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RE: Emerald Coast-Any good full service campgrounds there?
The Emerald Coast is nice. We have stayed at Alicia RV park a few times. There isn't much there for a long stay in the way of shopping and dining. Catemaco is only a little further south. The town is nestled along a lovely lake and has many interesting restaurants and shopping with the local people. The RV park is beautiful. Good 30 amp elec., water, sewer, clean hot showers and laundry on a site which may have a cement pad and lots of grass. Guests dogs run free and play together frequently as the park is surrounded by a high wall and gates are closed each evening by the night security guard. It is very tropical and sits above the river creating a remarkable view. The beach is easily accessible and fun for the day. Busses and taxis are constant to wisk you away to any destination. The owners are here daily, speak English and are very friendly and accomodating. There is also free WiFi to your site. Here is the website for the park: http://www.gaudis.com/. You may email me for more info or my Skype name is sunnyvz. I'm in casita #3 and margaritas may be enjoyed on my garden patio. Safe travels.
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sunnyvz
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11/05/09 09:43am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Travel by truck or RV?
We have made the trip a half dozen times now in both 38' and 21' coaches pulling trailers. Each time we cross at the Los Indios Free Int'l Trade Bridge and find it hassle free. The office opens at eight and is closed on Sunday for vehicle permits. Be the first in line as the doors open and it's a breeze. We spend the night at the Wal-Mart in Harlingen off Hwy. 77 for some last minute shopping and an early start. Since we have now rented a casita at Tepetapan in Catemaco, we came down with trailer and little coach packed to the roof. The furniture etc. was tarped on the trailer and the rig even had a new microwave still in the box as was many things. I was asked to make a list of all items regardless of age with approximate cost new or old. The tax paid was 170 pesos. The military did a walk through at the border and further down the road and our paid receipt was all that was needed by the aduana. Items included in your Class B are permitted without question. Even our two laptops and two flat screen TVs on the bed were not a concern and included as part of the motorhome. The shower held a new floor steamer and vacuum cleaner which was never questioned. It's two days to Catemaco with an overnight at a Pemex north of Tampico. The town and campground here should not be missed and we'll have Margaritas on my garden patio. The pool is the perfect temperature, the showers hot and laundry clean. I would be happy to show you around the town, take a boat trip on the lake or help with your shopping needs. I'm in casita #3. Don't hesitate to contact me further for more info. Have a safe trip.
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sunnyvz
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10/17/09 05:36am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Kino Bay RV Park
After watching that edition of RV Today, we rolled in the awning and headed south. We loved Kino and couldn't get enough of Mexico so we continued our travels for three months. Now we live full time in Catemaco, Veracruz and occasionally visit NOB. It was fun watching RV Today again. We were lucky to meet with Stu at a Rally and told him his show was responsible for our first visit to Mexico. He featured my husband and I on the show that he was filming at the Rally. Stu's a really nice guy and we miss RV Today. We will always be thankful for his introduction to Mexico, it has changed our life and extended our RV travels.
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sunnyvz
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10/13/09 05:15pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Family RV Trip around the world
Rent a motorhome for a long weekend roadtrip. There isn't any place for two children to sit up front in a Class C so they will have to be strapped in place in either a Class C or A. It is very difficult and dangerous to move around in a moving vehicle of any type. Toddlers will be very cranky for good reason much of the driving time and will be a major strain and distraction for the driver. Camping is a wonderful family activity, but long distance travel for kids is not, even within the U.S. with good roads, fabulous parks, amazing sights, relative safety, every necessity and convenience available and home. Experience is the best teacher. Let's face it, this trip isn't for the kids, it's for you and even though I'm thoughly enjoying my retirement in Mexico, I will be forever thankful to my parents for all the weekends camping and vacations spent visiting and experiencing what America has to offer.
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sunnyvz
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06/25/09 08:10am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Chris: an update for your survey
Very happy to read you arrived home safe. We miss you here at Tepetapan in Catemaco. Hurry back.
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sunnyvz
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05/14/09 07:39am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Into and out of Guatemala
Is it possible to leave Mexico, entering Guatemala and then return to Mexico obtaining another FMT for 180 days? I would be taking a bus from Catemaco to the Guatemala border and then returning. This would be easier than all the way back to Matamoros.
