Camping in Mexico
 

I just read in a thread that it's a bad idea to camp in Mexico. Is this true? Has anyone had any experience with this? If Mexico's safer than the US why wouldn't it be safe for camping? Especially if I did so in a remote area. I realize accomodations are very reasonable, but I'll be there for several months with very limited finances. Any comments are greatly appreciated.

Wade

There's a book called "travelers guide to mexican camping" that might help you--it is really aimed at RV-ers and car campers, but has some ok information and locations of campgrounds.

Personally I don't camp in rural (or urban, for that matter) Mexico. Maybe I would if I was staying in one place for a while, but otherwise I figure that if all the Mexicans I've talked to say "no, that is a bad idea," I'll listen.

Honestly, it is probably safe. Probably best would be to ask a friendly farmer if he minded your putting up a tent on the edge of his field or something--there's usually someone around if you look close.

Part of the answer to your "why is camping different in the us and mexico" is that the US has spent a lot of money policing areas that are used for camping (eg forest service rangers, etc); Mexico hasn't. Also, poverty and associated crime are a bit more urban in the US; that said, you can certainly find plenty of horror stories in the US as well.

[This message has been edited by rapaz (edited 16 September 2003).]

Thanks for your reply. I've looked in some guide books, and it looks like I'll have to take my chances, as most hotels are said to cost arround 30 a night. I won't be doing that more than once a week I think. I'm considering buying that camping book, but most of the reviews agree'd with you in that it has very little to offer for tenters. Thanks much

Wade

$30US was the most I paid last Febuary in Mexico. Most of the time, $15 average. Prices vary greatly, depending where you are. Over time you develop a nose for the cheaper places. Have fun on your trip.
John

$30/night seems a bit high; last I was driving through, we paid from under $10 to $30. However, this was for hotels with secure parking for the jeep; I think secure bike parking would be easier to find. Also cheaper if you don't demand a room with a private bathroom, etc. I think $15--$25 might be more of a normal range, but it really depends where you are and how fancy you like your hotels.

I remember reading months ago on one of the blogs written by a woman solo rider heading down into mexico about her experiences camping (all good experiences, as I remember); I don't remember her name--maybe someone can think of it? Anyway, she seemed to be doing well at it at the time.

Good luck!

Hallo!

Don't worry,travelling in mexico is cheep,i'm still here and i never spendet more than 12$ a night,normal i spend 4-6$!
But that is for the south of mexico the north is more expensive,but i never have been up there!
i also camped wilde and i had no troubles at all! if you take your dinner xi a restaurant next to the street and ask them if you can sleep behind the restaurant, it allways works out for me! And you stay for free!

Have fun on your trip!
Appie

Back during December 2001 I drove a van through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. We always had two people in the van and two people sleeping outside. The problems we ran into were wild dogs mainly. They like to sniff at you which can be bad if you get scared. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif If you leave your shoes outside of your tent they will probably be stolen, especially if you camp in the same place two nights in a row. We tried to camp on the side of the highway once but there is garbage in every ditch. Loads of garbage that smells.

Good places to camp were on the beach (don't underestimate the tide, I woke up with the tent getting hit by the waves), in parking lots, and around city parks. Camping outside of gates to tourist attractions can work well too as they have guards. Bring some beer for the guards http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

Steve

There's a new version of the book that includes Belize. I guess if it saves you two nights in a hotel it will pay for itself. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif The book without Belize has gone out of print. Below is a price listing and many reviews. A backpacker's response is that the tenting info is lacking.

http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASI...595103-3021102

Cheers, Steve

Hi Wade,
I agree with Appie - restuarants are the go. We also couldn't afford hotels in Mexico, so alot of the time we'd suss out restaurants for tent and bike space. We'd ask the boss if we ate dinner there could we camp for free, and that worked pretty well. You end up getting food and accomodation for the price of a meal. We've been doing this for the whole of Latin America and it has saved us heaps of money!
By the way in Canada and the US we camped wild and also in rest areas and had no trouble at all....
Happy camping!
Jo

-> i don't know why there should be any special rules for wild camping in mexico!

so you will avoid most trouble, if you

- do not camp anywhere close to bigger settlements;

- do not camp on beaches near big cities or tourist centres;

- do make some noise at the spot you've chosen and wait for dog reply: if there's none or it's far away-stay, if not: move on;

- stay out of sight and vision of any roads and vehicles;

- wait until it's almost dark to avoid that wandering poeple get to know your place by chance

- check your map for suitable areas well ahead

i stick to this rules since many years and felt save anytime, anywhere.

good luck to everyone