In 2025 we spent close to three months camping in fifteen states throughout mainland Mexico. Over the course of 5,000 miles we traveled through the high desert of the north, the waterfall region of La Huasteca Potosina, the sprawling mountains of the Sierra Gorda mountain range, the land of volcanoes south of Mexico City, the vibrant city of Oaxaca, and the tropical palm-tree lined Pacific coast. When we arrived in Mazatlan via the ferry from the Baja Peninsula, we knew next to nothing about mainland Mexico. Through the act of just going for it, we got a crash course in how to travel around this incredibly diverse country. Here I’d like to distill down what we learned into a post chock full of helpful tips so that you too can have an amazing experience camping in Mexico.
Note: This post does not include information pertaining to the Baja California peninsula. You can find our guide to camping in Baja here.
What this post is
Everything in this post is solely based on our personal experience of traveling around mainland Mexico in our truck camper. Our biggest takeaway is that we barely scratched the surface of all that Mexico has to offer. We hope the information that follows will help you to have a great trip but depending on where you go, your experience may differ greatly.
Our Route
Our route around mainland Mexico was comprised of a loop that began and ended in Mazatlan, on the Pacific Coast. We chose to enter and exit mainland via a ferry that took us to and from the Baja peninsula.
Where to cross the border
There are numerous options for where to cross the international border. We chose Calexico East in California which took us into the city of Mexicali in Baja California. Some of the most popular crossings into mainland Mexico are in Arizona at Nogales, in Texas at Eagle Crossing, and in eastern Texas at Laredo.
Weather & Geography
Mexico is the 13th largest country in the world and is comprised of 31 states. It is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world with a wide range of ecosystems and mountains rising as high as 18,701′. Due to the size of the country and a wide range of topography, the weather can be all over the board. Over the course of one winter we camped as high as 10,000’ in elevation, experiencing lows in the 30s, and went on to endure temps in the mid 90s with humidity levels to match on the Pacific Coast. If you plan to travel inland and also along either coastline, expect a wide range of weather conditions.
Required Documents
In order to legally drive your vehicle around Mexico, a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TIP) is required. Additionally, each individual must have a document called an FMM (a tourist permit). Both of these documents must be obtained at the border upon entering Mexico and cancelled upon exiting Mexico. Failure to obtain a TIP could result in your vehicle being impounded.
An FMM will be good for the number of days granted by the immigration officer. This can be up to but no longer than 180 days. (We always ask for the full 180 days) Be sure you make note of the number of days written on your FMM so that you exit the country before it expires. Your TIP will be good for the same amount of time as your FMM unless your vehicle is registered as an RV. RVs receive TIPs that are good for 10yrs. This only applies to your vehicle, not your person. The FMM dictates how long you as a person are legally allowed in the country.
Driving in Mexico
Driving conditions in Mexico vary from fast-moving toll roads to pothole-ridden rural roads. At any given time, we found ourselves in one of the four following driving environments.
Toll Roads (Cuotas)
Cuotas are the primary highways in Mexico and are equivalent to what we know as interstates in the US. However, they are different from US interstates in that they are not free to travel on and they are not always four lanes wide with a median. On two lane toll roads it is customary to drive in the shoulder allowing for faster moving traffic to pass down the center, even when there is oncoming traffic traveling in the opposite shoulder.
It’s important to have cash on hand when traveling on toll roads. The cost of toll roads differs for motorbikes, cars & pickups, duallys, and vehicles towing trailers.
Toll roads are in good condition and are the fastest way to move around Mexico. We used toll roads when we wanted to transition to a new region but otherwise avoided them. The expense added up and we felt like we were missing out on the cultural experience when moving across the landscape so quickly.
Tip: Keep the coins handy that you receive as change at toll booths. Gas stations have a 5 peso fee to use their restrooms and its customary to tip gas station attendants and grocery store baggers 10 or 15 pesos.
Free Roads (Libras)
Libras are secondary highways and are free to use. While toll roads are available between major cities, a large network of secondary highways make up the majority of roads in Mexico. If a toll booth is the signature of a toll road, speed bumps (topes) are the signature of a free road. Topes come in all shapes and sizes. Some are marked, some are not, some are easy to see, others are not. We encountered far more topes than traffic lights while driving around Mexico. It’s important to keep an eye out for them as hitting a tope at speed can hurt. Additionally you’ll want to keep an eye out for potholes. Potholes are common on rural highways.
