It’s a one day trip from Amado, NM to San Carlos, Mexico. I cross at Nogales because it’s not to crowded and there is a city bypass, SR-189, which I missed. Damnit. Well, no place to turn a 37′ RV around so I continued on to the downtown Nogales crossing. There wasn’t a vehicle there but me. Allot of foot traffic but no vehicles. The border guard had me stop, backup, and turn into a special lane for some reason. It looks like the Mexican side hasn’t been upgraded since the ’60’s and it was tight for my RV but the guard helped guide me into the correct lane. Which seemed just like all the other empty lanes. Anyway, he was nice and gave my rig a walk though without saying anything about anything. So, I’m off down the road into downtown Nogales. Tight streets and all. Back into Mexico after being gone for two years. I was very careful, drove slowly and didn’t have to make any turns. Soon I was on the outskirts of town and stopped at a Pemex for a fill up. Inexpensive fuel! Then a short 21 KM drive to the Import station. Since there is no visa needed in Mexico along the US border, they put these stations at 21 KM.
A quick visa app and I’m off down the road to San Carlos. The weather was fine, lots of sunshine and since this was January, it was nice and cool. Low 70’s.
On the road in Mexico...
It does seem a little strange these days in Mexico. When I first started coming down in my RV six years ago, the crossing was usually crowded with RVs, this time, none. None at the import station either. And I’d see the occasional RV on the road. This trip I could drive for days and not see a RV anywhere except near RV parks. And most of those would have Canadian license plates. I was wondering as I drove, how many of my favorite RV parks would be closed down.
Later in the day, Guaymas harbor.
And then I get to the RV park. Not a bad drive from Nogales.
Palm trees waving in the breeze at the park.
At Tontonaka RV Park in San Carlos.
On the way to San Carlos, I had stopped a couple times trying to find an ATM machine but by the time I arrived at Tontonaka RV, I was still short of pesos. Especially since I’d had to use a bunch of my left over pesos (from my last trip) on the road tolls. They do take CC so I paid for 3 nights. Hooked up, got the WiFi running and discovered an email from my Mexican insurance company that my CC had been declined. Took out my computer print out of my policy and discovered that the dumb asses don’t put phone numbers on their forms that you can use from within Mexico! I should have noticed that when I printed it out, but…well, I just didn’t.
Anyway, tried to call them using their number several times from the office, with the manager trying to help but we couldn’t get the call to go through. Because we were dialing wrong from Mexico. So I got online, downloaded and installed Skype…I’d need it anyway. Before I tried to call them, I did an internet search about calls from Mexico to the US and discovered how we were dialing wrong. But anyway, I called using Skype and got it straightened out, so now I had Mexican Insurance. Good to go.
View from the restaurant.
The RV park gives you 2 coupons for drinks at the restaurant right next door so I wandered up there (it’s on the 2nd floor) to enjoy the sea breeze and a meal with my free Margaritas. Of course when I’m at a beautiful place like this with the sea view, breeze, the Mariachi band, and excellent Mexican food at a very reasonable price I kind of wish I had some company to enjoy it with. But, this is my life, and I’ve learned how to enjoy it alone. Maybe I’ll get a cat someday.
My ugly RV all parked.
The weather was just perfect. Mild days in the 70’s and cool nights in the 50’s. And the sea breeze wafting through occasionally. Just the reason to come to Mexico in January.
Looking forward to a paint job soon.
Off down the road to Mazatlan.
Next time, a visit to a great RV park off the beaten path.