RV Tourism in Mexico

[moisheh]

Every season there are posters who think that this year RV tourism is increasing. As much as we would all like to think it is recovering the truth is it sucks! Today, El Imparcial has an article on the loss of trailer parks in San Carlos. There are quotes from the Tourist and Convention people with statistics. They used to have a thousand RV tourists in SC. Now it is maybe 150. Kino is very similar. They also mention that the RV'rs would return every year and eventually buy a house. The article also mentions the impact on the local economy. I can remember when you needed a reservation to get a spot in Kino. Not now. According to that article they blame the perception of insecurity.

Moisheh

[iguana07]

Corrupt Government in Mexico is not just a rarity it is ramped! I can assure you that from the top to the bottom there is corruption. In my life span and my Dad's it has not really changed. In my life time the cartels came into being. So the corruption has magnified.
Mexico has made some strides in creating a middle class and things have gotten better for a few. The infusion of American and other foreign countries companies have helped with the economy.

Corruption has never stopped me from traveling to Mexico, and I have seen my share of violence and corruption. I did skip a year after a close miss in Sinaloa so to calm my wife's nerves.

RV tourism is down, people I have met in Mexico are not returning. I have been traveling Mexico since the 50's things have changed, CHEAP is not the case anymore.
When I RV in the States or Canada I am not parking in Vancouver or Detroit. We are going to parks and lakes or beaches. Not to worried about shootings or whether I will be asked for a mordida from a park ranger.
Stop comparing Mexico to the U.S. !

[Barbilou_and_Fu]

We live outside Kino, and go to Tucson often for medical stuff. We could buy most of our groceries there (because Nogales border hasn't seemed to care what you bring across) but prefer fresh and local. However, paid too much for groceries and gas again today, everything except produce. Driving to Hermosillo to get better pricing loses the advantage in gas, really. May be rethinking the Tucson list...Sad, but that fixed income thing is real.

[mexicoruss]

CKNSLS wrote:
People are staying away sir...the RV parks are closing. You country has MUCHO problems!

Keep drinking the juice, it's OK. We still have the place to live.

Go on about your life, it is what you choose, just dont bang on others who have the same right. Dont tell me that one government is more corrupt than the other, they are all corrupt, at the end of the day you get to live your life. I prefer mine with my pretty wife on the edge of the sea of cortes'. Rv's are not the solution to the travel community / economy as you seem to think. The world is changing, you are helping it change, change is almost always a good thing. So thank you for your contribution.

Many people will continue to pay the cost, pay the tolls , pay whatever to be in a place that is real, genuine and true. If it's not you, then it's not on us, it's on you! Enjoy!

[CKNSLS]

People are staying away sir...the RV parks are closing. You country has MUCHO problems!

[mexicoruss]

Can you say "flex power"? No corruption involved in this whole thing. "buy american" even if is only the news that they want you to buy! This thing stinks from top to bottom but it will go away just all the other things that just "go away" nothing to see here folks keep moving along, keep consuming.........you're beautiful.. I mean it, oh forget bout fast and furious it was just a misunderstanding.......Oh sorry Holder is now gone, it'll just disappear......

[John___Angela]

briansue wrote:

he made an honest mistake in taking the wrong road.

This was a very interesting story. Few checked the facts. One news organization notorious for not checking facts and spreading misinformation got involved and no one saw the truth. These facts can be checked but are not easy to find because Mama put out so much misinfo that the facts got covered up. Here are some facts that are proven and available.

This marine's passport swipes showed he had been to Mexico and crossed at the same place quite a few times.

The morning of the day he was arrested he parked his truck at the US side of the border crossing and walked across the border - passport swipe plus video surveillance.

He checked in to a hotel and reserved a room to meet his girlfriend who lives in Tijuana - photocopy of hotel receipt with his signature on it.

He went back across the border and got his truck - pulled out of parking lot and attempted to cross - when pulled for inspection he tried to run to escape - video surveillance.

In his truck in the driver's area within reach of the driver were 3 fully loaded weapons - assault rifle - shotgun - pistol - and hundreds of rounds of ammo.

He lied to the police over and over again.

He was held because he was a criminal and he broke the laws of the country. He lied. Lawyer lied. Mama lied. You can Google to get the facts. They are out there buried behind Mama's lies. There are military prison in the US full of US military personnel who committed crimes. Being a former marine does not exempt this guy from obeying the law - no matter what country he is in.

