Mexico
RV Travel in Mexico: Our experts answer your questions
By Bill and Dot Bell

Mexico RV experts 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 U.S. Their website, is considered the most up-to-date source about camping and RVing south of the border. They are currently (January 24-26) in La Posta RV Park in Mazatlan and heading off to El Fuerte and the base of the Copper Canyon.

Questions this issue:
Route via San Blas or Tepic Violence in Mexico
Dangers in traveling to Mexico  

Dear Dot and Bill,
I have a new fifth wheel and have had mixed advice about going to Puerto Vallarta via San Blas. I have heard that the hills from Tepic to Las Varas are something else! What's your recommendation?

Map of San Blas Area

Simon Z  

Dear Simon,
So many options! The route from Tepic to Las Varas is steep and curvy on a downhill slope. It's not fun but is very do-able. We brought down a 28-rig caravan via this route in October and all made it safely. The RVers were well warned about the steep hills and given instructions to use their engine to brake and to pull off half way down to cool their brakes. We were told our warnings were overkill.

We have talked with two RV couples who lost their toad coming down those hills. One toad passed their RV and careened over a hill onto a farmer's field. The other RV made it down the hills with just its cables. The traffic down this route is often slow and laden with truck traffic. Slow-moving farm trucks filled with sugar cane are common. That means impatient drivers will try to overtake slower vehicles around curvy spots. It can be hairy. There are three routes to San Blas and then over via the coastal route to Las Varas. The most common is the one that leads from KM 32 on Highway 15. The other two are either filled with topes (speed bumps) or have narrow tight curves making it tough for RVs.

The 32 KM route is curvy and downhill but is manageable for even the largest RV. The problem with this route is that the bush is often overgrown and can scrape the sides and roof of your vehicle. This is particularly true in October and at the end of rainy season. One also has to watch out for unexpected potholes after the summer rains have played their black magic with the pavement.

San Blas Harbor Photograph by Bill Bell

Certainly the San Blas route is preferable in terms of scenery and touring. San Blas is an historic stop with colonial ruins to visit. It has fantastic bird watching (we have seen bright pink spoonbills here), plentiful of seafood and a variety of camping. Just south of the city is a jungle boat tour launch that will take you through mangrove jungle to view birds and crocks. It is very good value. It is also a close spot to visit the Island town of Mexcaltitlán, said to be the original home of the Aztecs before they wandered in the desert and then eventually settled in Mexico City.

No discussion of San Blas would be complete without mentioning the jejenes. These are tiny sand flees that are voracious carnivores. They will bite you unmercifully until you can't take it and will be forced to move on. We can always tell who has visited San Blas because of the pink bites all over their legs. Our advice to you? Well, considering your vehicle is new, we would suggest you take the Tepic route and unhitch in La Penita or Rincon de Guayabitos. Take an overnight trip to San Blas in your truck and enjoy.

Dear Bill and Dot,
Jack and I are nervous about all the violence that we read about South of the border. We are thinking of going down to the Baja in March but the closer it gets the more nervous we become. We are going with friends who are also new to Mexico but who disregard the news reports.
Char and Jack  

Dear Char and Jack,
Much of the violence that you read about in Mexico is drug related. The cartels/gangs operate human, drug and weapon smuggling operations close the border. It is unlikely that you will meet up with them unless you are involved in these activities. Avoid border areas by starting early and staying at an RV park a hundred or so kilometers south. A good first night is Ensenada and there are many RV Parks to choose from.

Drive only in daylight hours. The biggest problems arise when travelers let down their guard and throw caution to the wind. Life seems so easy in Margaritaville and everyone is so friendly. Be good travelers and be cautious at all times. Camp with the same common sense that you would in the U.S. or Canada. Lock your vehicles. Don't leave valuables lying around. Don't flash your wealth, i.e. expensive jewelry, toys, or cash. This advice is the same advice that would be given to travelers throughout the world. There will be plenty of RVers on the road in March so you will have lots of company at many out-of-the-way places. Never boondock alone; there is safety in numbers.

The whales will be popping out of the water in Scammon's Lagoon. The sun will be warm and inviting. The beaches…..well they will be glorious. You will have a trip of a lifetime and a journey you will never forget.

Helpful Hint If your Spanish isn't up to snuff, purchase a good Spanish/English dictionary and have it in the front seat for reference. While many road signs are universal, you can translate the ones with words if you have your "Webster" with you. It is also very handy as you are traveling to interpret merchant signs and advertising. What the @#@# is a Yonke? Store it in a baggie to ensure it does not get damaged.  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.

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.