especially later in the season. A couple of personal recommendations are Haceinda Contreras near Mazamitla, Jalisco; Roca Azul at the west end of lake Chapala; Villas Tepetapan in Catemaco, Veracruz. T ere are also some wonderful colonial cites to explore like San Miguel Allende, Patzcuarro and Guanajuato.
GPS:
BICI Maps produce GPS maps of Mexico for the Garmin and Magellan. Garmin now includes Mexico Maps with its North American Updates and these
now appear to be superior to BICI maps. Tom Tom also has Mexico maps. None of these is up to the same standard as Canada/US off erings, but can be very useful, especially in conjunction with RV Park co-ordinates from the Church’s book. Microsoſt Streets and Trips also have quite detailed Mexican Maps. Even if you have these, I highly recommend purchasing a Guia Roji Mapbook, available at most large Mexican stores (eg Mega or Walmart).
HAZARDS to your RV: T e biggest hazard is the Tope. T is is a speed bump and Mexicans love them. You will fi nd them both in towns
and on main non-toll highways. Most are marked, but there is always the unmarked stealth one hiding in the shadow of a tree. You do not want to hit one at high speed. Expect at least three of them, every time you approach any town, no matter what the size. Small towns can also oſt en present streets that are impossible for large RV’s. Low
hanging trees and arches are a constant hazard. If you think it’s doubtful and have a tow vehicle or a scooter or even bikes, it sometimes pays to scout out a route fi rst. I carry a set of collapsible tent poles. I have tape around the bottom such that
when I hold it at eye level, the poles show my clearance. T ey have saved me from trees and archways I felt sure I would clear, on several occasions. A good trick when approaching a town you have doubt about is to follow a bus through. If they can make it, you can. If you have a TPO vinyl roof, it is a good idea to have a roll of eternabond tape with you in case you snag it on a tree.
COMMUNICATIONS: Do not take your Canadian cellphone to Mexico. Even if it works, roaming charges are extremely high. Mexican cellphones are
relatively cheap. However, in my opinion the best option is ATandT’s GoPhone. T is may be purchased for about $15 at Walmarts in the US. It off ers 10 cents a minute in the US or 25 cents a minute in Mexico. T at includes incoming and outgoing calls to the US and Canada. If you have free Canada-US calling
on your home phone, you can simply forward your number and people can just dial your normal number to reach you, rather than a long distance call to Mexico. Call display allows you to screen whether or not you should answer. It comes with Voicemail. You can load it up with a $50 prepaid card good for six months or $100 good for a year. It utilizes the Telcel network which is pretty much everywhere. To call North America, simply add +1 in front of the area code. Other options include Skype or
MagicJack. I have had a lot of success with MagicJack in RV parks with DSL service, even over wireless. Magicjack comes with Voicemail and it will email you a wave fi le of the message. You can now have a BC number assigned to it. A cell gives you service in your vehicle and access to local Mexican emergency services. A TelCel internet stick runs about $40 a month. I have never needed one. I have found Wi-Fi in Mexican RV parks is even more common than in the US. Both satellite radio services work
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20 RVT 156 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013
in Mexico but Sirius will work further south than XM. Shaw Satellite (formerly Star Choice) works throughout Mexico; Bell ExpressVu does not. T e American Disk and Direct services also have issues as you go south.
In conclusion, RVing in Mexico is
certainly not for everyone, but it provides a whole new world of experience for those who have exhausted, or are tired of, what is available in the US and Canada. For Snowbirds, it off ers a cheaper and
warmer alternative to the Southwest or Florida. For those who are nervous newbies,
consider a caravan for your fi rst trip, or buddy up with some experienced old timers. Nice to have someone else to review things with at day's end. e
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