Due to topes, potholes, pedestrians, and curvy roads, we rarely exceeded 40mph on secondary roads. This is an important consideration to make when planning travel days. We never trusted google to give us an accurate calculation of how long it would take to get somewhere.
Driving in Cities
Driving around cities in Mexico requires your attention. Navigating can be tricky as some interchanges work differently than what we are used to in the US. Some things to keep an eye out for are 1) Construction zones. They can be poorly marked or not marked at all. 2) Buses and taxis. Public transportation is prevalent and they are constantly pulling in and out of traffic. 3). Motorbikes. This is a preferred method of transit in Mexico, often carrying children. 4) Vehicles parked in the far-right traffic lane. 5) No signage for merging lanes.
Driving in Small towns
Most small towns are bustling with pedestrians, taxis, and motorbikes whose speeds are being regulated by numerous topes (speed bumps). Driving through small towns was simple, so long as we stayed on the primary road that went through town. However, venturing off on to side streets sometimes got tricky. In some places, especially mountain towns, the roads are extremely narrow. Fitting our full-size pickup down some of these streets took skillful driving. If your vehicle is tall, keep an eye out for low-hanging powerlines.
Driving in Mexico City
There are strict emissions laws in and around Mexico City and for that reason our 24 year old diesel truck was not permitted to travel in the Mexico City area. If your vehicle is less than 15 years old you may obtain a tourist pass that will grant you permission to transit freely in the state of Mexico and Federal District for up to 14 days. Here is an overview of the requirements you must meet to obtain a pass and how to get it.
Camping in Mexico
We used the iOverlander app to locate places to camp in Mexico. Places we stayed at included backyards, parking lots, wild camps, free-for-all camping areas, and campgrounds with designated sites. Most places we stayed were pay-to-stay locations with prices usually between $10 and $20 US per night for 2 people. Unlike in the US, most places charge per person rather than per vehicle. While tent camping is common in Mexico, RVs and vans are not (with the exception of popular destinations on both coasts). Therefore, many of the places we stayed at were a tight fit for our truck camper, though nothing was impossible. Free camping in wild places is an option in Mexico but can be more time-consuming to locate. For ease and safety, we chose to stick primarily with pay-to-stay locations. Most places offered a basic bathroom and shower.
A great way to enjoy attractions such as hot springs and waterfalls, is to camp in the parking lot. For a reasonable fee we were allowed to park overnight giving us access to beautiful places during the mornings and evenings, before tourists arrived and after they went home. Conveniently, many of these places had a restaurant or food stands on-site.
Tip: We recommend an eye mask and ear plugs if you’re a light sleeper. Bright security lights, roosters, and barking dogs are all commonplace in Mexico.
Where we camped
Below is a map with pins to every place we camped in mainland Mexico.
Grocery shopping in Mexico
Grocery stores are not hard to come by in Mexico. Even though we avoid staying in cities, we almost always drove through one on the way to our next destination. Look for Walmart, Chedraui Selecto, or Soriana for the widest variety of options. Conveniently, fruit and vegetable stands are common in towns of any size. If you find yourself in a rural area for a length of time, there is always a local tienda that carries the basics such as eggs, rice, beans, Mexican sauces, cooking oil, chips, and a small selection of produce (the quality of produce is hit or miss). Tip: You’ll need your own container to purchase eggs from tiendas.
If you’re accustomed to premium foods such as organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised, etc. you’ll want to stock up before crossing the border as these types of food are hard to come by. The same goes for allergy-specific foods like dairy-free, gluten-free, etc.
Safety in Mexico
Common safety concerns in Mexico include cartel violence, carjackings, kidnappings, police corruption, road blocks, and robberies. If you spend any amount of time watching the news or talking to people that have never been to Mexico, you may come to think that danger is widespread throughout the country. After three winters spent traveling around Baja and one entire winter spent covering thousands of miles in mainland Mexico, we’ve come to believe that these risks do exist but they are not nearly as common as the media would have you believe. Using common sense and following a few guidelines goes a long ways when it comes to staying safe.
