Mexico Gulf Coast Camping?

[NadMat]

Am planning a future trip to Mexico, fast down to Quintana Roo, around Chetumal, then diving and exploring back up the coast to Texas. Anybody have experience camping/driving in Mexico. I haven't driven in mexico since an early 80's dive trip to baja. Gulf coast and caribean info most helpful.

Thanks, Matt

[NadMat]

Have been researching RVing in Mexico and have decided to start with couple of long weekend trips to find out conditions for myself. First will be a trip to La Pesca on gulf coast south of Matamoras. Will be mostly to get familiar with border crossing procedure and to investigate the road conditions and average speeds possible. Plus a beach campout is always fun.

Second trip will probably be a no camper drive to Poza Rica, stay in hotel, check out town, another night in hotel, head for home. Purpose will be to check out 180 further down coast and verify expected average speeds.

Still interested in hearing from others of their experiences of driving in Mexico, expecially gulf coast and Yucatan. Looking like early to mid 2007 before repairs to my '74 Brandywine (on its way to becoming the Brandynstien) will be to campable conditions again, so have plenty of time for planning and dreaming, plus dropping sweat and cash into upgrades and repairs to TV and PUP.

[NadMat]

Just a little visual of the planned routes

Trip one - Border crossing test



Trip two - Average travel test



Dream trip - 21 day dream dive/camp vacation


Questions/comments???

[NadMat]

Just a link to my favorite trip resource online so far

Mexico RV and Camping Parks

and a few views showing some of why I want to go...





Would love to pull into this place for a few quiet days on beach

Thanks to ontheroadin.com for the pics I linked to in my post.

[wavery]

I also want to camp in Mexico, only on the West Coast of Baja. It's hard to get anyone enthusiastic about it around here :p .

The problem is, PUs are quite vulnerable to intrusion and Mexico may not be as safe as the US for foreign visitors. The Mexican government is corrupt, as we all know and doesn't seem to be terribly sympathetic or concerned about visitors that want to travel their country by RV. Let's face it, they don't stand to make a lot of $ off of us. Therefore the motivation is not there to offer us protection so it is up to the individuals to keep themselves out of harms way.

Now....having said all that, I have traveled in Mexico fairly extensively and have never had a problem. Of course, when someone does get into difficulty down there, it makes big news and greatly exaggerated stories (I hope that's the case anyway).  However, I am an extremely experienced traveler and have been all over the world on my yacht. I am smart enough to know that when you travel to a foreign country, you take certain risks. I love Mexico and I love the Mexican people but as in the US, there is a certain bad aliment.

A lot of people think that if some foreign government doesn't take care of them or even abuses them, all they have to do is go to a US Embassy and they will defend them or somehow come to their rescue. I am telling you for 100% certain...iron clad (no money back) guarantee...the US Embassy will do exactly NOTHING to help you if you get in trouble (even innocently). They have ZERO authority in foreign countries (with the exception of Iraq) and will do more to cover up your personal problem (for political reasons) than they will to offer assistance (including Iraq :p ). The only reason that I am stating all this is so that people here will not go down there and feel a self confidence that may end up hurting them. I have seen this, over and over again in many foreign countries. US citizens, abroad, have this attitude or thought that they have certain rights or protection in foreign countries. That is not the case, by any stretch of the imagination.

Now, to get back to the point. I, as you do, would like very much to get a group of people together to do some camping in Mexico. There is safety in numbers and your chances are always better that you will be safe if you travel with a group of at least 3 (or more) campers. This is particularly true when camping in a PU because they are obviously quite vulnerable. If I had a hard sided trailer or motor-home, I would feel a little more comfortable camping on my own. Even then, I would try to get in an area with other campers. I have tent camped (fishing) on the beach in Baja with 5 other guys. It was great. My brother does it every year with the same group of guys.

BTW, I never travel in Mexico without Mexican insurance. Being without it, is asking for trouble. Make sure that your camper is covered too. Don't except a, "See, senior", make sure that it is stated in the policy. I'd even ask for a separate sticker for the trailer.

[NadMat]

Hi wavery,
Thanks for the reply.Like you, I am having some trouble drumming up enthuisism for my Mexico trip.
It has been many years since I have drove and camped and dove Mexico, and that was a trip to baja, tent camping:tent:

I was planning on traveling in a caravan of some sorts, even if only a 2 vehicle caravan, but was hoping for 4 or 5. I have buddy who is up for this after gets last one out of house and is working on his wifey. He is also a scuba diver. So hopefully I have my 2 vehicle minimum there.

And will be couple or three years before work on PUP and TV get to where am ready for extended Mexico vacation.
I have heard some horror stories, but my experiences with officials in Mexico have been positive.However, having your paperwork in order and readily available is a point I have seen stressed across several sites.

So I have been posting and trolling internet for info, finding a lot more for baja then for gulf coast. I am planning a baja/ socal trip at some point also. But I figure by posting here and there on net, maybe can connect with some similiarly minded folk.

Having tent camped in past, and knowing divers who have done so fairly recently in baja, I would think baja would probably be fine in pups with group. If doing solo, I would have dog or dogs with me. The main reason for group travel is not as much security in baja, but having backup vehicle if one has problems. Service is few and far between in many parts of Mexico from what I am reading.

Good luck with your trip, I would find some nice baja pics and install as wallpaper on computers of those I was trying to convince into coming along as support... umm.. I mean companions...

[wavery]

Hi wavery,
Thanks for the reply.Like you, I am having some trouble drumming up enthuisism for my Mexico trip.
It has been many years since I have drove and camped and dove Mexico, and that was a trip to baja, tent camping:tent:

I was planning on traveling in a caravan of some sorts, even if only a 2 vehicle caravan, but was hoping for 4 or 5. I have buddy who is up for this after gets last one out of house and is working on his wifey. He is also a scuba diver. So hopefully I have my 2 vehicle minimum there.

And will be couple or three years before work on PUP and TV get to where am ready for extended Mexico vacation.
I have heard some horror stories, but my experiences with officials in Mexico have been positive.However, having your paperwork in order and readily available is a point I have seen stressed across several sites.

So I have been posting and trolling internet for info, finding a lot more for baja then for gulf coast. I am planning a baja/ socal trip at some point also. But I figure by posting here and there on net, maybe can connect with some similiarly minded folk.

Having tent camped in past, and knowing divers who have done so fairly recently in baja, I would think baja would probably be fine in pups with group. If doing solo, I would have dog or dogs with me. The main reason for group travel is not as much security in baja, but having backup vehicle if one has problems. Service is few and far between in many parts of Mexico from what I am reading.

Good luck with your trip, I would find some nice Baja pics and install as wallpaper on computers of those I was trying to convince into coming along as support... umm.. I mean companions...

I'm also a certified diver (PADI). I dove all over the world on my yacht from '84-'98. I had a diesel driven dive compressor on board. I dove all over Hawaii, the South Pacific, Palmyra Atoll, Australia, Lord Howle Island, Middleton Reef (the best dive spot in the world), Mauritius, Africa and the Red Sea.

I have given a little thought to diving from our new kayak but that's somewhere down the road.

[NadMat]

I'm also a certified diver (PADI). I dove all over the world on my yacht from '84-'98. I had a diesel driven dive compressor on board. I dove all over Hawaii, the South Pacific, Palmyra Atoll, Australia, Lord Howle Island, Middleton Reef (the best dive spot in the world), Mauritius, Africa and the Red Sea.

I have given a little thought to diving from our new kayak but that's somewhere down the road.

:jealous:



I certified SSI in '78 but never got to cover the world like you. My diving has been lots of lake plus gulf and the occasional east/west coast or caribean trips.

Well, if I hit the lotto, I would be following in your footsteps. For now I am just repairing and upgrading my pup and saving for a boat that I can take when camping.

I have also looked at some dive yaks, and may also try one of those should budget and space in toy box open up.

[wavery]

:jealous:



I certified SSI in '78 but never got to cover the world like you. My diving has been lots of lake plus gulf and the occasional east/west coast or caribean trips.

Well, if I hit the lotto, I would be following in your footsteps. For now I am just repairing and upgrading my pup and saving for a boat that I can take when camping.

I have also looked at some dive yaks, and may also try one of those should budget and space in toy box open up.

