Foretravel Owners' Forum

Thank you Wyatt for the suggestion! We will be driving to Puerto Penasco after the planned get together in Quartzite in January. If anyone has an interest in driving down or meeting there, please let us know. For first timers, I have been to Mexico at least a hundred times since the 1950's, in both Baja and the mainland with no trouble even driving from the U.S. to the far end of the Yucatan Peninsula and back. I certainly don't know it all but have had a great time on every trip. (my grandmother was Mexican)

Puerto Penasco is a beach town about an hour's drive south of the border with a huge Gringo Snowbird population. With RV parks, great food, dentists, drug stores, upholstery shops and the beach, it's a fun laid back destination whether a first timer or a veteran shellback. Pets are always welcome and I have never had a problem returning to the U.S. with them but carry rabies docs just in case.

A few web sites to get up to speed on requirements, food, etc:

23 Things To Do in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico (http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/Mexico/Estado_de_Sonora/Puerto_Penasco-935596/Things_To_Do-Puerto_Penasco-TG-C-1.html)

Rocky Point FAQ, FAQ about Rocky Point ( Puerto Penasco ) (http://www.sonoran-sky-resort.com/faqs.shtml)

Puerto Penasco, Mexico Restaurants: See 68 restaurants with 951 reviews - (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g153981-Puerto_Penasco_Northern_Mexico.html)

Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco): RV Parks (http://www.puerto-penasco.com/rvparks.html)

Rocky Point Restaurants, Places to eat in Rocky Point, Dining in Rocky Point (http://www.sonoran-sun-resort.com/restaurants.shtml)

As far as the last post, have also heard to never take a wolf to grandma's house.

Pierce

I have made three (3) edicts in my life.

#1. When I retred from the US Air Force I said;
I am never ever, ever,  going to voluntarily leave the Continental Limit of the United States again.

#2 When I retired from my second job I said;
I am never ever going to play golf on the weekend again. That is when & only when the poor folks with jobs get to play

#3 After two years of RVing I said;
I am never ever going to travel between  Memorial Day and Labor day.
Thank is when and only when the poor folks with kids in school get to travel.

I may break the 1st to get some dental work done in Mexico. But only during daylight hours.

Bill Chaplin said so

Color me interested, though I can't say at this point whether or not the logistics will work out for us. In any case, looking forward to meeting you all in Quartzsite!
Don & Tys

Bill,

Don't know if you have seen the movie "Dusk till Dawn" but it's one of my favorites. Goes to show where my taste lies. (with Salma)

Anyway, as far as I know, that is pretty much what happens in any cantina across the border as soon as it gets dark. ;D Let's see, what was the name of that place?

Before you pick a dentist, read the traveler's forum for that particular destination. Bad dentists on both sides of the border but traveler forums don't mince words.

Pierce

I'm interested too. Is a passport required to cross the border either direction? Mine's expired maybe I need to get it updated...

see ya
ken

yes legally both ways and leave any guns and ammo home--seriously
John H

I know that a passport is required to get BACK into the USA (although there is a method by which you pay lots of money for a legal alternative; or so I understand). Quite a few of us in WA have an enhanced driver's license which is acceptable for returning to the USA from Canada (and, as far as I know... ONLY from Canada; e.g.: not Mexico).

Pto. Penasco has changed quite a lot from the 1980s, I think. I'd absolutely love to go down there but I'm thinking that a week away from home might be as much as I can manage.

Craig

Yes, passport is needed to get back in the U.S. and vehicle(s) liability insurance as your's is no good past the border. No vehicle permit needed until past San Carlos Bay (Guaymas). A policy (both liability and collision)  can be purchased and printed online several days ahead of time so no wait. John has one he uses and can bring anyone up to speed on the collision aspect. Guns must have a permit. If they catch you with one, you no longer go to jail but the fine can be $1000 U.S.

If on a budget, liability can be purchased for one day on the RV to a RV park and another day for the trip back home. Need it all the time for the toad.

