For those who are interested I have a travel blog on my current trip through Mexico (I am wagon master on a caravan). Another couple took it over for a month while my wife dealt with medical issues, but I now have it back, starting this morning as we head for Melaque. The blog is at http://www.mexicorvbuddies.com/Spring.php
Flashman said
09:02 AM Mar 3, 2016
I read about the RV caravans to Mexico and all I can think is NO WAY. Nothing screams 'rich American' than a line of expensive RV's and what a better source of money for bandits (and yes, Mexico is thick with them) than to stop the whole caravan on a lonely stretch of road rob them all. No, you should not live your life in fear, but you should also use common sense and not put yourself in dangerous situations. It's not about drugs anymore - anyone with money in Mexico is in danger. OK your turn - convince me why these Mexican caravans make sense....
Russ Ranger said
10:14 AM Mar 3, 2016
Flashman - With your level of fear and concern it is probably best that you not visit Mexico. It would be hard to enjoy the beautiful weather and wonderful culture that we experience here. Our personal observation is that we are safer here than at home in Washington state. The 25,000 to 30,000 Americans and Canadians that Winter here in Mazatlán seem to agree with us that "life is good". There are several hundred RV's in our area of town (Cerritos) that safely drive the 750 miles each year.
There may be bandits in Mexico but they seem to totally ignore us gray haired expats. Statistics say around 1,000,000 people come to live in Mexico each year. That does not include the 12,000,000 tourists that come each year. We all have used our "common sense" and are enjoying our time here.
telco said
08:26 AM Mar 4, 2016
Flashman wrote:
I read about the RV caravans to Mexico and all I can think is NO WAY. Nothing screams 'rich American' than a line of expensive RV's and what a better source of money for bandits (and yes, Mexico is thick with them) than to stop the whole caravan on a lonely stretch of road rob them all. No, you should not live your life in fear, but you should also use common sense and not put yourself in dangerous situations. It's not about drugs anymore - anyone with money in Mexico is in danger. OK your turn - convince me why these Mexican caravans make sense....
There are probably 10 of them a year when you include the ones from Quebec. In the last 20 years, none of them have ever been robbed. I drive all over Mexico for 7 months a year both as a wagon master & on my on and have been doing it for 10 years. Never been robbed. I am far more worried about driving around the uS to be quite frank, especialy in some cities. Mexicans on the whole are far more honest and anxious to help RV's in trouble than Americans or Canadians. You may not believe, that but that is my experience. Of course there are bad guys but that is true in ANY country. Less of the popuation is armed in Mexico and drug cartels consider toruists off limits, they don't need the headaches it would cause. Random shootings at schools movie theatres,etc. are pretty well unknown.
I deal with the sort of misconception expressed above all the time. I would say over 50% of the folks that I take down here on a caravan end up coming back on their own, and wonder why they ever had aprehensions. Trt it Flashman, I think you would be pleasantly surprised. The biggest danger down here is not knowing where you cna take your rig, especially a large one. Low tees, arches, that sort of thing. Even the police are helpful, Here is a picture of them helping one of our customers install a new mattress. That was after the customer had ridden spreadeagled across it on the freeway to stop it from blowing out of the PU. The cop followed him. Did he give him a ticket? Nope just asked if he needed help getting it into his RV. I have had dozens of similar incidents like that. We have had police spot us and clear parked traffic out of small twons for us or give us free escorts dozens of times. They often join us at Happy hours or dinners. This year we had the mayor of Durnago & the minister of tourism join us for a pot luck.
On the road in michoacan
-- Edited by telco on Friday 4th of March 2016 12:06:55 PM
lb311 said
01:35 AM Mar 9, 2016
Plenty of folks in the U.S. seem ultra-paranoid about foreign lands (and people) these days. Not sure we can convince everyone with that mindset to reach beyond their comfort zone and explore non-US places and different cultures. But for those who take a chance and actually come down to experience Mexico for themselves, it will likely really surprise & delight you! I'm now down here for my 3rd season and already have next winter planned as well. I've never felt the need to join a caravan, although there's nothing wrong with starting that way.
