PNW_Wood
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Hwy 1 - San Diego to La Paz
Hi, I've been talking about driving to La Paz in some different circles and on two separate occasions people have said they wouldn't drive an RV on Hwy 1 due to certain spots being so narrow. On the other hand, I've read blogs and articles on the area and they talk about Hwy 1 being a four lane highway. Obviously a little conflicting info. I figured folks here would have an authoritative answer on the drive/route. Slightly related subject - If the plan is to take the ferry over to Mazatlan (side question - can an RV do that?) is there a place to get your TIP as you enter Baja? Thanks2KViews0likes5CommentsRe: What can I bring into Mexico Food / wine / liquor / meat
Belgique wrote: Re dog food. Agree that it is avail everywhere UNLESS your pooch needs grain free. Out tender 120# Lab (that will eat anything that doesn't eat him first) needs grain free or he scratches like crazy. Only place we found it anywhere was Pet Smart and it was close to twice as expensive. That was this year...maybe it will change soon. We'll take a lot with us on the next trip. Customs folks took one look at the Lab and waved us through with only a cursory look at a basement compartment...would not come inside. On 3 trips no one on either side of the border asked for dog (2ea) or cat (2ea) papers...we had them just in case though. Have you checked the options at Costco? Our lab was allergic to grain and milk. We used the Kirkland "Natures Domain" product for him and it was perfect. They have a few different options; the salmon was super stinky and made his breath the worst. We have all our dogs on the Turkey and sweet potato. While I've not seen it myself, I've been told the Costco in PV has the Natures Domain brand http://www.kirklandsignaturepetsupplies.com/natures-domain-brand677Views0likes0CommentsRe: What can I bring into Mexico Food / wine / liquor / meat
https://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/crossingtheborder.php Not to be argumentative, but I don't think the rules are any different regardless of how you arrive. Maybe I'm wrong Here is a reference saying you can come down with 1000 per person in items. Unless you're are carrying unusual amounts of "stuff", I don't think I'd worry about it. Carrying down a bunch of new in box stereos is a different story676Views0likes0CommentsRe: What can I bring into Mexico Food / wine / liquor / meat
You need medical documents for your dog. They need to be within a month of crossing I think??? Up to date rabies https://www.bajabound.com/before/pettravel/enteringmexico.php I've heard you can find Costco's brands dog foods down there, at Costco of course... so if you won't be near one of those, not very useful :) I also understand you can bring a bag of food, but like someone mentioned, if you show up with a pallet of dog food, you might raise some eyebrows. I'd bring three and not think twice about it you can bring all your personal electronics. I'm a tech geek and I fly into PV and Maz with a backpack filled with iphone, ipod, Surface, iPad, portable speakers, camera, etc. I don't know about $300 worth of stuff, hell, my Surface is worth well over that. Nifty250 - you are over thinking things. While my experiences driving down are outdated now, I've been keeping tabs on things recently due to it being in my future. If you show up at the border with a trailer full of electronics, obviously they are going to expect you to pay import taxes. But the standard stuff you have in your MH isn't going to get a second look. Meat, fruits, and veggies - big no guns and ammo - super big no people moving down there, some of them at least, will pack up all the things they consider essential to filling their new home. Loaded with a trailer, I've not come across any stories of being turned away or forced to pay any import fees. The key is that you aren't bringing in a bunch of new stuff (they will think you are bringing it in to sell). Also, if you are bringing in a trailer, I've heard having an itemized list of everything in there is wise https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/reinounido/images/stories/stories/2015/Octubre/guia%20rapida_3.pdf677Views0likes0CommentsRe: Brand new RVers headed to Mexico, requesting advice
briansue wrote: The fuel comment above has to do with diesel - Mexican diesel isn't ULSD for the most part - though that is up for discussion as much of their fuel comes from the US. No guarantees. But that only matters to newer diesel vehicles. Many do travel in Mexico and many get away with it. We have on 06 and won't be getting a newer one until Mexico has ULSD. Maybe we will never get a newer one. I'm actually really glad to finally see someone taking a common sense approach to this ULSD issue. I'm not a MH owner yet. I know I'll be in Mexico a lot. I'm either going new/newer gasser or '06/older DP due to the lack of appropriate fuel. I've done a little research and google'ing on the subject and it seems like there are a LOT of people that choose to do it... "it just uses more DEF" (something you have to haul with you because you cant get it down there), or "the so and so will get clogged".... but this is all in their justification for going for it. From everything I've seen so far, MH's are temperamental at best. Why would anyone in their right mind intentionally put their power plant, or exhaust system, at risk while traveling in a foreign country? It doesn't pass the "does this make sense" test for me.379Views0likes0CommentsRe: Camp Site Info