I think the scariest thing of this whole situation was when this man was returned to the USA he was allowed to go free. NO Jail, I don't think he even had a psych eval. This guy is walking around in public as we speak. A guy who had assault weapons with multiple mags on the seat beside him. I know the US has different gun laws than other countries (not up on this kind of thing as I am not a citizen) but I would be surprised if that is legal in the US in any state. Lets assume he did make a mistake and turned to into the border crossing (highly doubtful as he crossed regularly including earlier that day). If he had been pulled over on the US side would he not have been committing a crime, and if so is it considered a serious crime. I can't imagine being a cop and seeing that kind of hardware in easy reach of the driver. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong and loaded assault weapons with multiple mags is within the law in the USA. I would be curious. I know if he had crossed the Canadian border with that kind of fire power at hand he would still be in Jail, car and everything else confiscated forever. I have no problem with foreign gun laws as it is simply none of my business. I just didn't realize that they were that lenient in the US. Don't think I'll ever give anyone a nasty look when they cut me off at starbucks again when we are in the USA. 🙂

[mexicoruss]

Yes of course "buy American.......it really helps keep our Mexican businesses in business"

That term "buy American" went out a long time ago. Almost everything you consume up there comes from somewhere else. America consumes 25% of the worlds production, yet it's population is 3% of the world.......it may not make you think, but it makes me think.

When a person rents a condo in Mexico....chances are he is renting from an American or a Canadian since they are big investors in Mexico, so then are you buying American when your travel south of the border?......aah me thinks yes!. When you rent you 20 buck a night spot on the beach in Mexico for your RV (components from Mexico)do you help America?....Yes on that one too, since Mexicans purchase so much from the US in the form of goods that it may blow your mind. The money they use to purchase your goods comes from you spending money here. If you think that you can have an economy solely based on your particular geographic proximity or your particular country ( I suggest build a wall and only purchase what you produce) without regard for the world around you, then it is you who should reconsider your thoughts, simply ridiculous thinking. Buy American, Buy Mexican, Buy Canadian, buy world view and quit being so myopic in your thinking.

[CKNSLS]

They can protest all they want. The country needs to be cleansed of the bad guys.

This is the same situation ( just different circumstances) as before.

It's Mexico - nothing will change.

Lynn-thanks for supporting the AMERICAN ECONOMY!

[Lynn0527]

CKNSLS wrote:
Brian-While your post is accurate you missed my point. My point is that many express alliance to the U.S.in many ways (for one trying to buy "American"-or what they perceive to be "American") yet go to a country that at the very least has governing problems and at the most is corrupt. So, instead of supporting this mess, IMHO they should support American campgrounds, restaurants, and other businesses and attractions by spending their dollars HERE.

In my mind that is the right thing to do.

There is one thing for sure - if the Mexican people could get their hands on weapons - there would be a revolution.

I have read everything that everyone has said and have done some internet research and reading some good newspapers trying to get a sense of the reality of the situation. After today and seeing that the protesters are getting more and more angry (I totally agree with them and applaud their anger), the reality is that this horrific incident is blowing up quickly and IMHO will be volatile for the next little while. I checked the Canadian government travel advisories and well I generally take then with a grain of salt, my biggest fear is being in the wrong place at the wrong time. There is now a huge protest in Mexico City and the protests are spreading quickly and are being carried out across the country.

To be honest, I am not worried about myself as I can quickly get out of situations but I am worried about my New RV that could get caught up in the mix. But because I am Canadian and I need a break from our winter weather, I think I am going to head south to Arizona and New Mexico and spend my time there. Mexico will be there for me next year and the year after but right now, there is volatility and I would be honestly be a little nervous.

I was listening to a video from a respected Mexican security analyst and he'd made a very good point - because the President has gone after the cartel leaders (and many are in jail) the new federal police force (who are Canadian trained) are really cracking down and the gangs have moved into the rural areas. This has taken the fight closer to the Mexican people. There are more fights between gang members and police and there is a possibility of getting caught in the middle.

This in no way changes my mind about beautiful Mexico or the lovely people there but it does give me pause for thought. This year might not be the year to go but I have many years of RVing in front of me but I would be nervous so I think I will spend my Canadian dollars in Arizona and New Mexico this year and plan to go to Mexico another time.

