Advice needed on trip to Mexico for June

[John Z]

My daughter wants me to take her and a couple friends to Mexico for a couple weeks after school lets out. I would appreciate all and any advice concerning this. My primary question is do any of you know of a good campsite or place to stay that would be close to some water, either an inland lake or the Gulf? They want to see Texas, so that is where we would be entering from. Time is roughly planned for the last few weeks of June. I have lots of questions, but will wait untill we get a location before proceeding with other plans. I really do appreciate anything you can share about a trip like this. About the only thing i know is not to drink the water!!! TIA

[John Z]

Guess i should mention, of course the top priority is safety. We would like to avoid the places that all the other "tourists" head to. At a minimum we would need at least occasional hookups to fill water tank and dump holding tanks. Thanks again.

[niles500]

Just a reminder about taking OPC (other peoples children) with you across the border - If their under driving age and don't have a DL you need proper ID (birth certs etc.) and its a good thing to have notorized letters signed by parents for permission to travel with you (and contact info) and also authorizing them to make medical decisions -HTH

[John Z]

Very good advice, thanks. I am working on a letter for the parents of the OPC's, and will certainly follow up on this too. Thanks again.

[bobofthenorth]

OK, we've spent a lot of time south of the Rio Grande.  We've only gone in through Texas once but no big deal.  First thing for you to do is click to: http://www.rollinghomes.com/Mexico%20Book.htm and order "the book".  Virtually everyone who travels to Mexico will have a copy of this book - it is the bible for mexican travel.  If you don't read any further then at least order that book.

Next step is to relax.  Its safe.  Lots of people do it.  You won't get mugged or raped unless you do something really stupid.  Since doing something really stupid can get you in trouble in the US or Canada we'll assume you aren't going to do that.

General tips - don't travel after dark, not because you will get mugged but because there will be livestock on the road and Mexican drivers who are resting their headlights.  One of the very practical rules they have down there is that vehicles with their headlights on have the right of way.  IOW, if you can't see me, don't worry because I don't have the right of way anyway.  Most nb. point - don't travel after dark.

Get up early to make the border crossing.  There's a bunch of paper that you need to do & it takes time.  Forget all the advice about carrying copies of this and that to speed up the crossing.  It won't work.  What you need to remember is that Jorge the border agent has a brother in law who needs work so the BIL runs the photocopier at the border.  If you show up there with your copies in hand Jorge is going to find something wrong with them so that his BIL still gets his 15 pesos for copying your papers.  So go with the flow, let them send you to the BIL for your copying, just allow enough time so you don't leave the border late in the afternoon.  The worst poverty is within 50 miles of the border - you want to be out of that area when you stop for the night.

You need cash to buy fuel.  Diesel is plentiful, available everywhere and must be paid for in cash.  You pull up to the pump, the attendant is waiting there, he pumps, you pay him.  Probably a good idea to tip him a bit too.  You'll get warned about the "fuel pump scam".  We only ran into it once but here's how it works: they start filling your tank, then there is a big commotion designed to distract you, the attendant resets the meter and continues fueling.  When your tank is full then there is a big argument about what was on the meter before it was reset.  A variation is that the meter isn't reset to zero before they start filling you.  Like I said, we only ran into it once.  I speak enough Spanglish that I was able to start yelling at the attendant & threatening to call the cops.  If you don't speak spanish it could be a bit intimidating so just make sure the pump is zeroed out before you start, stand there and watch them fill the tank and, if they shut it off, pay them immediately.

The signs will all be in spanish.  Sounds elementary but it is a head shaker.  Ideally you need to speak some basic spanish.  Failing that carry a good sp-eng dictionary and use it regularly. 

They use little speed bumps on steroids everywhere to control speed.  The bumps are called topes and they are very effective.  Watch for them at the entrance and exit to every little town or city.  And in between they have stealth topes sort of wherever someone knows someone and succeeds in getting a tope put in.  Common spots are schools and hospitals but they may also appear at police stations, grocery stores or just in the middle of nowhere.  If you see vehicles slowing down for no apparent reason then get on the brakes because you are likely coming up to a tope.

