Boondocking in Mexico?

Your post and profile don't say what you'll be traveling in. If it's a 40' MH, you may have trouble finding suitable places to get off the road. If it's a 4X4 TC, you'll do a lot better, but then you won't have as good AC.

We've been going to Mexico 25+ years, but always staying in smaller resorts. We obviously like it, but I'm not sure how we'll you'll do boondocking. It seems that as soon as you get off of a blacktopped road, they get rough quickly for a MH. I've seen MHs stuck in Mexico and trying to find a wrecker isn't easy. DON'T CAMP IN THE ARROYOES, and watch out for the seasonal rains when camped off of the road.

Bill

12 years going to La Penita area and the boon docking seems to be fading out. I can only assume its due to the crime although we hear of very little to no problems with RVers. Try and hook up with other like minded travelers and go as a small group might be an idea.

Trackrig wrote:
Your post and profile don't say what you'll be traveling in. If it's a 40' MH, you may have trouble finding suitable places to get off the road. If it's a 4X4 TC, you'll do a lot better, but then you won't have as good AC.

We've been going to Mexico 25+ years, but always staying in smaller resorts. We obviously like it, but I'm not sure how we'll you'll do boondocking. It seems that as soon as you get off of a blacktopped road, they get rough quickly for a MH. I've seen MHs stuck in Mexico and trying to find a wrecker isn't easy. DON'T CAMP IN THE ARROYOES, and watch out for the seasonal rains when camped off of the road.

Bill

Hey Bill!

I have lived in the desert and have seen way too many examples of people in places they shouldn't be when it rains.

My current travel rig is a 4x4 Dodge 3500 pulling a 1992 29' fifth wheel. The truck (sans trailer) will go places that scare the s*@t out of me and the trailer is old enough that I won't cry if it gets a few travel scars.

I am not a "guided tour" sort. I prefer a bit more out of the out of the way destinations.

My wife and I used to boondock all over Mexico, but after our trip in 2007, we no longer boondock in the country. We now find small RV parks or other areas where RVs & security are present. We use to park at the larger Pemex truck stops, but were threatened at the last one, so no more. Also used to spend the night at the truck parking areas near the cuotas ticket booths, but that too ceased after we witnessed an deadly altercation next to us at one on the west coast.

When boondocking you may run the risk of robbery when you are away from your unit. Everyone has a different meaning for the word" boondocking". For some it is parking near a beach in a populated area. For others it is staying in Pemex's or WalMart lots. There are many areas in Mexico where boondocking is not recommended due to crime. Highway 200 is one of those. Staying on an empty lot in tourist areas is a slap in the face for CG owners who are struggling to survive. CG's in Mexico are not overly expensive.

Moisheh

For extra security, take the Army's 3rd Armored Cavalry!

Lots of small towns that welcome us as boondockers. We park in the plaza, talk to the local police or a tourist office if open and they direct us to a spot or make recommendations. From there, we take a taxi to show us the sites nearby if we feel me might have difficulties with the trailer.

I'm not familiar with the west coast in terms of beaches but we boondock a lot, love it and continue to do it. It's not for everyone and I am not making any recommendations.

That said, we toured the western U.S. and Canada and it requires the same knowledge about where, when and how. Security is a global issue now, it's not concentrated in one spot.

We met lots of nuts this last four months including boondocking forest service and BLM. Boondocking is not for the light-hearted in any country. Be smart, follow your instinct and enjoy beautiful untouched places.

Our most frequest states are Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, Zacatecas, Jalisco, parts of Michoacán, Hidalgo, Queretaro to name a few.

IDman wrote:
For extra security, take the Army's 3rd Armored Cavalry!

:B

Disclaimer:

I'm from a Navy Family. My Mother (Yeoman Second Class Maryjane "Smitty" Smith) in particular would tell you that if you want REAL protection, only the Navy can provide it....just as they have always done when transporting the Army to wherever it wanted to go! ;)

PNW_Steve wrote:
Hey Everyone,

My wife and I have been talking about our first RV trip to Mexico.

We have driven to Rosarita & Ensinada in the past. We have flown to a number of destinations in Mexico as well. We have loved the time spent there. We are somewhat frugal travelers and typically shop & eat where the locals go and are fine with MX public transportation.

Our initial plan was to go to San Carlos for a week to get our feet wet. As we read more and discuss our plan it is evolving.

We are now considering 1-2 months and gradually making our way down to PV.

We have done plenty of boondocking in the US. In my reading I have come across several warnings against boondocking in Mexico.

What is the reality? I have found a very few actual accounts of folks dry camping there and they seemed quite positive.

If we are going to spend a month or more we are going to have to watch our expenses. On past trips where we stuck to RV parks the park fees were our second largest expense for the trip.

What do you all think?

Thanks

Steve

Don't boondock unless you are in large group. It is OK in parts of Baja, but not on the mainland. I am referring mainly to the risk of property crime. The most expensive RV parks are maybe $25 a night (San Carlos). I see you live in the Pacific NW. I would try to attend the seminars on RVing in Mexico at the Seattle RV Show Sept 11-14 and learn what you can & cannot do safely in Mexico, and how to handle the paperwork. There are other seminars at the Abbotsford, BC show, just north of Sumas, Wa on the weekend of Sept 25-28

RV Show

I agree totally. With Tequila and Moisheh on this issue! We used to love Beach Camping on the Baja , and in the Nineties We were not alone.

Times have. Changed and although We. Feel very safe travelling in most places in Mexico on Our Own , We no longer stay out on the beaches unless there are several others in Our Group.

As was mentioned earlier the few RV Parks along the North West Coast are relatively. Inexpensive and offer a degree of safety no longer found in boo docking.

About the only place left that We will even consider dry camping is at Chacala ,and even that is in a guarded compound!

Sorry to burst Your Bubble, but don't expect many folks to tell You that boon docking is safe in. Mexico . Even the greatest Stealth Camper ever Tioga and George ..stays in RV parks these days!