Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping. Second Edition. Book Additions and Corrections

Transcription

1 Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping Second Edition Book Additions and Corrections Editors Note: We receive much of this information from others by mail, , or in person. We haven't confirmed most of it ourselves. We only add the names of the sources if specifically given permission by the person providing the information. Grand Coastal Tour, p. 21-2/15/03 Update - The US Embassy has issued a recommendation that tourists not visit the area between San Cristóbal and Palenque in the Chiapas highlands. There have been threats against tourists and some road blockades. This means that you should not drive Mex 199 between San Cristóbal and Palenque. To access San Cristóbal you can still drive south from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Palenque can be still be accessed from the east. Driving Mex 199 could be dangerous and could inflame the situation further, we recommend that you do not attempt it. If you are traveling on the Grand Coastal Tour from our book you can travel from Palenque to San Cristobal by leaving Palenque toward Villahermosa, crossing the Isthmus of Tehuantepec on Mex 185, and then accessing San Cristóbal through Tuxtla Gutierrez. Possible overnight stops on this route are Villahermosa, Tehuantepec, and Tuxtla Gutiérrez. See the appropriate sections of the book for details about campgrounds in or near these towns. Cash and Credit Cards, p We are finding that many cash machines are being programmed to re-swallow your card if you leave it in the slot for more than fifteen seconds after it pops out. Snatch your card first, then count your cash. Retrieving a card once it disappears into the depths of the machine is difficult, sometimes impossible. English-Language Bookstores and Magazines, p. 40

2 If you happen to be in Guadalajara you'll find a fine English-language bookstore. Libreria Sandi (Sandi Bookstore) has a good selection of travel guides to Mexico as well as lots of novels and magazines. We like them because they carry this book. The address is Tepeyac 718, Col. Chapalita. Ask for directions at any of the Guadalajara area campgrounds. New Area Codes for Mexican Telephone Numbers, p. 50 1/17/02 Update - In late 2001 Mexico completely revamped their telephone numbering system throughout the country. The changes were much more extensive than most of us expected. Most of the country now has a three digit area code and a seven digit local number. Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara have a two digit area code and an eight digit local number. Cell phones have different area codes. The changes are very extensive but fortunately there is a partial solution. Go to click on the English Version tab and then the Area Code by State button. There you can type in any town and state and get the new area code. Toll Roads, p. 54 There's now a Mexican government Website with toll rates. They seem pretty accurate, we'll check some of them this winter. It's at 10/15/02 Update - A reader who drives a pickup (no duals) pulling a fifth wheel reports on how he was charged: The rate stated on the board is for trucks with multiple axles - not RV's (at least not truck and trailer RV's). At all of the booths we were charged the auto rate plus 50% of the rate for each axle. With our truck (no duallies) with a 22 foot fifth wheel (two axles) we were charged double the auto rate at every booth without exception. On close examination of the rate boards I believe this information has been placed in small print under the auto rate information. - Ray Cox People Documentation, p. 61-1/27/04 - Tourist cards are now being issued at the state line checkpoint just north of Guerrero Negro. This is welcome news for those folks heading quickly south, they don't have to stop at the border or in Ensenada to pick up a card. Also, now that there's a ban on American beef coming in to Mexico they're asking for it and taking it away at the same crossing. They also take most fruit, all citrus, avocados, and potatoes. Bananas and small limes are OK. Vehicle Documentation, p. 62 -

3 11/15/04 - When we crossed the border at Nogales last week I confirmed that they will allow each person who brings in a motorized vehicle to add one other vehicle thaat is a boat or a motorcycle to the import permit, but not a car or a four-wheel off-road vehicle. In other words, if you are traveling alone and bring in a motorhome you can also bring in one motorcycle, but not a tow car or a quad. You don't have to pay another import fee for the second vehicle, it is just added to your main import permit. Columbus, Arizona/Palomas, Chihuahua, p Columbus is in New Mexico of course, not Arizona. Don't know how we missed that when we were proofing the book! Mariposa Crossing, Nogales, p. 76 8/15/04 - A reader reports that the Mariposa crossing in Nogales (the crossing on the bypass route west of town) is closed to large rigs (high rigs) at night and on Sunday as follows: : Travel Advisory: A vehicle height restriction has been imposed on the Mariposa crossing. Vehicles over 2.49 meters or 8.5 feet high may only cross the border going into Mexico between 8 AM and 10PM, Monday through Saturday. Vehicles over 8.5 feet high cannot use this crossing on Sunday. Plan accordingly if you are driving an RV or towing a large boat or trailer. Our experience is that this applies both northbound and southbound. Outside the open hours you are forced to use the crossing in town. Note that northbound into the US in town the far right lane is the correct lane for large rigs like RVs and plan to be in it as you approach the gate, it's hard to get right once you reach the lines of standing vehicles, particularly if you are towing. Columbia Port of Entry, p. 82 1/21/04 Reader Update - You can stay at the Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, just 5 miles east of Laredo on Hwy. 59 and Loop 20, before crossing the border into Mexico. The park costs $12 per vehicle plus $3 per person, and has water at all and electricity at some campsites. Visit for more details for rates and reservations; for information only. We found it very clean and friendly and convenient to Laredo. - Burger and Nancy Zapf 7/18/02 Update - We left Saltillo the same time as some others headed back to the states. They took the Cuota (toll) roads and crossed in Laredo at the bridge that lines up with Interstate 35 (some confusion between U.S. maps and Guia Roji as to the bridge's number-- 2 or 3). We took 85 libre (though the toll around Monterrey) and went to Columbia. They drove 70 mph. We drove 55 mph. We beat them across the border (Sunday around noon) by over 1 1/2 hours. Columbia will go on my "easy border crossing list". Rumor has it that we have to get in the truck lane as we approach U.S. customs. FALSE. We went right through with cars and other non-commercial vehicles, though we chose the right non-commercial lane because it was larger. - Diana and Brett Wolf after a spring 2002 visit.