If returning toward California, the new Highway 2 is now open from Puerto Penasco west. Takes two hours off the time to San Diego.

Wyatt said that forum member Twigg is now down there. He previously posted his recommendation for the best RV park in town and is probably the best source for the latest information.

Pierce

our experience in Canada was that a military ID card would get you back in the USA, but not into Canada.
No more Status Of Forces Agreement into Canada.
But Canadian military ID will get you into most installations in the USA.

We have been to Mexico with RV's many times over the last 10 years.  First trip was to Puerto Penasco to test the waters.  Have been as far south as Puerto Escondido (south of Acapulco).  Many good suggestions in the post.  You will need a Passport,  Mexican Insurance is required, buy on line or in Ajo.  Dump your tanks at Organ Pipe NM also fill your fresh water tank there.  Drive from the border will be about two hours, very slow thru the border town of Sonoyta and the max speed on the highway is 55.
Do not bring guns or ammunition.
We have always stayed out at the Reef RV Park.  You can also Dry Camp out next to the Reef, was $10.00 a day.
Watch for when University Spring Break is, do not be there that week. (I repeat, do not be in Puerto Penasco during spring break)

Have a great time
Al       
 

We just came back from Puerto Penasco, Mexico yesterday - and in a real hurry. While we were there, we witnessed one major gun battle on the main street. We took cover in a small building. The local police told us that this is happening almost weekly because of a turf battle by the cartel. We were down by the water and were asked to leave by the local authorities for our safety. We were there around 2 in the afternoon. The park manager told us not to leave the park or even our rig after dark. Three times we had people banging on the rig, shouting at us during the night. Not a good feeling there any more. We have been here over twelve years and this year is much worse than last year.

I think you need written permission from your lender if they hold your vehicle pink slip.

After reading the recent report from Anny about the gun battle in Puerto Penasco and attacks on Americans, I don't want to be responsible for anything that might happen to others. We may head further down to San Carlos Bay or Mulegè down the Baja peninsula.

Anny, thanks for the update on your trip. Very upsetting what the drug cartels have done to a wonderful country.

Pierce

I am taking exception to the report by anny. Don't know him, don't know about his report, but I'm here right now and I say don't believe it.

Ok.....passports....yes. BUT, contrary to popular belief, they WILL let you back without it. You do not need any documentation for you vehicles whatsoever other than the registration card, whether you finance the vehicle or not.

Insurance.....best to get day in for $15 which covers you to PP, then you insure your drivers license at Portugal Ins in PP for $95 a year. Liability only, full coverage will be more, but Portugal is the best place to buy it.

RV parks......The Reef has turned to crap. The best is Playa Bonita at $22/day but if you pay a for a week you get 1 day free, pay for a month, you get 1 week free. $27 a day for beach front sites. Full hookups with 50 amp if you pay Ramon $20 to install the plug, otherwise it is good 30 amp. We drink the water here. They have their own well and filtration system. Playa del Oro is tight and on a crummy beach.

Guns.....No guns, no bullets. Yes, you will go to jail if you have a gun. There are gun lockers at the Chevron station in Why, just before you get to the border if you need them.

Crossing.....usually you just drive across, however, lately the Aduana have been consfiscating meat and dog food. No clue why. I just take the frozen stuff and put it in my safe for the crossing. IF they take a look in your rig, it is just a cursory search. And they are very nice, as opposed to the US customs when you come back.

Gas and diesel......currently cheaper in the US. Gas is $3.60, diesel $3.80. You will want to pay with credit card or pesos at Pemex to get the best deal. The banks here all have ATM's where you can get pesos on you card, also BanNorte bank ATM will give dollars OR pesos. Rate right now is around 13 pesos per buck. $ with the single line through it is pesos, if the S has 2 lines through it, it is dollars. It is 65 miles from the AZ border to Playa Bonita RV park.

