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bwdavi's avatar
bwdavi
Explorer
Nov 24, 2022

Buy RV in USA & drive it down? Or after I arrive in Mexico?

Trying to figure out what the better option might be. Planning for mostly stealth camping around the pueblo magicos and also boondocking in the peninsula. Figured that maybe having mexican plates would help it to fit in better and avoid potential issues with the police? (my travel partner will be a Mexican resident so no problem if the vehicle is registered in her name) Was thinking a class B or very small C. Is there any place I should check for listings of mexican options other than facebook marketplace and mercado libre?

Other input: debating between a really old (like 80s or 90s) 'old' looking exterior vehicle vs a newer sprinter van. I'm planning to spend a good amount of time in the 'rural' areas of yucatan and those roads seem a bit rough once off the main highways. Anyone have any experience without Ideally I'd love to just be able to drive out on the beaches in places like celestun/progresso/elcuyo/mahahual/xcalak but i'm not sure how feasible that would be without a 4x4...

Any advice or insight would be appreciated :-)
  • You ask some very good questions.
    The police shouldn't be an issue no matter what plates you have as long as you don't get stupid.
    Something to remember is that no matter where the vehicle is plated, all of the paperwork must be absolutely correct, along with your papers. If anything happens and you need to use insurance, the first thing they check is that all of the paperwork is perfect. You must be a resident to register a Mexican vehicle, and be sure to read about the legality of who can drive it.
    Insurance is important, not expensive. We had to use it once, we were hit, not us hitting someone, and again, first thing was to make sure that everything was perfect paperwork wise. No insurance? If there is an injury, it's straight to jail.
    Stealth camping around the magic cities? There are always Pemex and many will let you park there.
    We seriously toured the country for many years, 15 years in a 22 foot 1975 Class C then upgraded for the last 7 (before we moved here permanently) in a 28 foot 2005 Class A. Honestly, no difference as to issues.
    Facebook Marketplace is the place, at least in Guerrero, to shop for a vehicle.
    Other members should have a lot of great information to share.
  • Might be hard to find a good used MH. But if you would consider a Sprinter type vehicle there may be some Van converters.

    https://www.alfacombi.com/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMxMAjZIXHI