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Mexico Road Logs & Driving Guides - Click Here

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RV Parks

The Baja

The Pacific Coast

The Gulf Coast

The Interior

The Yucatan

The rig is only so big. Pack with caution. Remember it is weight - not volume that is a concern for RV's. See the Food Section for what to pack in the fridge!

Packing Tips

Clothing

Stuff with Cords

Stuff to Play With

Stuff to Give Away

Stuff for the Rig

Stuff for Kids

Miscellaneous

Web www.ontheroadin.com

Clothing

Everyone is so different. If I had one credo for packing for Mexico it would be "There is no such thing as too many bathing suits or shorts." Pack these in abundance because they take up such little space.

Often larger sizes are not available in shops and markets. At home my size 9 feet are slightly above average. In Mexico size 9's ladies are hard  to get. I will always remember going from shoe store to shoe store in Guadalajara and getting told my feet were "mucho grande." Unfortunately I couldn't buy a pair of dress shoes for a special dinner that night. I had to reply on a pair of men's sandals that were too big and out of place. Not a disaster but still it was a special night. And the shoes in Guadalajara are so very beautiful!!!!

Beach

If you are primarily planning a beach holiday, take everything that you would if you were doing the same type of vacation in your home country. Do not rely on buying it in Mexico.

I strongly recommend women pack a few different bathing suits for their vacation. While resort communities sell bathing suits, they are often the smaller sizes for very young women and are often extremely expensive. Additional bathing suits allow you to wear a fresh dry one while the other is on the line. I pack a few because I use them as tops and throw around a wrap around skirt to laze away the days.

Beach scene in Rincon de Guayabitos

Pack a pair of sandals and a pair of thongs or beach shoes. I always pack at least two pairs of sandals for everyone in case of loss or emergency.

You can count on buying t-shirts everywhere. Shorts and wrap skirts are also sold in most locations. I strongly suggest when you purchase other clothing items to carefully project yourself into a setting back home. Would you really wear that outfit? How many serapes do you really need? We had a closet full of ponchos and tops from early visits.

Night Out

We pack clothes and shoes for all family members to enjoy special dinners or events. While less formal than dining at home, we dine at places that would frown on bathing suits and thongs. Also we enjoy getting dressed up especially after extensive rugged camping or boon docking.

Bill packs a light sports jacket and although I cannot remember the last time he wore a tie in Mexico. Adam our 16 year old takes a pair of Dockers, a button shirt and real shoes.

Dylan and I pack a fancy dress or skirt for a night on the town. Think shoes.

Cultural Spots, Churches and Cathedrals

Respect the Mexican Culture. Do not wear shorts into church. Wear shoes or at least sandals. Women should pack a light skirt for this very reason. Pack one that can be rolled up and tucked into a camera bag pocket or purse for emergencies. Too often we spot a wonderful cathedral or church on a walk and we can't enter because we are wearing shorts. A shame because the art is magnificent and the experience is memorable.

Beach attire is not acceptable outside of the resort area. Wear shorts, skirts and t-shirts in the city - not bathing suits. I wear a bathing suit and shorts while we travel in the rig but throw on a t-shirt for agricultural or military inspections or for shopping and pit stops along the road.

                 Scene in Guanajuato

Clothing List

1. Shorts (5 pair)
2. Bathing suit (2 +1 for every month you are staying)
3. Beach attire (wrap skirts, cover-ups etc)
4. 2 pair of jeans or long pants
5. Sweats
6. Tops or t-shirts (4 +)
7. Casual skirt or pants (for city and church)
8. Dinner out clothes
9. Long sleeve sweater or lightweight jacket ( if traveling in the cold season)
10. Underwear for a week
11. Beach shoes or sandals (2 pair)
12. Sneakers
13. Walking shoes
14. Hiking boots (if you plan on hiking)
15. Dress casuals or sandal                                                                             Rincon de Guayabitos

Stuff with Cords

A big hint from an expat years ago was to "Bring everything you need with a cord." We used to live by that credo. But things are changing in Mexico and small appliance prices have come down. The problem now is warranties, parts and service.

Fans, electric toothbrush, shaver, hair dryer, fan, cooking grill, TV, computers, printer, CD player. We take it all. The considerations are weight, space and amount of use. On one trip I lugged around an electric rotisserie that was very bulky and took up a lot of space. I rarely used it. Rotisserie chicken is sold in nearly every town and is cheaper and better than I could make myself.

Appliances I wouldn't travel without

1. Fans
2. Blow dryer
3. Toothbrush
4. Computer and printer

Also worth considering:

1. TV/VCR
2. TV Satelite dish
3. Music player (CD/tape deck, personal stereos)

Cooking appliances:

1. BBQ (propane or electric) with the highest BTU's you can get
2. Deep fry
3. Blender

Stuff to Play With

Pack all toys unless you are absolutely sure that you can rent it or buy it in  Mexico. While you can rent snorkeling gear in many places, you will also reach beaches that have absolutely no-one around for miles. Why pass up the opportunity?

