected] if you want to further discuss it!

Sherman, camped at Zapote de Tizupan in Michoacan, Mexico.


21 comments:

  1. That sounds like a great idea. We would like to do it if we had a class c and not our 38 ft 5th wheel .

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  2. That is a wonderful idea. We have already been to Mexico for three months and completely enjoyed it. We travelled with another couple on the way to Mazatlan. Then set off on our and felt very comfortable with the journey.

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  3. So many misconceptions about travel. Mexico in a slide-out camper for 7 months was safe, breezy and enjoyable. Of course that was in the late 80s and "RV parks" were few and far between. Even non-existent away from the tourist/expat areas. Once you get away from the border, the people are friendly and helpful, roads weren't in too bad condition and food delicious. This is a good idea to help newbie RVers. I'd really like to put my RV on the train car through Copper Canyon. Have you done that?

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    1. Yes, there are lots of misconceptions with Mexico and until you travel here and see things for yourself you just don't understand it.

      We heard that they had stopped the RV on the train car through Copper Canyon a number of years ago.

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    2. That would be too bad but I haven't looked into Copper Canyon in a while.

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    3. I took the Copper Canyon train last December. Sadly, no more RV car, but the ride was gorgeous!

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  4. Great Idea!!!! We are working towards doing that but not sure if we can get our lives organized by next winter but will definately try..Not completely green as we drove the Baja last year but didn't do it in a RV. Keep us posted.

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  5. What a great idea, Kevin & Ruth! I just returned from my first winter in Mexico and was surprised at how many blog readers contacted me wondering if they could caravan with me next year. I sure don't feel that much of an "expert" on the country yet, but I hope to get to know it better over the coming years!

    In the meantime, there's an RVing in Mexico group that's been formed on the new RVillage.com site that might help RVers interested in meet-ups or improptu caravanning find each other:
    http://rvillage.com/group/104/rving-in-mexico

    RVillage's mapping tool does not yet show Mexican and Canadian locations, but they've promised to add that soon. In the meantime, the group's forum allows folks to find each other and share info on campgrounds, roads, etc.

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  6. I'm in for sure will talk about it when you get here
    Thanks Wendy

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  7. I would do it in a heartbeat if the camping there wasn't so earned expensive. Even $9/night is about $9 more than it costs for dispersed camping in the quiet National Forests and on BLM land in the good ole E.E.U.U.

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  8. Sounds like a great idea to encourage more people to experience Mexico. Where were you thinking of crossing the border and destination?
    For the past 4 years we've crossed at Columbia bridge and head for the La Penita area and often have people ask if they can tag along.

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  9. How long will you be in Ottawa? (my home town although I now live in Texas) We plan on being in Ottawa for a couple of weeks beginning in August and would enjoy meeting you.

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    1. Only in Ottawa for a week! We're working in Saskatchewan for the summer.

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  10. I'm definitely interested. In my opinion Mexico is no more dangerous than any other place. I find that the major issue we Canadians and "Usonians" (people from the United States - I just learned this!) is the language barrier. Remember we're traveling in 'their' country; we're the ones who need to at least TRY to fit in. And, the best way to do that is to spend some time and effort learning some rudimentary Spanish.
    I love Mexico and I love Mexicans.

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  11. Are you charging for your services?

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    1. What services? Other than a little guidance, this whole excursion is just a group of friends going to Mexico with their RVs.

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    2. Good for you. Love to see others helping new folks get to Mexico.

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  12. hello friends. is true about insecurity in some regions etre mexico.y this happens only on rival gangs for national and international tourism respect him. us with our motorhom. we have never had problems only problematic that no exixten park trailers everywhere, visit our mexico and not repent, greetings kevin and ruth







    hello friends. is true about insecurity in some regions etre mexico.y this happens only on rival gangs for national and international tourism respect him. us with our motorhom. we have never had problems only problematic that no exixten park trailers everywhere, visit our mexico and not repent, greetings kevin and ruth










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