4 RV Park de El Fuerte, p /18/02 Update - The owner ed us that he has a new web site: and a new address: bill@rvmex.com. The phone number with the new area code for the RV park is From the States you would dial this as Totonaka RV Park, San Carlos, p /9/04 Reader Update - We are staying at Totonaka currently and thought we would update you with some information. The park now charges $20 per night USD and $120 per week. They have free high speed Internet in the lobby. The owner Joseph Orozco is a great fellow who speaks very good English. One potential problem here is that the voltage gets really high on the electric connections. This park is intended for RVs only; the Tetakawi next door is primarily for people who have permanent sites; Totonaka is really nothing like Tetakawi at all like you say in your book. There are a few RV sites in Tetakawi for people who are in and out. I spoke to a guy this morning who stayed at Tetakawi recently and had considerable difficulty parking his 5th wheel because of all of the permanent rigs parked there.. - Kent and Margaret Neveu Las Colinas Hotel and Trailer Park, p /15/04 - We passed through Los Mochis last week and, despite some reports we've received to the contrary, found the campground and motel solidly locked up and closed. 10/29/03 Reader Update - The Las Colinas Hotel in Los Mochis is closed entirely. No hotel, no RV park, no restaurant. El Fuerte is becoming our favorite in this area although Las Glorias was good last time we were there. - Duane and Diane Hudson Magdalena, p /8/03 Reader Update - The San Francisco church in Magdalena is really interesting with Padre Kino s actual skeleton displayed in a mausoleum in the park next to church (great mural in cupola above of Kino and listing of all the missions he founded) as well as a side chapel in the church with a highly venerated life-size prostrate figure of San Francisco Xavier that people line up to raise up a foot or so and kiss.- Lin and Maryke Hines Mazatlán Campgrounds, p. 121 There are two new campgrounds in Mazatlán for One is north of the Mar-a-Villas (p. 125) on the next road out to the beach. This is where the old free-camping area was located. The campground was under construction when we visited in the spring of 2002, and it was open but not quite finished when we visited in the spring of The other is across the street from the La Posta RV park (p. 121). It is called the California RV park and is a large gravel lot with about 35 back-in spaces around the outside. Each has a 30-amp outlet, water and drain. There's a palapa in the center of the park with a TV and a new restroom building in the corner. Rates seem a little higher than

5 others with the same facilities in town, that will probably change as the owners become more aware of the their market. Las Palmas Trailer Park, Mazatlán, p /15/04 - The Las Palmas has closed and the land is being developed for other uses. Mar Rosa RV Park, Mazatlán, p /20/04 Reader Update - Now only has one channel on their satellite dish, they change it daily or by request. They are still the best deal in town for 20' and under. Their back two rows are only 130p per night, and it's a great park. - Jane Hoyle and Ray Talley (Talley Ho) 4/8/03 Reader Update - The Mar Rosa no longer has a self-service laundry. - Lin and Maryke Hines San Fernando RV Park, Mazatlán, p /8/03 - The San Fernando does not have cable TV at each space but the TV in the lounge does have cable feed. Mar-a-Villas RV Park, Mazatlán, p /23/03 Reader Update - Visited 11/02/02 Very nice place! However, cold showers and in the four days we stayed there the bathrooms were never cleaned. 130 pesos. Have you noticed that all the entrance to the Gigante supermarket are only 2.20 meters high? - - Claudia and PJ Potgieser. Editor's note: Yes, but when we visited the Gigante last year there was a well-worn pair of ruts around one of the barriers. Despite this it seems only right that RVers should visit one of the many other stores in Mazatlán that don't try to keep us out. La Tambora, Teacapán p /23/03 Reader Update - Visited 11/08/02. The owner sent us away! He was supposed to be busy with his campground and it didn t have electricity or showers. Mañana he said, we did not check that out. There are no potholes on the road toward the camping. - Claudia en PJ Potgieser Editor's note: Guess they've paved that access road. Now if we can have electricity and showers (or even permission to stay) this will be a decent option. Acapulco West KOA, Acapulco, p

6 2/20/04 Update - KOA in Acapulco is no longer a KOA. It is now called Playa Luces. There is still a sign to KOA on Mex 200, but the sign outside the campground now reads Playa Luces. They have reduced their prices and upped their services since breaking away from KOA. - Frank & Anne Cartwright Colima, Colima - p /10/04 Reader Update - Here's the anxiously-awaited reader report on the new Colima campground, see following entry for initial notice about the campground. Directions Clarification: From the west, get off at Colima centro, exits onto a circulo, go under the highway, you are on Avenida Carlos de la Madrid. In approximately 1 mile, you will go over a bridge over the railroad tracks. (10 trains that night! Love trains, especially in Mexico, but the number of trains takes this site out of the quiet arena) Bridge is the Rey Coliman. Go around the glorieta at the far side of the bridge exiting on the lateral by the Pemex, so you are parallel to the bridge going back the way you came. Cross railroad tracks, about 100 yards, turn right onto curved road, tree lined with a median. Watch your roof on the low trees. It had a bent sign that said "Autodromo". In about 1/4 mile, on the left is a place for rent for fiestas. That is the spot. To your right is an abandoned looking, but not, air park. The list you were given, versus reality, and we were bummed: Security fence - yes Fresh water in their sprinkler system, no faucet access Sewer - there were 2 pvc caps, I didn't look inside. Power - if you park way in on the patio, with a long cord, you could plug into the one outlet in the outside kitchen. Swimming Pool - Filthy, smelly, mosquitos breeding Telephone - broken, the old kind that doesn't take phone cards. Internet - You must be kidding! Kitchen an outdoor kitchen - Looked fine Shower - Technically yes. Two toilets for females, non functional. Men s had a urinal, toilet and a shower head coming out of the wall between the two where a large accumulation of toilet paper as tossed. Both filthy. 5,000 ' runway - Yes, and the crop dusters use it-neat. short walk to town - yes Two bedroom cottage etc - Yes. One bedroom was nice, other one, connected, is where they store the garbage. The kitchen is the one outside Great view of Fuego when it's clear. Here is what happened to us, and we think of ourselves as really easy, and have been dying to explore Colima-I had 3 days mapped out for us!