The closer you are to the US border the more likely you will be stopped for a drug search, particularly when you are headed north.  Even if you speak spanish it is probably best not to let on that you understand too much when you get stopped.  I let my wife handle the drug checks.  Most of the check stops are manned by the army and the army is made up of 18 year olds who are serving their mandatory service.  They have the latin machismo thing going so she flirts with them a bit and everyone is happy.  Mostly they just want to tour a gringo RV which is luxurious beyond their wildest imagination. 

Don't expect too much for campgrounds.  Church's book will tell you exactly what to expect, down to GPS coordinates for the campground.  Power can be sporadic, water intermittent and sewer is sometimes primitive.  There are some really nice campgrounds - we've been down there enough to have some real favorites.  You are likely to run into some tight corners, smaller sites and goofy hookup arrangements.  30 amp is about as good as you will get and those will be few and far between.
15 amp plugs may trip with a 7 or 8 amp load.  Watch out for low overhead clearances. 

The last thing I would worry about is repair services.  There are 1000s of busses on the road so there are mechanics everywhere that know how to work on them.  The government also employs "green angels" who cruise the interstates in 1-ton service trucks looking for RV travellers that they can assist.  They will do anything from fetching fuel to rebuilding engines. 

I'm sure there is more - just ask.

[DrivingMissLazy]

DO NOT under any circumstances carry a weapon of any kind into the country. If they find one during one of the drug searches you can be in very big trouble.

Take your bottled water with you and only drink bottled water. I haven't been there for many years but I never had trouble finding it during my trips to Baha.

Richard

[prevost82]

I agree with Bob .... Mexico is a great place. Churches book is a must. The water isn't that bad.
Ron

[John Z]

Bob, thank you for the awesome writeup. There is LOTS of good and helpful advice in there and i do really appreciate it. You have helped my mind at ease, and also given me lots to think about. I will order up the book tomorrow, and am looking forward to reading it. Anyone have any favorite places they wouldn't mind sharing down there? DML, it will feel darn weird to not have any kind of weapon on board, but i do hear what you are saying.

[John E. Smith]

Next step is to relax.  Its safe.  Lots of people do it.  You won't get mugged or raped unless you do something really stupid.  Since doing something really stupid can get you in trouble in the US or Canada we'll assume you aren't going to do that.

This does not apply if you are going to the rougher regions -- Chiapas state, Mexico City, etc.  When you get down close to Guatemala, there are very active "banditos" down there who will kill you for your boots.

General tips - don't travel after dark, not because you will get mugged but because there will be livestock on the road and Mexican drivers who are resting their headlights.  One of the very practical rules they have down there is that vehicles with their headlights on have the right of way.  IOW, if you can't see me, don't worry because I don't have the right of way anyway.  Most nb. point - don't travel after dark.

Not really true on the eastern side of Mexico.  Once you get about 40 km south of the border, it is pretty desolate and there will be very little traffic at night.  But watch out for the Mexican Highway Patrol -- they can spot a US license plate 20 miles away!  And just remember that 100 pesos can get you out of most traffic problems short of an accident -- and if no one gets killed, you can get out of that for around 1000 pesos!

Get up early to make the border crossing.  There's a bunch of paper that you need to do & it takes time.  Forget all the advice about carrying copies of this and that to speed up the crossing.  It won't work.  What you need to remember is that Jorge the border agent has a brother in law who needs work so the BIL runs the photocopier at the border.  If you show up there with your copies in hand Jorge is going to find something wrong with them so that his BIL still gets his 15 pesos for copying your papers.  So go with the flow, let them send you to the BIL for your copying, just allow enough time so you don't leave the border late in the afternoon.  The worst poverty is within 50 miles of the border - you want to be out of that area when you stop for the night.

