camper-van or airplane
Posted by jill sazanami on July 14, 2020, 7:21 pm
Trip to LaManz in Sept. Trying to plan. I loved my winter there a couple yrs ago. I'm trying to decide between flying down or driving a camper-van. I'm concerned about the long drive (from Seattle) alone but no one is travelling anymore--can't find a travel buddy. Anyone want a free trip down? Having a camper-van would probably give more options for living places (campground on the beach!) & be handy if I bought some land. Plus I could take more things than an airplane. Is taking a van like this problematic? If it is, can one buy some sort of camper locally? I hope to get a temporary resident visa this month. Can one shop on Amazon there? Difficult? Expensive? Any suggestions or info greatly appreciated! | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by david c on July 14, 2020, 8:49 pm, in reply to "camper-van or airplane"
FYI! Keep an I on the border closures. Mexico just extended their border closure to August 21 at this point in time. Also,September is the heart of hurricane season, it can be hot,steamy and very rainy. A better time to be here is December thru April, as far as weather. Airplane is my choice, the drive is very long. Good luck! | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by Richard on July 14, 2020, 9:48 pm, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Jill... didn't say your traveling on a visitors permit or residente permit. One thing to consider, a camper-van has in the past been considered an RV and as such can be imported into the country for 10 years on a TIP. If things have changed, or I have it wrong, someone please chime in. To my knowledge you don't have to cancel the TIP when you leave at the border, unlike a car or truck. You could even leave it here and fly home, and you would always have wheels when you return. For my money spending 4 or 5 hours in a tin tube shoulder to shoulder with 250+ other folks when COVID-19 is raging is not my idea of safety... and no, those cloth masks don't provide much protection against a pathogen so tiny you can only see with an electron microscope. | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by M Morgan on July 14, 2020, 10:41 pm, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
from personal experience, go north, not south | ------------A managable route if you enjoy driving...
Posted by Deano on July 15, 2020, 11:12 am, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
If you can use google maps or something similar use Bakersfield Ca. as your starting point (it's on I-5) south. Use Tehachapi as your first destination HWY 56 east. Search Lukeville That will take you around and DELETE Los Angels completely. High desert It drops you down in to san Bernardino to I-10 East and smoother sailing from there... If you can make that leg on A Sunday you are doing even better Lukeville is probably the most less problematic of the crossings that I have experienced. Have your window sticker, And then the fun begins. The drive south is absolutely beautiful, Viva Mexico. The new highway is complete with plenty of new Pemex stations all the way to Guadalajara )do NOT go through Tepic to PV as hours of wait time due to new construction, its horrible. Hwy 15D, to the new Manzanillo cut off (by passes Guad & brand new) to La Manzanilla. Going that way is a tad longer in miles, but shorter driving time, all highways... Driving shows you the many beauties of Mexico including the safest form of Lodging, No tell Motels, lock your vehicle inside the unit... I do not know where your starting point is but Mexico is a very long stretch of road, long and tiring to say the least. You would be good to have a partner to help with driving and relieve the strain of long driving days... So with that being said, flying is the way to go...
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Posted by jill sazanami on July 15, 2020, 11:49 am, in reply to "A managable route if you enjoy driving..."------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by jill sazanami on July 15, 2020, 12:07 am, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
It'd be great to have it here and with a temporary resident visa, I think it might be ok but possible road border difficulties are a concern. I hate plane travel nowadays but not worried about the virus. Through the years I've learned how to avoid colds, flu, etc and I have stuff that'll cure me if I need it. I just worry about governments Going north? Sounds cold!
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Posted by jill sazanami on July 14, 2020, 10:40 pm, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Thanks! I rechecked & nogalesinternational.com indicated a possible crossing. (border rules vary depending on which country you are going into). Incorporating some medical treatment seems to make the crossing essential. However, flying is a clear pass to get in. So, more reason to fly. I AM concerned about the ability to get in since restrictions here are increasing every day. If things look stable, Oct. | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by Nansee on July 15, 2020, 8:12 am, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Jill, are you willing to post your email so I can contact you personally? or contact me at nansee@mcn.org | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by Jim T on July 15, 2020, 8:32 am, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
jill, I have driven the I5 south from Vancouver through to Nogales border crossing and then down to La Manz several times. No problem. A few minor caveats for the trip. Get your Mexican Temporary Vehicle Permit online and delivered to your residence before you leave (Banjercito.com) and buy your Mexican vehicle insurance online. At Nogales the border crossing is a "wave through" you must purchase your Visitor's permit and apply your Vehicle Permit at the 21 km checkpoint. Don't go anywhere near Los Angeles -- the traffic is terrible. I head east about Bakersfield and aim for Wickenburg and then south to Phoenix. It is about an 8 hour drive south from Mazatlan to Puerto Vallarta -- the first 4 hours there is a lack of gas stations and facilities -- fuel up in Mazatlan. Jim | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by Beccistarr on July 15, 2020, 8:48 am, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Driving during the pandemic might be more challenging....everything has changed Jill...if you have a way of avoiding/curing the corona virus why not share it with the planet? | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by jill sazanami on July 15, 2020, 11:40 am, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Jim--thanks so much for the tips! Beccistarr - yes & crossing the border is a worry. Sharing the cure- hahaha great comment! I love to share, but I also love harmony! It's a topic too big for this forum and my time right now but I'd love to show the science sometime. There's a chart that divides countries into how much they utilized a certain cure (there are more than one) and the deaths rates are hugely different. The good news is..look at mortality rate charts for countries around the world. It's the pattern for all flu & it's about finished. There's a guy in Mx that went around checking places in MxCity to check the news. Maybe you'd find his videos interesting--dollarvigilante.com. Anyway, I'm leaning toward flying, which means any info about getting things after arriving is useful! Can I use Amazon? How similar is Costco in PV to US Costco? Is economic shipping possible? I'll need a car, a bike, a Vitamix, etcetc. The 2nd hand market didn't seem too extensive last time I was there. Thanks for all your comments! | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by CraigB on July 15, 2020, 10:59 am, in reply to "camper-van or airplane"