7 Arrived at 2, place was locked up tight. OK, at 3:30 Jose appeared, not a caretaker, a sweeping person. Told us that Esteban normally arrives about 4, and he is the only person who can decide whether you can stay or not. At 5, Luis, Esteban's brother-in-law arrived. Lives in Jalisco, there to climb Volcan Nevado. Said he was sure Esteban would let us stay, but oh no, don't drive in until he says it fine. 5:30, Esteban arrives, speaks with us, and allows us to park. How much? It has always been US 10 in the past, but this year he hasn't decided whether it will be or He lets us slide at 12.50, and finally took 140p, in lieu of dollars. At this time, we just go in the gate and park. What's it like? Pretty normal. There is a Bounder parked in there, obviously for a while, years? If you really played sardine and drove really carefully and placed people, and all left at once, you could probably get 10 rigs in. Anything that needed space to maneuver would not do well at all. Essentially, there are no services, this is just a place to park, and you can't do that until Esteban arrives, and he doesn't necessarily come every night, or on time. It seems as though he is a "patron", lots of people coming in and meeting with him. Shortly after we arrived, in rolled two hang-gliders. This is stuff they had to say, I'll pass it on. Place has been there for years, 10+, was always almost free. Esteban is one of 7 sons in a well-established family. There are 5 interesting old cars on the site, including a Packard Limo. supposedly the father has the car museum in town. Some Norteamericano hangliders would like Esteban expend a little energy and make it a good place. Obviously they weren't communicating. Esteban knew nothing of the announcement of a "new" park. The brother in law made a point of explaining to us that Esteban was a good man, but had no idea of how to run any kind of tourist thing, and what people wanted. Pretty interesting. Anyway, it was a total bust. Next time, we'll Pemex it, because at least there you can either stay or not, none of the maybe, wait, and so on. 10/27/03 Reader Update - Announcing: Mexico's Newest RV Hookups - Under the Volcan de Fuego de Colima The Zaragoza de la Fuente family is happy to announce completion of the new RV campground Pista Coliman, in the lovely city of Colima, capitol of the State of Colima. Pista Coliman is located on the old airport in Colima, a shady and quiet refuge from the bustle of this mid-sized colonial city. Pista Coliman is also he first recreational flight park in Mexico, offering facilities to ultralight and hang glider and paraglider pilots from the north. The facility offers the following RV facilities: Security fence Fresh water Sewer Power Swimming Pool Telephone

8 Internet Kitchen Shower 5,000' Runway Short walk to town Also available - Two-bedroom cottage, kitchen with stove and refrigerator, sleeps four. Spectacular views of the Volcan de Fuego de Colima Quick access to launch at La Cumbre and Cerro Grande And More "The campsites rent for $12.50 per rig per night and the cottages $25 per night per unit. Weekly and monthly discounts available. Call Pista Coliman direct at (312) Esteban Zaragoza (Spanish only) or John 'Ole' Olson (425) (USA) Editor's Note: Colima has long needed a campground, it's an interesting area. We haven't visited this campground yet, but we will! The following link will give you a feeling for the flavor of Colima and the campground. We would appreciate some reader reports on this one. New Campground near Boca Beach, p /3/02 - Here's information received from a reader about a relatively undeveloped camping area along the beach between Boca Beach and the small village of La Manzanilla - I spent 17 days at an idyllic RV park just North of La Manzanilla that you may want to include in your book if you haven't already heard about it. It's about 1/4 mile North of town right on the beach in sand under coconut palm trees. It's named Caiman and is run by an interesting fellow named Jorge Requena who speaks a little English. It has about 10 spaces (probably not suited for large rigs because of space and sand) with electricity but no water or dump site for campers. There are two toilets and showers but no hot water. There is a long palapa on the beach with hammocks underneath. A very uncrowded beach and a short walk to town. New Camping Area in Las Peñas, 12 miles north of Playa Azul, p /7/05 Update - There is now parking for several rigs behind a house on the bluff in this village. Electricity and water are available and there is access to restrooms with flush toilets and showers. The rate with electricity is 110 pesos per night (no air conditioner), without hookups it's 70 pesos per night. Campers have access to the patio which overlooks one of the most beautiful locations along this coast. Las Peñas is a small undiscovered oceanfront village. It has several restaurants including a great palapa seafood place. Stop in and take a look. Access is easy, the house is located on the bluff about 100 yards toward the ocean from between the topes right in the center of Las

