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RVing in Mexico
Please see the map above for a list of RV Parks and Campgrounds in Mexico. If you click on an area of the map, you can see contact information and a list of amenities for each of the different parks.
Mexico is a different country with a whole different set of customs and rules governing RVs and camping. In general, the western part of the country and Pacific coast areas are far more amenable to RVs and campers than the rest of the country. RV enthusiasts from the western United States have been touring Baja California for many years and so hook-ups and suitably sized lots are more frequently seen. This is also true of the mainland coastal areas along the Gulf of California. A trip to Baja might be a more reasonable first trip into Mexico than to delve straight into the mountains and valleys of “Old Mexico” in the south. RVs are much less common in the south and east, where mountain roads are narrower, but certainly, the people in these areas understand your wish to visit.
There are campgrounds throughout Mexico and the map above lists many near our Featured Locations. Amenities with campgrounds change quickly, and many sources of information go out of date quickly so we recommend double checking sources on campground locations and amenities and having a plan B campground within roughly a half-hour’s drive whenever possible. “Boondocking,” camping in places other than campgrounds, is not recommended, but if you are stuck, many RVers have been helped by the people who happen to be around. PEMEX lots are not unheard of, for roughly the price of filling your tank they may let you stay. But explaining the situation to the best of your ability will almost always get you a recommendation and probably a friend. Common sense, of course, is also a good companion.
Be aware that many Mexican RV parks do not have the 30 amp "Y" connector that is standard in the US. Instead the 15 ampere receptacle is much more common and this can make air-conditioning very difficult. In most parks the use of air conditioners is forbidden. A few fans and mosquito zappers are a much more Mexican prescription for sleeping well.
The following cautions should also be considered. Don’t drive at night, animals and poor street lighting make already unfamiliar terrain that much more dangerous. Travel slowly and take a rest every 2 to 3 hours. Be aware that hazards are often marked with piles of stones at the sides of the road.
Mexico makes prolific use of speed bumps. Some of these are marked with warning signs reading “TOPE,” some are painted yellow. Many have had the paint scraped off by passing auto bellies. In most instances, you can expect “topes,” whether you see them or not, when you enter a village or small town, near schools, or in any area where it might be expected that the locals are concerned about speeding cars. An unexpected speed bump can do serious damage to heavier vehicles.
Major Mexican highways are patrolled by the Green Angels, or Los Ángeles Verdes. They patrol more than 48,000 km of highway along 254 designated routes. These government-operated trucks are driven by English-speaking, trained mechanics, and offer simple repairs, advice and general assistance. They have a nationwide, 24-hour hotline that can be reached by calling (01) 800-903-9200. The service is free, except for parts and gasoline.
Please visit our Driving in Mexico page where you can find out about Mexico’s highways, speed limits, auto insurance and more.
And don't forget to check out Getting Around on our blog.
Camping
Possibilities for camping are nearly as vast as Mexico itself. And those who enjoy camping seem to equally enjoy spreading the news, so there is no shortage of great advice for roughing it in Mexico’s heartland. We suggest you check a dozen or so of the most recent sources you can find about camp-sites, and the best locations. We do stand behind the map above for RVing and we try to keep the links as up-to-date as possible. Most of the campsites listed do allow pitching tents.
In so immense a country, most camping is done in the company of a vehicle, and so we recommend you read not only the RV section above, but also our section on driving in Mexico before heading off. And if you only have a van or a station wagon, you shouldn’t be dissuaded. There are plenty of good places to rough it. Of course, we offer the always wise caution against pitching a tent and starting your campfire on private property.
The national parks of Mexico protect some of the country’s true natural treasures. As many of the most spectacular site-seeing areas are national parks, they are well worth the visit. Among those that welcome campers are:
- Constitución de 1857 in the Sierra Juárez Mountains of Baja California
- Cañon del Sumidero in Chiapas (this is Mexico’s largest national park)
- Lagunas de Montebello, the fantastic multi-colored lakes on the Guatemala border
- Cumbres de Majalca in Chihuahua
- Zoquiapan y Anexas in the State of Mexico
- Bosencheve also in Mexico state
- Rayón National park in Michoacon
One thing that makes Mexico truly a pleasure is the relatively widespread availability of beaches that allow for pitching tents and campfires and some even offer RV hookups. These are primarily located in Baja California and the northwest coast, particularly near the Guaymas & San Carlos areas. In both Baja and the Northern pacific coast, it is important not to confuse the sand on the beach with the desert. Desert areas can prove to be very harsh settings suitable only for seasoned campers. Certainly you’ll want to travel no further than the water supply you can carry will allow, but you’ll also want to avoid any risk, and as always, be prepared.