Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Belize Expat Forum

Driving thru Mexico to Belize with Travel Trailer

New Topic Newest First
jrking1978
  10/11/2016 00:56 EST

Hello, My wife, 5 children and I are planing to move to Belize at the end of the year. We have been trying to decide between driving thru Mexico with our 1999 Chevy Astro and a travel trailer or utility trailer holding our belongings, or having a Mennonite man we know ship our belongings and he would also drive our van for us and we would fly. We are most concerned with the safety of driving thru Mexico but it would save us a considerable amount. I have heard if you are going to do it, to use toll roads. i have also heard that some toll roads do not allow trans-immigrants. Would anyone have any advise for us in making this decision and about the laws for trans-immigrants with personal belongings on toll roads?

JohnPBelize
  10/11/2016 10:11 EST

First thing, I have driven this nine or ten times with no problems. You should be more concerned with the condition of the 1999 Astro and the Trailer. Single axle your just asking for trouble.

Follow the route I have posted and you will be fine. But there are stretches that can be very bumpy, other stretches I wish Michigan roads were that good.

As far as the Trans Migration thing, I have always claimed I was going to Tulum or Chetumal. We are driving to site see or way thru the country.

Now I have not driven the coastal route in a long time. And never will again. Two lane roads, 11 hours longer, the cops in Tampico and Veracruz were brutal con artists. Not to mention the 10, 000 speed bumps in every little village.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

jsminchak
  10/11/2016 12:23 EST

jrking, I am curious where you are moving from. My wife and 3 kids are also planning a move to Belize next year. We are from Arkansas. Just want out of the USA for numerous reasons, one of which is we do not want to live under the leadership of Trump or Clinton. My wife chose Belize because it is an English speaking country with lots of expats. My first choice was Ecuador, but there are not expat communities there like in Belize and language would definitely be a barrier for us.

MateoGuineo
  10/11/2016 12:30 EST

Yup. Everything John said. We followed his central toll route in 2014 and 2016 in our RV with no problem.

And again on John's comments about the trailer. Those Astro vans are great but it's pretty well known that the best way to ruin their transmission is to tow anything with them. Supposedly light loads are fine if you keep them out of overdrive. The first hill you hit in overdrive, you cook the trans. And the mountain pass through Mexico is a serious one - beautiful, but no joke.

bobbyveee
  10/11/2016 16:49 EST

Hi. You seriously need to check if they will allow you to import a vehicle of that age. I would dream of driving an Astro van and single axle travel to or in Belize.
John has a lot of experience driving down, I would take his advice, but a bad breakdown halfway could land you in dire financial straights. For warned is forearmed . Good luck.

jrking1978
  10/11/2016 21:04 EST

If I tell them I am not a tourist but a trans immigrant moving to Belize then I cannot take your route? What are my options then?

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

MateoGuineo
  10/11/2016 21:07 EST

Age is not an issue. Our RV is from 1989. We had one mechanical problem and was surprised how inexpensive the repair was and how professional everyone treated us.

waljoa
  10/11/2016 23:09 EST

Then you can only travel on certain roads and I believe it is the Coastal

jrking1978
  10/12/2016 01:13 EST

We are currently living in Oregon.

JohnPBelize
  10/14/2016 08:59 EST

Thats the rumor. I alway just drove it anyway. Because the coastal route SUCKS!

jrking1978
  10/17/2016 19:56 EST

John,
If I take the coastal route, what can you tell me about the safety (like robbing) if I drive down with my family? I don't mind hard to drive roads, but if it is unsafe, then I would just ship my belongings and have someone drive down my van and fly, but it will cost more for sure!

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

JohnPBelize
  10/18/2016 08:54 EST

DON'T DO IT!

Just tell them you want to site see and your going as far as Tulum. No one really cares.

The cops in Tampico and Veracruz will cost you $500 easy. And they will pick you out instantly. My last trip I got pulled over three times in Tampico alone. That was the last time down that route. I pulled out a map and made my own way back.

jrking1978
  10/18/2016 14:18 EST

So if I believe that in the site of God I must be honest, would you recommend just flying than driving the coastal route? In other words, my most likely danger if I take the coastal route is the cops will rip me off? I would probably save about $6k to drive with my belongings and family rather than ship and fly, would you say its not worth the risk and just fly and ship?

waljoa
  10/18/2016 15:17 EST

Why would you not take the interior route, easier and faster?