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sunnyvz
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04/24/09 12:51pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Currently RVing through Mexico - Let us know if you have questions
I just finished reading this entire thread, all 98 pages. In 2004 we watched RV Today about Kino Bay and I said, "You get us unhooked and I'll bring in the slides." In Kino I borrowed Church's book from a fellow camper and approached my husband with the idea of continuing south. We never looked back. In three months we traveled the coast crossing to the East on Hwy 185 and then back to the States after visiting Palenque. Returning to Mexico was a must, but not in the big coach. Having said that we have now retired to Catemaco, 2 hrs. south of Veracruz on the Gulf. We arrived with two RV's, one 38' and a 21' Class C, both pulling trailers with the Harley and everything we own. We prefer to live in Mexico and visit the States. It has been a dream come true and we credit Stew and RV Today for the inspiration. We met Stew later and thanked him at an RV Rally. We were featured on that show. I PM'd him today to thank him again and invite him to our home in Tepetapan RV park. He remembered Larry and I and expressed his envy at our chosen lifestyle and location. I was so pleased to make his aquaintance again through RV.Net.
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sunnyvz
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03/22/09 04:33pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Los Indios & East Coast
If you're staying in beautiful Tepetapan RV park in Catemaco, our site is the last one before the river. We have a cable TV wire on the site. We're in Houston until May so ask Gene what he's charging for the service on that site. We may have just missed each other in La Pesca as we were there March 7 & 8th on the way north. Your posts have made me homesick and we're both looking forward to returning.
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sunnyvz
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03/20/09 02:44pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Traffic Cops
Actually, my thanks needs to go to this forum for the confidence and knowledge I acquired from all of you. Your advice and recommendations made me hunger for the richness of life in Mexico. It made my choice of Catemaco, Veracruz so successful and gave me the ability to handle what this adventurous life and travel in Mexico has for me. Even my husband has a new respect for the information and opinions I get from the daily reading of this forum and this was one time the moderator didn't "delete" me.
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sunnyvz
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03/13/09 03:57pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Traffic Cops
Heading for the U.S. on the East Coast we were pulled over in Manuel after leaving a Pemex. No idea what I did wrong. The officer stated we had no lights on our trailer. My husband went back and found the wire had pulled loose making the turn. The officer saw that the lights were now operational. He inquired as to our destination and then proceded to tell me he was writing an infraction ticket to be paid in Gonzalez on Monday morning (this being Sat. noon). At that time I would get my driver's license back. I agreed and told him I would follow him back to his office where I would park the RV and wait until Mon. to pay the ticket which was to be 600 pesos. At the same time I was telling my husband to please be quiet as he was informing me that he didn't want to wait at the office until Mon. I assured the cop that it was OK and no problem. He became hesitant so I explained we were going to the States for me to have surgery. This was the "out" he was looking for and he said he was sorry for my medical problem and would let us go for 100 pesos. I picked up the loose change on the console totalling about 20 pesos in one's, two's and 50 centavos and handed them to him. He walked back to his car without another word. That's my story and I'm sticking to it except for the part about the surgery.
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sunnyvz
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03/12/09 01:28pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: PV RV Parks, anyone there?
We went to one bull fight in Acapulco. It was the worst experience of my life. I will never forget it. I found myself cheering for the bull every time he got the matador. I'm no prude...I've been to cock fights in Puerto Rico, but those bulls never had a fighting chance. They were half dead before the matador ever entered the ring. At least the cocks started out even. Then to top it off they drug the dying bull around the ring so everyone could cheer, even the little kids. I love Mexico, but this so called sport was even too brutal for my husband. We were glad to get out of there.
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sunnyvz
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02/24/09 12:16pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: FAQ Mainland and Baja Border Paperwork
To Tomleehughes: New regs allow one person to take in both RV and toad, but you will get a 10 yr. permit on the RV if you want and only a 6 month permit on the car.
