Destination Camping VS Traveling

RVing in Mexico is different than RVing in Canada or the US. I think the majority of Mexico RVers are destination RVers that return time and time again to the same place – generally for the December to March season. Their neighbors are the same and the predictability of their visit is guaranteed.

RVs are used essentially as cabins, temporary houses for a few months. Folks rent a bit of ground, usually the same space that they have occupied for years at the same RV park. In some parks, folks have built kitchens or tiny bodegas to store their “stuff” and give them more room. Some RV parks have allowed construction of massive grass houses called palapas which completely camouflage the RV. These are loved by the so-called permanents but detested by the traveler as they block the views and consume the best spots.

Often RVers will rent a bodega or storage room close to their destination RV park. They store tables, chairs, and all kinds of toys that will be ready and waiting for them when they arrive “next season.” Lots of folks store their boats, toy haulers and ATV’s. In my neck of the woods, just 40 miles North of Puerto Vallarta one more storage yard has opened and is already building more capacity.

My family has visited every state in Mexico via RV and we are a decided minority amongst our peers. Most folks seem to have found a piece of paradise and quit enjoying the “traveling part” of RVing. Why is this? Is it that their rigs are just too big and the roads too narrow? The language barrier? Maybe the adventurous spirit gets enough adventure in everyday life here in Mexico.

Would love to hear your views.

VOIP - Cheap Calls To and From Mexico

In Mexico cell phones can get very expensive. Our daughter pays $40 to $60 per month and she is very careful with her calling. As a teenager she needs it to keep in touch with her local Mexican friends, calling us at the RV park, and for emergencies. She text messages when she can but the cell bill takes up her allowance plus a good portion of her dog-sitting money. I use SKYPE to contact her cell.

I love my SKYPE phone service and can’t tell you how many times I have used it here in Mexico. SKYPE is a phone over the internet service that allows you to phone anyone in the world very inexpensively. It is perfect for RVing in Mexico and allows you to stay in touch with relatives and friends anywhere in the world without costing a bundle.

I have a virtual phone number in Washington as most of my friends and relatives are in or close to that state and they do not incur long distance charges when they call me. I have a voicemail so that if I am not online, I can receive a message and call back at a later time.

You can use the already built in mic and speaker system in your computer but the sound quality is usually poor. A common complaint is an echo. While a headphone with microphone improves the quality, I have found a VOIP phone that attaches to a USB port works best.

It is so inexpensive that calling from my Washington State number to a Mexican number is cheaper than using a Mexican cell phone. Go figure.

All Things Mexico

I’m Dorothy Bell and my family I have traveled throughout Mexico by RV. In fact we have been to all of the 31 states of this incredible country many times. We have the largest website on the internet for RV Travel in Mexico (www.ontheroadin.com) have taught seminars to newbies at trade shows and colleges in the US and Canada, and written numerous detailed road logs for many of the highways. For the last 3 years we have led an “Almost-free Caravan” to introduce new folks, first-hand, to this country.
Four years ago we gave up our day jobs, sold our house and processions and hit the I-5 Southbound. While it was a challenge initially for our two teenagers, our family has never looked back. We live in Mexico full time and every day we wake up and are thankful that we made the right decision for us.
My goal in this blog is to discuss RVing and travel in Mexico. I will be commenting on everything from roads, destinations and RV spots, to useful technology to FM3’s. Medical to mechanical. The magical and mundane.
Stay tuned, comment and enjoy the ride.