Kenubelizeit
  10/18/2016 15:58 EST

My best advice is to hook up with a convoy that is using an alternate route and travel together don't travel alone. Travelling in groups makes it easier or if you need a driver to bring you down I can recommend several that knows the ins and outs

MateoGuineo
  10/18/2016 16:44 EST

If I was in your situation: ship your belongings, drive your family vehicle the central route toll roads, tell them your honest first destination (Las Palmas Midway Inn Hotel) and leave it at that (if your constitution allows).

jrking1978
  10/18/2016 16:51 EST

So what I am hearing is if I only had 2 options (I now that there are others), option 1: tell them at the border my destination is Belize, and drive the coastal route with my 5 children and belongings versus option 2: ship the belongings and have someone drive the car down, you would recommend option 2? It would cost more, but in the end the coastal route is not worth the risk of being robbed or worse yet a child kidnapped or you left stranded in a town or the side of the road? My newest idea was to buy a school bus, tow my astro behind it, and we all ride in the bus with our belongings and use it as something to live on along the way. But I see risks if it breaks down in Mexico, then what.

waljoa
  10/18/2016 19:05 EST

There is another tell them you are looking to find your next home and not sure if it will be Mexico or all the way to Panama. that is what we did and they had no problems. We had 2 breakdowns on the way and everybody was very helpful, asked a tow truck driver and he called his friends was back on the road in 1.5 hours 75 pesos would have been 350.00 in Canada

jrking1978
  10/18/2016 19:10 EST

I would love to take to interior route. But I am having a house built in Belize and I would be lying to say I don't know where I want to live. I am more concerned with what God thinks of my conduct than what Mexico thinks. So as I see it, I have 2 options, fly or take the coastal route (as much as I don't want to). So I am asking if people would recommend flying over the coastal route due to its danger, or is the coastal route doable with minor risk?

bpjenks
  10/18/2016 19:16 EST

I've done it both ways numerous times......no issues. My buddy just drove from Belize and back (TX & CA) main highway through Mex; No Issues.

bobbyveee
  10/18/2016 20:13 EST

The truth , the whole truth and nothing but the truth, flog that awful Castro van and trail or, send all by road and sea, and fly or bike , walk, whatever, . I'm a Christian and God never helps in your mode of travel, just hopefully your destination. I think your making a mountain out of a mole hill, even worse I believe your committing not only you but worse your family, to a destination that you've never ever bothered to recce, that's not a very Christian outlook, your putting all your bad planning on Gods doorstep, so if it all goes horribly wrong you have an out.
Sorry, many will say that Bobbyvee has over stepped the mark yet again, but in all honesty I've given you the correct info, just as John and a few others on here have. Be in on your conscience . and good luck

jrking1978
  10/19/2016 00:34 EST

I am sorry for making a mountain out of a mole hill. I just wanted to get some advice about what the coastal route is like since I have never travelled thru Mexico before. If anyone could help me it would be much appreciated. Thanks again.

JohnPBelize
  10/19/2016 08:42 EST

I give! You do what you want. But if you end up in problems don't come complaining to me. Listen to people who have done this.

thetennisnet
  11/16/2016 21:33 EST

God is giving the person that has knowledfe i would listen to him.

OutaHereIn2017
  12/26/2016 23:02 EST

State Department says: "Individuals wishing to travel via personally-owned vehicle (POV) through the interior of Mexico and other Central American countries should exercise extreme caution." https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17216

Sounds a little hairy for a couple of 60-somethings like me and my wife, never mind five children. I think I'll ship my vehicle.

waljoa
  12/27/2016 08:15 EST

to each their own , but I think you are missing a great trip.
Wife and I did it last year and the only problems were vehicle breakdowns and the locals were great.

bobbyveee
  12/27/2016 09:21 EST

If you think driving thro' those countries is 'hairy' why live in one , double standards .