Ya...I dove from my deflatable a lot. One time, I was diving in Vavau, Tonga and a Humpback Whale came up and slapped my dinghy with her tail and sent me and my wife flying. It was really more funny than serious. It was just a "Shot across the bow" from a mother that had a calf in the vicinity. She just wanted to let us know that she was there. I ended up swimming with them for about an hour. She always kept herself between us and the calf but she was very friendly.

[NadMat]

Ya...I dove from my deflatable a lot. One time, I was diving in Vavau, Tonga and a Humpback Whale came up and slapped my dinghy with her tail and sent me and my wife flying. It was really more funny than serious. It was just a "Shot across the bow" from a mother that had a calf in the vicinity. She just wanted to let us know that she was there. I ended up swimming with them for about an hour. She always kept herself between us and the calf but she was very friendly.

Wow, that's incredible... I guess even a friendly gesture from a multiton creature can be a little intimidating. I've dove with sharks, and rays, and sea lions but long to put a whale and/or a whale shark on that list.

I've have seen you reference problems with inflatables, but I am stuck on them as boat of choice due to weight to capacity/ability ratio. Of course, if possible as auxiliary to 40 something foot trimaran rigged out for liveaboard diving.

Once again, If I could just get the right 6 numbers

[wavery]

Wow, that's incredible... I guess even a friendly gesture from a multiton creature can be a little intimidating. I've dove with sharks, and rays, and sea lions but long to put a whale and/or a whale shark on that list.

I've have seen you reference problems with inflatables, but I am stuck on them as boat of choice due to weight to capacity/ability ratio. Of course, if possible as auxiliary to 40 something foot trimaran rigged out for liveaboard diving.

Once again, If I could just get the right 6 numbers

I just have a sore spot for inflatables because a have gone through so many in my lifetime. I would highly recommend getting a RIB though (if you want an inflatable). They are much more trouble free, they will handle big outboards and are much more reliable in the ocean when the wind comes up.

When I was in Hawaii, I had a 12' Zodiac RIB and a 40hp Yamaha outboard. What an amazing craft that was. It would do 40mph with 4 people and 300lbs of gear.....no problem. After 3 years (of daily use), I couldn't keep air in it and the transom was coming off. That cost me $2,600 and I wasn't happy.

I then went to a twin hull, 10' Livingston:
http://www.livingstonboats.com/boats.asp
I had that boat for many years and I put it through hell. I had to use a ladder to get in it from the water but that was a LOT easier than getting in the inflatable. It would only handle a 15hp motor but would do 25-30mph with that. If I put 4 people and a lot of gear, I could only do about 12mph. It wouldn't plain with a lot of weight and it would be a little low in the water to go into heavy seas (with a lot of weight).

If you have the ability to carry one of those (a 12' would be better), they will give you far better all around service and dependability than any inflatable. They are just as stable too. A 12T will handle a 25hp outboard and do anything and inflatable will only safer and more reliably. That would be my vessel of choice if I could carry it. You can even put a nice bimini top on it.

[NadMat]

I like those livingstons.

But current plans still favor inflatable. Current front runner is the Briggs HD460 4.6M with rigid floor and inflatable keel, with a 40 or 50 hp 4stroke outboard. I can get into one of those, with a sun top and accessories for less then 10k all new.

What I would really like is a 6-7M Rigid Hull Inflatable boat with center console and twin outboards. That would be a better boat to dive the coastline with, but not carrying that and PUP with current TV. Maybe get that later and let someone else tow behind their Class C. Which reminds me, I better go grab some more beer and my lotto ticket so can fund all these toys

[NadMat]

Ok, after a weekend of yard and garden work followed by a rainy sunday afternoon and accomplishing nothing toward goal of getting pup set in work area I at least got online during rain and did some more research.

I think for my big Mexico trip I would like at least 3 or more vehicles traveling together in caravan. That leaves a functional vehicle to stay with a broke down vehicle and another to go get any needed help. I am currently shooting for a 2010 date for big trip around Yucatan peninsula. Looking at spending at least 21-28 days on that trip.

Got one buddy thinking about it, with his wife, he dives and she doesn't. Although she was thinking about certification after cruise trip last year where the guys all went diving. They currently do not own a RV so are looking at maybe renting, or they may decide to purchase, or tow a utility trailer full of dive gear and other equipment and we can all stay in the Brandynstien.