9 Peñas. Las Peñas is on Mex 200 at about Km 18, some 12 miles west of Playa Azul. Watch close or you'll miss it. San Blas Birding Trip, p /8/03 Reader update - We combined it (a trip to San Blas) with a boat trip at La Tovara, which was great, saw a lot of birds. Recommend that you include this boat ride as a recommended side trip. 2 hours with guides that know the birds, trees etc and can show you pix in a guidebook to confirm sightings like the boat-billed herons for about $22US for 2 people in a 16 panga. (Editor's Note: La Tovara is the boat launch for birding trips inland through the marshes from San Blas, it is located just a few miles from town on the road to Los Cocos and Santa Cruz.) - Lin and Maryke Hines New Puerto Vallarta Trailer Park, p. 155 I was surprised not to see the RV park we stumbled cross in PV last winter in the new book. So, I pulled their card our of your old book, and here is the info. Cafe Frankfurt Hotel, Restaurant, Bar, RV park Calle de los cafes, Basillo Badillo No. 300 Col. Emiliano Zapata Tel. (3) Fax (3) Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico mike@hotelfrankfurt.com We were walking down the street in Playa de los Muertos, and saw an RV sign. They have 6 sites with all hook-ups, a small bathroom/shower room, didn't check for hot water. Looked nice, except it was all concrete, (tough on our nice old weimariner, so we wouldn't stay there), walled, beautiful restaurant outdoors, would hold large rigs with jockeying, great location, in March of 2001, the price was $1 US more than the PV trailer park, where we were staying. The map on the back of the card shows that it is one block west of Insurgentes and one block northwest of the PEMEX in the south of town. - from Jane Hogle and Ray Talley (Talley Ho) Editor's Note - We have visited this place. It is very small and crowded. It also is usually full but you might want to take a look. We'd take that look on foot or in a small vehicle. Puerto Vallarta North KOA, Puerto Vallarta, p.158-2/20/02 Update - The park is definitely closed, we visited and toured the sales office for the subdivision that is replacing the RV park. Construction has already started. Trailer Park Bucerías, Bucerías, p /15/04 - We've heard from several readers that this campground has been sold and will be developed for another purpose. It will not be open for any of this season. We'll be in the area to confirm this next week. 1/22/04 Reader Update - Do not take the third light to get to this campground or you will be a really unhappy camper and end up on a very narrow street in the middle ofbucerias

10 on roads that are definitely not designed for large (or even small) RVs. Last year the directions would have worked; however, Bucerias is growing and has added additional stop lights as you pass through Bucerias. After you pass KM Marker 142 (heading south on highway 200), go.4 miles to the (5th) light (as of today). Just before the light you will see Billy's Gym on the right. As you approach the light, there is a sign on the right (on the crossroad) that says Decamaran Hotels and Resorts. After making the turn, follow the directions in Church's Guide. If you are headed north on highway 200, you will pass KM marker 143 and turn left in just over.1miles. - Art & Linda-Sue House Hotel Piedra Blanca and Trailer Park, La Cruz, p /20/02 - The park is definitely not open this year although it is still there. There appear to be no plans to re-open it. Tlaquepaque Hotel Trailer Park, Lo De Marcos, p /22/04 Update - The Tlaquepaque RV park is called the El Refugio. It has 57 large sites in 3 areas. The desk folks tell us that they are booked solid this year from November 25 until the end of March. However, there were only 20 rigs here last night. Contact numbers are as follows: Telephone in Lo de Marcos: ; telephone in Guadalajara: , villastlaquepaque@prodigy.net.mx. GPS location N 20 57'33.4", W105 21' 14.4". Posting in This is a brand-new very nice park located behind the Tlaquepaque Hotel in Lo De Marcos. When we visited during the spring of 2002 anxious RVers were occupying sites as fast as they were being completed. There are to be 50 large back-in sites with full hookups. The restrooms were not yet finished but they look like they will be first class. Access to the beach is via a small walking bridge that is part of the campground and the hotel has two pools that can be used by the campers as well as a restaurant. This would be a great place to stay if you want to have fly-in friends visit, they can stay in the hotel while you stay in the park. Address: Luis Echeverria No. 44, Lo de Marcos, Nay. Telephone in Lo De Marcos: Telephone in Guadalajara for reservations and To find the campground head in to Lo De Marco as directed in the other Lo De Marcos campground descriptions. The Tlaquepaque is on the right just beyond the town square. El Dorado Trailer Park, Rincón de Guayabitos, p /28/01 Update - We received the following information by . Note, it's information given to us by someone who received it from someone else, so it's third-hand information. Still every little bit helps. There are may places to stay in Rincón so the disappearance of a few sites shouldn't be much of a hardship for RVers. Received some info from friends in Rincon re: El Dorado Trailer Park. Some of the better sites down by the beach are being replaced by bungalows. It appears there will

11 still be 10 spots for RV's left after the construction is completed. We have friends that winter there and when more info is available I will pass it on. La Peñita Trailer Park, p /23/03 Reader Update. Note that this visit was after the hurricane. Visited 11/16/02. This campground is still open. Very nice place! 150 pesos. - Claudia and PJ Potgieser 2/20/02 Update - There is now a web site for the park: 11/16/01 Update - Here's an we received from Carole Thacker, the new operator of the La Peñita RV Park: The phone # of the park is (01152) , fax is is cthacker@oberon.ark.com or Carole_Thacker@hotmail.com. We are open Nov 1 to Apr 30. We are registered with Escapees. The daily rate is $15.00 US. Monthly is $400 US. We have a pool, good water, on the ocean, large sites, hot showers, cable TV. I would appreciate anything you can put on your site. Thanks very much. - Carole Thacker Playa Chacala, North of Puerto Vallarta, p /23/03 Reader Update. Note that although the place is described as in bad shape they still stayed there. Playa Chacala didn't have much in the way of facilities to wash away, just lots of natural beauty - Visited 11/14/02. Totally washed away by the hurricane of October 2002! Working very hard to make it OK again, 30 pesos. - Claudia and PJ Potgieser Paradiso Miramar RV Trailer Park, San Blas, p /23/03 Reader Update. Note that this visit was just after the hurricane. Visited11/9/02 What a little paradise is this! To us the hurricane didn t seem to have affected the place; still a lot of trees around. 100 pesos. - Claudia and PJ Potgieser Playa Amor RV Park, near San Blas, p /23/03 Reader Update - Note that this visit was just after the recent hurricane. As you can see it is open despite the hurricane and probably about back to normal by this time. Incidentally, I don't believe that there was a red brick wall around the campground. - Visited 11/08/02 Who cares about the bluff? After the October 2002 hurricane the owner needs all his energy cleaning his campground. He lost about 15 palm trees. Was there a red brick wall around the campground? Not any more. We spent there one night two weeks after the hurricane and they had already done a great job cleaning the grounds. The water that came out of the faucets was dark brown. 80 pesos - Claudia and PJ Potgieser

12 8/25/02 - The RV park owner continues his battle with the sloughing bluff above the beach. Apparently the reader visited after we did, the work he describes hadn't begun when we were there in January: They are installing an anchored, 3' high, cement and stone retaining wall at the base of the bluff. It should be finished before the rainy season arrives and they may make it higher, depending upon the results. Hotel and Trailer Park Paradise Matachén, near San Blas, p /25/02 Update - This new trailer park, located along the Bahía Matachén on the road between San Blás and Playa Amor, is now open. Here's the latest word from a reader: The new campground, Hotel and Trailer Park Paradise Matachén, is now open. There are 30 sites with 20 amp, non-potable water, and sewer. Three sites are on the beach, the others are back-in sites, accommodating 50' rigs. No restrooms at present but they do have outside showers. 100 pesos per night when we stopped by (Apr 4, 2002) but expected to be 150 pesos next year. The campground was open (no shade) and sandy and they planned to plant grass when the rainy season arrives. They plan to put up palapas on the beach for the use of the campers. There was no one camped there when we were there. - Reynolds and Linda Duncan Toll Route Mex 95D from Cuernavaca to Acapulco, p /19/04 Reader Update - Toll Roads. Had to take the Camino del Sol, Cuernavaca to Acapulco twice, consecutive days. The middle two toll booths give tourists the lowest rate on the board, but you must ask! We are a class C, no tow, and the two booths savings was 150p! We asked, the booth person used the radio we didn't know they had, and the office confirmed, quickly, that we got the tourist rate no matter what we were in! All four called in, all gave us the price, it all helps. - Jane Hogle and Ray Talley (Talley Ho) Chihuahua City KOA, Chihuahua, p /3/02 Update - Chihuahua is now called RV Park del Fresno, and has sign all along the periferico from the north, starting before the periferico. They weren't building restrooms there, but a place for the manager. The showers and restrooms at the Oxxo (part of the Pemex) are really great. - from Jane Hogle and Ray Talley (Talley Ho). Motel y Trailer Park Villa Del Charro, p /8/03 Reader Update - We spent a night at the Motel y Trailer Park Villa del Charro, and can confirm that it is still there and still plenty rundown. There was no water in the campground the night we were there, so we filled up by the motel. - Rosana Hart Loewen s RV Park, Cuauhtémoc, p

13 1/23/03 Reader Update - Visited 10/26/02. After the very friendly owner left we found out that the bathrooms were closed. Couldn t find anyone to open them. 100 pesos. - Claudia and PJ Potgieser Hotel Villa Mexicana & KOA RV Park, Creel, p /22/03 Update - Visited 10/27/02. The boiler was broken, so only cold showers. No water at the hook-ups. We paid (only) 100 pesos. Friends of our stayed her in May and also paid 100 pesos, but because of drought there was only water after 10 p.m. - Claudia and PJ Potgieser Lago de Arareco, Creel, p /23/03 Reader Update. We noted in our book that security might be an issue, despite the following we still think it might be. - Visited 10/29/02 Beautiful spot, only 15 pesos per person. If you are worried about security, just feed the dogs that hang around here. They will stick to your camper and protect it as if it were their own! - Claudia and PJ Potgieser Diamonte RV Park, Cuernavaca, p. 187, 1/11/04 Reader Update - Just remembered-diamante in Cuernavaca closes Jan 15, and the new place is open. My notes are with Ray in Patzcuaro, but what a man moving his trailer told us was big pool with jacuzzi, large palapa next to it with a kitchen, soccer field, bigger lots and all the same size, lower elevation, cleaner air, 12 k toward Acapulco on the toll road. At the turnoff for Tepetzingo there are the 2 blue signs showing camping-a tent and a trailer, the universal signs. I wasn't able to get my hands on an official map, we were bailing fast for Patzcuaro so I could catch a plane. - Jane Hogle and Ray Talley (Talley Ho) 1/6/04 Reader Update - In Cuernavaca, (page 187) the Trailer Park Diamante is now closed, or rather moved. We stayed there a few days in December. By the way, Exit Diana is marked Rio Mayo. We missed it! The new campground site is in or near the town if Chiconcuac. I believe is is called Desarrollo RTouristica Chiconcuac Campestre. Use the same Exit as El Paraiso, (P188) but turn left in Chiconcuac towards Tetecalita. They have a useful map, but I didn't have your fax number, now I don't have access to a Fax! You can them at trailerdiamante@yahoo.com Parque Nacional El Tecuan, Durango, p.192-1/22/03 reader update. Please note that we have not investigated this place. - Visited on or about 11/1/02 - Good alternative to Durango: 57 kilometers west of Durango towards Mazatlán: Parque Nacional El Tecuan where you can camp overnight in a pine tree forest for 8 pesos per person. There are also cabins and one picnic table. We don t know

14 where you are supposed to park, but we found a flat spot next to the concrete basketball field. No restrooms and no water or dump. - Claudia and PJ Potgieser Guadalajara Police Problems, p /27/03 Update - We've posted the following reader update because it's not the first report we've heard about police problems in Guadalajara. Is is sometimes difficult to know whether reports of police problems are accurate since many RVers don't know enough Spanish to really know why they have been stopped. The reported problem below may indeed have been a scam, it's very hard to tell. Regardless, in this city it is important not to venture off the ring road (called the libramiento), it is designated as the route for heavy traffic. This will probably save you from being stopped by the police. If you go inside the ring road you will probably be stopped, most Mexican cities have laws that do not allow heavy rigs (those with duals on the back axle) to venture off the designated heavy vehicle routes, usually unmarked or poorly marked. Since the Hacienda RV Park closed there are no campgrounds inside the ring road anyway. When visiting this city make sure you obey all traffic laws that you are aware of and drive conservatively. Be particularly attentive to speed limits and traffic lights. Reader Update - WARNING!!!!! There are predatory cops on the loose in Guadalajara. If you are pulled over, be SURE to note the officer's name and badge number. We are planning to take a discrete picture of them. If you are truly guilty of an infraction, the fines are from 300 to 500 pesos. An unsuspecting RVer was pulled over for an imaginary violation and had his driver's license held for a 2500 peso scam. Hacienda Trailer Park, Guadalajara, p /30/03 Update - The Hacienda is now closed. Las Garzas Trailer Park, Near Chapala, p /26/03 Reader Update - This park has closed. We visited the site. It's fortunes fell with the water level of Lake Chapala. Evidently the insects and the smells were horrible (according to some long time local RVers). - Vonnie and Ken McIntyre This was a new campground not far from the PAL Lake Chapala RV Park. It had 14 back-in spaces with full hookups. Electrical outlets have 30-amp breakers. The sites overlook Lake Chapala and there are clean restrooms with hot showers. To find the park head toward Chapala from in front of the PAL park. After 1.5 miles (2.4 km) turn right, you'll see the campground entrance on the left in another.2 miles (.3 km). The campground falls into the $5 to $10 price range. PAL Lake Chapala RV Park, Near Chapala, p. 196

15 12/26/03 Reader Update - The park will definitely be closing May of It is falling victim to the development of condo casitas. There are about 30 odd sites still available as of 12/26/03. I would definitely call for reservations as the deadline approaches, the lots are selling amazingly fast. We talked on 12/25/03 with the manager of a new park to be (supposedly) built in the area. They were waiting for the building permits and plan to start construction in January of It will be located somewhere between Chapala and Ajijic. Completion is set for August The manager said she would send us an when they start construction. We will forward it if she follows through. Sorry I don't have anything more concrete on this. There were rumors flying about two additional parks to be built. I don't put a lot of faith in these rumors. "Vamos a ver", as they say in Mexico. - Vonnie and Ken McIntyre San Jose Del Tajo Trailer Park Resort, Guadalajara, p /8/03 Reader Update - The bus connection, although easy to go into Guadalajara, is very tricky coming back, The bus goes to Santa Anita, a small village up on the hill and doesn t pass the campground again until it is on its way back to the city, so you basically have to stay on the bus until the end and stay on, and probably pay again, so that you can get off, where you got on, on your way into town. Or, what we did, take a cab from the spot where the bus turns into Santa Anita just after the perifierico, from the highway and for 40 pesos get back! (you can also walk 4 miles!!) - Lin and Maryke Hines Trailer Park Roca Azul, Jojotepec, p /8/04 Reader Update from the Lake Chapala area - Picked up one of the free monthly magazines available a week ago & saw an ad for a new RV park on the west end of Lake Chapala. It's located outside Jocotepec in a housing development/resort called Roca Azul, which is surrounded by expansive strawberry, raspberry & blackberry fields farmed by a U.S. fruit company called Driscoll. The Roca Azul development is about years old but kind of fizzled when Lake Chapala began shrinking due to poor rainy seasons. Last two years have the lake at the highest level in the 10 years since we've lived here. Entrance to Roca Azul is east of highway 15 about 1 KM south of the road leading to Jocotepec, Ajijic & Chapala. You have to travel another KM or so to get to the RV park. We went out to see it yesterday. It is on the edge of a spacious grassy area next to a soccer field & a club house. There's also a large swimming pool & steam baths according to a woman who was at the RV park entry. She also said the daily fee was 200 pesos. Didn't ask about weekly/monthly rates. There are 20 sites with full hook-ups & brick pads & plenty of room to put in many more sites. - Jim and Robie Troestler An accompanying ad for the campground lists the telephone number as (0133) (English) & (0133) (Spanish spoken) and the address as rocazul40@hotmail.com. Delia's Trailer Park, Etzatlán, p. 196

16 Website: This park has been around for a long while but has been inactive until recently. It is in a quiet out-of-the-way location in the farming country west of Guadalajara near Magdalena and Tequila. Magdalena is 48 miles (78 km) west of Guadalajara if you take the Libre Mex 15, slightly less by toll road. Years ago many Americans leased lots at this rancho, built permanent homes, and continue to spend their winters here. You ll probably recognize the name of this campground, the family that owns it also has one in Rincon de Guayabitos. Parking is on grass in 10 unmarked back-in sites. All have shade and full hookups with 15-amp outlets. Access would be difficult for rigs over about 35 feet. There is a bathroom with hot showers and the El Eden Balneario next door is a good place for a swim. To reach the park start in Magdalena on the Libre Mex 15 at the western edge of town. Head south on the first road east of Pemex #1595 (on the opposite side of the road). If you zero your odometer as you leave Mex 15 you ll cross some railroad tracks in.2 miles (.3 km) and the toll road in.4 miles (.6 km). At 13.6 miles (21.9 km) you will come to a T in the road, you are near the farming town of Etzatlán. Turn left here. Almost immediately you will see Pemex #6314 on the right. Just.4 miles (.6 km) from the turn the entrance to the trailer park is on the left but it is often locked. You can pull off the highway on the right in front of the Bar El Caribe to investigate the entrance. In another.1 mile on the left is the entrance to El Eden Balneario, you can usually enter here and then turn left to reach the park if the gate is locked but you should check on foot first. Bugamville RV Park, Guanajuato, p The RV park has a new web site complete with pictures. Hostales Paraíso Madera Peñitas, Madera, Chihuahua, p Reader Update - There is a campground north of Madera, Chih. called Hostales Paraíso Madera Peñitas. The main reason for going there is to see Cuarenta Casas, a cliff dwelling like those in the Four Corners area of the US. It doesn't have hookups but there is a water faucet for filling tanks. There are restrooms and hot-water showers. It's very pretty, with lots of pine trees and a small lake. The owner claims the lake has big, good-tasting carp. There are also some rental cabins, rustic but clean. Tent camping is okay. To get there, go through Madera on the main street, Calle 3a. North of town, at Km 7.4 turn right at a sign for Presa Peñitas. Cross a cattle guard, go.9 mi (1.4 km) to another cattle guard and another.3 mi (.5 km) on a compacted road to the entrance.

17 Cuarenta Casas is another 22.1 mi (35.6 km) north on the highway. Owners of big RVs will want to park inside the gate and walk the.8 mi (1.3 km) of poor dirt road to the parking lot because of the close-growing trees. To see the dwellings involves hiking down and up the sides of a small canyon on stair-stepped switchbacks. The coordinates for the turnoff are W , N and for the entrance are W , N The owner's name is Umberto. Telephone: (652) and FAX: Cell Phone: 044 (652) Las Palmas Midway Inn, Matehuala, p.206-3/3/02 Update - Las Palmas in Matehula is still fine, though I did note that all the outlets on the north side of the bathroom on the back row have reverse polarity. - From Dianne and Brett Wolfe Teotihuacán Trailer Park, Mexico City, p /8/03 Reader Update - The Teotihuacan Trailer Park has a new address: teotipark@prodigy.net.mx. When we arrived and rang a bell on the sidewalk, nobody appeared, so we had to go inside and knock before we found someone. The owners went out of their way to be helpful. - Rosana Hart Bahía Escondida Hotel and Resort, Monterrey, p /13/03 Reader Update - The CG is about the same. Bathrooms are spotless and the water is hot. They have lowered the road underneath the aqueduct and the clearance is 13'3" by our tape measure. The only warning is there is a fair slope going beneath it and one needs to be mindful of their wheelbase in clearing it. There are sites which will take 40 footers, but you do have to park the tow vehicle or toad in another site. The first three sites have 50 amp service, too. While there are some small diameter sewer connection, what you think are small openings to the sewer connection are actually handles for the sewer caps. Just pull straight up, using what appears to be the small pipe as a handle and whole the cap comes off revealing at least a 4" diameter hole. Regarding campground directions, they now have a large, bright KOA sign on Hwy 85 pointing to Bahia Escondida, but it is 100' past the turn off to the hotel and easily draws one's attention from the real turn. That happened to us the first time here three winters ago and now the sign is much more distracting. Once at Bahia Escondida, folks should just follow the rest of the KOA signs to the campground, find their own place to park and then go to the front desk to register. With the KOA discount and exchange rate, it is running about $16.50 US per night. - Bill and Maureen Hewes Hotel Los Arcos, Nuevo Casas Grandes, p. 222

18 1/3/02 Update - In N Casas Grandes, the power has nothing to do with anyone else being there, it's just really bad. No longer do they even pretend that they are going to open the restrooms. Next time we'll boondock at the restaurant, which is across the main highway from a terrific dealer of Mata Ortiz pottery. High quality, big names, great prices. - from Jane Hogle and Ray Talley (Talley Ho) Los Metates, Nuevo Casas Grandes, p /5/03 Update from reader - Again, I can't say enough positive things about Metates RV park. I have attached some recent pictures. As you can see the trees have grown. Tito has also added hot water for shower usage. 1/22/03 Update from reader - Visited on 10/24/02. According to the owner, Tito, this campground already exists two years! It has also two bathrooms with cold showers, an artesanias shop and a carwash. Tito makes a picture of every guest who stays on his campground. We were number 9. Please help this friendly family out; before his roll is full he won t remember who is who. We paid 100 pesos. - from Claudia and PJ Potgieser Pistoleros Restaurant, Nuevo Casas Grandes, p /8/03 Reader Update - We too had a delightful time boondocking at the Pistoleros restaurant. We were the only RV there, but felt completely secure, as they closed the gates when they closed and it was quiet all night. - Rosana Hart Hotel Villa Pátzcuaro, Pátzcuaro, p /3/02 Update - Hotel Villa Pátzcuaro has the entrance road torn up, and when we tried to enter, a story in itself, had a deviation sign, we couldn't use it, and went in the normal way. It will work for a decent sized rig. The sign wasn't there this morning. Moving on tomorrow. - from Jane Hogle and Ray Talley (Talley Ho) Posada Don Vasco, Patzcuaro, p. 225 Reader Update 1/29/04 - Best Western, Patzcuaro. Enter past hotel on the town side, past the parking area. Make a hard left. Dont go straight and follow road, mud, lots of it, and low clearance. Very sharp left into park, over 25 feet would have to jockey. 50+ sites, small patios (look old, been here for years?), electric, 15 amp, water, sewer. Restrooms, are in the restaurant, 150 yards away. Reception desk, said no showers, Juan the trailer park person said a room would be opened for showers. 60 pesos per person. Fenced, large grassy area. - Jane HOgle, Ray TAlley (Talleyho) Editor's Note: We'd noticed on earlier trips that this place looked like it had once been a trailer park. Glad to see it up and running again.

19 Reader Update 1/19/04 - The Best Western Posada Don Vasco now has a trailer park. We will check it out this next week and send details, but the directions would be to turn right just past the sign on the left for Villa Patzcuaro. - Jane Hogle and Ray Talley (Talley Ho) Reader Update 4/14/03 - Editor's Note: This was actually posted 1/10/04, sorry for the delay, it was our slip, we were in Europe and unable to update the site at that time) - The Posada Don Vasco, you remember, is on the right on the road to the historical part of town, close to the end of a block, where there is a glorieta. They are developing the space between the hotel and the end of the block, basically a large empty lot, into an RV Park. Facing the hotel the turn into the RV park is on the left side of the hotel, and then you turn to the immediate left. It is a fairly sharp turn and appears as if it would be much easier if heading south toward the historical part of town. But the RV driver needs to look at it before trying it. I think most medium-sized RVs could get in. They have the driveway widened to allow a left turn, but you almost need to see it first to know how to handle it. It the road straight ahead was widened much bigger RVs could get in. Once in the park you are headed south and there are angled spots that you could back into with little or no problems. The spaces are somewhat undefined but the location of the hookups makes it clear where an RV should park. The spaces on the left are short, the ones on the right are longer, mostly because the area behind them is undeveloped. There are about 10, maybe 12, full hookups total, with, they told me, more to come. There was a gardener working on the area and they seem to be doing everything right except advertising the spaces. They told me they will set aside one regular hotel room for women and one for men as bathrooms and showers for the RVers, also the RV guests have full use of the hotel's other facilities including phones, swimming pool, bar, dining room, etc. The rate on the board in the office was $6.00 per person. In driving to the Don Vasco for the first time I would definitely want to know that if I missed the turn I should make a 180-degree turn at the next glorieta and return, driving on into town would be a nightmare. - Bob and Peggy Herlocker Trailer Park Las Americas, Puebla, p /25/02 Update - A reader adds the following to our directions for finding the campground: The road you turn onto off of the Periferico is a four-lane road with a median. Making the first possible left turn, at a break in the median, will get you on the road up to the trailer park. There was no sign for the trailer park. There was part of a sign, TRAILER, painted on a wall on the left side of the beginning of Calle 6 Norte, but you cannot see this until you pass the turnoff and look back. - Reynolds and Linda Duncan 3/13/03 Update - Readers who have visited during the 2002/2003 season report that the directions for finding the campground need to be updated due to a new traffic light. Now, after you exit the Perifierico, make your left turn at the new traffic light, not the first available left.

20 Azteca Parador Hotel, Queretaro, p. 229 The route for entering this campground from the southbound lanes has changed. You now want to exit Mex 57 opposite the Pemex station/campground and travel directly west for about a half-mile to the intersection. Then turn left and the road will take you back across Mex 57 on an overpass. You can then enter Mex 57 again and exit almost immediately at the campground. Hotel Imperial del Norte, Saltillo - p /3/02 Update - Hotel Imperial in Saltillo remains unchanged, though the intersection north of the hotel (corner with Soriana) is under construction (building an overpass) and traffic was down to one lane. - From Dianne and Brett Wolf 7/18/02 Update - No changes at the Hotel Imperial del Norte, but the "back door" to Hwy 40 toward Monterrey has changed. The street which brought you out at the stoplight by the Pemex station is now ONE WAY (WEST) THE WRONG WAY. We walked then drove the following route in our 36' and it would be OK for any size rig: As before, turn left immediately after leaving the hotel gate. The KFC will be on your right. At the dead end, turn left. At the first street (American Latina) turn right. You are now paralleling the highway. Turn right on Calle Luxemburgo (there is a Marisco Restaurant on the corner). This is two long blocks past the street that comes out by the Pemex. In two blocks, you will come out on Hwy 40. Turn north and immediately work your way over to the left turn lane. Turn left at the light (note the Pemex is on your right). Small rigs can to a "U" turn, but for big rigs, continue 1/2 block and turn left into the second drive of a strip center that curves back to the highway and takes you onto Hwy 40 going north. It sounds more complicated than it is, but it is by far the easiest route north. - From Diana and Brett Wolf after a spring 2002 visit. Rincon del Montero, Parras de la Fuente, p /8/03 Reader Update - There is a charming little town, Parras de la Fuente, about halfway between Saltillo and Torreon to the west. There is a rather spiffy resort a bit north of town, called Rincon del Montero.For 200 pesos (higher than almost anywhere else we stayed), we parked on a green lawn with an electric hookup. There is the oldest winery in the Americas nearby. - Rosana Hart El Mesquite Motel, San Luis Potosí, p /18/01 Update - The El Mesquite has been undergoing a reconstruction for several years. It was hoped by many of us that the work would be completed for this season but it didn't happen. We're told that the place continues to be a "mess". Check Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping for an alternates to this place, there are two in the area. Centro Vacacional Gogorron, San Luis Potosi, p. 232