RVing for the First Time in Mexico

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John Cagney Nash

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<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Hello</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Introducing a newbie (to this and to other Mexico-related sites where I’ve also researched, thus am posting my questions, too). My name’s John Nash; I’ll be taking my first RV excursion south of the border when Fall approaches this year.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’m posting to seek advice, of course. Below is a list of the preparations I’ve so far made or set in motion. Any and all other input will be gratefully appreciated. </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Traveling and residing in my motorhome -- a well-restored, low mileage Champion Flagship running a Chevy 350 -- is nothing new to me. I’ll list a few of the places we’ve lived for three months or longer since teaming up in 2006: Key West; the Everglades; central Florida; Dallas; Las Vegas; northern New Jersey; north of Boston. The full itinerary is much longer. For the last two years we’ve been in central Montana.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Destination: I’m drawn to a completely new experience, so expect to travel as far south as possible. I love tropical heat and humidity -- as well as being near the ocean -- so figure the southern coastline of the Yucatan peninsula will be my best bet, down near the border with Belize. That should also allow me ready access to the history and culture of Oaxaca and Chiapas. I don’t envision spending much more than time-in-transit staying at campgrounds, and will be looking for a small piece of remote land close to the shore where I can effectively boondock; I’m entirely used to simplicity, and love isolation. Beyond that, I have no plans. I’m entirely flexible.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Okay, those above-mentioned preparations already made or set in motion:</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’m learning Spanish (albeit only from Rosetta Stone; the immersion of moving to Mexico should polish that basic grounding pretty quickly)</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I have ordered copies of Woodall’s <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mexico &amp; South America</em>, Mike &amp; Terri Church’s <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Traveler’s Guide to Mexican Camping,</em> <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Street of Glass</em> by Robert Glenn, <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Retirement Without Borders</em> by Barry Golson, <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The People’s Guide to Mexico</em> by Carl Franz and the <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guia Roji Atlas</em> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’ve written to Banamex, requesting the application forms for whatever credit/ATM card they think will best suit my purposes, and have two other (U.S. bank) active Visa cards</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">The RV has two spare tires, three spares of each fan belt, spare headlights, spare spark plugs, a second water pump, a power surge protector, supplies of coolant and oil and octane enhancer, muffler bandages, air and fuel filters, a 15-amp-to-30-amp hook-up adapter; all the common-sense stuff. New carb; new belts; new distributor; new tires; oil changed; shake-down cruises completed</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">A few matters upon which I’d appreciate confirmation:</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’m a British citizen, but a legal Permanent Resident in the United States. Both these countries are on Mexico’s ‘no visa’ list, correct? So I can drive over the border from the U.S. on my British passport -- valid for at least six months -- with my American driver’s license </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Am I correctly understanding Calderón’s wonderfully liberal migration laws? Is it the case that to legally reside in Mexico, I must (a) fill in an application for a Visitor’s Permit when I enter the country (costs about $23). This will allow me a six-month stay. Within that six-month period I must (b) apply for a Temporary Resident Visa -- an FM3? -- granting me non-immigrant temporary residency status for a maximum of four years; once granted, it’s then renewable indefinitely. The issue of a Temporary Resident Visa will allow the importation into Mexico of my household goods and other vehicles</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">The Visitor’s Permit can be arranged online before leaving the USA</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’ve seen reference to a ‘points system,’ but have not found it well explained. It only applies to those wishing to become nationalized, though, right, not those happy to remain in the country as repeat FM3ers?</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’ll be issued with a permit at the border which allows my motorhome to remain in Mexico for ten years. I can also arrange this permit online prior to my departure, which minimizes the risk of difficulties at the crossing. This I can do on the Banjercito website; I should complete the application at least one month prior to leaving the USA; the cost is U.S. $49.50. The vehicle’s U.S. license tags must be current</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I will need General Certificates of Health for my dog and both my cats confirming they are fit and well and have been immunized against rabies; these documents should be issued not more than ten days before the date of the border crossing. All animals should be protected against parvovirus, heartworm, fleas and ticks</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I should be reasonably safe from cartel-related catastrophe so long as I devise a route that stays on or west of 57-D, right? Enter at Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras, follow 57-D down to any east-west highway south of Tampico and then cut over to the coast</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I should not travel at night. Pemex stations on major routes have overnight parking areas for trucks, which RVs can also use (much like Love’s etc in the States); these are relatively safe. There are also Autopista rest areas that are patrolled by armed cops at night</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’ll need full coverage (not just liability) auto insurance from a company licensed in Mexico, which has personal liability, legal counsel, court costs and bail bond coverage. Windshield coverage is a must. Again, this can be arranged online before departure</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I make my living on the Internet, so can work without treading on any native toes, and will be contributing to the local economy by earning money elsewhere and spending it in Mexico. I sustain myself financially, and must provide at least three months’ banking records to prove this. Such proof should show monthly revenue greater than U.S. $1200. (Obviously, I’ll need to site myself where I can have access to the Internet at least once a week, at a location within sensible scooter-riding distance. Having a functioning ’phone is of no consequence to me, and I haven’t had a teevee in years.)</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Thanks for any commentary, advice or warning shots across the bow that anyone thinks I should be aware of.</span></p>
 
