Planning a trip to RV Mexico but not sure what RV parks in Mexico are like? From electricity to amenities, cost, and more. This blog post will share exactly what Mexico RV parks are like so you can prepare for what is sure to be the trip of a lifetime.
Mexico RV park amenities
Amenities in Mexican RV parks can vary greatly just like in the US or Canada. What you will find at a typical RV Park in Mexico might include a communal area or kitchen, bathrooms, and showers. Although hot water isn’t guaranteed.
Many parks in the warmer parts of the country will also have a pool or beach access. Almost all parks we visited in Baja California had laundry facilities. However, in mainland Mexico laundry on site was a luxury.
Most RV Parks in Mexico will provide full hookup for your rig (electric, water, sewer) but some might only have electricity and water. If you need a place to dump, make sure to check before you go.
Popular destinations for RVers for example, the Baja Peninsula and the west coast of mainland Mexico around Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan have more full-amenity RV parks than more rural less visited areas of the country.
Electricity at RV parks in Mexico
Most RV Parks have some sort of electric hookup. However, there is a good chance the electricity is not grounded or has inconsistent voltage. It’s also common to find 15-amp outlets only. Make sure to bring a 50 amp or 30 amp adapter (we’d recommend having two).
Given the unreliability of the electrical current in RV parks in Mexico, many times you’ll be without. If you are the type of traveler who needs A/C or you are looking to travel during the sweltering summer months take caution.
The constant fluctuation in electricity can cause power outages or worse. Fry your RV’s electrical equipment. It is very important to invest in an EMS (Electrical Management System) Surge Protector and always use it when plugging in.
If you are traveling to a well-known RV tourist area, you will probably have better luck as many of these larger RV parks along the coast, like San Felipe, Puerto Penasco, or Mazatlan cater to American RVers. At these parks, you can probably find 30 and 50-amp outlets with more stable electricity along with other common amenities from RV parks in the USA or Canada.
Want to follow in our footsteps RVing Mexico? We have two amazing digital travel guides that simplify planning an RV road trip to Mexico. These guides are over 80 pages and share EVERYTHING you need to know about RV Mexico life including communication tips, a complete itinerary, camping recommendations, safety tips, foods to eat, and more.
Water at Mexico RV Parks
Drinking tap water in Mexico is dangerous and can give you a bad case of Montezuma’s revenge. Or worse make you seriously ill. Even the locals don’t drink tap water. Tap water is not potable in Mexico, but you have a few options when it comes to drinking water and filling your RV tanks.
Many RV Parks in Mexico will offer water hookups which you can still use for washing dishes, showers, and flushing toilets but not for drinking. We personally used this water in our RV and got fresh drinking water from a 5 gallon garrafon of water and a 2.5 gallon countertop water dispenser.
Garrafons can be traded out at grocery stores and convenience stores or refilled directly at the water purification plant, Agua Purificadora.
Another option is to fill your tanks at an Agua Purificadora directly. This will require you to seek out a Agua Purificadora location where you can fill your garrafon or tanks — which can be tricky. Very few are big rig friendly and it will likely require a siphon or special equipment to pump the water into your RV. In Baja California this is quite common and generally not an issue. However, in mainland Mexico, this was harder to come by.
The last option is to fill your tanks at the campsite and then purify the water by mixing in a few tablespoons of chlorine. Mexican supermarkets or supermercados will carry chlorine used for treating and purifying tap water. The water might not taste as good as bottled water but it isn’t that bad and it is safe for drinking.
Getting Internet at RV parks in Mexico
Many Mexico RV parks will provide some sort of free Wifi service as part of your daily rate but the connection might not be strong or only available in parts of the park. Some nicer RV parks in Mexico will charge you separately for a good wifi connection. But if you are a digital nomad and rely on a good internet connection, the best option is to bring Starlink with you.
Starlink’s satellite-based internet service only needs a clear point of view to get a connection in the most remote places. We recently purchased Starlink and it has been a game-changer for staying connected in Mexico.
Another option is to get a local Telcel SIM card. This will give you better cell phone reception throughout the country and give you a hotspot to use for the internet.
Telcel SIM cards are available at OXXO convenience stores which are abundant in Mexico. Once the data has run out, find another OXXO store and easily add more money to your plan. You can also re-up data through the mobile app.
Can you bring pets to Mexico in an RV?
You can definitely bring your pets to Mexico with you in your RV. However, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings as you explore with your pets.
Many Mexican campground managers have their own dogs onsite and off-leash. Most are friendly and well accustomed to frequent visitors but some are not always friendly. Be cautious when introducing your dogs and ask the campground managers if there are any precautions to take for your pet’s safety.
It is not uncommon to see unleashed dogs from other visitors at Mexican RV parks, or stray dogs from the area so be aware if you have pets and keep them leashed even if they are well-trained.
Mexican street dogs tend to be aloof but friendly and almost never neutered. Many Mexicans keep dogs as their home security system. A simple stroll down a Mexican neighborhood with your dog can set off canine “alarm systems” left and right. It might be good practice to walk around an area by yourself and assess before you bring your canine companion.
How much do RV parks in Mexico cost?
Mexican RV parks are generally cheaper than those north of the border. Expect to pay an average of $10 – $20 USD ($300-$400 pesos) per night. For larger, nicer RV Parks in tourist destinations along the coast expect to pay closer to $25 – $40 USD ($500-$800 pesos) per night.
The Baja California Peninsula and parts of Mainland Mexico will have free dispersed RV camping. However, many boondocking spots (even if there are no amenities) will require some payment. Prepare to pay $200 – $300 pesos to park at a hotel or RV park even with dry camping.
Can you make reservations for Mexico RV Parks?
Many Mexican RV parks do not take reservations. They might not even have a website. If you are heading towards a destination it’s always good to call ahead or message through WhatsApp to ask if there is space available for your size rig.
Nicer RV parks, particularly those in top tourist destinations will often have phone or online reservation systems in place. Make sure to book in advance if traveling during the popular snowbird season. As spots will fill up quickly. If you’re interested in seeing what some RV parks are like, here are 6 of our favorite RV campgrounds along the Baja California Peninsula.
Noise at Mexican RV parks
Fireworks, loud music, traffic, barking dogs. Mexico is not always a quiet place. Expect some amount of noise level while RV camping in Mexico, especially within large cities and even small towns during festivals. There’s not much you can do about this except to bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper (or join the party)! 🎉
Mexico is a beautiful country full of incredible history, culture, food, and the nicest people in the world. Taking an RV trip through Mexico can present new challenges but if prepared, should not inconvenience you or limit your sense of adventure.
Buying the right gear, understanding your water source options, and figuring out your communication needs will go a long way in making your visit to Mexico one to remember for the right reasons.
CHECK OUT MY OTHER RV MEXICO GUIDES
- 6 Fantastic Baja RV Parks You Don’t Want to Miss: These were 6 of the best RV parks we camped at on the Baja California Peninsula.
- Is Baja California Safe to RV? This is by far the #1 most asked question. And this blog discusses all things safety in Baja.
- 10 Tips For Crossing the Mexico Border in an RV: This blog post will make sure your border crossing will go super smoothly!
- 10 Must-Visit Destinations on a Baja Road Trip: These ten spots were our favorite places we visited on our 4 month Baja road trip.
- Everything You Need to Know About Driving in Mexico: Driving in Mexico is different than other countries. Learn the ropes of Mexican driving in this complete guide!