On an economic level, you are going to be in Mexico a lot longer than your average fly in, fly out tourist. If you love to snorkel and know you are going to hit the reefs...buy it at home. Chances are that you will have a bigger selection and better price.Think similar thoughts for other playthings.

Surfing in Puerto Escondido

ATV's in San Felipe

1. Snorkeling gear
2. Boats (regular and inflatable)
3. Kayak
4. Surf or boogie board
5. Dive gear
6. Fishing gear
7. Bikes
8. Motor scooter

Stuff to Give Away

Every trip is different but we usually run into some kind of adventure or opportunity to share a life moment with a Mexican or expat along our journey. Additionally we like to take things for children to play with or use at school instead of giving them money or buying Chiclets.

Before we leave we go to our local dollar store. We take about $25-30 Canadian and make a number of purchases. For example we buy 4-5 coffee mugs with a Canadian Flag. Or decks of playing cards. For the military we get a bunch of lapel pins. Tiny maple leafs or the flag. For the kids we buy bright pencils, felts, cards or hair clips. Sometimes the pencils or toys have the flag - but often they are just colorful. If it is Christmas we get tinker toys etc.

We distribute our gifts in various ways. In a large city a taxi driver started honking at us and motioned for us to move over. "You are from Canada" he said, "and you are lost." It turned out that he had visited Canada, liked it and met some nice people. The taxi driver then led us to our destination - a place we would have never found on our own - and refused to take any money. We then went into our rig and brought back a "regalo" or gift. A simple coffee cup with a flag.

Another time in Puerto Escondido, an expat made considerable effort to ensure we had everything we needed for our kids for Christmas and New Years. Days. He really spent the time. We gave him a number of Canadian decks of cards that he could distribute to his buddies for Christmas. He was a hit.

Sign for Tourists asking them not to buy from children or give them money

Children should not have to beg. We used to give money to them or buy Chiclets but after reading signs such as this one from Valladolid, we changed our tactics. Instead we purchase pencils and toys. We get our kids to distribute them and Adam and Dylan are sensitive enough to make the kids feel good about it. It gives our kids a chance to try out their Spanish. The Mexican kids get to keep something for themselves.

We sometimes give the military checkpoint police a token gift after we are told we can move on. They are obviously not a bribe as who would be swayed to do anything illegal for a lapel pin. We distribute them because we think of ourselves as ambassadors. We think that if we treat authority with respect that they will treat other families and travelers with respect as well.

Warning: Canadian and US coins are worth nothing in Mexico. No-one benefits. Not you. Not the kids.

Stuff for the Rig

Check with your rig manufacturer before you leave to see if parts and accessories are readily available in Mexico. Even if they are Bill strongly suggests you take along oil and air filters. There are lots of great places to change your oil, but getting the right filter may be a problem.

And as you would for a long trip into your own country, take an assortment of tools and bits and pieces. Fan belts, bolts, washers etc.

Take a voltage meter as the power in Mexico is sometimes way out of whack. We plugged into 220 once and it blew out a TV/VCR as well as our microwave. An expensive lesson.

1. Voltage meter
2. Tools including screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.
3. Fan belts
4. Oil filters
5. Air filters

Stuff for Traveling with Kids

Kids get bored and they just don't appreciate the scenery as much as adults do. We bring stuff for the kids to do so they won't fight, will learn something and at the very least, will keep them entertained.

As crazy as it sounds we bring movies or taped TV programs. Last trip we changed to DVD's - a vast improvement as we didn't need the TV and just used our portable computer to play the discs. We bring portable computers as Bill and I both write and need our own station. The kids use the computers while driving.

We additionally pack a game system (Play station), Discmans, game boards, crossword puzzles, magazines and books. A big rule is that the kids plan and pack a novel a month to bring and read. Again we have lots of playing cards for family tournaments of CRAZY EIGHTS or ONE EYED JACKS.

Some girls in Playa Azul

We have traveled with our kids from infant through to young adult. The main thing is to get them to bring things that will occupy the time and interest them. If a toddler colors at home, bring the Crayolas. Bring them recorded songs and stories. 

If this sounds like we spoil our kids and that we bring them too much stuff then you are probably right. On the other hand, we have taught our kids to love travel and be curious. We benefit because they don't fight. At least as much.

Miscellaneous

Things we bring:

1. English/Spanish Dictionary
2. Language tapes/CD
3. Suntan lotion (We get what we want and it is usually cheaper)
4. Film ( Cheaper and we have specialized film)
5. Ant repellant
6. Sheet sleeping bags
7. Folding table and chairs for outside
8. Outside rug

Mexico Road Logs & Driving Guides - Click Here

RV Insurance?

This is who we use (AND we might add, are very happy with their service) Get a Quote online? Click Here: MexPro Comparing US and Mexico Insurance.