But it means I have to convince one other RV type that they want to make this trip. I have one other dive buddy who I will work on, both him and wife like to dive and camp. Up to a certain point, more vehicles are better so am open to meeting and greeting with others who might be interested over next couple of years. Between the diving and the ruins and checking out some of the historic cities it should be a wonderful trip.

Still looking for driving info and experience from beyond the immediate border zone. Also diving info, but am doing that search on another board. Keep an eye on this thread and see how the trip planning progresses. PM me or reply to thread if ya have any info to share.

[wavery]

2010 is a long ways off and a lot can happen between now and then.

We plan on starting the building of our new home in 2010. That's the year that we retire (again :p ).

I'll keep an eye on this thread. This sounds like a real fun trip and the more the merrier. You are very smart to start getting commitments early and take as many as you can. Some will, more than likely, cancel at the last minute.

I don't know if you have ever done caravan traveling before but it does have a few draw backs that you need to be aware of. You are limited to the speed of the slowest vehicle in the group, if you want to keep the group together. Also, the more vehicles involved, the more break downs that will occur. On a trip like that, you should schedule in a few break downs along the way. If you don't, you may double the stress of the trip.

In planning for break downs, you should have a minimum requirement for each vehicle to carry spare parts. That will be your biggest hurtle. There are plenty of "mechanics" along the way, however, parts are hard to get. I would suggest that each vehicle have a complete set of belts, hoses (and hose clamps) & filters at a minimum. You may even want to consider carrying a spare alternator. Save the receipt and take it back, if you don't use it. I normally change all of my belts & hoses before leaving. I buy 2 sets, 1 to install now and another for spares. That way, you are positive that you have all the correct parts. There's nothing more frustrating then carrying spares, only to find out that they don't fit when you need them (this is very common).

I think that I would carry 2 spare tires for the trailer and (of course) one or two for the TV. Tires for the TV won't be as big of a problem to find as tires for the trailer.

[NadMat]

Great tips, Wayne!

Yeah, 2010 is a ways off, but waiting on buddy to get last one out of nest and a little ways into college before he will be able to come on trip. Would be 2008-2009 at earliest I could do it anyway, so 2010 is a fair fit. Maybe will have enough time to get it right before I go.

And I hear you on last minute back outs. Have plenty of those on regular camping/biking/diving trips. But have learned over years to sort those who really want to go vs those who want to talk about it. But even those who want to go can have last minute changes, so would like to get 4-5 committed so still have core caravan of 3 minimum if have last minute cancellations.

Most of my 'caravan' experience has been moving work equipment from site to site,  no push for speed there, and 'coast trip' caravans in past to Padre Island. The coast caravans were usually 4-6 vehicles and we agreed early on max and min caravan speeds. In event of a breakdown, at least 2 other vehicle would stay to assist (one runner, one staying with other vehicle) and hopefully would catch up by next planned break, if not, sometimes we went on ahead, but usually we stayed at planned break for other vehicles.

I am going to try to keep planned caravan to smaller RV's, No class A allowed, only B's & smaller C's, and no huge TT's, as most mexican RV parks are much smaller and simpler, sometimes just room in parking lot next to hotel or restaurant, and use of their facilities. Also, smaller vehicles work better on smaller mexican roadways.

Goal will be to have all vehicles on trip with full maintainance overhaul followed by 2 successful road trips within six months before trip, no vehicles with known 'issues' wanted on trip. Worst part on vehicles will be fast trip down to Chetumal, would like to get to there in two long days of driving with an overnight hotel stay on way, but may have to break into 3 days travel to keep things doable. Rest of trip will be several days or more at one spot followed by a 3-5Km move to new spot further up coastline on way back. Current two vehicles going are 4 wheel drive Toyotas, kept well maintained. Mine is modified and improved for on and off road adventures. Buddies is much newer, but still all stock.

Next dive trip to Cozumel or Akumal, I will rent a vehicle and do some non diving related driving around on Yucatan just to check out traffic and road conditions for myself. That may or may not be before I do my planned border crossing campout to La Pesca in 2007 sometimes. Next dive trip may end up being to Floriday Keys as can combine with visit to friends and relatives and kill two birds with one travel budget

Will keep posting updates, and maybe y'all can take break from housebuilding then and come down south for month of sun. If not, will probably be doing a baja trip a year or two after that.