Thats no lie!  But you will need a CERTIFIED copy of a birth certificate for every party in your group.  Ever since the US started requiring a birth certificate for people coming into the US, the Mexicans have been enforcing it too.  And gone are the days when a $20 bill would get you a visa no questions asked.  There are now cameras in the Mexican Immigration offices, and the officers won't take bribes anymore since Calderon took office.

You need cash to buy fuel.  Diesel is plentiful, available everywhere and must be paid for in cash.  You pull up to the pump, the attendant is waiting there, he pumps, you pay him.  Probably a good idea to tip him a bit too.  You'll get warned about the "fuel pump scam".  We only ran into it once but here's how it works: they start filling your tank, then there is a big commotion designed to distract you, the attendant resets the meter and continues fueling.  When your tank is full then there is a big argument about what was on the meter before it was reset.  A variation is that the meter isn't reset to zero before they start filling you.  Like I said, we only ran into it once.  I speak enough Spanglish that I was able to start yelling at the attendant & threatening to call the cops.  If you don't speak spanish it could be a bit intimidating so just make sure the pump is zeroed out before you start, stand there and watch them fill the tank and, if they shut it off, pay them immediately.

The larger Pemex fuel stops will take credit cards during the day, but you don't want to pull out a Platinum Visa in Mexico -- believe me!  Cash is the best way to go.  And a "tip" is a good idea -- 5 or 10 pesos, no more.  In fact, just about everyone you meet in Mexico will want a tip!

The signs will all be in spanish.  Sounds elementary but it is a head shaker.  Ideally you need to speak some basic spanish.  Failing that carry a good sp-eng dictionary and use it regularly. 

The dictionary will help until you get past the 15 km Security Checkpoints -- after that, you might as well throw it out the window.  First, there are several dialects in the interior that use a lot of slang that won't be in it.  Secondly, Mexican spanish is spoken so fast that you won't catch half of it.  BUT -- you will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of English most Mexicans know once you get into the "real" Mexico.

They use little speed bumps on steroids everywhere to control speed.  The bumps are called topes and they are very effective.  Watch for them at the entrance and exit to every little town or city.  And in between they have stealth topes sort of wherever someone knows someone and succeeds in getting a tope put in.  Common spots are schools and hospitals but they may also appear at police stations, grocery stores or just in the middle of nowhere.  If you see vehicles slowing down for no apparent reason then get on the brakes because you are likely coming up to a tope.

Thats no lie!  Also, whenever you come to a topes, watch out for a cop -- there will usually be a traffic cop there who will probably wave you over for some imagined infraction.  Talk nice and offer him 20 to 50 pesos -- "just because" -- and he will wish you a nice journey.

The closer you are to the US border the more likely you will be stopped for a drug search, particularly when you are headed north.  Even if you speak spanish it is probably best not to let on that you understand too much when you get stopped.  I let my wife handle the drug checks.  Most of the check stops are manned by the army and the army is made up of 18 year olds who are serving their mandatory service.  They have the latin machismo thing going so she flirts with them a bit and everyone is happy.  Mostly they just want to tour a gringo RV which is luxurious beyond their wildest imagination. 

Not true anymore.  Ever since Calderon took office, you are liable to hit an Army checkpoint anywhere.  They never used to set up down around Costa Esmerelda, but they have even been there lately.  But they are usually pretty easy to please -- heck, I got out of one with 4 bottles of water once!  Checkpoint was out in the middle of nowhere, and the guys were thirsty -- I gave each of the soldiers a bottle of Aqua Fina from my cooler, and got wished a good trip forthwith!

The last thing I would worry about is repair services.

True -- mechanics are everywhere in Mexico.  But make sure that you know exactly what is going to be done and how much it is going to cost before they ever pick up a wrench.

One point that Bob didn't mention.  If you are going down there in a bus that hasn't had the windows skinned over, be prepared to get stopped and searched every town.  This is because they will think you are a bus -- a sign on the front that says "Private Coach" means nothing.  Mexico has state sponsored bus services, and if your bus looks like a bus, they will check you out.

Once you get south of the Security Checkpoints and away from the border, Mexico is beautiful.  The difference between the border zone and the interior is like night and day.  The people down in the interior are much different, too -- people in the border zone are pretty contemptious of "Gringos", but in the interior we are actually liked.  I go to an area on the eastern side of Mexico called "Costa Esmerelda" every now and then, and I get treated like a king when I go down there.  I love it.

[bobofthenorth]

John you are implying a much more corrupt system than we have ever experienced.  And a more corrupt system than any of our numerous friends who travel in Mexico regularly have experienced either.  I'm sorry that has been your experience - it certainly hasn't been ours.

As far as favorite spots on the east coast - can't say we have many.  San Miguel de Allende was neat - not sure I'd call it a favorite but we would go back there.  Guadalahara is a really neat place to visit - its not coastal but it is very cosmopolitan with a strong cultural heritage.  Its also close to the knick knack factories in Tlaquepaque & Tonala.  Lake Chapala, about 40 miles south, has a huge ex-pat community.

[John E. Smith]

John you are implying a much more corrupt system than we have ever experienced.  And a more corrupt system than any of our numerous friends who travel in Mexico regularly have experienced either.  I'm sorry that has been your experience - it certainly hasn't been ours.

Mexico is corrupt -- it is a way of life down there.  Lately, reformers like Fox and Calderon have tried to clean it up; they will ultimately fail, though.  Mexico has a long history of corruption that isn't necessarily a bad thing -- lots less red tape and paperwork!  Look at it this way -- you get into a fender bender, and you just pay off the other guy and the cop.  So you have done what?  You have made restitution and paid your fine all at once, on the spot, without the BS involved here in the States.

I go down there quite a bit.  I have friends who have a home in Casitas (Veracruz state), just on the coast from Martinez de la Torre.  It is a big MEXICAN tourist area (as opposed to plain tourist area), and the area is rife with bananna groves -- but it is considered the "boondocks".  Not the sort of place that gringos with motor homes go to very much -- there are no campgrounds within 30 kliks, either.  You don't see a lot of Americans or Canadians in the Costa Esmerelda area at all.

I will give you an example of my last trip down there.  On the way back, I got waved over at the topes in the middle of Tuxpan because my truck had a piece of rope hanging off of the bumper; after a few words with the traffic cop, with him looking for an appropriate "citation" in his little book, I handed him a 50-peso bill and told him that I thought he looked like he could use a soda -- he looked thirsty.  He grinned, said he was, and wished me a good trip home to the States.  All total, in pesos and bottled water, it took me about $15.00 (US) to get out of Mexico last time.

The thing is though, they don't look at it as corruption -- it has been going on for so long, it has become a way of life.  To most Mexicans, there isn't anything wrong with it at all -- hell, a little mordida never hurt anyone!  If you get a chance, check out this page:  http://www.mexicomatters.net/retirementmexico/04_bribeslamordidainmexico.php.

[John Z]

Thanks guys, for taking the time to send your answers. There is lots of information here to digest. We have the atlas out permanently on the coffee table and are trying to get some destinations and plans made. The Church book is ordered and shipped, so we are looking forward to that arriving. Now i really need all this snow to melt and for it to warm up so i can get back to work on the coach!

[Lee Bradley]

Canada in June, Mexico in December. 

[John Z]

LOL Lee!!! Yeah i thought about that too when my daughter asked me about this trip. But then too, i can remember being in Canada during June - man i have never seen a worse case of flying biting blood-sucking insects. Those are some serious meat eating black flys they have up there! Cripes, you could not spray enough Deep Woods Off to even get a couple minutes of peace. So i thought, i might as well give the mexican summer a try!

[John E. Smith]

Oh, and John... one word of advice I forgot to mention...

If you go down the east coast, make sure you have a baseball bat when you get south of Poza Rica.  They have 'squittos big enough to walk through a screen door -- a fly swatter won't do you a bit of good!