Tijuana ... ever been?

[lvmci]

Dave that would be fun, do you think we could charge the locals and tourists? On pavement or the beach? Tom...

[daveola]

Keep in mind that you (and your vehicle's) rights are very different in other countries - obviously.

Generally not a problem, but I drove up to Vancouver, Canada and was planning on staying at a friend's house for a week, so I parked in an industrial area.

The next day I received a $200 ticket for a "derelict vehicle" with a warning that they would tow and destroy the vehicle if it wasn't moved.  I looked up the code, and there is no definition for "derelict" - so it was merely the officer's decision that my vehicle shouldn't be there.

And don't think that your civil rights are reinstated when you enter the states.  When you are at the border you are in a very precarious legal position.  Your 4th amendment rights are not in effect, as I discovered when I drove back to the states and was taken off my bus so that a *team* of officers could enter my home and tear it apart.  There was nothing to find, but the violation of my privacy wasn't appreciated.  So I never expect I'll be crossing any borders with my bus again.

[TomC]

I think Nel had the best answer-Why!!! Have you completely seen the US and Canada? As I said before, if you want to go to Mexico in the bus, hook up with a caravan. Unless you're fluent in Spanish, I wouldn't go. I have no desire to go below the US border. Good Luck, TomC

[Hobie]

Bring Passports for all.
Carry small amounts of cash, but have cash.  cash talks.
Everyone will take cash but you will do a little better if you exchange $ to pesos before you cross and pay in peso while in Mx.
Toll road from TJ to Ensinada -  takes cash
If you do get pulled over, ask the officer if you can pay him to take the fine payment to court as you are travelling.  ( so I've heard )  Fines are about $20
No Guns !!!! they are very strict about this.
Roads can turn to muck with any rain and washouts are common. 
Local are super friendly and nice.   Be alert after dark. 
Cell phone roaming rates will make you cry. 
Enjoy the street vendors tacos.   they look dirty and not clean, yes !  but good tasting !!
Have some change for the local kids.  They may ask you to pay for them to watch your bus.  Buck or two is big for them and they are just trying to make some $ 
They are very street smart to Americans.  Americans are all rich in their eyes.  Prices can go up accordingly.  A little haggling is traditional. 
Puerto Nuevo ( city south of TJ on the main road south ) has good deals on seafood, lobster.  Easy to get there.
Might want to touch base with the American Consulate and let them know of you plans and ask for any local advice.
Allow lots of time to cross border back north.
Get ready for -rough- roads!  You will really notice this when you come back into the States!! 
Get mexican vehicle insurance before you cross.  Lot's of stateside shops at the last exit before you cross.  Your US insurance doesn't cut it in Mx.
Get travel insurance for medical.  Cheap before you cross.  IF you need medical help, you must pay cash or they won't touch you.  This where that insurance helps.  They do have some kind of govmt hospitals but have similar reputation as our county hospitals; not the best care.
Remember, their law is you are guilty before proven innocent.  Can't be bailed out of jail.  So be careful.     

[Seangie]

As I type this we are sitting in the 3hr line up at the border crossing back into the good ol USA. 

Thank you all so much for the experience and advice.  It definitely helped in our decisions.

After looking through all it would entail ... guns, cats, kids, insurance  ... etc.  We figured it best to drop the bus in National City and take a peek over the border in the van before we went all in.

We are in the same boat as John Iceni.  We would rather have the experience of heading over good or bad than wondering about it for the rest of our lives.

We took the van across and headed to the little TJ beach town.  Im sure there is a name for it but cant rememeber right now.  It was a good experience for the kids to see the difference between Mexico and USA. 

We drove through the little beach town and were glad we didnt bring the bus.  Main roads were fine but if you had to turn around anywhere with a vehicle in tow, well, good luck with that.  Sode roads were atrocious.

On the way out we stopped at a local grocery and took out a bunch of pesos from the ATM.  The kids had a great time trying to figure out what everything costs and seeing all the neat things in the store we dont find here.  Groceries were comparable to US prices.  Maybe a little cheaper, the local foods were much cheaper.

My advice for anyone going over in an RV or bus is to have a plan before you go.  I certainly see the advantages of a caravan.  You need to know where you are going and how to get there.  Its a pretty tough place to "wing it" with a family of 4 kids.  Especially if your not fluent in language and culture.

We checked with our insurance company before going over the border and they dont cover Mexico or Canada.  They do work with another company that will cover you for a short stay across the border.  Definitely worth paying for.  The officials state if something happened they will hold you in a cell until damages are paid if you dont have insurance.

People were extremely nice.  Officials were out in full force in TJ.  One lady I spoke to said the policia understand the power of American vacationers dollars so they are trying to show that its safe there and keep the crime out of the tourist areas.

We are headed back into Mexico tomorrow for another day trip.  Going further south into the Americanized town of Rosarito.  Tonight the border crossing into Mexico was just a drive over the border.  Word is about 7-10 miles in is where they check your passport and stamp you in.  Ill report back tomorrow on what we find further south.  Not sure we will go down to Encinitas but who knows. 

Thanks again for all your help.  You guys are fantastic.

-Sean

[bobofthenorth]

I know a couple of posters have advised traveling in a herd/caravan but think carefully before you do.  You're traveling on someone else's agenda.  You travel at the speed of the slowest, least prepared participant.  You can only stop at places that can accommodate whatever size of herd you are traveling with. 

I've been in parks in Mexico when the caravan arrives.  Universally they are cliquish affairs because ultimately they cater to the notion of fear.  Its the same marketing scheme that all inclusive resorts use - the world is too dangerous for you to navigate alone so stick to what we have planned for you because we know best what is safe for you.  Its BS, complete BS.  If the country is safe enough to visit then its safe enough to visit without 33 of my closest friends following 10 feet behind me wherever I go.

[eagle19952]

what Bob said +1
you may want to come back and get the bus when you get to Rosarito

[Hobie]

I think you will find the drive to Ensenada much more enjoyable than hanging in TJ.  Get off the main road and poke around the small villages along the way.  +1 to Donald taking the bus to Roserito   You will want stay a few days.  Right about the cultural eye opener for the kiddos.  Get some fireworks and shoot them off.!  But don't bring them over the border though.  Have Fun!

[Seangie]

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