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| Bill and Dot Bell |
Dot
and Bill Bell are Mexican RV experts who 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.
In this issue:
•Copper Canyon
•Company going South
•Tolls to PV
Dear Dot and Bill,
I
came upon your site while surfing for our upcoming trip to the
Copper Canyon. Where can I get definitive info on driving either
our RV or just our 4x4 from the Texas side toward Creel and what
roads are passable, etc. Do you have that info? Thanks. We have already spent three months in Baja and loved it.
Shirley Kelly
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| Copper Canyon...Larger than the Grand Canyon Bill Bell Photograph |
Dear Shirley,
If
you can do the Baja.... you can do Creel! The roads for most of your
journey are wider than the Baja so you will have no problem.
We
don’t know where in Texas you will be crossing but if from El Paso,
drive straight down Highway 45 towards Chihuahua (Oh Chihuahua!).
There are two tolls along the way and the trip takes about four hours (230
miles) Visit here and/or take a left towards Chautamuc (90 minutes) on
Highway 16. The roads get narrow here but travel to La Junta, San Pedro
and San Juanito to Creel. This leg of the journey takes four hours. There
is a very nice RV park there. No problema.
Once
in Creel, visit the rim of the canyon via your toad, bus or taxi. There
are many tours. It is best to take a bus or other transportation down
into the canyon as the roads are very steep and windy and you want to
be looking at the views and NOT driving.
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| First class train leaves El Fuerte for the Copper Canyon Bill Bell Photograph |
Remember
that the altitude at the top of the canyon is very high so that the
weather can be quite cold in the winter. Plan accordingly. The last
time we went we stayed in a hotel where they didn’t provide us with
enough blankets!
Take a look at the Chihuahua government website http://www.coppercanyon-mexico.com for some great trip planning information.
Dear Bill and Dot,
We
missed your course in Edmonds and are a little nervous about our first
trip down. We hear you are leading a caravan down the West Coast and
would like to come with you. Is there any room left!
Jackie and Steve
Hi guys,
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| Indian Weaver sells hand woven backets. Bill Bell Photograph |
Sorry
but the caravan is FULL. It has been for six months. You might try a
commercial caravan company. We
suggest that if you want some company for your first trip, you write an
ad stating the border you intend to cross, dates, etc. and we will
place it on our website. We call it "Build Your Own Caravan." It is a
free service.
If
you don’t get any bites, then we suggest you go to the nearest border
town and when you spot an RV approach them and ask if you can tag with
them for a day or two. Likely they will say yes.
Hi Bill & Dot,
We
made our first RV trip to San Carlos last winter, and will now try this
year to go farther down near Puerto Vallarta. We have been told
that we could be looking at more than $500 in toll fees, traveling from
Nogales to there. Is that true?
Sharon & Bob
Hi guys,
Toll
prices vary depending on what you are driving. They supposedly charge
by the axle although that too is somewhat misleading. It costs less if
you are driving a car or van than if you are towing a large A with a
towed. Our friends Cheryl and Cornel documented the tolls to PV and
with their class A and a Jeep toad they spent $148 each way.
Remember
you must pay cash …pesos. They do not take credit cards (yet) and if
you use US dollars you will get a deplorable interest rate.
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
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|
Traveler's
Guide to Mexican Camping
Headed to Mexico? Make this your guide. Authors
Mike and Terri Church cover everything you need to know to RV in this
inexpensive, fascinating land. More than 250 campgrounds listed, too! |
Mexico
By RV
Have you ever wondered what it would be like
to stay on one of the pristine beaches pictured in all the Mexico travel
books, or explore the historic Colonial regions and visit the ancient
ruin sites. |
Frommer's
Mexico 2005
Everything a visitor to Mexico needs
to know about spending time in the country is here. This is not a camping
guide, but anyone who plans to head south will find it a wealth of necessary
information. |
