If you’re tired of crowded campgrounds or looking for a new type of adventure, you may consider alternative travel destinations. Mexico has become a popular RV destination for many travelers, for good reason. It is home to incredible beaches, charming towns, fantastic food, friendly people, rich culture, and fantastic sight seeing.

But is RVing to Mexico a good idea? Today, we’ll dive deeply into whether you should consider RVing south of the border. Let’s get started!

Why you would want to RV Mexico

Should take an RV caravan to Mexico?

Hiring a private company can be very appealing, but is also very expensive. Expect to spend anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 for a multi-week caravan trip through Mexico per vehicle.

Not only will these organizations help you sift through all the paperwork necessary for the trip, but they’ll handle many of the day-to-day logistics. They’ll book Mexico campsites and handle any reservations necessary.

If you hire a reputable tour company, they’ll know the best places to grab a bite to eat, sit in the sand, and enjoy the views. However there is little room to deviate from their itinerary and you lose a bit of the wanderlust and adventure of the experience being in a large group.

We personally chose to RV Mexico on our own, but having other RVers there for support can be incredibly helpful if things don’t go as planned.

Safety tips when RVing to Mexico

Safety is important no matter where you’re RVing, but is especially important in Mexico. Here are a handful of tips for staying safe while RVing in Mexico.

Know the safe spots

While not every place is dangerous in Mexico, the opposite is also true. There are both safe and unsafe places to visit in Mexico. It’s very important to know which places you should avoid. The U.S. Department of State posts travel advisories for any locations where safety may be a factor for travelers, including Mexico.

We visited many of these areas despite the warnings and had nothing but good experiences. Rather than rely solely on the U.S. Department of State, ask local travelers about their experiences in different areas of the country. Many will tell you where to stay away from and what areas are safe to visit.

Have Mexican auto insurance

The instant you cross the border into Mexico, you are required to have a special Mexican liability insurance policy to cover yourself and others on the road. Standard auto insurance policies only cover a vehicle when it is in the United States, unless the insurance provider offers a special Mexico rider you can add to your policy. The Mexican auto liability policy is something that is required by the Mexican government, and is not optional. Having this means your complying with the law and protecting yourself as you’re driving.

Stock up on essential supplies

Stocking up on supplies isn’t going to be nearly as easy in Mexico as it typically is in the United States. It’s a good idea to stock up on any essentials you could possibly need during the trip before crossing the border. While you can’t plan for every possible scenario, it’s a good idea to have spare parts and tools on hand in an emergency.

RVing isn’t nearly as popular in Mexico as it is in the United States. As a result, the infrastructure for repairs and supplies isn’t nearly the same. If you need a specific part while in Mexico, it could be impossible to track it down. Having the part(s) shipped to you in Mexico will cost you an arm and a leg due to import fees.

Be cautious off-roading

Mexico can be an exciting place to explore in your RV. However, you could unintentionally take your RV off-roading if you’re not careful. Depending on the size of your rig, this could be a very dangerous situation. You don’t always have to venture off the roads for it to feel like you’re off-roading.

Some of the roads in Mexico can be pretty sketchy. They’re not always the flat, level roads you’re used to seeing in America. Even if where you live is riddled with potholes, it’s got nothing on some of the roads in Mexico. Watch for bumps and craters in the roads. We recommend not driving these roads at night because it can be hard to see these obstacles.

Have a plan

The key to a successful RVing trip to Mexico is to have a solid plan. This isn’t a trip that you can just do on nothing more than a wing and a prayer. Come up with a travel plan and share your itinerary with others. Always have back up spots for camping in Mexico in case a campground is at capacity or closed. 

You can also share your GPS coordinates with a loved one. If they don’t hear from you by a certain point, then they can start rounding the troops up to come looking for you. Your plan should include where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and any places you want to see along the way. There’s no such thing as overplanning, especially for your first RV trip to Mexico.

Be realistic about your expectations

RVing Mexico can be an extremely rewarding experience, but its not without challenges. Road conditions can wear on your RV. Lack of reliable power at many Mexico campgrounds, communicating in a different language, and figuring out things like water and internet connectivity can add stress to the experience.

Being realistic about what to expect and knowing how to handle this before you go will make the process much easier.

Is RVing to Mexico a good idea?