Welcome and wow dude you have done your homework. Took my stepvan into mex in 1994 with a printing press I bought in texas. coming back into US the wanted to see my load the 12Ga. Mossberg pump was not a problem but the printing press was a BIG deal subversive lit. Go figger. Have a blast I love my mexico memories
 
The Devil's not in the details; I <em>love</em> detail. I reckon it's best to sort&nbsp;'em all out before leaving, rather than when stranded on the side of the road at four in the morning in a downpour. <br><br>I'll be taking neither a pump nor a press (the Internet&nbsp;being a damn good substitute for both, in my experience).
 
Welome John and critters. I hope you will keep a blog or facebook so we may keep up with you. Some of us here live thru others adventures.<BR>Dragonfly
 
Welcome, John, and thanks for doing my homework for me! I'm still in saving-for-the-van mode but when I'm ready I hope to spend lots of time in Mexico. It's odd that I live in San Diego but have never been further south than Tijuana. I'm really looking forward to exploring. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">
 
Hi John,

You mentioned that you are British and still hold a British Passport, and that you want to stay down near Belize. Isn't Belize a former Brit colony? Might you not find it easier to stay there than dealing with the Mexican visas for a lengthy stay?

Regards
John
 
Can you tell me a little bit about your experience in an RV in Key West?&nbsp; We want to spend 3 or 4 months down there but don't know if we need to look for a small house to rent or what.&nbsp; I can't imagine there are too many places to boondock considering how little land area there is.
 
John Nash - welcome.&nbsp; please keep us up on your adventures.&nbsp; Maybe start a blog as many many others do.&nbsp;
 
advrider , Website may be of use to you . There are alot of motorcyclist that go to Mexico . And write blogs .
 
