I'm chicken, and I can speak Spanish>>
Is there books or blogs that can answer really basic questions.
How is getting across the border, any tricks or suggestions, other than get insurance..money..etc.
I have been to Nuevo Laredo and I remember the roads being so narrow, we could hardly get a car thru. Is that an issue
Are gas stations pretty frequent (I think we would try Baja first)
What about the return crossing, do they take your RV apart looking for illigal bananas
We have been going to Baja since the '60's. Have never had a problem.
There are military checkpoints and they do have the authority to do a thorough search. Same when you cross back into the good 'ol USA. If you are a tourist and not a drug runner they seem to know that. In Baja the roads are narrow and sometimes rough. Take your time and don't drive at night ( cows tend to bed down on the road ). Many people recommend the Church book. I have never felt a need for it. We pretty much stay in the San Felipe area now. Actually, we spend the whole winter there and will be going in Sept. this year.
Just remember their rules & laws are their own, somewhat different from ours. Go with the flow and relax and enjoy their hospitality.
Sonney,old ,retired Roadway driver.
Donna, too young to retire, she quit.
IMHO, there are 3 Mexico's, the border and anywhere within 20 miles of it, the Baja and the Mainland. The border is a no mans land, especially in most of the large cities and we stay away from them, except to pass through. The Baja has been having problems from the border to about Rosarito, mainly on the toll road, so again we pass on there until they get their act together. The mainland also has several areas to shy away from, but there is lots of the country to see and have a good time without visiting those areas. No, you don't need to speak Spanish to have a good time, but learning a little helps and goes a long way in insuring an excellent time. Rosetta Stone is the best learning tool, although a bit expensive. Crossing the border and getting your paper work is a snap and normally painless. Follow the stickies on this forum for the best information. the roads have improved over the years and some are good expressways while there are still many cow paths with everything in between.
Go, enjoy yourselves, as thousands of Americans and Canadians do every year, without incident.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 FMCA #F203528 '05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ w/400 Cummins - With -'05 GMC Sierra LT, CC Z-71, the pusher '07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher - Our Current Location
Like The Texan says, bite the bullet, head down and you will have a great time. We went to Mexico for the first time last winter and ended up driving down the West Coast, crossing the entire country and ending up in Veracruz before heading back up the interior. We knew absolutely no Spanish at all when we entered the country. In five months we had no problems at all. People down there treat visitors like we should treat visitors to our countries!
You have found the right place to find answers and reassurance. Do a lot of reading here and if you want to read about our real life experiences, feel free to click on the link to our Blog below. Scroll back a bit to March/April and earlier to find the Mexico part.
My 2007/2008 Mexico Blog: http://croftstravels.blogspot.com/
As for the return crossing, we've spent the last two winters there and both returns were similar. The officer noted our dog, stepped inside, glanced around, asked if we had any (list of prohibited foods), and then asked if we had dog food. Took it all. Never opened a cupboard and done in 3 minutes. The last time, the officer opened the fridge, walked through the rig, asked about the dog food (I knew better this time) and said Gracias, Adios! Yes, I was tempted to keep/hide a couple of plants, but decided it wasn't worth the risk. We know another couple who was searched for two hours.
The "bible" of RV'ing in Mexico is the Mike and Tery Chuch book, "Traveller's Guide to Mexican Camping". It is widely available at better bookstores or from www.rollinghomes.com.
It lists all the campsites in Mexico, a section on border crossing and much more. Updates are on their web site.
The digital version of the Church book, is Bill & Dorothy Bell's www.ontheroadin.com
They have also travelled the whole country, documenting rv parks, and have built this free interactive site. They also sell Road Logs for may popular routes.
What about the return crossing, do they take your RV apart looking for illigal bananas
On my return this spring they asked only one thing--please open your trailer door.
Didn't ask my name or for ID. Nothing about food or what I was bringing back. Nothing.
One guy went into the trailer for about 10 seconds and that was it.
States I have spent the night in my current rig, bought three years ago.
Have RV'ed through 49 states and been in all 50, just short of my half-century.
Ditto the others esp Geewiz's recommendation of the Church & Bell publications. Another one that we have now watched dozens of times is the DVD by Tahoenow entitled RVing In Mexico here.
Our blog (see signature) details our maiden voyage. We were like you but the advice from the folks on this forum and these publications helped make our trip fantastic in all respects.
The Johnsons (incls a Bouvier, Lab, and Newfie)
Cedar Island, NC (Gateway to the Outbanks)
2008 Winnie Sightseer 35J
Our Mexico trip Blog
Stan & Linda
Loki & Hobo
06 Dodge 3500 CTD 6 sp Quad Cab Bighorn
04 Laredo 29GS
"The Chief Warrent Officer was unimpressed by everything and seldom spoke except to express irritation."Joseph Heller,Catch 22
Unless you plan on hanging out in the border towns, or in the larger cities, forget what you read in the newspapers or see on TV. Get a few miles south of the border and you're in for a treat. The Mexican people are wonderful, friendly and fall over backwards to help you if you need assistance. Of course there are the few that will try to con the newbie gringos who they run into, but for the most part the people are great. If you're towing a trailer Mexican customs will inspect it at the border and there are the military check points along the way looking for drugs. Pay attention to your surroundings and don't wear your finest bling or flash rolls of cash while traveling and you'll be just fine. Have a good trip.
George & Ann
Boone the wonder dog (Wonder if he'll stay home or chase rabbits)
Topaz Lake, NV/San Felipe, Baja Norte
Towing a 06 Jayco Eagle 323RKS
with a 04 Dodge Diesel 4x4
Offline
they seem to know that. In Baja the roads are narrow and sometimes rough. Take your time and don't drive at night ( cows tend to bed down on the road ). Many people recommend the Church book. I have never felt a need for it. We pretty much stay in the San Felipe area now. Actually, we spend the whole winter there and will be going in Sept. this year.
