Size max and budget for Mexico and Guatemala

[Sailorv]

Hi All,

This is my first post. I hope I follow all the rules (well kinda ;).

Three part question for ya, please.

1) Is there a big jump in costs, such as maintainence, parts, rv fees and ability to boondock between 25' and 30'?

2) What is the max size for Mexico, Belize and Guatemala?

3) Approximately much less expensive is it to rv in Mexico and C.A. versus the states?

Having read the blog 99 Days To Panama it has us convinced we need a small rv. Some other blogs or forum posts mentioned over 26' (I think?) is the max for Guatemala.
We are looking at older class a's under $10k (partner fixes and restores cars, boats and homes).

Thanks a lot for your opinion and advice!

[rztravelerUSA]

Having a GPS is a good backup to have in emergencies. Some people love em, others don't. When I first came to Mexico I was returning from Patzcuaro and came to a Y branch in the road. No signs indicating which way to go. I pulled off to the side of the road, sat there for about 20 minutes watching the few buses and trucks coming pass me. Most went to the right, so I went that way and came to a medium size village and found out where I was. In Costa Rica we were traveling a mountain highway and came to a roadblock. There was an avalanche in the mountains a few miles up the road and we were told it would be 2-3 days before we could get thru. Using our GPS we found an alternate route we could use. Our paper maps did show the detour but not the entire distance. Another time in Guatemala a bridge was washed out and traffic was driving thru the river to cross. We didn't want to do it as the water was up to the bottom of the vehicles, too easy to start floating away. Once again, used our GPS to find an alternate route. Otherwise we would have had to turn around and go back to the first major highway intersection to continue on. Going thru cities the major roads are marked in heavy yellow lines, I call it following the Yellow Brick Road. When traveling with friends they would always ask how I know how to get thru the heavy traffic and make the correct turns. Years ago traffic signs where almost nonexistent in Mexico. I bought my first one in 2008 and wished I had bought one sooner. I travel extensively and in the middle of nowhere I come to a road, use the GPS to see where it goes and if I want to drive it. I have 3 bags of paper maps and use them as a backup but nothing like an up to date GPS. I will admit you have to learn how to read one, more than once I was led astray. In southern Mexico I was taking a shortcut to a camp area, the GPS showed a nice road. I could see the camp area across the highway but the road had turned into a sidewalk! Driving a car and a RV are so different you can't compare the two. Where a car can go, a RV can't. Also, I can find the nearest Starbucks and Walmart, need my morning mocha and a place to stay for the night……

[fulltimedaniel]

I have traveled exstensively in Mexico Guatemala, Belize Honduras and El Salvador. But in a private car not RV. There are many many rv's traveling through the area though.

These are my thoughts:

A gps is probably a waste. The roads are well marked and signed for the vast majority and GPS has so many mistakes right here in the US I just cant see the use.

I found driving there pretty easy. But I have driven in many foreign countries including Egypt and Cambodia so these are a no brainer. Actually once out of the huge cities things are pretty easy.

I am toying with the idea myself of buying a good used Dodge Cummins PU, (leaving my new one home) and putting an old camper on it to take a trip to Nicaragua. I would not hesitate to do this. Many "overlanders" from Europe are doing this route all the time in some VERY big vehicles. And more and more Americans are getting into the overlanding spirit.

[tony_lee]

I wouldn't worry too much about the size of the rig. All these vehicles have managed without too many dramas. Whatever you choose will end up being a compromise

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/114611728110254134379/album/AF1QipPalci4Wfn6twIHZQLwDXkNCupo_Z7H...

[Sailorv]

Ron,MxWander,BrianSue and Tequila,

Muchos Gracias! I really appreciate your responses. Do you recommend a Class C over and A to better manage the roads or to potentially be able to get to places where folks say a 4x4 would be nice?

MexicoWander, would a 28'er be far and away easier than your 31 to get down that stretch to Panachajel?
Also, did you make it to the Rio Dulce? If so, find any hookups outaide of Brunos? Forums say it is the only rv spot on the rio (small rig).


The goal of this trip is to do an affordable 3-6 months of enjoying water toys and low cost alternative therapies. If anyone knows any Mayan Medicine places they recommend that would be great. Lake Atitlan seems to be the spot. However, Yucatan MX, Belize or eastern Guat would be ideal.

The route we would like to take is:
California down Baja. Ferry over to mainland. Get down to Sayulita/PV. Continue down to Zihua or cross to the Yucatan from PV area. We want to soak up some Caribbean (snorkeling/clear water) and Mayan culture. We are planning on bringing a sailing kayak and a sup maybe.

The other plan is to just fly to a couple of apots and rent inexpensive apartments. We are trying to figure out which is most cost effective but able to see health treatment but still be fun too (sailing and maybe surfing activities).

Thanks again!
Sailorv

[Tequila]

I have just finished souting out the yucatan route for a commercial caravan next season. I deternine dthat Class A's over 40 ft or 5hs over 36 ft woudl have issues in that area. The infratructure is nowhere near as good as it is on the west coast.