- Don’t drive at night.
- Don’t camp near the border.
- Don’t do anything illegal.
- Don’t get drunk and stagger around a city or town after dark.
- Be courteous and respectful to locals. Don’t give people a reason to want to scam or rob you.
- Trust your gut, if a place feels off, go somewhere else.
- Don’t flaunt expensive gear and jewelry.
- Read recent reviews on iOverlander for first-hand experiences had at a place.
- Talk to locals and fellow travelers. This is by far the best source for accurate information.
Fuel in Mexico
Gas stations are easy to come by in Mexico. Our old diesel pickup does not require DEF or USLD so we can’t speak to the availability of those products. Prices do not fluctuate much. In 2025 we paid about $5/gallon on average.
Ferrying between Baja & Mainland
There are two options for ferrying from the Baja Peninsula to mainland Mexico. 1) Baja Ferries: This is a passenger ferry that does not allow you to sleep inside your camper. For the overnight passage you may purchase a cabin to sleep in or remain in the seating area. Dogs must stay in a crate. 2). TMC Ferry: This is a cargo ferry also known as the trucker’s ferry. It is primarily used to transport semi-trucks but campers are permitted. You are allowed to sleep inside your vehicle and dogs may accompany you on the deck as long as they’re on a leash.
The TMC Ferry Experience
We chose the TMC Ferry so that we could sleep in our camper. Our truck was carefully wedged into a puzzle of semi-trucks that were mere inches from every side of us. Between the roar of the ferry’s engines and the various refrigerated semi-trucks that ran all night, it was a loud 16 hours but we did manage to sleep.
The TMC Ferry operates out of the Pichilingue port near La Paz in Baja and goes to both Topolobampo and Mazatlan (cities in the state of Sinaloa). We chose Mazatlan, the longer of the two options at 16 hours from port to port. Cost is determined based on the length of your vehicle. In 2025 we paid $415 US for our 6 meter long truck. We took the ferry both to and from Mazatlan and our experience at the Pichilingue port was slightly different from that at the Mazatlan port. For example, I (as the passenger in our truck) was allowed to remain in the vehicle while we waited at the loading dock at Pichilingue. In Mazatlan, only drivers may be in the vehicle, passengers need to wait in a separate area. Recent reviews on iOverlander provide current information on what you can expect.
Taking the ferry is a great way to experience both the Baja peninsula and mainland Mexico, however it’s not mandatory. To skip the ferry, you can always enter mainland Mexico via border crossings in Arizona, New Mexico or Texas.
Things to do & see
There are endless things to do, see, and eat while road tripping around Mexico. If you’re interested in the culture, you don’t have to seek out a cultural experience, it’s everywhere you go. For us, only popular destinations on the coast (think Cancun, Mazatlan, Puerta Vallerta) felt more westernized and set up to cater to us gringos.
Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, a naturalist, or an art lover, there’s something in Mexico for everyone. Below are a few suggestions on what to look for when planning your travels around the country.
Pueblo Magicos
Nearly 200 towns and small cities throughout Mexico have been designated as “Pueblo Magicos” (Magical towns). These towns have been recognized for having historical, cultural, or natural significance. Many Pueblo Magicos have a vibrant food and arts scene and tend to draw tourists from around the country. You could easily fill your Mexico travel itinerary by simply hopping from one Pueblo Magico to another.
Bill Eakin’s Go Experience Mexico map includes pins for all the Pueblo Magicos.
Archealogical sites
Mexico is home to some of the most impressive archeological sites in the world, including Chichen Itza in the state of Yucatan, one of the modern seven wonders of the world. These ancient structures were home to cultures such as the Mayan, Aztec, and Zapotecs. Anyone interested in history will be captivated by these sites that can be found throughout Mexico.
Bill Eakin’s Go Experience Mexico map is an invaluable resource for finding archeological sites.
Natural wonders
Natural wonders abound in Mexico from magnificent waterfalls to mysterious cenotes, epic canyons, and towering volcanoes. We loved touring the waterfall region in the state of San Luis Potosi and would have loved to have spent more time exploring the volcano belt that spans central Mexico. For a taste of all that Mexico has to offer, check out Bill Eakin’s custom google maps which include pins to natural wonders in the form of water, land, and caves.
