Driving from Florida to Belize

Old Apr 15th, 2014, 04:05 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Driving from Florida to Belize

Driving in July2014 to Belize, with our granddaughter, dog and slide on Camper. We've heard of good and bad stories. Looking for driving tips, information on driving through mexico to belize. Any information on what can and cannot be taken to Mexico, things you may need, insurance, etc..
Marivette is offline  
Old Apr 15th, 2014, 05:50 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 16,907
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So, you are driving across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, then Texas, and down through Mexico to the Yucatan, then south?
That's quite a drive. The dogs will probably be the most problematic because you cross 2 international borders.
sylvia3 is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 02:00 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yes. will be stopping in Louisiana, texas and then straight thru belize. I've heard that you should hire someone to take you across, buy extra insurance, as well as the "don't drive at nite" story. Can anyone enlighten me as to what to avoid?? Has anyone ever driven this route?
Marivette is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 02:00 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yes. will be stopping in Louisiana, texas and then straight thru belize. I've heard that you should hire someone to take you across, buy extra insurance, as well as the "don't drive at nite" story. Can anyone enlighten me as to what to avoid?? Has anyone ever driven this route?
Marivette is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 04:08 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have friends that used to drive from Alberta, Canada to Belize every winter with their very large bloodhound.

They definitely didn't drive at night in Mexico.

Their last trip involved a very frightening shakedown by the police in Mexico. They swore they'd never make the drive again.

Are you moving to Belize? If you're bringing lots of stuff, be prepared to pay lots of duty.
JeanH is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 04:17 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There are many specifics as to driving across the border into Mexico with animals (your will need vets certification no more than a specific number of days before you cross), personal vehicles and household goods. Please research this thoroughly through the Mexican consulate, do your research online for trip reports from people who have done this RECENTLY, and be VERY careful. This is not for the faint of heart nor is it an easy trip. If there is a reason to drive all this way as you are going for an extended period please know what you are getting into. If you are just going on vacation and want to bring the dog, consider flying but know that in July airlines will have a heat embargo and will not allow pets to be checked. Your post made me very nervous as you do not seem to have a good knowledge of what to expect.
colokid is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 04:34 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Colokid's last sentence sums up my feelings too. I'm not sure you realize what a difficult trip this would be. You need to do a lot more research into what's involved. Get information from an official source too, not just the Fodor's board. Contact the Mexican consulate about all the official requirements.

If your granddaughter is a minor and you are not her legal guardian, she needs a notarized statement of permission from both her parents to travel in and out of Mexico. Ask the consulate for the official requirements.
Jeff_Costa_Rica is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 06:47 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Several people posted their driving trips on the Belize Forums.

Or, as your questions on that forum.

http://www.belizeforum.com/belize/
MisterB2 is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 06:54 AM
  #9  
RAC
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So, you'd be living in a slide-on camper in Belize? With a dog? Driving across two international borders? And then what?

Driving straight through Mexico from Texas to Belize without stopping?!?!?!?!? Physically impossible. You'd need to stop for overnights at least twice (driving in Mexico at night is a really horrible idea).

Sorry, this sounds extremely ill-conceived, foolish, and quite frankly dangerous.
RAC is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 07:06 AM
  #10  
RAC
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I strongly suggest you google "tamaulipas crime mexico" before committing to this kind of plan and then decide if you want to expose yourselves and your granddaughter to that kind of danger. You'd be driving through the Carjacking Central.

http://www.travelweekly.com/uploaded...MEXICOMAP4.pdf
RAC is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 09:16 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,137
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
I am also curious as to the "why" of this trip? You're moving to Belize (therefore need the trailer and dog). Or this is for a vacation? How long will you stay? Are you doing a round-trip drive?

Hopefully as people are mentioning above you are doing a lot more research than this one post on a travel forum.
suze is online now  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 07:24 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Marivette - I think I have a great resource for you. My brother and his fiance are driving from California to Argentina in a truck/camper setup and are maintaining a blog in a 'how to' style for other people wanting to do the same. They are still in Mexico (taking their time as they are doing this for fun), and already have a few very informative posts in the last month. Do not let anyone scare you too much. If you are cautious and not naive you can get by just fine.

They have had two run-ins with the policia (oulined on the website), but neither were really bad. They are more than happy to answer emails and even talk on the phone when they are around an internet connection as they want other people to do this too.

website: unplannedoverland.com
ctripp2 is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 08:41 PM
  #13  
RAC
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oy, oy, oy.

Physically impossible to drive to South America due to the Darien Gap. Need to ship the vehicle in a cargo ship and pay for space on a boat to take you to Colombia.

And only one metric ton of paperwork required.
RAC is offline  
Old Apr 17th, 2014, 03:39 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 16,907
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Who's driving to South America?
sylvia3 is offline  
Old Apr 17th, 2014, 04:11 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have lived in Mexico for 8 years. I am not trying to scare anyone but am honest in what I know firsthand about living there and being careful in what you do. This would not be a drive I would do.
colokid is offline  
Old Apr 17th, 2014, 05:30 AM
  #16  
RAC
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sylvia3: see the post immediately above mine.

It bears noting that the people raising the alarm are quite familiar with Mexico and Central America. We travel there on average 1-2 times a year, and have gone hiking in areas like the Sinaloa highlands and Chiapas. Discretion is the greater part of valor.
RAC is offline  
Old Apr 17th, 2014, 05:47 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
People do drive to and though Mexico. I realize that. But with all due respect to the OP, I think the way you posed your question shows a lot of naïvete about the situation. As much as I hate to keep piling on, I think this is a terrible idea. I hope you'll come back and tell us that you've decided not to make the trip.
Jeff_Costa_Rica is offline  
Old Apr 17th, 2014, 02:28 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I "worked" in Tamaulipas (Matamoros) for a year back in the 70's. The drug cartels were not especially actve then, but former colleagues of mine in Maquillador arrangements still do not allow any of their U.S. consultants to drive into that troubled state for any reason.
tower is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2014, 12:38 PM
  #19  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks to all of you who have commented, appreciate the concern. Now, I am new to forums but as far as my travel plans to Belize, We have done some research, hence the questions. We have looked into the Retirement program but would like to vacation/spend 3 months in Belize to see if this is what we really want. Eventually, if we like Belize, we plan to relocate there. For now, its just a go see and explore. Ctripp2 I will be checking out the website. once again I thank you all.
Marivette is offline  
Old Apr 26th, 2014, 06:48 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My daughter and her husband are going through "the grass is greener in Merida" syndrome. Having lost my oldest daughter last year to breast cancer, it's very hard thinking about this. There is no sensible rationale IMO. You're all blooming dingbats.
tower is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -