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Mexico advice

Yahoo Message Number: 21362
Headed for Kino Bay/San Carlos, Sonora. Any suggestions for good places to stay or restaurants?

Thanks

Richard Meece

Gold Canyon, Az

04 Inspire 51079

Re: Mexico advice

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 21376
Richard,

We are in San Carlos right now. Heading back North into the States tomorrow after spending 3 months here. For a place to stay, I can HIGHLY recommend El Mirador RV Resort. It's beautiful, with very large open spaces, full hookups (30A), pool (not heated), hot tub, and tennis courts. There's also a great Mexican restaurant (The Oasis) right here so you don't even have to leave to eat! :) You can check out their web site at http://www.elmiradorrv.com They have a lot of caravans that come through and stay here, so you might want to call ahead to reserve a space.

As for places to eat in San Carlos, we have had great meals at Blackie's (in town, on the Western end), Heaven's Door (can't miss it... large columns and a big blue neon sign), and Joey's Bistro (which is outside of town, down the road from El Mirador in the Plaza San Carlos hotel/resort... more expensive Italian food). There's also a fantastic place for lunch (never had dinner there) called the Internet Coffee House (it's in the yellow mall behind the PeMex station on the north side of the road). They have an incredible menu with absolutely delicious panini sandwiches (split one... they're HUGE). We've also heard that Piccolo's has great Italian food... we just never made it there.

San Carlos is a wonderful town... I'm sure you'll love it!

- John

'05 Newmar MADP 4304 / Spartan MM GT / Cummins ISL 400hp '03 Honda CR-V toad

Quote from: richard

Re: Mexico advice

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 21381
John

Would you mind sharing some of your experience with the group. How was the trip with the RV? Any problems going by yourself?
I would love to go down into Mexico, but have many reservations about traveling down there. Any information would be appreciated.

Tom Royer

2003 Allure 30858

Re: Mexico advice

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 21387
To Tom Royer et al

Re: Driving alone to and in Mexico

Let me first present my bona fides. I've loved Mexico since my first visit to Mexico City for the Olympics, back in the Sixties. Since then I have traveled in/and driven in virtually every part of the country.
Additionally I have approximately a thousand hours of time flying my OWN airplane in Mexico. I had a light-weight nylon tent made for the high-wing; and with my wife and kids, have camped in many of the places you can land the bird--most especially Baja and the Yucatan. When the ground and the rocks got too hard, we bought our first camper; and have owned 4 additional RV's (including our current CC). In all that time and travel, I'e had my share of untoward mechanical experiences with the various rigs; and one ticket for a rolling stop. With the various mechanicals, I've invariably been guided to GOOD repair people, many of whom are more knowledgable than their US counterparts. I have driven the trans-Baja from TJ to the Cape numerous times, and Mexico C-Merida and the Yucatan---and enjoyed every minute of it.

One can get into serious trouble in Mexico; just as one can get into major trouble in any major (and some not so major) US cities. Mexico City (once one of the world's beautiful cities) I currently avoid--not because of the significant crime problem---but because the air is so polluted that the last time I was there, it hurt my lungs to breathe. I've taken my coach from the W Coast to Nova Scotia (and points north) and I have no more hesitancy in taking my coach to Mexico than to Quebec. As in the US, roads range from good to terrible, but I've always found that I could slow down and make it work. And some of the scenery is spectacular.--especially the Baja and southern Mexico.

Most of the terrible stories, I've also heard about travel in Canada and South America (where I've also traveled exrensively); and often the story is just that a story. Having just returned from our annual 2 month soujourn parked on a beach on the Sea of Cortez, I sound like a travel agent.

One last comment, I prefer traveling solo both because I have never been a groupie; and because I think traveling in a group gets in the way of really getting to know the locale you're visiting. Group travel does have the advantage of reassurance; and in the crowd, there's often a knowledgable fellow traveler in the event of a mechanical.

Ol' fuds are garulous, aren't they?

All best rog

Re: Mexico advice

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 21449
Tom,

This was our first time traveling in Mexico in ANY vehicle, let alone an RV. We did lots of research online before we went, which really helped to alleviate any worries/concerns. We considered joining a caravan to avoid traveling alone, but opted to go it alone... and everything went incredibly well. In fact, it was all a lot easier than we had anticipated and we ended up having no problems whatsoever.
First of all, the "legends" and "rumors" you hear/read about Banditos, or frightening roads, or 12 year olds with Uzi's are totally unfounded. At least in our experience on the mainland. Banditos? If anything, people in Mexico are nicer, friendlier, and more willing to lend a helping hand than most Americans. Roads? The road we took from Nogales all the way down to San Carlos (Highway 15) is a four-lane highway that is no better or worse than any desert highway we've encountered. Could it be smoother? Sure. Could it be wider? Of course... 102" vehicle takes up a lot of space on any road. Was the road "scary" or "frightening"? Not in the least. Armed children? Yes, there is an agricultural checkpoint on the route. And yes, there are armed military personnel conducting the inspections. Did they look any younger than US Armed Forces? Not to me! Did they frighten me? No... I waved and smiled as I went by, they waved and smiled back. They are there to protect you, not harm you!

If anything, it took more time and effort to prepare to go down to Mexico than it took to actually make the trip. You need to be sure you have insurance coverage for your RV and toad (most US policies do not provide coverage for Mexico), and you need to get a tourist visa if you plan on staying for more than 7 days (but not more than 6 months). We were there for 3 months, so we got the tourist visa... about $21 per person.

When we went down, you also needed to get a pass for your vehicles.
We opted for the free "Sonora Only" pass since we didn't have any plans to travel outside the state of Sonora (a pass to allow travel through all of Mexico cost about $20 I believe). Now, however, if you don't plan on traveling any further than San Carlos/Guaymas, you don't even need a vehicle pass. The (formerly) 21KM "Free Zone" has been moved so that the checkpoint/registration location is now just south of Guaymas on Hwy 15.

If you have any apprehension, questions, or concerns about the paperwork or insurance requirements, I highly recommend a group called Vagabundos del Mar (www.vagabundosdelmar.com). They are a group of RV'ers and boaters who travel extensively throughout Mexico, and for a $35/year membership, you get access to a wealth of knowledge. We purchased our insurance policies through them at a discounted price, and also got our tourist visas pre-paid and the paperwork completed through them so that the process at the 21KM checkpoint was greatly sped up (took about 15 minutes all total). (P.S... I have no affiliation with Vagabundos del Mar - I'm just a satisfied member).

Before going down, we got apprehensive about it and weren't sure we wanted to go through with it. I am SO GLAD that we didn't give in to our own uncertainty... because it really was a breeze and we had a wonderful time while we were there.

I'd be happy to provide any other information anyone would like to know about regarding the trip. And I hope more people consider visiting Mexico. It's a wonderful place.

- John

'05 Newmar MADP 4304 / Spartan MM GT / Cummins ISL 400hp '03 Honda CR-V toad

Quote from: Tom and Sherry Royer
>

John
> Would you mind sharing some of your experience with the group. How >
was the trip with the RV? Any problems going by yourself?
 

Re: Mexico advice

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 21494
John

Thank you for the great write up on your experiences traveling in Mexico. You have really put my mind at ease and I will certainly get in touch with vagabundosdelmar for more information. We always wanted to go visit Mexico, but just didn't have the nerve to do it by ourself. I think I can do it now.

Thanks
Tom Royer

2003 Allure #30858 with a Tahoe toad

In fact, it was all a lot easier

Quote
than we had anticipated and we ended up having no problems

whatsoever.