Mexico
Ask Dot and Bill about Mexico RVing
By Bill and Dot Bell

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:

Barbeques

Photocopies of Documents

Avoiding Mexico City

Dear Dot and Bill,

We are going to buy a new small portable barbeque for our trip down south. Any recommendations?

Joan and Keith

Dear Joan and Keith,

First off…..where’s the party and are we invited? We suggest that you get a barbeque with as high a BTU rating as possible. It is best to invest in a unit that will cook quickly and efficiently. Try it our before you leave to ensure it works well. It is unlikely that parts will be available in Mexico so you ensure it is in good working order.

Make sure your tanks are also in good working order. Although Mexico has lots of tanks for sale, size may be an issue. Conversion parts are available for US and Canadian appliances but they are notcommon. It is easiest to just have the whole set up in good working order before you leave. The tiny cylinders are available at Wal-Mart and other large supermarkets; elsewhere else they are fairly difficult to get.

It is worth the trouble to ensure you have the best barbeque you can buy and pack. We enjoy eating outside every day and our grill is out primary cooking appliance. Good eating!

 Dear Editor,

What documents should we photocopy before we leave we heard it is good to photocopy your drivers license in case you are stopped by police.

Linda and Ron

Dear Linda and Ron,

Before you travel anywhere, it is best to have a photocopy of your passport, credit cards and insurance safely stashed away at a friend's place in your home town. If an emergency takes place or you loose your identification for one reason or another, you will have a copy of all the numbers. This will make your life easier.

Many people make copies of their documents that they'll be presenting at the border crossings. This means a few copies of your driver’s license, registration, and passport. We personally do not do this as you must get a copy of your tourist visa anyway and for that you must wait in line.

Regarding copying your driver’s license for police, it is customary for police to take your drivers license as they lead you into the police station if you have committed a traffic violation. While we have heard that some people have given the police a photocopy, we have also heard that photocopies are now rejected by most police officers. We think an international driver’s license would be better for this purpose.

Hi Guys,

The Cathdral in Mexico City's Zocolo...well worth a visit but leave your RV outside the City. Bill Bell Photograph

We would like to visit Mexico City but have heard horror stories about driving there. Have you ever driven your rig there? Is it crazy? Safe?

Ted and Marsha

Dear Ted and Marsha,

Mexico City is a lot of fun to visit and there are so many things to do once you are there. The problem is that it is the largest city in the world and the traffic is….crazy. The city has grown out to the suburbs and the circle roads intended to zip you around the congestion are now congested themselves.

It can easily take eight hours to go from the north to the south of the city and get lost a few times in the process. Larger rigs must not drive on many of the freeways so RVs must go through local traffic for large portions of the circle. It is not fun.

Our strategy is to visit a nearby RV park and store our rig for a few days in a safe, walled RV park. We then take a bus or taxi to an inexpensive hotel and enjoy the city.

There are so many things to do in “The City” as the locals call it. The Museum of Anthropology is the best in the world, Chapultepec Park is beautiful, the galleries and architecture are awe inspiring and the main plaza is always a great place to have a coffee and watch the world go by. Definitely make a day trip to Teotihuacan to see the pyramids.

In other words, don’t avoid Mexico City because of the traffic. Just avoid driving in it.

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