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 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

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.

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,

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.