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sunnyvz
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01/29/09 02:35pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: First time East coast or West coast
I agree with Tepetapan on the Gulf in Catemaco. We toured the Pacific side for three months. If you want to be a tourist with tourists then you will be happy. If you want to walk beaches, they are endless. If you want to shop for T-shirts and Mexican items from China, there are blocks of shops with vendors hounding you. Go to the beach in Acapulco and it's an endless stream of Mexicans wanting to sell you a trinket and you pay a city fee for the table and chairs you sit on. You even get a receipt. The Gulf side is unspoiled and a shorter drive to the Yucatan for better beaches. The jungles are more exotic, lush and full of birds. The true life of the Mexican people can be observed and it isn't lived in the quest for the tourist pesos. Children may look at you with wonder on their faces, but do not chase you down the street with outstretched hands pleading for money. This is the difference between the East and the West. When I went as a tourist, I remained a tourist. Now I go to "live" in Mexico.
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sunnyvz
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01/19/09 06:56am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: water quality at rv parks?
We use three filters. The Cullingan goes on the hose for mostly sediment. The ceramic filter does most of the work and the kitchen faucet has a Brita mounted on it. We replace the Brita and Culligan monthly. The ceramic filter every three months. We have traveled the Pacific side for three months and now live in Catemaco on the Gulf. We have never used bleach in the tanks or soaked our veggies. We have never been sick in Mexico. Most campgrounds had their own wells and here it is city water, but it is spring fed. We decided to trust the filters or how would we know if they worked. I put lime juice in everything I cook and we drink fresh limeade and margaritas everyday. I feel that's important. You are more likely to suffer food poisoning from unrefridgerated food than from the water. I believe that if you are over protective your system will be weakened instead of strengthened and you will be more prone to suffer from some distress.
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sunnyvz
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01/18/09 03:48pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Declare or Not Declare?
You may bring in as many trail bikes or ATV's as there are persons inside the rig. Because of the trailer and ATV's you will only be issued a 6 month permit.
Be sure to have the Bill of Sale for each ATV and the trailer. Have a great trip.
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sunnyvz
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01/18/09 03:21pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Mexican campground web site
Use ontheroadin for exactly what you intend and then recheck the campgrounds with Church's book. I understand they have a new book coming out this year. When the campgrounds have their own website, check those out too. This is what I have done to plan a six month trip around Mexico in October, 2009 stopping at 40 campgrounds along the way. Don't forget the update page on Church's website. I've spent a year gathering information and planning and with the info gleaned from these forums I'm still making changes and improvements in the plan. I'm having way to much fun and it's nine months away. In fact, we got so excited about going we packed up and moved down here in December permanently. The waiting is easier, the margarita's tastier, the weather perfect and my Spanish is improving every day.
If I can be of personal help, don't hesitate to ask.
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sunnyvz
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01/08/09 10:54am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Update - Cancellation of Temporary Permit
My husband and I crossed at Los Indios this December with two coaches, each pulling a trailer. One RV with a flatbed landscape trailer received the 10 yr. permit for both. The RV pulling the cargo trailer with Harley motorcycle inside could only be permitted for the 6 months because of the Harley. The only hitch is that they failed to see the size of Harley and thought it was a trail bike. We asked for the hologram for the Harley, but they said it wasn't necessary as it was listed on the permit with RV and trailer. So we are driving the Harley without a hologram and I'm nervous, but we carry a copy of the permit and hope no ones paying attention. So far no one has and maybe it's OK. I'm going to show pictures of everything next time to be sure we are permitted correctly.
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sunnyvz
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01/08/09 10:21am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Feliz Navidad
A Mucho Merry Christmas to You and Yours from Sunny and Larry. Here in Tepetapan RV park in Catemaco, Veracruz we have been walking into town to shop for our park's Pot Luck Christmas dinner. We should have lots of food for the twenty or so attendees. Gene is providing the turkey, dressing, mash potatoes and pool patio. A very good time shall be had by all and we are wishing the same for you in your holiday celebrations.
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sunnyvz
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12/25/08 10:46am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Economic Down-Turn Effect on RV Park Fees
Here at Tepetapan RV park the link is www.gaudis.com.
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sunnyvz
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12/19/08 08:03am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Hows The Weather SOB?
Catemaco, Veracruz is sunny with blue skies, High of 81 to 88 all week. Perfect for swimming in the pool everyday. Low of 70. Juan the Music Man plays his music for the neighborhood to go to sleep by on the weekends. My first pot of beans was a success and I have perfected the true Mexican margarita. Must go into town today for more limones.
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sunnyvz
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12/19/08 07:58am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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