SHOPPING: Mexico is well equipped with large supermarkets: Mega,


Walmart, Sorianas, Leys, and Bodega Aurrera to name a few. You will have little difficulty in finding food. Some items


Camped on the beach at Hotel Mirador, Playa Huatabampito, Sonora.


the Acapulco area, and of course, Cuidad Juarez, should all be avoided. You should also plan your crossing in such a way that you can get a couple of hundred kilometres south the first day. For those on the west coast, I personally like the Nogales crossing, since it is largely a toll highway directly south, and there is a convenient Walmart on the US side to overnight at. If you cross at 8 a.m. you will be in San Carlos before 6 p.m. including paperwork stops. You can easily return via Lukeville further west, which is far less crowded. So what is involved in spending a winter season in Mexico?


I will deal with the things you should know one at a time. LANGUAGE:


Speaking some Spanish or at least attempting to speak some will go a long way with regards to how people view you in Mexico.


You will, however, find you may manage quite well without


it, provided you speak English. French Canadians who only speak French have a much more difficult time, and this is one reason most of them stick to caravans. In my opinion one should take at least basic Spanish at night school before attempting to RV there.


MONEY:


It is a good idea to enter Mexico with about $50 - $100 in pesos.


Tis will get you through day one until you can locate an


ATM. You may need pesos for any toll-booths you encounter and for fuel. Most large supermarkets have ATM’s, I usually stock up on more pesos at the first grocery stop. Both Scotiabank and HSBC have a lot of ATM’s in Mexico and using these two will avoid service charges if you have an account. Keep an eye on how much is deducted from your bank account. Two years ago I had 3,000 pesos show up as $3,000 dollars.


that are hard to find include Diet Pop (except coke) and multigrain breads. Ant traps are impossible to find, and you may well need them. You will find pretty much everything else plus a lot more additional items you are not familiar with. Keep in mind that there are agricultural inspection stations between some Mexican States and you may have fruits and vegetables confiscated. You need to drink bottled water, and large tanks of it are available everywhere. Try to find one with a screw top cap. Tey are easily refillable for about a dollar. Use a filter on your fresh water supply when hooked up. Te blue in-line ones available at Camping World or Canadian Tire will remove a lot of bacteria and prevent sediment from getting into your tanks.


FUEL:


All fuel in Mexico is handled by the state-owned Pemex Corporation.


Fuel prices in the 2010/2011 season averaged around 70


cents a litre Canadian for gas and about 75 cents for diesel, and were consistent across the country. Gas stations are everywhere. ULSD diesel is still not available except close to the border and this is a concern for those with newer diesels that require it. I think it will be at least two or three years before it is widely available. Many people with late model diesels take their chances anyway. I have seen some fitted with add-on tanks, some mixing US diesel and Mexican 50/50. Chances are if you are not venturing too far south, four or five tanks of Mexican diesel will cause you no problems. If the truck is under warranty, you might not want to mention to a buyer at home that you have taken it into Mexico. You should be aware that diesel pumps in Mexico are black and most stations will only take cash. Mexican gas stations do not sell propane. For that you have


to locate a separate vendor. Tese are oſten located on the outskirts of most large town and they are able to refill your tanks. Quite oſten they will also come around the RV parks.


ROADS and HIGHWAYS:


Tere are two basic types of highway in Mexico: the Libres and the Cuotas: Free and Toll.


I always advise first timers, especially, to stick to toll roads


whenever possible. Many are up to US Interstate standards. Tey are not cheap. Charges are calculated based on the number of axles. A vehicle with duals counts as two axles. Te most economical RV from a toll road point of view is a truck camper on a single rear axle truck. Tey pay the same as a car. A dually towing a single axle trailer will pay twice as much. One has to keep in mind, however, that you are also buying insurance. Towing is free and so are some repairs. Always keep your receipts. Although they can seem expensive, you may find it can cost you almost as much to take the free


RVT 156 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 17


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