Placing my head in my hands and shaking my head. &nbsp;You have done your research a little too well. &nbsp;Unfortunately a lot of the information that is available in books or on the internet doesn't really apply or is now completely wrong. &nbsp;I lived in Mexico from 2009-2011. &nbsp;I currently live on the Texas Mexico border and make frequent trips to Mexico. &nbsp;I normally spend my winters in Mexico, so I have lots of actual experience in Mexico.<br><br>If you are driving a large RV....you will have problems. &nbsp;Mexico streets were created when burros were the normal mode of transportation. &nbsp;I occasionally had issues while driving an extended cab truck. &nbsp;Low clearances are normally not marked. &nbsp;If you are planning on going down the coast road through Veracruz down to the Yucatan....may God have mercy on your suspension system! &nbsp;I took that road winter before last in a tough 1 ton van and figured I'd have to have my front end completely redone....the road is that bad! &nbsp;They are working on it, but this road has been bad for decades. &nbsp;Expect to creep through some areas with everyone honking at you. &nbsp;Some Gringo owned RV parks down along this route will tell you that the road has been fixed and is fine now.....don't believe them!!!!<br><br>I would not count on being able to park at the Pemex's. &nbsp;If you do park at the Pemex's, don't be surprised if people knock on your door trying to sell you stuff frequently and at all hours. &nbsp;Don't count on being able to do much boondocking. &nbsp;There just aren't many places that you can park a big vehicle. &nbsp;Always ask if you can park and offer to pay a little something if it is at a business. &nbsp;Don't be surprised if you are told no. &nbsp;The RV parks aren't that expensive in Mexico. &nbsp;If I was you....I'd plan to stay at RV parks. &nbsp;Also, RV parks have security. &nbsp;You are light skinned(I assume) and driving an obvious Gringo vehicle....you stand out and may become a target. &nbsp;If you aren't comfortable with backing up your vehicle.....practice....a lot.<br><br>Drug cartels....or more accurately....ousted drug cartels that no longer have any income except from committing crime in Mexico...are everywhere. &nbsp;Don't depend on staying on a certain road to protect you. &nbsp;Being smart and not doing stupid stuff is what will protect you. &nbsp;I strongly suggest you see if you can caravan down with someone else who has made the trip a time or two. &nbsp;<br><br>Don't worry about the health certificate for your pets, but do have proof that they have had their shots. &nbsp;I have never been asked for a health certificate and once made an official angry when I insisted that he needed the health certificate that I'd just paid a vet on the border a premium to fill out for me.<br><br>To learn Spanish get Shortcut to Spanish&nbsp;<a href="http://www.shortcuttospanish.com/?gclid=CLj305_Fu7cCFS3l7Aod0TIAhQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.shortcuttospanish.com/?gclid=CLj305_Fu7cCFS3l7Aod0TIAhQ</a>&nbsp; Much better than Rosetta Stone, much cheaper, and it works. &nbsp;Work especially on numbers in Spanish. &nbsp;<br><br>The requirements for residency have changed within the last year. &nbsp;Check out www.rollybrook.com to find out the latest. &nbsp;A tourist visa is the best way to go unless you plan on living in Mexico full time and not making trips to the US. &nbsp;I always get my car permit and tourist visa at the border. &nbsp;It's just simpler that way.<br><br>Get a Bank of America checking account. &nbsp;You can use Santander ATM's at no charge and they will give you the best exchange rate. &nbsp;I don't ever take American money to exchange. &nbsp;Speaking of money. &nbsp;Keep small peso coins in a cup handy to the drivers seat. &nbsp;You'll constantly be handing coins out the window for cripples, red cross collections, liters of fresh orange juice. &nbsp;Speed bumps(topes) in Mexico are looked at as business opportunities. &nbsp;You must slow down for them, so people try to sell you things. &nbsp;There are topes EVERYWHERE! &nbsp;I was once bored enough to count them on a trip from Del Rio Texas to Xalapa Vercruz I went over almost 700 speed bumps.<br><br>This deserves it's own paragraph. &nbsp;Do not give Transitos(traffic cops) money! &nbsp;They are referred to as morditas(little bites). &nbsp;They will try and pressure you into doing so. &nbsp;There are several strategies you can use. &nbsp;Pretend you speak no Spanish, they will eventually get tired of trying to talk to you and tell you to go on. &nbsp;Take their picture and tell them you will turn them in....they know they are not supposed to be extorting money out of you. &nbsp;Transitos are almost always on foot. &nbsp;If an officer in a vehicle pulls you over, they will not ask for money and will want to look at all your papers. &nbsp;Usually a police officer in a vehicle will be very professional. &nbsp;Totally different from a Transito. &nbsp;If you just can't get away from a Transito without giving him money.....for goodness sakes do not give them more than 100 pesos....no matter how much they ask for. &nbsp;Say that is all you have..."solo hay(pronounced 'I').<br><br>You have completely wrong information about your vehicle permit. &nbsp;Check out rollybrook.com.<br><br>I'll try to help answer any other questions you may have. &nbsp;Send me a message if you'd like to email in greater detail.<br><br><br>
 
txgypsy. wow. shows how the online research can have not enough to do with the reality.&nbsp;
 
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