You’ve just watched the evening news and heaved yet another deep sigh of frustration. Your glance travels from the pile of bank statements on your desk to the front window where you see your RV sitting in the driveway.
Many weekends it has beckoned to you and you’ve enjoyed state parks and a trip to the beach and visits to kinfolk. Now, however, it whispers ….”Mexico.”
Traveling to Mexico in your RV requires some planning. Here is a brief list of where to start, with links to helpful websites.
Before you cross the border, you’ll need the following
- FMM-Tourist Permit. The Forma Migratoria Múltiple is often referred to as a Mexican visa for tourists, but it is actually a visitor permit issued by the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). The FMM can be obtained ahead of time by an agent—you’ll answer questions such as how many days you plan to visit, your nationality, passport number, country of residence, purpose of the trip, which port of entry you will use and where you will be staying. You will submit a photo of your passport. The cost is about $40. Here is a link for more information: https://visitingmexico.com/tourist-card/
- TIP Vehicle Permit. This is how you get a car/truck/motorcycle into Mexico beyond the Free Zone. There are many I’s to dot and t’s to cross and the recommendation is to get help with this permit, which costs about $60 per vehicle (not including the deposit.) https://visitingmexico.com/car-permit/
For example, ¾ ton trucks such as Silverados, Ram 3500 or Ford F350’s are technically not allowed to cross into Mexico from Texas (but they are OK to cross into Sonora from Arizona). Each vehicle requires a deposit of several hundred dollars, which is refundable if you cancel the permit on time (not even a minute late). If the vehicle is financed, you need a notarized letter of permission to take the vehicle into Mexico. If you are towing a trailer, the automobile gets a six-month permit and the trailer gets a 10-year permit. And on and on.
- You must carry Mexican Insurance on your vehicles. https://www.mexinsurance.com
- You can bring your pet. Here are the rules, which you must understand may change at any moment: aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-mexico
- You can bring a shotgun. But you must prove you will be hunting. The U.S. Department of State recommends avoiding taking any firearm or ammunition into Mexico.
There are many RV parks in Mexico as well as National Parks. The app “IOverlander 2” can help you find locations. There are also several Facebook groups focused on RV travel in Mexico.
Other considerations include the travel-worthiness of your RV and all of your RV’s systems. If you are buying an RV, have an inspection by RV Inspections by Gneiss Goods, LLC before purchasing it and hitting the road.