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DVD: Working On The RV Road
Learn how to earn income while RVing. Author and work camping expert Jaimie Hall reveals what you need to know to gain employment or run your own business while traveling with a recreational vehicle.
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DVD: Better Business Bureau: Buying a Recreational Vehicle
Join host Chuck Woodbury as he explains how to buy an RV. Learn to choose the right RV at the right price.
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RVing in Mexico
By Bill and Dot Bell
RV in Mexico
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| Bill and Dot Bell |
Dot and Bill Bell are Mexican RV experts and have taught and led seminars about camping in Mexico throughout Canada and the US. Their website, is considered the most up-to-date source about camping and RVing south of the border.
Questions this issue:
Pemex Boondocking
VOIP
Cost of fuel
Hi guys,
I have never been to Mexico but am looking forward to my first trip. I want to do this as inexpensively as possible and am considering sleeping in my car as I tour the country. Is it safe? -- Gary via email
Dear Gary,
We are glad you wrote because we don't think this is a great idea for you. This is definitely not like Wal-Mart camping at home. Most stations are not open 24 hours a day so washroom access and security is limited. Large trucks and traffic will keep you awake and in a car you are vulnerable to anyone who may see you sleeping.
Having said this, many RVers swear by the occasional overnight stay. Certainly for long haul trips with quick stopovers, sleeping overnight in a Pemex station is preferable to driving at night. However even the most experienced RVer will usually caution you to stay away from large cities and border towns. We don't recommend any RVer boondock anywhere without the company of a few other rigs.
We are not trying to promote fear and anxiety. We just believe from the hundreds of letters we receive that the best and safest way to camp is at secure campsites. We have heard tales of woe of theft and break-ins and we have pictures of accidents to those trying to get away at night. In a car you would be that much more vulnerable.
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| Many Pemex gas stations can be used to stay over for the night, but check with the operator first |
Most RV camping costs approximately $15 to 20 a night. Tenting is usually at least half of that. You will have companionship and an opportunity to talk to old hands experienced at traveling in Mexico. They can really assist you with local bargains and good places to see. The campgrounds also have washrooms, showers and you can prepare your own meals. Please reconsider your plans.
Dear Bill and Dot,
What do you do to phone people or stay in touch via the phone while you are gone? I am expecting some calls from my son regarding my mother's health and need to have some kind of availability while on the road. -- Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
There are a number of ways to keep in touch over the phone. If you are a destination camper, that is you travel to one location and stay there for the majority of your trip, your campground host will likely allow you to use their phone for incoming emergency numbers.
If you are traveling most of the time, you can purchase an inexpensive cell phone and have relatives and friends call you wherever you are. The phone plans include a pay as you go option so you are not stuck with a contract or expensive monthly plans.
A third option is to get a VOIP phone service ? a phone service that you are connected to if you are connected to high speed internet. Type in VOIP and you will see a number of providers that offer different services. Vonage, Iconnect, and Crystal Voice are a few. We have tried many and the one we like the most so far is SKYPE. We pay less than $15 for three months and get a US area code phone number and voicemail system. That means that people pay long distance only to our area code in the US when they call us. When we call their phone it costs us two cents a minute to reach just about anywhere in the world. We use a headset with a microphone instead of a handset.
While sometimes there is static, it usually is caused by poor bandwidth. We find the service best in the morning or in the evening when fewer people are using the internet. It is also better in calm weather.
(While we mention we like SKYPE the best we also want to mention that they are one of our advertisers. Even if they weren't, we would still promote them. There is no self serving interest here; just about every VOIP service has an advertising or referral program.)
Dear Editor,
Gas and diesel prices are going crazy. What is the cost of diesel in Mexico? -- Carole
Hey Carole,
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| Gas prices in Mexico are are reasonable, the real deal is in diesel |
All things considered, the fuel prices in Mexico are cheaper by comparison. Pemex, the one and only gas station in Mexico, is highly regulated by the government and prices go up gradually; usually two cents per litre at the end of the month. Right now you can expect to pay 6.34 pesos per litre for regular gas, 7.49 pesos for premium gas and 5.34 pesos for Diesel per liter.
Converting to gallons and US dollars, expect to pay $2.23 US per gallon for gas, $2.61 for premium and $1.89 per gallon for diesel. In Canadian Dollars that works out to $.69 CD for gas per liter, $.85 for premium and $.60 for diesel.
For more information about RVing and exploring Mexico, go to The Bell's Website or to ask your question about RVing in Mexico write editor@ontheroadin.com .
For a big selection of books about RVing in Mexico visit RVbookstore.com.com
Dot and Bill will be teaching 4 1/2 hour extensive courses in RV travel to Mexico in in Seattle (Edmonds), Vancouver and Tucson areas in the fall 2005. Email them for information or to reserve a space.
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