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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:
Living in Mexico
Map Book
Central America
Hi Bill and Dot,
I have been reading your columns for quite some time and have read every page of your web site about Mexico. My wife and I and am considering moving to the Baja when I retire in March. We once flewn into Cabo and stayed for a few weeks and felt there was no problem with the language. The people seemed really friendly. Do you have more suggestions regarding living in the Baja and what do you think it would cost to live there? We are on a limited budget.
Samantha and Greg
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| Cabo on the Baja can be very expensive, bill Bell Photograph |
Dear Samantha and Greg,
Before you sell the house and kiss the grandkids goodbye, we strongly suggest you explore the country and experience Mexico for at least a year before you make your move. We know how tempting it can be to start a fresh life, but we really caution against making quick decisions in this regard.
Mexico is NOT for everyone. There are new laws and customs that affect you once you are here. There are so many different experiences and communities in Mexico, you really should try some of them out before you make those big all important decisions. It is very easy to buy property there, but selling it often takes a long time. You should be prepared to rent and see what day-to-day life here is like before you make the best or worst decision of your life.
Remember that a two-week vacation is not the same as actually living in a place. There is no room service. In order to live cheaply you must change your habits and live more Mexican. The Cabo area, for example, is quite expensive to live. The food and entertainment costs can easily rival prices back home. The summers can be brutally hot and you have to either be directly on the water to get a breeze or be prepared to use AC.
There are drawbacks and benefits to just about every area. What we think is a great area might be your nightmare so use your RV to explore the country and come up with your own short list.
We have found that living cheaply in Mexico greatly depends on location. If you live near a resort community, Cabo, PV, Cancun, it can get downright expensive. If you are willing and want to live in a small town away from the glitz it is cheaper. Most interior locations are cheaper than those on the beach. "Mexican" communities are cheaper than "Gringo communities."
Ensure through your own experiences that you can live the lifestyle you want with the money you can afford to live on. Account for inflation.
Your enthusiasm is wonderful but temper it with research. Take your mobile casa and explore the country. Determine whether beach or culture is the most important criteria. Ask questions and listen to those that have been here a few years. Please do not hesitate to ask more specific questions. We will add our two pesos whenever asked.
Dear Dot and Bill,
What map should we buy for our trip? We have been looking everywhere. -- Janet P
Dear Janet,
We strongly suggest the Guia Roji map book. While they come in different sizes, we suggest the one that is 8 by 11 inches and includes the whole country. The larger ones are cumbersome for driving. The map book is not cheap but it is a bargain compared to getting lost or missing an important intersection.
Th map books are difficult to find. In the southern states they are often sold at Wal-Marts. The maps are very detailed and give names of small and large towns along the way. While in Spanish, the detailed information they give is easy to understand.
If you are going on a long trip we suggest you get a country map as well. Take a highlighter pen and trace your route as you go. You can take a digital picture and send to your relatives and friends as you make your way around the country.
Hi there,
We are heading to Central America and were wondering if there is a website like yours for these countries. Are there lots of campsites?
Penny and Bob
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| Coming soon to the Bell's Web site Central America |
Dear Penny and Bob,
We do not know of any website that is devoted to RV and Road Trips through Central America and certainly we are not experts in that field. However things may change.
We are currently planning a trip through that area this winter and plan to have more information when we come back. We also plan to plot out campsites and RV parks similar to the way we have created our Mexico website. If you stumble across any great reading or research material, please send it along. So far, we have found very few formal campsites and expect we will probably have to stay in motels and other accommodation as we make our journey around these seven different countries exploring and writing our directory.
Stay tuned for Central America -- On the Road In to be on the web in April 2006. It will be an adventure.
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 trave to Mexico in in Seattle (Edmonds), Vancouver and Tucson areas in the fall 2005.
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