Thanks for the lively debate.

Lynn

[briansue]

support American campgrounds, restaurants, and other businesses and attractions by spending their dollars HERE.

We most certainly spend the majority of our meager income in the US. We do all the things you suggest. And we pay taxes too. When we travel - which is most of the time - we visit communities all over the US and spend money everywhere we go. We buy local whenever we can.

But we like to travel to see both new and old things. We like to see history. We see ancient pyramids in Mexico that exist nowhere else. We see colonial architecture that can be seen nowhere else. There are many reasons to travel. And then there is the food. And the people. We see so much in Mexico but we never seem to see any of the Mexico that is reported on the news in the US. We see so much that cannot be seen or found anywhere in the US. And in no way am I saying it is all good - we see the bad with the good - just as we do anywhere we go.

We are SCUBA divers and travel to Caribbean Islands and South Pacific Islands to dive.

We travel to Europe to see other ways of life and to get a better perspective on our lives and in our lives.

All of these things add to our lives - enrich our lives - improve our lives - we do not live sheltered lives - we do not isolate ourselves from the rest of the world.

In a global economy the money goes around and comes around.






.

[briansue]

he made an honest mistake in taking the wrong road.

This was a very interesting story. Few checked the facts. One news organization notorious for not checking facts and spreading misinformation got involved and no one saw the truth. These facts can be checked but are not easy to find because Mama put out so much misinfo that the facts got covered up. Here are some facts that are proven and available.

This marine's passport swipes showed he had been to Mexico and crossed at the same place quite a few times.

The morning of the day he was arrested he parked his truck at the US side of the border crossing and walked across the border - passport swipe plus video surveillance.

He checked in to a hotel and reserved a room to meet his girlfriend who lives in Tijuana - photocopy of hotel receipt with his signature on it.

He went back across the border and got his truck - pulled out of parking lot and attempted to cross - when pulled for inspection he tried to run to escape - video surveillance.

In his truck in the driver's area within reach of the driver were 3 fully loaded weapons - assault rifle - shotgun - pistol - and hundreds of rounds of ammo.

He lied to the police over and over again.

He was held because he was a criminal and he broke the laws of the country. He lied. Lawyer lied. Mama lied. You can Google to get the facts. They are out there buried behind Mama's lies. There are military prison in the US full of US military personnel who committed crimes. Being a former marine does not exempt this guy from obeying the law - no matter what country he is in.

[Jacon]

This post will make a few people mad,but I could care less. Its about principal and America pulling together. Must keep forgetting about the Marine held for 214 days when it was proved he made an honest mistake in taking the wrong road.

Anybody out there ever made a mistake while traveling on the road,take a wrong turn? Thank God one news organization had the wisdom to keep us informed unlike the other liberal non-reporting ones.

What if it was your son or daughter incarcerated. Different story.Yes everyone has the right to vacation where they want,is that not the American way, but I for one will not give a nickel to Mexico for any reason. Seems like we forget the other murders of American citizens in the past.Wake up.

Semper Fi

[MEXICOWANDERER]

There is so much money in the USA corruption largely goes unnoticed. justice? Try getting a traffic ticket then fight it. You're going to get a guilty until proven innocent runaround that will cost you hundreds if not a thousand dollars.

"They stole everything! But later the cops got them. I got nothing returned but that's OK in my book." Life is so much better where there is "justice".

Prevention is the key. I keep harping this. Prevention, not revenge, not hiding under your bed. Making a personal judgement that affects only you, by reading, distilling and biasing perception via overall news media accounts is just plain "unintelligent".

A person is a thousand times more likely to perish via a head-on with a KenMex truck that they would via gang violence.

I live in Michoacan. I live exactly in the BULLSEYE of perceived problems in Michoacan. Dead center between Caleta de Campos, La Mira and Playa Azul. Boogieman Land. Try as I might I cannot hear the rattle of gunfire on a dead quiet night. Furtive figures do not lurk in the orchards, Charles Manson with a sombrero does not try and shoot the doorknobs off my casita with a .44 magnum.

PERCEIVED reality frequently is a hell of a lot different from the real thing.

99% of the people buried in those clandestine fosas are bad people. The criminals are engaged in high-speed Darwinism. Anyone stupid enough to think it is "macho" to carry a "cuerno" and rob and kill themselves need to be seeing tree roots. If it takes 500,000 or a million gangster's deaths to thin the herd then let it be. I am concerned only with the innocent.

