Hi Folks, we have been RV'ing for decades, but moved to southern Arizona 5 years ago - finally getting ready for a spring Rocky point trip. I know people have answered many questions, but I hope for most up to date answers.1) Safety - has anyone had any problems - less worried about park when we get there, more about drive. We plan on crossing at Lukeville.2) Following on 1, we tow a jeep behind our Winnebago View - is this a problem?3) Planning on staying in one of thew main RV parks - I always drink only bottled water in my RV, but do I need to be worried about putting park water in my water system - will it contaminate my water system?4) We travel with our 2 dogs - are there any issues with bringing them back and forth across the border (either side - US or Mexican regulations.Any other helpful tips would be much appreciated.Steve

For your dogs to enter Mexico, you need to have a health certificate. To return to the US, proof of rabies vaccination. That's it. I use form APHIS7001-1, fill it out, print it, and sign it, for the Mexico side. Just your basic rabies certificate for the US. We go back and forth regularly with our two dogs.

We have friends in Mesa, AZ they go to Rocky Point several times every year they have had no safety issues in the past 5 years down there.

Steve,Have been there many times and have never had a problem with security or the water for that matter. I don't fill my fresh water tank there, but the water from the spigots has not been a problem.Make sure you get Mexican insurance for both your motorhome and toad if you intend to drive it while in Mexico. You can purchase that on line http://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com/ for the period of time you are going to be in Mexico only. I think the insurance starts at like noon through noon the next day so time your arrival in Lukeville accordingly. Enjoy the shrimp!John

Thanks to all! So just to be anal compulsive - people do not disinfect their water lines if they hook up to city water there? I don't have enough water in my little tank to shower for a week!Steve

There are all kinds of tips about how to disinfect your fresh water tank and some say you should do it on a somewhat regular basis no matter where you travel. We do it once in awhile and I even have a sort of injector device I rigged up with my regular tap connection water filter so I can add some Clorox once in awhile. For drinking water I have both taste & odor filters as well as a small UV system ($100) which I also use all the time for drinking water (there is lots of bad drinking water in the US too). Some areas of Mexico do have safe drinking water but you have to ask some of the local Gringos to find out where. Some buy bottle water in Mexico (big 5 gallon jugs called garafons I think) but I have seen them filling those jugs on the side of the road and don't believe they are any safer than tap water. Which is why we have our own water purification system on board - never had a problem. As far as other tips you can look at the "stickies" at the top of this forum to learn about border paperwork and insurance etc. It is something of a pain to go to Mexico with the technicalities (we don't have to do this stuff when we go to Canada). But we go every year and we do the border stuff and get all our permits and insurance and other paperwork and find it is all worth the effort. But don't stop at Rocky Point - really Puerto Penasco - Rocky Point is just a Gringo nickname. You may not see road signs for Rocky Point - I don't know as we have never been - another suburb of Phoenix. Check with your insurance companies about whether they cover comprehensive in Mexico - but you must buy Mexican liability as no US liability is valid in Mexico.

First time Rocky point questions | Good Sam Community

Talleyho69
Moderator
Dec 06, 2016
For your dogs to enter Mexico, you need to have a health certificate. To return to the US, proof of rabies vaccination. That's it.

I use form APHIS7001-1, fill it out, print it, and sign it, for the Mexico side. Just your basic rabies certificate for the US.

We go back and forth regularly with our two dogs.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
We have friends in Mesa, AZ they go to Rocky Point several times every year they have had no safety issues in the past 5 years down there.
jhlady
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
Steve,

Have been there many times and have never had a problem with security or the water for that matter. I don't fill my fresh water tank there, but the water from the spigots has not been a problem.

Make sure you get Mexican insurance for both your motorhome and toad if you intend to drive it while in Mexico. You can purchase that on line http://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com/ for the period of time you are going to be in Mexico only. I think the insurance starts at like noon through noon the next day so time your arrival in Lukeville accordingly.

Enjoy the shrimp!

John
steveandjil
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
Thanks to all! So just to be anal compulsive - people do not disinfect their water lines if they hook up to city water there? I don't have enough water in my little tank to shower for a week!

Steve
briansue
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
There are all kinds of tips about how to disinfect your fresh water tank and some say you should do it on a somewhat regular basis no matter where you travel. We do it once in awhile and I even have a sort of injector device I rigged up with my regular tap connection water filter so I can add some Clorox once in awhile. For drinking water I have both taste & odor filters as well as a small UV system ($100) which I also use all the time for drinking water (there is lots of bad drinking water in the US too). Some areas of Mexico do have safe drinking water but you have to ask some of the local Gringos to find out where. Some buy bottle water in Mexico (big 5 gallon jugs called garafons I think) but I have seen them filling those jugs on the side of the road and don't believe they are any safer than tap water. Which is why we have our own water purification system on board - never had a problem.

As far as other tips you can look at the "stickies" at the top of this forum to learn about border paperwork and insurance etc. It is something of a pain to go to Mexico with the technicalities (we don't have to do this stuff when we go to Canada). But we go every year and we do the border stuff and get all our permits and insurance and other paperwork and find it is all worth the effort. But don't stop at Rocky Point - really Puerto Penasco - Rocky Point is just a Gringo nickname. You may not see road signs for Rocky Point - I don't know as we have never been - another suburb of Phoenix. Check with your insurance companies about whether they cover comprehensive in Mexico - but you must buy Mexican liability as no US liability is valid in Mexico.
reed_cundiff
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
We purchase the garrafones from water treatment facilities. It cost about $20 to fill up the 81 gallon tank on our 5th wheel - and perhaps $10 to fill up the Roadtrek. Take showers outside using the local tap water.
Reed and Elaine
Talleyho69
Moderator
Dec 06, 2016
Here's an easier way. Hook your hose up to the faucet and use that water for everything except what you and the dogs consume and cook with. Garafones will be available for purchase at least daily, and are CHEAP. Buy a hand pump in Mexico, readily available and easy to use on the jug.

If you are afraid that someone is selling less than clean water, just buy your garafones from a name brand truck. Even Coke is in the business.

When you return to the US, drain your tank, add some US water, and the recommended amount of bleach. Run it through all of your faucets and shower head, and hose. Drain, refill with US water and you are done.

It's just the basic "sanitizing your water tank."
http://rvbasics.com/techtips/sanitizing-your-rv-fresh-water-system.html
aguablanco
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
Been going to RP for over 30 years and absolutely no issues. Ever! There is a seafood cart by the park near the railroad tracks that I highly recommend. Also, if you like shrimp, try the Camarones Laguna Azul. Shrimp stuffed with either cheese or a pepper, wrapped in bacon and deep fried. It is not very heart smart but it is delicious. Stay in the tourist areas and you will never have an issue.
RichH
sonora
Explorer
Dec 07, 2016
I have been drinking the RV Park's water in Rocky Point for the last 26 years for the 4 or 5 months I am there. If you want purified water you can get your 5 gallon Garafone filled up for 5 pesos at numerous stores around town. Even the WalMart there sells bottled water. I only buy the purified water for making my coffee.
insask
Explorer
Dec 07, 2016
Hook up to the water, all parks have good water. Buy water in jugs to drink, its cheap. Safety not at all an issue, drive in daytime. I personally would not pay $150 for a health cert for 1 dog. Vaccination papers should be ok. No one asked for any info re dogs. It is a wonderful place. We felt very safe the whole trip last year.