We are posting to this forum for the first time, so hope we are doing it right! We would like to take our fifth wheel from Canada to Mexico to the Lake Chapala area for 3 months in Jan. 2017. We would cross the border on the eastern side of northern Mexico. However, we just found out the northern border states are designated "under travel advisory" by the Can. govt. due to violence. We realize we would just be passing through the northern states, but we are still concerned about making that passage. One of our questions is if anyone knows of a caravan or another small group we could join up with to make our first trip. Our dates could be flexible to accommodate such help. Thanks!

I haven't been through that North Eastern part of Mexico, and don't have recent information, but I think I would stay away from it and go further west to Nogales then go down the western side of Mexico to Chapala. I know that would add quite a bit of travel to your trip, but may be something to consider.I would try searching google for recent safety information both from official sites and personal reviews for cities along the border states, and make a more informed decision. Our family is from Chapala, and we used to travel that route from Nogales every year, but that was a long time ago, so I don't really know how it is now. I wish I could do a trip like that - sure am looking forward to retirement! Good luck and have a blast!

If you look at real statistics, the border is actually safer than most of the areas that rvers spend their winters in. There is one exception. The area between Matamoros and Ciudad Victoria. Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Juarez, Reynosa (yes Reynosa), Monterrey and all points south are much safer.Statistics from 2014, I'm sure I could up date them

bcr, you will enjoy Mexico. For yourslves, it looks like you would enjoy one or more travel companions. Driving into Mexico would be a bit of a challenge, but nothing you could not do alone. But just to allay reasonable negative thoughts you have lots of time to find travel companion(s). Put the word out about your particular dates and destinations, right here, and you should reel in something concrete. Caravans? maybe not your cup of tea, they want you to stay with them there and back, but you want to stay in one place for a considerable duration, so not sure if any caravan might deviate. If one will, maybe they will message you. Otherwise, looking for like-minded travelers going your way, and in your time, should be your best bet. This period until late August is the off-season for using this forum, so it may take a while. Keep at it, and good luck.

I also sent you a PM if you are are looking for a caravan to get your there, I am wagon master on one crossing Jan 11th, but from Az. They will do a one way to Chapala. That trip going the whole way crosses back at Laredo. The NE is less safe than the Nogales crossing, especially for a newbie, and getting a 5th wheel around Guadalajara if you are not familiar with that area can be a challenge. Another alternative is to see if you can tag onto Pierre Blais caravan (amigos Rodantes)for 2 days, which is predominantly French, but he crosses in east Texas(Hidalgo). He can get you close and at least across the border. He crosses on jan 7 and if he follows the usual pattern ends up within striking distance of Chapala. I may also be presenting seminars at the RV show in Toronto in mid October if timing is correct, and you can get a lot of info on driving in Mexico from me. The only route I would probably consider from the east is the columbia crossing at Laredo. if you have read the other thread you will see the problems with some Texas crossings and 3/4 & 1 ton pickups, but we hope to get that resolved by January. If this is your first trip, you may want to find others to travel with or use a commercial caravan. That partially depends on if you want to see some stuff like Copper Canyon and some colonial cities enroute or you just want to get there ASAP. You never said why you want to go to Chapala. There is no RV park there, the closest is Roca Azul & Villa Corona. The other factor is your truck. Is it a post mid 2007 deisel? If so ULSD is still not availble in Mexio and you may want to take the shortest, most direct route in that case, which means Columbia. Just be aware that that route takes you through a lot more remote countryside & boring, so plan your stop well. It's a 2 day trip.

rv to Lake Chapala area | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

robatthelake
Explorer
Jun 09, 2016
Check Your PM !
qtla9111
Nomad
Jun 09, 2016
If you look at real statistics, the border is actually safer than most of the areas that rvers spend their winters in. There is one exception. The area between Matamoros and Ciudad Victoria.

Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Juarez, Reynosa (yes Reynosa), Monterrey and all points south are much safer.

Statistics from 2014, I'm sure I could up date them
caberto
Explorer
Jun 09, 2016
I haven't been through that North Eastern part of Mexico, and don't have recent information, but I think I would stay away from it and go further west to Nogales then go down the western side of Mexico to Chapala. I know that would add quite a bit of travel to your trip, but may be something to consider.

I would try searching google for recent safety information both from official sites and personal reviews for cities along the border states, and make a more informed decision.

Our family is from Chapala, and we used to travel that route from Nogales every year, but that was a long time ago, so I don't really know how it is now. I wish I could do a trip like that - sure am looking forward to retirement! Good luck and have a blast!

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rv to Lake Chapala area

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