MateoGuineo
  12/27/2016 13:00 EST

I've been to 24 countries in my short time. If I took the State Department advice - that # would probably be 10. In general, to them, everywhere outside the US is scary.

Consider this mantra I've come up with for all my travel planning: Everything is dangerous, if you're stupid.

Do your homework and take advice from people who have actually traveled the path before you.

Everyone had us scared sh**less to drive through Mexico until we found a couple people that have done it (like JonhP) and gave us great advice = We had a fantastic trip through Mexico (TX to BZ) in 2014 and 2016.

bobbyveee
  12/27/2016 15:08 EST

Hi MG, totally agree with your statement, listen to people who do the trip regularly and with none or minimal probs. The US SD always gives worst case scenario , its what they do.

OutaHereIn2017
  12/27/2016 16:01 EST

bobbyveee, I'm not applying a double standard. By the standards at State, the Mexican overland route requires "extreme caution," and Belize does not (outside of Belize City). They may be over-cautious or not, but I've only applied one standard.

bobbyveee
  12/27/2016 16:38 EST

You obviously dont read the local news, a false police 'stop' was bset up on the main highway the other day with gangstersters wearing police clothes, stopped a truck and robbed it of $20k , nowhere near Belize city. You need to get real and listen to people who actually know and travel this route thro Mexico two or three times a yr. Have you ever been to Belize , not for a few days but a fewv months ? If not you need to.

OutaHereIn2017
  12/27/2016 21:51 EST

I gather you're referring to this story: http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/139469

First, this seems like an outlier, a robbery of a commercial vehicle rather than a private one. I would strongly suspect an inside job---why did they single out the vehicle that just happened to have tens of thousands of dollars in cash aboard? If it's an inside job, the story wouldn't tell us much about the general level of safety for regular folks.

More importantly, I don't get my crime statistics from local news outlets. They tend to have a motive to push crime stories, especially sensational ones. I remember a night some years ago after the FBI reported a 30% drop in serious crime in the U.S. in a single year. That's not a typo, 30% drop, one year. The three local evening news shows in my area all spent the first 15 minutes reporting on local crimes, instead of going with the obviously more important story, "crime is down by a huge amount." The casual viewer might have walked away with the false impression that crime was up.

As I said, the U.S. State Department could be wrong, although they certainly know more than me. They might be over-cautious and don't stop to smell the roses. But they have a large data set to work with, and they have long experience. Believing their assessment of the risk at location A relative to location B seems like a good way to "get real."

bobbyveee
  12/28/2016 18:21 EST

Hi. Your far better off doing a recce first, you cant beat boots on the ground, make your own assessments , your bringing a large family here, id do a whole lot of homework first, from areas to live to shipping containers, rent for a yr before you do anything, Promise , you wont regret it.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Belize GuideLiving in Belize Guide

Anyone thinking about moving to Belize should carefully consider the pros and cons of expat life in Belize. The article includes insight from expats about the cons (crime, limited healthcare, poor road conditions and more) and the pros (beautiful beaches, friendly people, low cost of living and more).

Belize Forum Belize Forum
Join our Belize forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Belize.

Contribute to Belize Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Belize.

Best Places to Live in Belize Best Places to Live in Belize

If you're considering a move to Belize, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Belize in 2023.

Healthcare in BelizeHealthcare in Belize

Expats in Belize share tips and advice about healthcare and health insurance in Belize. While some expats advise those with serious health issues not to move to Belize, other expats choose Corozal for its proximity to doctors and clinics over the border in Chetumal, Mexico.

Cost of Living in BelizeCost of Living in Belize

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Belize.

Moving to BelizeMoving to Belize Guide

Expats that move to Belize learn to enjoy a breathtakingly beautiful setting without some of the essentials they may have taken to granted in their home countries.

Real Estate in BelizeReal Estate in Belize

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Belize.

Pros Cons of Living in BelizePros & Cons of Living in Belize

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Belize.

Retiring in BelizeRetiring in Belize

Advice for people retiring in Belize.

10 Tips for Living in Belize10 Tips for Living in Belize

If you've recently arrived in Belize, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Belize.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute to Belize Network Contribute
Help others in Belize by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Belize.

Mondly by Pearson
Mondly by Pearson

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal