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..

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.

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?

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?

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.

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'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.

Several people posted their driving trips on the Belize Forums.

Or, as your questions on that forum.

http://www.belizeforum.com/belize/

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Who's driving to South America?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I was going to wish you the best of luck but this is so irresponsible as a grandparent that I just hope you will listen to the people who have experience with traveling in these countries for a considerable period of time. There are other ways to get to Belize for three months.

No one's saying don't spend a few months in Belize. We're saying don't recklessly expose yourselves and your granddaughter to danger.

Also, Belize ain't Texas.

I recently spent three months in Belize. We had a wonderful time, same as the previous three years.

That said, we wouldn't choose to drive through Mexico. If you do decide to move down, and choose to move your furnishings, I'd recommend putting them on a container ship to Belize City.

If you do decide to drive, do be sure to be somewhere safe and secure, by the time it's dark. This includes somewhere secure for your camper and it's contents.

Spending three months in Belize in anticipation of possible retirement there is a great idea. No arguments from anybody there. It's the way you plan to get there that has everybody concerned. It seems so naive and reckless.

Just repeating what everyone else has expressed, going to Belize for 3 months to check it out for retirement is a fine idea. Take a plane. Rent an apartment. Leave the dog at home.

WOW... I can't for the life of me, see anyone fool around with you Marivette. For what it's worth, I have travelled around the Yucatan Peninsula and have never encountered any kind of problem on or off the road... Just make sure you have lots and lots of water as you can drive for a very long time without seeing a tienda or any place that has some for sale.
What I can tell you is, make sure that your spare tire is properly inflated and in very good condition. :)

Oy.

"In all do (sic) respect, you must all be White Americans who have one time or another tried crossing the border with your "American" attitudes and therefore encountered problems."

Never had a problem with any border crossing in our trips to Belize, Guatemala, Chiapas, Sinaloa, Durango or Honduras.

We've also never driven through the carjacking capital of the western hemisphere.

From the State Department advisory for Tamaulipas/Nuevo Laredo:

"Road safety is an area of particular concern. Travelers on the highways between Monterrey and the United States have been targeted for robbery that has resulted in violence and have also been caught in incidents of gunfire between criminals and Mexican law enforcement. Travelers should defer unnecessary travel on Mexican Highway 2 between Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo and from the Columbia International Bridge crossing west toward Piedras Negras due to the ongoing violent competition between TCOs. Travel outside of Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuna is likewise discouraged. Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles in these border areas. In June 2010, a Canadian citizen was killed and a U.S. citizen was critically injured after being attacked by cartel gunmen just south of Piedras Negras. There have been numerous carjackings in all three cities, particularly immediately following major gun battles. CRIMINALS APPEAR ESPECIALLY TO TARGET SUVS AND FULL-SIZE PICK-UP TRUCKS FOR THEFT AND CARJACKING ALONG THESE ROUTES."

But, hey, if it makes you feel better, I'm sure it's only white Americans who worry about crime in Tamaulipas.

Marivette's gone quiet perhaps you have scared him/her off. It certainly scared me - is Mexico that dangerous? At some point in my life I want to take a longer holiday there (I visit a couple of areas this year via cruise ship). Is it not safe to drive in the Yucatan?

We travel to Mexico on average once per year.

It is perfectly safe to travel and drive within the Yucatan. And Chiapas. It's perfectly safe in most areas in Mexico.

But, where it's dangerous, it can be really, really dangerous. The states on the US border are some of the worst as far as that's concerned.

¨Please,Stevelyon, don't be alarmed by everything you read about Mexico. Mexico is a huge country with a whole lot of places that are wayyyyy safer than the USA or Canada for that matter. I have written on this subject before and I still am suprised to read about these types of concerns. The Yucatan Peninsuls has got to be the safest part of the country wether it be for driving, walking flying, swimming etc. You might want to watch a 45 minute video made by Jazz Poulin (Canadian) about the PDC area. I am sure you will come accross it on the internet.

You are correct but to get to the Yucatan they will need to drive through some other areas which are not that wonderful and safe.

Unless one flies.

Gasoline is very expensive in Belize. Prepare for Canadian+ prices.

I did get back from there recently and although I didn't drive there, we toured around the interior and to the coast. I would say as long as you don't get off the main highways, driving should be fine. Keep in mind if your vehicle is not off-road, the conditions can be rather treacherous, as many roads are not paved.

"I did get back from there recently...although I didn't drive there" "many roads are not paved"

Not much help. Is "there" Belize? If you mean the interior of Mexico, that's different.

They said Belize in the first sentence, so I assume that's where they are talking about in the rest of the post.

We spent our time in the Cayo district, however we did not drive there. We flew into BZE and then had a guide, with vehicle and knowledge of the area drive us to our location. With exception of the main highway, most other roads were not paved. If you're venturing off the beaten path in a van, I'd expect there's the possibility they could get stuck as did happen to one group who were staying at the same location as us.

For those considering such a journey, check out what happened to the couple from the link above, who were trying to make it from the US to Panama by vehicle.

Short version: they didn't make it past Guatemala.

http://unplannedoverland.com/falling...the-robberies/

This is dangerous, dangerous stuff. And this is why people sometimes get very explicit in their recommendations that people not try this sort of thing. Bad things happen to good people, and we don't want them happening to our fellow travelers.