I will emphasize one more time. Puerto Penasco (and Mexico as a whole) is ABSOLUTELY safe unless you are in the drug running business. Someone in the forum has already said this is more like Phoenix beach than Mexico. Stories are blown WAAAAAAAAAAAAY out of proportion. If you have painting/body work, upholstery, tile work, awning work to be done, this is the place. I usually live in Playa Bonita for 4 to 8 months a year and have all of the above done. Wash AND wax is $1.50 a foot. Tell me that alone ain't worth the visit.

I go out on the town all times of day and night, even Mexican cantinas and have NEVER had a bad incident. I'm not saying shootings don't happen, but what about the town where YOU live? The cartel (which is not even IN PP) are killing each other. They leave gringos alone.

Anyhow....see you in Rocky Point. If not, that makes things cheaper for the rest of us.

Hey Michelle, this person is flaming here and should be banned!

There is nothing in the post quoted that would qualify as flaming.

To all:  anny's request to us to have his/her forum membership removed will be satisfied shortly.

After reading, anny's, post i searched the web for recent incidents in Puerto Penasco. The only thing I found was a shooting in August in 2012 attributed to cartel activity. Then I continued searching the web and found that violence in Puerto Penasco is lower than in Casa Grande NM. Not knowing who "anny" is I placed very little credence in his report.

Roland

I don't know much about Rocky Point but I am sorry to see Anny go as they have been a valued contributor to the forum.
jor

I also was taken back after reading the report from Anny.  I contacted a friend who is volunteering at the Organ Pipe NM this winter.  PP is not having any violence of the type reported by Anny.  This was confirmed by the law enforcement rangers at the Monument. 

I hope that any of you have been considering going down to PP will do so.  Twigg has provide good and current info on the RV parks.  Fun travels.
Al   

Anny is a nice lady with an IH who was at the GrandVention. I believe her and her husband own the IH and other OTR buses as a business. (Charter?)

Sorry to see the bad feelings and always sorry to see someone leave the family.

Tim

Quote"  I will emphasize one more time. Puerto Penasco (and Mexico as a whole) is ABSOLUTELY safe unless you are in the drug running business. Someone in the forum has already said this is more like Phoenix beach than Mexico. Stories are blown WAAAAAAAAAAAAY out of proportion. If you have painting/body work, upholstery, tile work, awning work to be done, this is the place. I usually live in Playa Bonita for 4 to 8 months a year and have all of the above done. Wash AND wax is $1.50 a foot. Tell me that alone ain't worth the visit.

I go out on the town all times of day and night, even Mexican cantinas and have NEVER had a bad incident. I'm not saying shootings don't happen, but what about the town where YOU live? The cartel (which is not even IN PP) are killing each other. They leave gringos alone." end of quote.

Well makes me feel a bit better to see someone else knowing the real truth about Mexico. My comments on safety down there (Mexico) for Gringo's exactly. Border towns do have major problems as noted but over the years I think I have driven thru' probably 90% of them from west to east alond border and that is what I do "drive thru them" to get to crossing. At this time I have no qualms of going to any part of Mainland mexico once 100kms south of Border and enjoying it.
I have taked to our Shaw Global National News many times for input they have used on their evening News Programs about how the Media are not telling the truth on life down there and they agree, but
they report whatever they think helps viewers.
Here is an email from Jill Krop the Director of news for Global to answer one of my many letters to them.
"Hi John,

If I had my druthers ... I'd be on tv talking about travelling to and living in Mexico 24/7. I love being there and believe wholeheartedly that it is a safe destination for British Columbians. I will agree that Mexico is getting a bad rap right now, but trust me when I say there is also reporting to the contrary. I have read stories citing Jamaica and other popular destinations as more dangerous than Mexico. Our travel specialist Claire Newell is still recommending Mexican vacations to our viewers.
I'm not clear which Ipsos survey you are referring to, but I can assure you we never pay companies to conduct surveys to purposefully come up with "negative" opinions. I don't believe we had a survey conducted about travel to Mexico .. we were probably quoting numbers/content from a survey conducted for another organization. Trust me when I say, "the station does not lean one way only" as you queried.

