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JeffersonCamper's avatar
JeffersonCamper
Explorer III
Sep 06, 2015

Projected Trip - Yucatan + Tikal

We are planning our first trip to Mexico since 2006.(Our RV has been in Europe since then). We know a lot has changed re. cost, campground availability & perhaps safety. Other than cutting down on boondocking and perhaps choosing a different route here & there, these factors don't concern us.

We'll be traveling in Dec/Jan.


We may take either route south from the US border:

1) Laredo/Columbia Crossing - Monterrey - Saltillo - Arco Norte - Villahermosa (we've crossed here multiple times - last time in 2006)

or

2)Pharr/Brownsville, etc - Costa Esmeralda - Veracruz - Villahermosa ( We crossed here & drove this route in both directions in 2005 - this route seems to be getting bad press compared with the Columbia crossing)

We have a map at:

Proposed Trip: Yucatan + Tikal



Our key questions have to do with exit & entry in Belize & Guatemala. We will spend at most a week outside of Mexico on the loop to Tikal. Initially we plan to enter through Belize, drive to Tikal, then re-enter Mexico at El Ceibo.

1) We will buy a 10 year motorhome sticker when we enter Mexico. Do we need to turn it in when we exit (either in Belize or Guatemala) and buy another when we re-enter Mexico? Or is the sticker valid for re-entry from the south as well?

2) Same question for our tourist cards - if we specify multiple entry, do we have to turn it in upon departure from Mexico to Belize or Guatemala & re-purchase upon re-entry to Mexico?

3)We will have our dog with us, with all papers up to date. Anything needed beyond what we need for Mexico?

4) Any comment on the fairly new route Flores- El Ceibo?

16 Replies

  • Thanks navegator - yes, I suspect that there are
    more Canucks than Americans - per capita - traveling in Mexico!

    I had decided not to boondock (while shedding a tear for La Pesca).
    From what I read on rollinghomes, we were trending towards the central route, especially since we now, with the arco norte, don't have to drive thru Mexico City (been there, done that!)

    I just looked at the Belize animal requirements - I think I'll skip that...(and having brought our dogs to Europe many times, I'm not easily daunted).

    http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/belize.cfm
  • Sorry I keep forgetting that folks from Canada also travel to Mexico, I will assume that Canada still issues passports, the above comment is for persons from the USA.

    The FMM will have to be surrendered at the border and a new one obtained upon reentry to Mexico.

    navegator
  • Get passports not the border crossing cards, those are only good in Mexico and Canada and the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, Belize and Guatemala require the book passport, do not surrender the 10 year permit for the RV, that is good to go out and in to Mexico.

    As for boondocking the state of Tamaulipas and Veracruz are not that safe anymore, I would suggest travelling the inland route, less problems.

    navegator
  • Thanks for the Belize dog info - we take no chances with him, so if the Belizean situation is still as you describe, we might enter & exit through El Ceibo, which is actually shortest (other than eliminating the "loop" factor.Belize was just going to be a transit.

    I've been doing a lot of research. There is a rudimentary campground right at Tikal, but dogs are not allowed. Found one, maybe 2 possibilities at El Remate on the lake, and another at Yaxha.
  • There is a "campground" at Tikal. We feel Tikal alone is worth a week.
    Belize is awful, especially for your dog. Start doing your homework now,it can take a long time to get things set for passing through Belize. 5 years ago, we opted to go the long way to Tikal, and went through Guatemala.
    Belize would let us enter with the dog, but would inspect her down the road and possibly/probably impound her. Not a chance!!!
  • First of all the Laredo crossing will be safer. No, you do not need to turn in the paperwork. As far as Belize is concerned I cannot answer that question but the border crossing from Belize to Guatemala is a pain in the butt, or it was. My wife & I had letters from the Guatemalan government department we we working on a research project for, and we still had a hassle. The officials wanted a bribe and we still had to give it to them. We did inform the government agency we were working for after, so maybe they have been fired. It was in 2001.

    Tikal is impressive, I've been to all the major ruins in the Americas. Flores is also quoite a nice place. No RV park, though that I recall.

    BTW, somebody I know was arrested on the street in Flores and was charged with owning a backpack on the ground that was full of drugs. He was arrested.

    Guess what? It was the Guatemalan version of Candid Camera. I am not kidding.