Mexico because of no public pressure to change the system got caught with her shorts down around her ankles. Think there are MORE corrupt politicians now than there was thirty or fifty years ago? Better rethink things. The internet and higher stakes are allowing the scum to float to the surface faster.

The country has got a long way to go with reforms. But the big bag of wet esterico has hit the ventilator and there is no turning back. The PRI is walking a razor blade. One act of federal police violence against innocent civilians will finish the PRI and leave PAN and PRD quaking in their boots. All of gobernacion knows this. Only arrogant state and local (municipio) officials have not gotten the word yet. Their fate is also hanging by a thread. It will not take much to set off a full fledged civil insurreccion and the crooks in politics are terrified of it happening.

Much of the state buildings in Chilpancingo Guerrero have been burned to the ground as of this morning. Same with the offices of the PRI. Ashes. This should not affect tourist safety or convenience in the slightest but it will - guaranteed. Timid people need the slightest excuse to demonize something.

[CKNSLS]

Brian-While your post is accurate you missed my point. My point is that many express alliance to the U.S.in many ways (for one trying to buy "American"-or what they perceive to be "American") yet go to a country that at the very least has governing problems and at the most is corrupt. So, instead of supporting this mess, IMHO they should support American campgrounds, restaurants, and other businesses and attractions by spending their dollars HERE.

In my mind that is the right thing to do.

There is one thing for sure - if the Mexican people could get their hands on weapons - there would be a revolution.

[briansue]

The vast majority on this board are "Pro American. anti buying goods made elsewhere (especially from China) etc.

So stay out of that messed up country and spend your dollars here!

It is next to impossible to determine where some things are made anymore - or where things come from. The cars with the highest percent or parts and assembly made in the US these days are Toyota Camry and Honda Accord at 80% with Corvette coming in third at 75%. No Dell computer - or most other computers - or phones - are made in the US. No coffee is grown in the US. No bananas are grown in the US. No rubber from the US. Almost nothing on the shelves at Walmart comes from the US.

It may be only theoretical to say but we supposedly live in the "Global Economy". If people in other parts of the world have money they will be more likely to buy things made in the US. If people go to other countries and spend money they help the economy of that country so the people there can afford to buy things made in the US. Our balance of trade with Mexico may not be perfect but it was closer than I thought - I think I read it is under 10%.

It is certainly very important for people in the US to buy things made in the US. But if wages stay low it is a proven economic fact that people cannot spend money they do not have. It all adds up to being very difficult to figure out. No simple way to look at it. The US imports oil from other countries and then sells oil produced in the US to other countries - go figure?

The US has trade agreements with other countries - we'll buy from you if you buy from us. But they do not have agreements with a lot of other countries. Mexico has trade agreements with quite a few more countries than the US. So US manufacturers build plants in Mexico to build US products that can be sold in more countries where Mexico has trade agreements with - very soon there will be more cars built in Mexico than in the US. The big three US automakers all have huge plants in Mexico - as do many of the rest of the world's automakers - Toyota - Honda - Nissan - VW - they are all building cars in Mexico because of trade advantages. Freightliner trucks and John Deere tractors as well as a lot of Caterpillar equipment - all built in Mexico.

At the same time all the world's automakers have assembly plants in the US employing US workers - Toyota - Honda - Nissan - Hyundai - BMW - Mercedes - all built in the US - and many others. Volvo trucks are built in the US.

So how do you BUY AMERICAN? How do you know. And if we do not buy from other countries they cannot afford to buy from us so sales of US goods around the world goes down and jobs in the US are lost. It can get extremely complicated.

US ag-business - the corporate farms - have all bought up huge chunks of land in Mexico and are farming there instead of in the US - and/or they have major contracts with Mexican growers. We see a line of trucks 3 wide and a mile long waiting to cross the border at Nogales. Many other crossings have as many or more trucks crossing the border daily - with food to feed the US. Do you know where your fruit or vegetables come from? How do you know you are buying American?

The world is no longer a simple place. It is not as easy as some seem to think to have certain principles and to live by those principles. There is no automobile you can buy that is 100% made in the US - they do not exist. Very few things are. You can research all of this if you really want to try to BUY AMERICAN. You may find it cannot be done.