Forum Discussion

Belgique's avatar
Belgique
Explorer
Mar 30, 2016

How many Snowbirds in MX?

A friend just asked how many Americans snowbird in MX? I answered with probably bogus numbers and commented that there were a lot more Canadians than US. I guessed US in the hundreds and CA in the thousands.

My numbers were WAGs. Interested in more scientific guesses (SWAGs).

FWIW: there's one other rig here in Buganville, Guanajuato. SMA was full (Holy Week). SLP had one other on 2 occasions.

30 Replies

  • Mexicans tend to spend their money on things other than an RV, they enjoy being waited on and pampered. But then again, so do some RVers. Ok, let's say they tend to invest money that has real value where as RVing as a life style there is little (or no) appreciation in the investment. It is a life style that in Mexico still screams "too poor to stay at a hotel".
    It is no different that the USA or Canada, people do it, when it is within the range of their finances, because they like the idea. It is a niche class up North and will be the same forever here in Mexico.
  • Just a second here folks,what I'm seeing this year is a transition taking place in the more popular areas as the Mexican Nationals and their rapidly rising Middle Class have grown in huge numbers.
    These folks have lots of disposable income and are filling the Holiday Destinations all along the West Coast of Mexico!
    They are also discovering the RV and Glamping lifestyle so that They are the people filling the decently run RV Parks!
    The Park that We have been using as Our Base Camp for the past dozen Years has lost most of the Canadian and Americans who dominated these choice sites and as it stands today the park is doing much better financially catering to the Mexican Families who flock here every Holiday and weekend.
    It is no longer a niche market primarily supported by Canadians and Americans . Certainly there will still be a few more years for those of Us still enjoying the lifestyle, but Our Days are numbered.
  • mexicoruss wrote:
    Don't sell Mexico short we are on the rebound.


    I would never do that, Mexico is one of two loves of my life. But the reality is, rving has never been big business in Mexico.

    Until Mexicans adopt it in mass like the U.S., it will always be a niche market. That's not a bad thing. Some people can make a very good living at it and being a niche market is a good market to be in. It says that a person or business caters to a specific market.

    OTOH, Mexico has always been a big tourist destination, and that definitely continues to grow along with foreigners moving to Mexico full time.

    BTW, Did I say "market" enough? :)
  • Fear is king..
    Having said that I can report that in Rocky Point we have about 500 spaces available in parks that sit on the water, not that every space is water front but the parks are. From Mid October to about the end of March/early April the parks on average are about 50-60% full. On average. The Playa Bonita runs almost totally full from November until April. I was just there tonight and it was at least 90%. The Reef RV park on the same beach runs a lot less full about 25%, it has bigger spaces but is further out of town. Yesterday I was at Playa de Oro. It is on a different beach in a different part of town but it looked to be over 50% full at least. When you combine all three parks the % is pretty close to what I said at the beginning. Now it used to be they were busy 100% from Oct to April. Then it went to where there was nobody here a few years ago, then the last 2 years we see a resurgence. It will take time for the Rving community to realize that all is OK. In that period though some RV parks will close. So I feel that we will again see the day when the parks are full again partly because Rvers are coming back (may not be the same generation as now) and the fact that there are fewer parks to choose from. On a side note because of the change in the RV demand, 50 amp service is available here in PeƱasco, also there is a new RV park being built right now just off the water and a new luxury RV park planned to be developed on the water in town. Don't sell Mexico short we are on the rebound.
  • Personally I think RVing in Mexico has dropped off considerably since we began touring in our current motorhome. Not that long ago it was difficult to get into many RV parks. Today most RV parks are almost empty other than those along the west coast and Baja. We mostly travel the mainland and only one place I can think of causes us to think we need to make reservations. Most places we just show up and have not problem finding a spot. We have been places where Canadians outnumber US citizens by almost 10 to 1. There seems to be a lot of fear on the part of those in the US about Mexico. We talk to people in RV parks in the US who see our map showing our Mexico travels who seem almost terrified to cross the border. I find it very strange that so many in the US seem to live in fear of just about everything these days.
  • Lots of French Canadians. The company I wagon master for is running its first French speaking caravan to Yucatan next season. They signed up 45 rigs camped in Melaque, pV & Lod de Marcos from people already camped in Mexico, and only have 15 spots. Quebecois seem to love caravans.
  • According to the Churches it was not more than a thousand. I would guess it is even less today. Caravans might raise those numbers slightly.

    Moisheh
  • Connection was reset. I spend 10 minutes posting a reply and it's gone into thin air. This has happened at least 3 times in the last few weeks.