Belgique wrote: Sorry. I caused all this by mentioning Kevin and Ruth's great FB site. Naive of me to think that those who don't do FB would just scroll on by. no, don't be sorry. I appreciate the reference. Personally I think Briansue's tinfoil hat is on a little tight, but that is his right. I personally use FB and I'm reasonably confident my computer hasn't been compromised. Mostly because I don't click on stuff or say "ok" to random popups that prompt me to install something (the behavior of the image exploit Briansue specifically mentioned BTW) like I said before, the web site by Bill Bell isn't on Facebook at all, but he does have a good group for up to date info on FB.386Views0likes0CommentsRe: Camp Site Info
I've been looking into Bill Bell's site. I haven't ruled out the Church book, just haven't gotten to buy it yet. Bills site, http://www.ontheroadin.com/ , has nothing to do with Facebook folks. He does have a FB group where people can ask for up to date road info, but the bulk of his Mexico campground information is all located on a traditional site. He also used a Google maps overlay for all the locations. Slight segway on to Facebook for a second. While the bulk of FB is mostly worthless, it is a good way to keep in touch with friends, and there are groups such as Bills that allow you to get good "on the ground" information about various things. If you are concerned about your personal privacy, don't put anything out there of a personal nature. Create an account using a dummy email address and don't post stuff about yourself. Also, don't click any of the ads or links. Pretty easy to not expose yourself while still gleaning some benefit.229Views0likes0CommentsRe: Camp Site Info
briansue wrote: Here is a start. We still use the "Church Book" or what some call "The Bible" for RVing and Camping in Mexico - by Mike & Terri Church. It is somewhat out of date since they have not put out a new edition for a few years - but still lots of good info and you can cross reference on their UPDATES page of their website if people would write in to tell them when new information is learned. We still also use Bill & Dot Bell's website ontheroadin.com and have purchased their road logs and still use them and find them invaluable - we make our own notes to our printed versions of their logs. Some people suggest ioverlander.com but we don't learn a whole lot there that isn't available on the above - though there is always something new to be learned in any website - this one has travelers posting as they learn new things. Using a Windows computer we use HERE MAPS - we also have a GPS from Garmin and we keep it updated. I have found the newest and latest and most up to date maps on openstreetmaps.com . We use as many sources as we can find - this forum is also a great resource - if you ask the right questions. PEMEX has put out a guide of their own where you can find just about every gas station in Mexico . . . http://guiapemex.pemex.com/SitePages/home.aspx#! . . . http://www.rollinghomes.com/mexico%20book.htm BOOK http://rollinghomes.com/Update%20log.htm UPDATES Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping: Explore Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize With Your RV or Tent Fourth Edition by Mike and Terri Church 6" by 9" Paperback 576 pages, over 250 maps ISBN 978-0982310106 $ 21.95 http://www.ontheroadin.com/ BILL & DOT BELL http://ioverlander.com/ ioverlander Thanks, helpful info. I'll peruse :) I'm a member of Bill's Facebook page so I'm familiar with them, but didn't know they had a regular site. Will check it out Thanks229Views0likes0CommentsRe: Camp Site Info
tepetapan wrote: Church's book is the best by far, I think Bell's book is geared to the West Coast and has a Ghost Writer do some stuff on the right coast and possibly other areas since I have yet to meet him in over 13 years. iOverlander is an app that does no research or invests anything, they just post people's input. Guess what? That does not work well sometimes. It takes an investment of time and money to put out a really good product. Yeah, I've seen that book and read it was good. Seems counterintuitive to buy a book for an area that is prone to change, but I guess I'll give it a go229Views0likes0Comments
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