RV travel in North America is one of the fastest growing leisure activities as baby boomers and families discover the joys of the open road in the comfort of a mobile home. With its warm climate, hospitable people, beautiful scenery and affordable prices, Mexico is becoming the destination of choice for snow birders.

On the beach at Melaque, Jalisco.

Veteran Mexican RV travelers, Bill and Dorothy Bell have prepared the following To-Do list before heading south in the Fall.

Preparing for your first snowbird venture to Mexico can be quite a daunting experience. This to do list was initially created for the first-timer but other seasoned travelers have told me they use it to organize their packing. It is a sequential list beginning with tasks that can be started months before the trip.

Start by purchasing summer items at the end of season sales. You should look for deals on suntan lotions, shorts, bathing suits, towels and water toys etc. Be a wise shopper and stock up on sandals and footwear. Remember, it is very difficult to get women's shoes over size 7 in Mexico.

Camping on the Bay of Concepción, Baja California Sur.

Documents

Get passports and other required documents and photocopy twice. Leave one copy with a reliable person at home and pack the other copies in a safe place inside your RV.

• get passports for each family member
• bring notarized letter from absent parent for children and minors
• get updated shots for pets and get the international pet certificate for a dog just before you leave
• pack vehicle ownership papers
• get authorization papers for vehicle if there is a lien or other owner
• boat ownership papers

Your Home

Make arrangements for your home while away.

• house rental
• mail collection/presort
• cancel papers and deliveries
• bill payment/banking -- electronic banking can be done from cybercafes
• security monitoring and or security plan

Vehicle Insurance

Go on-line and search for Mexican vehicle insurance. Have them fax the policy to you just before you leave.

• select quality firms that have secured underwriters
• do not double insure for medical, towing etc.
• make sure you are insured for legal representation

Healthcare

Buy medical insurance if you are not already covered by your health provider.

• purchase prescriptions for duration of the trip
• bring an extra pair of eye glasses
• replenish your first aid kit and make sure fire extinguisher works
• get a good supply of quality suntan lotion, mosquito repellant and "after bite"

Your Vehicle

Get the vehicle tested mechanically.

• test for propane leaks
• pack large assortment of tools
• pack extra oil filter, fan belts, fuel filter, air filter
• pack vehicle maintenance book

Fun Stuff

Purchase/pack water toys or other recreational equipment.

• determine you destinations and various stops for appropriate toys (snorkeling gear, boogie or surfboard, air mattress, inflatable boats, boat, kayak etc.)
• a deck of cards and /or board games

Maps and Guides

Buy/bring maps, guidebooks, Spanish/English dictionary, English novels, language tapes or CD's.

Regular Stuff

Purchase and or pack books, music, special foods, presents, clothes as you would for any RV holiday.

Gifts

Pack some trinket items for kids and for hospitality gifts.

Address money issues

You'll be able to find ATMs in most cities and reasonably sized towns, but in the country they are few and far between.

• take bank cards, credit cards, travelers checks and US cash as per your preference
• take at least 1,000 pesos cash (approx $100US)

Understand that you ARE going to forget something and that you will be cursing us and the list for not being longer than it is.