We are also not here to "represent" BC residents. We present "news" from across BC and around the world that is relevant to British Columbians. We are also a TV station ...which means to cover a story we require video. I appreciate that you took time and effort to poll your fellow
"ex-pats" who are visiting or living in Sayulita and I know your opinions are valid and legitimate. I am going to forward them to Carolyn Jarvis the host of Global's current affairs program 16x9. I believe they should be working on a story about Mexico and Canadians who visit/live there. I can't guarantee that will happen though. I will pass along any information you send me.
 And because your information works better in "print" form than tv, may I suggest you send email to someone at the Province and/or the Sun.
Please know that I read your information and I too would love for everyone to know what a wonderful country Mexico is and how special the people are there. My family and I are heading to PVR area in March and we can hardly wait!
Gracias!

Jill Krop
end.

Jill has asked me to appear on the morning news progam to Discuss with her all the real truth about Mexico, not what is passed along third hand.
I declined, only because I feel I may screw up in front of cameras!!!
John H

Are your guys talking about Twig's posting? Is Twig the object of your account removal? If so, we are shocked.

But hopefully our interpretation is wrong.

Twig is a great guy, that follows his dream. We would not go to Mexico with our motorhome EVER, but there are many who do and love it. And Twig is one of them.

Anny saw first-hand what must go on every day, anywhere in Mexico and I assume there are many unreported occurrences of Gringos being caught up in cross fire and being the target of cruel kidnappings. So the country is off our list.

I do not see anything inaccurate or out of line in Twig's reporting of how to cross and how to enjoy Mexico, if one chooses to go. Thousands of Canadians and Americans go to Mexico without any problems.

There is no reason to even think of banning Twig based upon Anny's request. There is room for both views on Mexico. Many Forum members go to Mexico every year.

Anny may have taken Twig's comments personally, but disagreements should not be made into a personal attack. Let us encourage everyone to feel free to post their views when they differ from others.

Twig is an informed knowledgeable and interesting Foretravel owner. We think very highly of him and always enjoy hearing his thoughts, advice and opinions.

Barry & Cindy

 Sorry Barry and Cindy but this comment is way out of the truth "Anny saw first-hand what must go on every day, anywhere in Mexico and I assume there are many unreported occurrences of Gringos being caught up in cross fire and being the target of cruel kidnappings."
There are at any one time around 300,000+ Gringo's living and travelling Mexico in complete safety and if just 1 of them is involved in  something really bad, I would just like to see the figures for most N American towns/cities with regards to incidents per 300,000 people. I have a feeling that it would be way more than that.
In all my travels down there I have yet to hear a gunshot or see anyone hurt. I also travel to many out of the way places by car-believe me.
Just my 2 cents, and I am not going to discuss this topic any more as I feel it is not any use.
Take care U 2
John H

Barry and Cindy, I guess you missed the earlier posts that pretty much confirmed Anny's observations were not of any recently happinings, as Anny claimed. I suggest you read them to see if you missed something.

best, paul

Hate to get into this since I don't know Twig or Anny BUT...  Twig has since modified his post which initially had a very nasty intro about Anny must be smoking crack or some such.  It was offensive.  It was a personal attack on Anny.  It was wrong.  Most people must have missed it as he quickly modified it but if I was Anny, I would have been offended and would have asked that Twig be removed.  Personal attacks are never acceptable.

Agree with Gayle, saw the "crack " reference in original post and was disappointed in that type of post on this board, it was offensive to me, so I am sure it was to Anny

I also agree with Gayle.

Too sensitive.. goodness! Probally should-but out but that's not me..

 I too don't know either just what I read here. Not seen a lot of Annie posts and do see some of twiggs - really, guess I am a thick skinned member. I have seen more passionate statements here - surely you don't feel that Twig meant to miciloushlly hurt anyone's feelings?

 The phrase ".. you smoking crack.. ?
I think it Is a younger version of ".. are you crazy.." I remember this often.. saying it and hearing it and I know I meant no harm.

Discussion has gone way off topic.  This thread is now locked.

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