How to find these places
You may be able to guess this by now but Bill Eakin’s custom google maps which can be found on goexperiencemexico.com is an incredible resource for finding all of the above. In my opinion this is the single best resource for finding places of interest to visit in Mexico.
The language barrier
Our first two months traveling around mainland Mexico were spent inland. In that time we encountered very little English being spoken. It wasn’t until we got to the Pacific coast that we began to come across more gringos and Mexicans catering to tourists. While it is possible to get by with hand gestures and google translate, the more Spanish you know, the easier your travels will be. Mark and I learn a little more every year and our experiences are that much more enjoyable when we can manage to fumble our way through an interaction with a local. Learning a new language is a long journey though and requires a great deal of humility and a good sense of humor. If you know little to no Spanish but are interested in road tripping around Mexico, start by learning how to order food and pay for a campsite. Those are the two situations we find ourselves in most when it comes to trying to communicate. The Duolingo app is great for forming a solid foundation of basic vocabulary and grammar.
Baja vs. Mainland – Two different worlds
Our travels to Mexico began by diving deep into getting to know the Baja California Peninsula. In that time we were told that traveling around mainland Mexico is vastly different. During our three months road tripping around the mainland, we found that sentiment to be extremely true.
Baja California is a narrow, thousand mile long peninsula that is primarily a desert-meets-the-ocean environment. The climate is mild in the winter, hot in the summer and the humidity is usually low. Sunshine, beaches, and fish tacos are abundant in Baja. Cactus are far more prevalent than trees so shade is hard to come by. There are countless places to beach camp on both the Pacific coast and the Sea of Cortez coast. The Pacific coast offers great surfing opportunities while the Sea of Cortez offers calmer waters that are prime for snorkeling, fishing, and paddle sports. The Baja peninsula is sparsely populated offering awesome opportunities for off-highway exploration where you can go days without seeing another person. However, if you stick to populated areas chances are high you’ll encounter other travelers as Baja is a popular destination for Americans and Europeans. Many towns and cities throughout the Baja peninsula cater to travelers. For this reason, Baja is a great introduction to road tripping around a foreign country.
Mainland Mexico is far greater in size compared to the Baja Peninsula and offers more variety in culture, terrain, ecosystems, and attractions. Further, mainland is more densely populated making it more difficult to camp in solitude if that’s what you’re after. It’s also worth noting that we met far fewer fellow travelers in mainland than what we’re used to in Baja. This is likely due to the combination of mainland being less popular for camping along with the sheer size of the country making it harder to cross paths with others.
While food is cheaper on the mainland, our overall expenses were more than in Baja. This is because of gas, toll roads, and campsite fees. In Baja we drive less because there’s less ground to cover, there aren’t any toll roads, and free camping is easier to come by (in our experience).
Resources
We used the following resources for planning our trip.
Facebook groups
Tip: If you’d like more specific information about a particular destination search for Facebook groups devoted to that city or town. For example, the Mazatlan Expats group was helpful when we were looking for a safe RV park to stay at in the city.
Go Experience Mexico Maps
As mentioned above, Bill Eakin’s custom Google maps are an invaluable resource for anyone interested in planning a road trip around Mexico. Those maps can be found at goexperiencemexico.com
You Tube channels
We watched several videos made by the vloggers below to gain insight into what it’s like to road trip around Mexico.
Hayley & Jake
Israel Plata
Eat See RV
Tip: Want to know what there is to do in a particular town? Search the name of that town in You Tube and you’re likely to find a video that will provide a useful overview.
Further Inspiration for Mexico travel
While traveling around Mexico this past winter we wrote and shared daily stories from our travels. To get a closer look into what it’s like spending months road tripping around Mexico in a truck camper, you can dive into those posts here.
Conclusion
Mexico is an incredible country with so much to offer by way of culture, cuisine, terrain, flora, and fauna. If you are interested in road tripping around Mexico we hope this post has helped to provide you with the knowledge and inspiration you’re looking for. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop them in the comments!
Happy camping,
Mark & Michele
Have you tried foreign language translation apps. to navigate the language? 10-15 years ago, in Africa, I was using a primitive version for Swahili. It was clunky, but to the extent that it worked, it was helpful.