“Mexican Camping”, which describes where each location is. Tey are frequently 20 km or so south of the actual border and you have to locate them at your crossing of exit if you return a different route. Te procedure at most border crossings is to first
obtain your tourist card, make a copy (if a copy station is available) then proceed to the Banercito office for your vehicle permit. You may now also obtain your permits on line before your trip and this is actually a good way to do it. Te link is
www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/. Allow 2 weeks, but most people find the permit arrives in 3 or 4 days. Tis can save you a lot of time, especially at the busier crossings. You will then have some assurance all your ducks are in a row without finding yourself 3000 km from home and missing an important piece of paper. When you exit Mexico it is very, very important to
stop and cancel your vehicle permit. Tey will rebate your deposit, photograph your VIN numbers and give you a receipt. Keep this receipt if you intend to drive into Mexico in future. You may want to send a copy to your insurance company if they offer a rebate, as it indicates both your entry and exit dates. You may exit at a different crossing from your entry, as everything is now computerized, but keep in mind there are crossings where you cannot cancel the permit. My preference is to always enter and exit at the same crossing. If you have to fly home in an emergency, take your
vehicle paperwork with you to the airport. Your visa will indicate you entered by road and you may have a hassle trying to exit by air. A return ticket will probably be enough to convince them the situation is temporary, but you technically cannot leave a vehicle with a 6 month permit in Mexico while you leave. For this reason, if you suspect you may have to fly home, get the permit in your spouse’s name. My wife flies home each year so I ensure her name is not on any vehicle permits, but they have asked to see them on at least one occasion. Tis is one of those grey areas. You are probably wondering if all of this is worth the
hassle. Te only thing I can say is that aſter the first time, it gets easier. One option of course, is to use a caravan company. Tis is a pricier option. Caravans are far more common in the Baja, although Gabriel Romero, who wrote an article for this magazine last year is testing the waters for a mainland caravan down the west coast in January 2013. You can contact me at
paul@natcoa.com if that interests you and I will put you in touch. Another option is to form an ad-hoc one of your own using www.
mexicotravelbuddies.com, a site to match you up with others. You will also find links there to 2 other sites doing the same. I would post a request on all three.
And finally I’ll provide a word of advice regarding your pet. Last year Mexico tightened up its regulations. In practice they are not enforcing them, but the rule is that you require a certificate of health (on your vets letterhead) that has been signed no more than 10 days before you cross the border. I have only heard of one person who was actually asked for it last year. However, it truly is better to be safe than sorry. I hope I have not managed to discourage anyone, it
is not as daunting as it may seem. Most people continue to travel to Mexico year aſter year aſter taking the first step. Once you experience inexpensive ocean front campgrounds, warm friendly people, cheap fuel prices and guaranteed warm temperatures, you will come to view the United States as part of your journey, not your destination. If you have any questions, I will attempt to answer
them if you email me
paul@natcoa.com . You can also try posting them on
www.mexicorvforums/forum or at
www.rv.net/forum.
Paul Beddows is former President of the North American Truck Camper Owners Association and lives in Abbotsford, B.C in summer and Mexico in winter.
73
S U N C R U I
M E D I
A. C O M
S E R
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80