Toads are not a good idea. they double tolls, increase insurance rates. One issue with them happened to us. Mexicans are not used to seeign them. In one heavy traffic situation, someone decided to push there way in behind a Class A, assuming the jeep driver behind would yield. Well that jeep had no driver, it was a toad.

[briansue]

I can't tell you much about anywhere but Mexico.

See the "stickies" at the top of this forum to learn about permits and insurance etc.

Mexico has lots of toll roads (cuotas) and tolls. There is a website that can give some idea of tolls you might have to pay once you figure out your route. Tolls are dependent on type of vehicle. The website can be confusing.

http://app.sct.gob.mx/sibuac_internet/ControllerUI?action=cmdEscogeRuta&eligeIdioma=si

A lot of people are recommending . . . http://ioverlander.com/ . . . which I have not yet figured out how to use but people say it can be very helpful.

Good maps are very important. The latest most up to date maps online could well be . . . https://www.openstreetmap.org/ . . .

But in many cases you will not be able to get internet or good enough internet speed to use online maps. I downloaded and update . . . https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/p/windows-maps/9wzdncrdtbvb . . . which can give you close in street maps of cities and towns as well as major routes. Download all you can as you may not be able to get online when you want or need to.

Get more detailed ideas of where you want to go and what you want to do and then ask more specific questions here.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

The winding and steep road from Solola, to Panajachel Guatemala (Lake Atitlan) did not like my superior 31' bus, nor my 36' converted Crown bus. If toading I would suggest disconnecting and follow the toad up or down. Having a set of walkie-talkies or CB radio would help.

I managed OK with narrow roads, but some of the exiting-off-the-highway dips would play heck with a low slung vehicle. I avoided boondocking near Belize City, Guat City, Tegucigalpa, Managua and near the Panama Canal. My favorite night haunts were hotels with adequate parking. I also carried a sewer hose extension and a 30 gallon tote tank. I treated 100 gallons of domestic water with a cup of liquid bleach and had on hand four 29 liter garrafones for purified water. The last time I went I purchased 20 Kg of green coffee beans from a finca east of Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. US Customs gave me a hard time over it. The young agent said "Nobody I've seen enters with green coffee beans, only roasted beans". El Pazo, Texas. If I go again, it will be with a couple hundred alkaline AA and AAA batteries. Everyone loves them as gifts or tips.

[rztravelerUSA]

First of all get a Garmin GPS unit, they are the best. I traveled to Panama and back in 2010 with 2 others. We hit every CA country and took a year. I had a 30' Class A, the others were a 33' Class A and a converted Greyhound bus. We never had a problem driving anywhere or finding a place to stay, course we did boondock quite a bit. There are few RV parks to stay at, hotels and Balnerio's are a try.
When in Costa Rica I had my GPS unit stolen, the others had Tom Tom units. John had his daughter mail us 3 Garmin units while there, the Tom Tom units didn't show many of the roads mine did. Fill up every chance you get, a half a tank is an empty tank. Don't think you'll find a gas station when you need one, you won't. I had 2 dogs and when crossing into Belize I purchased permits which were good in every country except Panama. Hire the guys at the border crossings to help you thru Customs. It is well worth it as they take you to the front of the line. A few times I realized the customs agents were relatives of my helper. Also, before leaving the agent, check to ensure your passport was stamped. Once as I walked away I realized there was no stamp. The guy I hired was talking to the agent and he forgot to stamp my passport. Never take anything for granted as being done. Had a few minor issues when driving but nothing you don't run into in Mexico. Of course don't drive at night.
- Go online for current gas prices in each country. Have any maintenance work done before you leave as you will not be able to get parts for a RV itself. If you have a truck chassis you will find parts almost everywhere. I carry an extra house water pump, inverter, converter, air compressor for my tires, a 10 ton jack, a tire patch repair kit, flares, safety triangles, the bright orange stacking levelers (be careful using auto levelers if you have them as I damaged all my pads that year due to rocks, etc), air and oil filters, extra oil, tools and anything else you think you need. I boondock and seldom stay in RV parks so over the years I learned what I needed. I have a solar panel on the roof which is a godsend, plus my house generator. When driving during the day I charge all my batteries while the truck engine is charging my batteries.
- Buy good RV insurance for the countries you are traveling, don't take a chance going without it as your RV will be impounded if you have an accident.
- Have a cell phone and buy a chip for each country as you cross the border, they are very cheap and sometimes free.
- If you need local currency, use the money changers at the border crossings as they are all honest. Many of the guys you hire at the border crossings speak English. ATM machines are everywhere, never had a problem using one.
- When crossing the borders, carry as little food as possible as it may be confiscated. Happened once and we were upset as they took over $80 USD of food from me and even more from one of the others I was with.
- Near the larger cities you will find Walmart, Costco, and other large stores to shop.
If you want I can email you the GPS locations of places we stayed as we traveled. I also had the 99 Days to Panama, it was OK. Chris would go online as we traveled for places to stay and talking to other travelers we were told where we could camp for the nigh. I can email you the GPS locations of our camps. Ron