If you drive use the federal toll roads as they are safer. They are patrolled by federal highway patrol and there are armed guards at the gas stations. Do not let anyone pull you over unless it is a police vehicle. Do not drive at night due to cattle and possible bad guys out. Always watch for potholes. Some of them are deep enough to blow a tire and bend a rim. Make sure you have good tires, a jack and good spare tire. Take an ice chest that you can stock up with food and drinks. Good advice about filling up before leaving Mazatlan. I have driven extensively in Mexico and have not had a problem (except for blowing tires in potholes). Try and stay at motels that have drive in courtyards. These provide more security than parking on the street. Driving can provide a lot of nice experiences and scenery. Driving is not as safe as it used to be in my opinion. | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by Neal on July 15, 2020, 11:21 am, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
We have made the trip from Reno and Denver several times. Unless things have changed there are long stretches both north and south of Mazatlan that have no gas stations on the highway. Plan for it. It’s a long drive, we now fly. When you figure in gas and lodging cost works out about the same for two people. Good luck have fun. | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by jill sazanami on July 15, 2020, 11:47 am, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Thanks! CraigB & Neal. Good things to know going forward for any possible travel! & further makes me think that flying is probably less problematic especially alone. Thanks everyone for helping me sort out this decision! | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by Camaron on July 15, 2020, 11:17 pm, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Costco in PV more or less comparable to US. There is Amazon.MX. I have had good success. There are several bike stores in Melaque for used bikes. Plenty of used cars for sale, although a thorough inspection is a must. I used to try to take a lot of stuff, now its easier to buy it there. Except for good dark chocolate, stalk up! Best of Wishes on your adventure!! | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by Larry F on July 15, 2020, 11:51 am, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Fly, don't drive. Much cheaper. If you do drive from Seattle, drive via I-84 through Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. Much less traffic than I-5 through California, which is also boring and rather ugly. Having said that, why would you be going at all? It seems highly unlikely that borders will be open to non-essential traffic for some time yet. The U.S. is the global epicentre of COVID-19 and Mexico seems intent on allowing the virus to spread. Stay safe.
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Posted by jill sazanami on July 15, 2020, 12:37 pm, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Thanks Larry. Planes have no border crossing problems ....yet. I view Mexico as being safer than the US. Virus safety not the issue for me. There's a considerable amount of tyranny, paranoia,divisiveness up here. I'm ready to swim around the wall in Playas! May be worse in Mexico (tyranny, upheaval) but at least I'll have the sunshine! | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by Richard on July 15, 2020, 1:44 pm, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
.... if you drive as I have a dozen times... Straight east to on 90, 82, then 84 to Twin Falls ID, 93 straight south to Vegas...a long lonely road for sure but don't go through the SLC nightmare'cause it's like white knuckle driving through 50 miles of LA at 4:30 on a Friday. Vegas isn't bad. Stay in Jackpot NV at the West-Star on a weekday, Sun-Thurs... way cheaper. Down 93 to Laughlin NV to one of the casino hotels... very cheap, again on weekdays only....or you can stay in Kingman. South on 93 again to Wickenburg but don't go through the Phoenix traffic nightmare. Instead before going through Wickenburg, take the Vulture Mine Road straight south to I-10.. virtually no traffic. Gas up at the junction. From there it's an easy trip to Nogales or Lukeville. | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by Kushad & Wendy on July 15, 2020, 2:14 pm, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Hi Jill - was wondering about you last year! We drive south on the east side of the mountains - crossover often via Bend Oregon from I-5, have hot spring guide books and take 3 weeks to reach southern US, driving on straight mostly empty roads, beautiful scenery, lots of free camping. We store the van and fly. Alaska has flights from Phoenix, Las Vegas or LA to Manzanillo.
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Posted by Jim T on July 15, 2020, 6:56 pm, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Driving vs flying (even if it takes 6 days) is my preference--and I have driven much of Mexico and Central America. One last piece of advice--most accommodations in Mexico are family run non-franchise affiliated -- it can be a bit unnerving at first. When I am doing a Mexican road trip I typically pre-book every 3rd or 4th night at a City Express or Ibis Hotel. City Express is a Mexican chain & Ibis is a European chain that are similar to a Holiday Inn Express. Clean, comfortable, continental breakfast included, secure parking, and easy to book online. Best Western (as a fallback) also has a couple of locations enroute from Nogales to Puerto Vallarta. Jim | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by Louise P on July 15, 2020, 9:45 pm, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Do not come until December even that this year might be too early . Beach and humidity not ready and usually no bridge/road to camping area . It's a 13km drive around thru Boca. Think twice or more before buying anything! | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by Kushad on July 15, 2020, 11:50 pm, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
With the "condos" now,just north of the lagoon, the causeway gets done earlier - in by Nov 23 when we arrived last year. | ------------Re: camper-van or airplane
Posted by jill sazanami on July 16, 2020, 3:15 pm, in reply to "Re: camper-van or airplane"
Thanks so much for all the comments! It has helped so much! And the case for using a plane and buying things after arrival has grown. I even saw a ticket from Seattle for $125! (3 check-in bags: +$170). I would love to come nov or dec but am really worried about travel restrictions. A plane is preferable than swimming from San Diego I feel really good having so much support--it's almost like a virtual welcome party and I really appreciate it! La Manz is obviously a great community. | ------------
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