My first year, I crossed the border and drove with one other RV the first few days. After that, I traveled another 1500 miles through Mexico as a solo woman RVer (towing a car). Zero problems, and plenty of warm, smiling, and helpful Mexicans wherever I went. The past 2 years, I've enjoyed tandem traveling with 1 other RVing couple-- not so much for safety, but more for the social aspect, although it certainly makes it easier traveling with a buddy if one rig should break down, etc.
Some will come to Mexico and be frustrated by the loud music, litter, poverty, and having to read/listen to Spanish everywhere. Others, will fall in love with the vibrant culture, foods, landscapes, strong sense of family and community, and most of all, the incredibly warm and welcoming people. Americans could learn a thing or two from our Mexican neighbors!
telco said
08:54 AM Mar 9, 2016
lb13, you have the right attitude. I hope I run into you on the road sometime. I am currently in Melaque.
For those who are interested I have a travel blog on my current trip through Mexico (I am wagon master on a caravan). Another couple took it over for a month while my wife dealt with medical issues, but I now have it back, starting this morning as we head for Melaque. The blog is at http://www.mexicorvbuddies.com/Spring.php
There may be bandits in Mexico but they seem to totally ignore us gray haired expats. Statistics say around 1,000,000 people come to live in Mexico each year. That does not include the 12,000,000 tourists that come each year. We all have used our "common sense" and are enjoying our time here.
There are probably 10 of them a year when you include the ones from Quebec. In the last 20 years, none of them have ever been robbed. I drive all over Mexico for 7 months a year both as a wagon master & on my on and have been doing it for 10 years. Never been robbed. I am far more worried about driving around the uS to be quite frank, especialy in some cities. Mexicans on the whole are far more honest and anxious to help RV's in trouble than Americans or Canadians. You may not believe, that but that is my experience. Of course there are bad guys but that is true in ANY country. Less of the popuation is armed in Mexico and drug cartels consider toruists off limits, they don't need the headaches it would cause. Random shootings at schools movie theatres,etc. are pretty well unknown.
I deal with the sort of misconception expressed above all the time. I would say over 50% of the folks that I take down here on a caravan end up coming back on their own, and wonder why they ever had aprehensions. Trt it Flashman, I think you would be pleasantly surprised. The biggest danger down here is not knowing where you cna take your rig, especially a large one. Low tees, arches, that sort of thing. Even the police are helpful, Here is a picture of them helping one of our customers install a new mattress. That was after the customer had ridden spreadeagled across it on the freeway to stop it from blowing out of the PU. The cop followed him. Did he give him a ticket? Nope just asked if he needed help getting it into his RV. I have had dozens of similar incidents like that. We have had police spot us and clear parked traffic out of small twons for us or give us free escorts dozens of times. They often join us at Happy hours or dinners. This year we had the mayor of Durnago & the minister of tourism join us for a pot luck.
On the road in michoacan
-- Edited by telco on Friday 4th of March 2016 12:06:55 PM
My first year, I crossed the border and drove with one other RV the first few days. After that, I traveled another 1500 miles through Mexico as a solo woman RVer (towing a car). Zero problems, and plenty of warm, smiling, and helpful Mexicans wherever I went. The past 2 years, I've enjoyed tandem traveling with 1 other RVing couple-- not so much for safety, but more for the social aspect, although it certainly makes it easier traveling with a buddy if one rig should break down, etc.
Some will come to Mexico and be frustrated by the loud music, litter, poverty, and having to read/listen to Spanish everywhere. Others, will fall in love with the vibrant culture, foods, landscapes, strong sense of family and community, and most of all, the incredibly warm and welcoming people. Americans could learn a thing or two from our Mexican neighbors!