Roaming and boondocking in Mexico

[Roadlover]

This coming winter we would like to travel into Mexico and possibly do some boondocking, but also hear of the violence in various areas. Are there areas that are safe to cross the boarder, go camping and even boondock? We travel in an AF 1150. Thanks

[Kayteg1]

I have Polish young friends, who just few years ago flew with 1-year old baby to California, bought 2WD Toyota RAV 4 and drove it all the way to Equador. They slept in tent not seeking campgrounds.
Seems the white head baby made them friends everywhere with Spanish people, but they had the trip of their life and all excelent memories.
All on limited budget.

[3_tons]

Personally, I try to avoid flirtations with ‘known risk areas’ like wrong turns in Oakland, So. Side Chicago, and in more recent years the uncertainty of Mexico - all are deleted from my ‘need to be there’ bucket-list...

[BradW]

https://www.mexperience.com/mexicos-strict-gun-laws/

[Kayteg1]

This is old saying.
When there is a homicide every 3 days in city like Oakland, CA, that is nothing to worry about.
But when once a decade US tourist gets killed in Mexico, you have all kind of warnings.
Baja is very safe for traveling and since you have basically single highway going to Cabo, not much guidance needed. The region is very catholic and we met lot of US campers who don't lock their RVs... unless greengo arrives. That said, they don't hesitate to cheat in bussines and sticking fuel hose in your RV where the meter was not reset is common issue.
How is diesel fuel in Mexico recently? With new engines that used to be a problem.

[_1Flyboy]

DISCLAIMER....My previous post pertains only to Baja.... I’ve been at other locations around Mexico but used commercial flights & stayed at inclusive resorts and did not drive around....

[bighatnohorse]

BradW wrote:
Violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread.

Really? I was all over Oaxaca and Puebla this winter and did not encounter ANY of that. We did have a good ground shaker while staying at the Holiday Inn Express.

[BradW]

Subject: Mexico Travel Advisory

As of 22 August 2018, the U.S. has issued a travel advisory for Mexico after authorities found eight bodies in Cancún this week.

Travelers to Mexico are advised to "exercise increased caution," according to a State Department advisory, which notes that "violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread." Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime. Some areas have increased risk.
Violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico as U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to these areas.

U.S. government employees are prohibited from intercity travel after dark in many areas of Mexico. U.S. government employees are also not permitted to drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico with the exception of daytime travel on Highway 15 between Nogales and Hermosillo.

Do not travel to:
•Colima state due to crime.
•Guerrero state due to crime.
•Michoacán state due to crime.
•Sinaloa state due to crime.
•Tamaulipas state due to crime.

If you decide to travel to Mexico:
•Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving at night.
•Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
•Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
•Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
•Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
•Follow the Department of State on Facebook? and Twitter?.
•Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Mexico.
• Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime.

[_1Flyboy]

..... You can join forums.bajanomad.com and get answers to your questions there... But with many forums there are things posted that need to be taken with a grain of salt.... Me personally, I’ve been flying & lately driving down yearly and have had no negative experiences.... We’re gonna get a TC next year & we plan on doing trips to Baja...You will need a Mexican insurance policy on your truck ( can be purchased for a day, a week, a month, etc.). And get pesos on the US side right at the border otherwise merchants will not give you a good exchange rate when you use dollars.. Lots of RV’s in Baja...And there are multiple companies doing guided RV caravans if you wanna try that.. You can get shot in LAX or NYC more easily than Baja....

[jplante4]

The big draw in Mexico is the lower cost of everything, especially if you're on expensive meds. People who would be homeless on this side of the border on SS and Medicare can life a decent life south of the border. These people would be your best resource for where not to go and what not to do.

Ping member MEXICOWANDERER. In addition to being the forum expert on all things electrical, he's been SOTB for several years, only coming back to SoCal for specialized medical treatment.

IMHO, you'll be safer in Mexico if you stay away from the big resort areas. It seems a lot of the higher profile crimes occur in those places.

[Optimistic_Para]

+1!

The three rules for living a long, trouble-free life:

1: Don't do stupid things.
2: Don't hang out with stupid people.
3: Don't go to stupid places.

Right now, Mexico sounds like a really stupid place to go. I realize not everyone shares that opinion.

[TxGearhead]

My short answer is: no.
But there has to be some safe places in the interior. If you could "helicopter" in there you might be OK.
I live in the Houston area, but have worked in the oilfield near Laredo. I was on a large (100,000+ acres) isolated ranch within 15 miles of the border. We had almost daily interaction with illegal aliens. The ranch managers truck was shot up, with him in it, and we had a big shoot out at the ranch gate with Border Patrol and criminals. Border Patrol was on the ranch daily on horseback with helicopters overheard.
Living with potential violence daily is just a way of life there. Being on the other side of the river in those conditions with no, or questionable, law enforcement isn't something I want to do.
All that said there are many people that RV in Mexico and never have a problem.
I just wouldn't go into this with wide eyed innocence thinking you will be OK wherever you go.
You may want to get down here and hang out on this side of the border and see if the atmosphere is OK with you before you just dive into this head first. If not, you can find a place to winter on the US side.

[BradW]

No second amendment in Mexico.

[Optimistic_Para]

Here you go:

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29419108/gotomsg/29519131.cfm#29519131

[Optimistic_Para]

I've seen some posts that claim Mexico isn't allowing trucks with truck campers into the country. Something about a new law or regulation.

[bighatnohorse]

For up-to-date information and some American/Canadian expats that are based in Mexico you can get good current information in the "RVing in Mexico" forum.