Camping in Mexico

[Pencille]

I (with son and SO)will be in Mexico for 6-8 weeks starting Jan 06. We are thinking of camping - what are travelers experiences with camping in Mexico? We are on a 650GS and a KLR so will not be bound to pavement. Would appreciate hearing the wisdom of experiences - both good and bad.
Thank you

[garrydymond]

It depends where you go. If you are going along the coast or baja you should be able to find places to camp that are safe and cheap. You can find cheap hotels and hostals almost everywhere (300 pesos a night approx) so that might be easier and would cut down on what you need to carry.

[Pencille]

We will be entering Mexico at Nogales, through central to Tampico then to the Yucatan and if time allows, Belize and Guatemala. We are in no hurry, just heading South and enjoying what we encounter. If others have camped through this area, I would enjoy hearing their experiences.

[Mr. Ron]

Hey guys, i'm leaving Vancouver in early Dec. and heading the same way. I also plan to camp where i can, although it's easy to find lodging for 200-300 peso a night. I think it will be easy to just fall off the beaten path a ways and chill for the night, just not too close to any urban centres. Then i think i would prefer the secuity of a room. Funny thing is, i feel the same way travelling through the States! LOL!
We should keep in touch...

[normwimper]

I'm planning an identical trip. Not as far south as you but down the coastline then across the Yucatan to Belize. Am planning my trip for the early part of 06.......March I think. Was also wondering about the weather and if it would be wiser to go inland a little and take advantave orf the coolness at altitude in the mountains. Haven't gotten much help so far on the HUBB but still have time. Would be nice to get some info.

[Grant Johnson]

Don't worry too much about the weather, it changes!

If it's too hot, go up in altitude, too cool, move down. KISS principle...

Don't plan too exactly, stuff happens, things change, just pick a direction and go.

[wyomex]

i am in mexico riding for the first time. i entered tijuana, down the baja, crossed to matzatlan,guadalajara,then back to the coast down to puerto angel then oaxaca.. i have been surprised how few camping sites i have seen. i carried a tent and only used it one time so far (three weeks on road) that was because the hotel room was too hot, so i pitched in on the beach. i think that i could have found spots to camp, but think at least good spanish and loving stopping, talking to people, then following directions to the next place etc would be traits that would get you to that camp spot.. anyways,, not to discourage you.. i am sure it can be done and alot of fun had, just not as simply as in the states.. hope this helps you out..

[Mr. Ron]

I agree. It seems camping in Mexico is more geared to RV's than actual camping. Last year i only camped in Creel, but this time around i plan to get myself lost a few times and enjoy the spanish outdoors. This is easy enough, just ask one of the locals for directions!

[billk]

It depends on where you are but there are a great many places in Mexico where you can get off the main highway and find places to camp off the secondary roads leading to some pueblo. However, I agree with the poster who said you lose a lot interaction and flavor by not staying in hotels.

I've at times rented a room in small villages from local people. It was cheaper and the money helped them.

Also, at some of the smaller, less reconstructed ruins there's usually a care taker who will point out a spot to pitch a tent or hang a hammock.

You just can't be shy about asking and don't be afraid to use hand signs to show what you want to do.
Bill

[Sjoerd Bakker]

re;camping in Mexico and weather Having done numerous rides through Mexico and Central America during 26 years,( second trip this year was to Copper Canyon&Batopilas this Sept., KLR) I long ago learned that camping there is an activity mostly indulged in by tourists and the younger urbanites with money.The appeal of roughing it just does not exist for the masses who live in " the rough" on a daily basis. Ergo campsites are usually near the big tourist destinations. I travel with tent and sleeping bag as a backup , but use them very rarely. Others seem to think hotels cost 200 to 300 pesos or about $20 to $30 US .In most small Mexican towns you can find acceptable rooms with private or shared bath for less ,under $15 and if you are persistent you can find cheaper yet. The regions closest to the USA are the highest priced. Just don't insist on staying at the big name chains and you can spend less for a night's lodging than any US campground. If you want to camp in an area and you cannot locate a safe invisible spot, ask a land owner if you may camp near his house , or at the back of a restaurant, if you ate there they will most likely be happy to help you solving two needs at once.
Normwimper asks about weather,: if you plan to travel in the high country of Northern Mexico from November to March keep a careful watch on the weather forecasts. In the Sierras from the US border south to beyond Durango it can on occasion have heavy snow when a system moves of the Pacific , dumps of 50cm are not uncommon, , roads are not cleared. You may have to wait and freeze, before they melt off in a day or two, or two weeks. In Chihuahua roads are often closed for several days, too bad if you were somewhere between two ranges, worseyet if you were on top

[Pencille]

Thanks to all who have responded. The thought of missed interaction with the local community is one I haden't considered and is most important. We hoped to budget the trip to $35/day per person, hence the plan of camping. Personally, the thought of bed and shower is very attractive to me, the camping idea is my son's. Since we plan to avoid large cities, hopefully we can find lodging and stay within out budget. I want to leave yesterday!!

[Lone Rider]

<font face="" size="2">....We hoped to budget the trip to $35/day per person, hence the plan of camping. Personally, the thought of bed and shower is very attractive to me, the camping idea is my son's. Since we plan to avoid large cities, hopefully we can find lodging and stay within out budget. I want to leave yesterday!![/B]</font>

Fuel costs approx $2.50-2.80 per gal. Lots of miles per day will kill your budget...and will also get deeper south within your time frame.

Will you need new rear tires...and where..just something to consider.

You guys will have a blast!

[billk]

Lone Rider:
I haven't been down for three years. I didn't realize the gas had gotten that high. They should also consider the tolls. I don't think they can be avoided in some spots. At least I haven't figured out how to avoid them yet.
Bill

[Lone Rider]

Originally posted by billk:
Lone Rider:
I haven't been down for three years. I didn't realize the gas had gotten that high. They should also consider the tolls. I don't think they can be avoided in some spots. At least I haven't figured out how to avoid them yet.
Bill

Fuel prices have been steady around that level for several years.

As you've suggested, couta/toll roads are to be avoided unless time is priority #1.

Couta roads can always be avoided because the free roads were there before/1st.

Lottsa new couta roads being build now.

7 out of 10 times, the free roads offer better scenery.


[This message has been edited by Lone Rider (edited 11 November 2005).]

[Sjoerd Bakker]

further to Toll Roads , as Lonerider says . toll roads can nearly always be avoided if you keep an eye on the road signs. Toll highways in Mexico are labelled with a D below their number along the roadside and when a highway turns into a toll road you will always be given the choice of the toll( cuota or peage)road e.g. Mex 2D or the free road Mex2 Libre.
Many of the major highways will suddenly become toll roads as they swing around a city or town. To avoid the toll just go straight through town , enjoy it , then rejoin the road past the toll..Approaching Hermosillo from the north the Libre is a short jog east then south , and you save the price of a tank of gas in 30km. Same north of Chihuahua city the old road along the westparallels the toll and is more interesting through hills. At other places you can see the toll plaza coming and get off onto a small rural road to drive around it e.g. on Mex 15 south of Cd Obregon where a local entreprneur two yearsago was asking one dollar for letting you use the gravel lane around the $10 toll plaza.
Along the Gulf of Mexico side it is difficult to avoid the tolls on the bridges across all the large rivers , but they are less costly,about $2.