5 of the Best RV Parks in Northwest Mexico
It’s always fun to get out of your comfort zone to try something different. RVing to Mexico is definitely a new way to experience Mexico while not getting too terribly far away from your traditional RVing spots of the US. Right over the border from the US in the Northwest region of Mexico you’ll find some great spots to try out RVing in Mexico.
Del Fresno RV Park is actually a former KOA and you’ll be glad to know it still has all the space, cleanliness and many of the amenities associated with KOA. You have 30 RV sites, mostly pull-throughs, which come with electric, water and sewer hookups. You have restrooms and showers as well as the pool to entertain the kiddos and a restaurant to fill you up after getting off the road.
Chihuahua borders the distinct Copper Canyon. Copper Canyon is a series of canyons and gorges that rival the depth of even the Grand Canyon. There are many different ways to explore the canyon such as on foot or by bike but if your feel is a bit sore take the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico known more simply as the ChePe. The ChePe is a train that will run you all around the Copper Canyon area and along the Gulf of California. Also, make sure to check the elaborately ornate architecture of Quinta Gameros.
Playa Bonita Resort: Puerto Penasco, Sonora
Playa Bonita Resort is a fairly established resort and has a great RV park to go along with it. RVers have plenty of options with 300 full-service sites facing out on the lovely Playa Bonita Beach and Sea of Cortez. You have plenty of other amenities and features such as satellite TV, spacious and clean showers and laundry facilities as well as a great Jacuzzi and convenience store.
One of the most popular areas in Puerto Penasco is right outside your front door at Playa Bonita Beach. