Canadians: Travel Warnings and Health Insurance

Thanks for the update!

I should also ad that rates are up like crazy. I did find a few companies that will cover you in areas with that travel warning but they are about 40% higher than other quotes. Ends up double last year's rate.

Moisheh

Gotta keep it in perspective...

Fancy new pickup trucks, especially four door all wheel drive are more at risk on Mex 15-D than my toad is in rural Guerrero. Jeeps are a no-no. Fancy toads are risky. "Hey Juan, look at the 2002 Ford pickup I scored" ain't gonna happen.

Some folks do not want to travel Mexico in anything but a shiny new pickup -- and that really pinches the risk factor outside of so-called safe areas (islands) of tourism.

Drive a 2018 jacked up candy apple red dually between Ensenada and Tijuana between 3 and 4 am a half dozen times and I'll bet you can't reach seven.

Some folks ridicule the idea of using a well broken in phony wallet with expired driver license, expired credit cards, COSTCO, yadda-yadda. Maybe seven hundred pesos in cash. Want to get fancy. On a slip of paper scribble

MONEYGRAM 4008175743 2.000
One glance and someone will be convinced you have two thousand dollars waiting at a moneygram outlet.

Robbers know that they have a limited amount of time. Years ago a marine patrol rounded a curve on Mex 37 and caught a group red handed. They were all hauled away.

Where I do not drive here is between Uruapan, and Chapala, East of the butterfly sanctuary on Mex 15 mil cumbres, And outside of the route from Mex 14-D to villa escalante sta clara de cobre to the south of Mex 14-D. Mex 37-D between La Mira and Uruapan is also off limits.

After Dr. Mireles group cleaned house up Mex 200 (which happened after the Canadian Rainbirds incident, I have not heard of a single verifiable incident on Mex 200. Same for Mex 200 from Mex 14-D south to Zihuatanejo. South of Zihuatanejo to Acapulco travel is safe between 0900 and 1800 hours when the SSP and marinas are patrolling. Pie de La Cuesta seems to be safe for overnighting or longer.

Mex.I am selfish. I could care less about further south. I am concerned about Sonora! Haven't heard about any shootingson 15 between Nogales and HMO but there have been car jackings. I just bought a new GMC Denali to use as a toad. It is staying in Canada. I kept my high miler silverado and it will go to Mexico! The State police had to take over policing in Guaymas due to crime and corruption. Will this change with the new President? I sure hope so.
Moisheh

Does this mean I shouldn't use my rig for touring Mexico?

Carjackings involve shiny new pickups. 4WD, 4 doors. the fancier the more vulnerable.

They are not interested in motorhomes. A shiny pickup underneath a 5th wheel is vulnerable. A shiny new "macho looking toad" is vulnerable.

99.99999% of city and municipal police are corrupt enough to be replaced. Trying to surmount this will be AMLO's biggest challenge. The average cop's pay is little more than minimum wage or six dollars a day. Traffic cops pay for their own gasoline and flat tires.

Moishe por favor (Interested in Border Zone Arizona Only) would filter out what you are not seeking. Most RVers on this site cannot put Sonora behind them fast enough.

Fact is that if you cross at Nogales you gave to drive through not only Soniara but Sinaloa. Far more dangerous than Sonora. The only city in Sinaloa that is considered safe in Sinaloa is Maz. Before anyone jumps in with statistics showing that this is wrong don't bother!! My post is not warn anyone of danger. It was a heads up on finding your health insurance null and void!! The poster who asked about his sweet truck and Jeep should just place a sign on it that says STEAL ME!!. I posted backin April that ourMexican friends won't drive to Obregon. If the travel warnings are even slightly correct this could be a bad season.I often drivve from Santa Anna to Hmo at 3 am. Might have to wait for daylight.

Moisheh

Daylight is always a safer choice.

We agree-driving a beautiful, new tricked out desirable vehicle can be an issue.

We drove a Dodge Durango, nice looking, from the border to Zihuatanejo in June, with absolutely no issue. However, we drove on the toll roads, during daylight hours and at night this time we used the very secure "no tell motels." It was lovely.

Considering the costs of the 'No tell Motels" vs many of the RV parks, they are a very good options for RV's, if you choose one that doesn't have a low entrance.

We definitely appreciate your posting the Canadian travel warnings, and in particular, the information about medical insurance. Here in Zihuatanejo, there have been many questions about it because unless you fly directly into ZIH and don't leave the immediate area, you are in violation of the Canadian warnings and many/most travel insurances become void.

The people who dream up those travel warnings need to caveat about wandering into the wrong part of Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Can't Cun, and Cabo San Lucas. The only part of those resort cities that is safER is the high dollar tourist zone.

Even Acapulco is relatively safe along the Malecon. Mazatlan's central market is a delight and I love to wander there. But you can bet your sweet butt that outside the tourist zone cops travel in convoy. Even the ejercito and marinas travel in convoy.

Crime exists where cops are afraid to patrol because of the risk of encountering cartel hitmen. When there are no cops the slime moves in and plays the part of predator. The slime have no part in organized crime. They do not fare so well if they step on the wrong toes. Cartel hitmen do not bother with tourists. Down here in the drug growing areas, small towns are controlled by riff-raff grade elements. I can travel major routes all day long with zero drama. After sunset or on rural routes that pass through many small towns the picture changes dramatically.

How to take consulate issued warnings? Like reading a newspaper watch your sodium intake.

For REAL area news, stop by a bus station, or chat with a Green Angel. The SSP federal police is an excellent source of accurate up to the minute highway safety news. The marinas and army are far less talkative.

Acapulco is one of the worst areas in Mexico. Even in the tourist areas. One tourist was shot right in front of his hotel. But it does seem as the travel warnings are saying: Go by plane. If things don't change RV tourism will just disappear. I am waiting to hear from the Canadian embassy about changing that travel warning. I just noticed that Penasco is in the "avoid" area. That will surely keep Canadians away. Not because of fear but rather the lack of health insurance.

Moisheh