RVing in Mexico – Border Crossing Checklist

We thought it would be a long time until we took Cream Puff on her first international voyage… that was until one of our readers reached out about RVing in Mexico! He happened to reach out the month that we were starting full time RV living, and I immediately started dreaming of where we would stay and go while RVing in Mexico.

Of course, there were some logistics to figure out first….

Is RVing in Mexico safe?

The short answer is yes! That being said, you still have to do your research and be aware of your surroundings. We prefer to go to places we learned about from someone we trust so that we know we’ll have a good time. 

First on that list was Puerto Peñasco aka Rocky Point, Mexico. I’ve been going to Puerto Peñasco since I was a teenager, but RVing with our two dogs is a totally different experience!

Does Mexico have RV parks?

Yes, there are RV parks throughout Mexico just like there are in the US. Some with full hookups, others are dry camping, some are in between.

The biggest difference between RV parks in Mexico and the US is the reservation system. It’s usually easier to call the RV park or reach out directly on their social media pages than it is to navigate the online booking system (or lack of online booking system).

Now that you know you CAN cross the border in your rig, here’s a checklist of things you’ll want to do before RVing in Mexico:

• Confirm you have non-expired passports for everyone traveling with you (birth certificates alone don’t cut it anymore)
• Purchase Mexican auto insurance for all vehicles 
• Print any pet vaccination records 
• Double check with your cell phone provider that you have full speed data in Mexico (you might have unlimited data, but it slows down after a small amount of usage when abroad)
• Choose an RV destination & a backup since many Mexican RV parks are first-come-first-served 
• Remove any illegal goods – you will get inspected on both sides of the border (the inspection coming into Mexico primarily looks for firearms, cannabis, and other illegal drugs)
• Top off your gas tank right before crossing the border because gas quality is less regulated in Mexico
• Fill up on fresh water (we recommend filling up before crossing the border)
• Fill up with propane 
• Exchange US dollars for pesos if you’re planning on a longer stay. ATMs are not always easy to find when you need them!

Get your downloadable checklist here:

Depending on how far into Mexico you’re driving and how long you’ll be staying, you may need a visa or permit. For more information on permits, check out this great article by Mexperience.

RVing in Mexico is one of the most exciting adventures we’ve had in Cream Puff. You can find RV Parks on the beach of Mexico with full hookups for less than $50/night. There are also plenty of RV parks with fewer amenities right on the beach for less than $400/month. 10/10 recommend planning a trip to RV in Mexico. 

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