Forum Discussion

Lazydaze17's avatar
Lazydaze17
Explorer
Aug 24, 2013

Border crossing in an rv advice

Hi internet friends- thinking I need a trip to Mexico for a variety of reasons, mostly health-related. I think I'm determining that Rosarito might be safe and fun place for a mid-thirties male. I have been before, but in 1999 under much different circumstances.

My question for this forum: would a Caucasian driving an rv during the day draw visits from the federales? What's the deal with that exactly? When handling oneself well, that really seems the biggest danger. Thanks in advance!!!
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    With medical marijuana, it's not Federales on the road that you should worry about. If you take the toll highway, nobody is going to stop you unless you are speeding up too much or driving erratically. But federal border agents will want to inspect you RV. Cars without much stuff inside are waived through, but RV's are pulled off for inspection, almost always.
  • The usual rules apply stay on the toll roads and don't act flash and all should be fine. If you do get pulled over either pay the Mordita or play the game.


    The only rule is use plenty of common sense.
  • Same in Canada they will arrest you if you have medical marijuana on you from the US.
  • What do you intend to do to attract the "FEDREALES", if you have a MARIGUANA CARD from California and are planning to use it, forget it, you are a visitor to to the country.

    Mexico has legalized the use of Mariguna in certain quantities for personal use, do not think that you have the same rights to obtain mariguana or other ilisit drugs, should you do that you will be visited by the local corrupt pretend cops to extort money from you, the Federeales could not care about you.

    If you only want to behave and have a great time, then you are OK to travell alone any where in Mexico, with out any fear of any Federal, State or local Authorities.

    Follow the laws and rules and you will have the time of your life.

    navegator
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Just go. I don't even understand your worries.
    After crossing at new San Ysidro El Chapparal checkpoint there is mere 30 miles to Rosarito. All this stretch, from the border to Rosarito, is one long gringo-town development.
  • Not sure of your concern of the federal police. What kind of attention are you concerned about. Checkpoints? Traffic stops? Language barrier? What's your concern? The only thing I can suggest is the obvious. Obey the traffic laws and drive safe.

    Have a safe trip.
  • Federales are much better than they used to be, a few years ago they fired about half of them and the Canadian RCMP trained those remaining. I have not been shaken down by a federale in 4 years at least. Its municipal police & transitos you have to watch.
  • We drive down the Baja every winter in our truck and 5th wheel. We usually cross at Tecate and that hooks us up to Mex 1 in Ensenada. We don't ever get stopped at the border there at all.

    Not sure exactly what you are concerned with in terms of federales. We've have nothing but good experiences with the police and the inspectors at the military checkpoints. So far we've been treated courteously and professionally.

    As far as Rosarito specifically, we don't stop that far north so I don't have any specifics for you. You can check Baja Nomads for more info there as well.

    I see singles traveling alone along the Baja and I don't think it raises any eyebrows any more than a single guy traveling alone in the US. Just use common sense, lock you belongings when away, and don't be flashy with jewelry or other items to attract a lot of attention to yourself.

    Oh yeah . . . stay away from bad areas of town there just like you would here . . .

    Charlene
  • We stopped traveling to that side of the Baja a couple years back when things got really crazy. We travel through Mexicalli several times a year while on our way to San Felipe without issue. We used to go via Ensenada to spend a day at the fish market for supplies before heading across the peninsula on hwy 3. We miss it and will probably start going that way again this year. There's a couple nice RV parks down that way. It's been a long time since we stayed but there were two in Rosarito that we liked and one in Ensenada called Estero Beach. Sorry can't remember the Rosartio ones but i think one has since closed. Check the ontheroadin.com website to get a idea of what's down there.

    The usual rules apply stay on the toll roads and don't act flash and all should be fine. If you do get pulled over either pay the Mordita or play the game. Sometimes you win sometimes you end up at a house a mile outside of town and end up paying the Mordita anyway (that was Cancun, not a fun day). I prefer to travel in the early morning as things are a bit less busy. Honestly the worst part for me is going across the boarder north. Too crazy.

    If you can wait another month or so (summer heat) San Felipe is a mellow town and may have what you need. Certainly smaller than Tijuana but very safe with a large expat community.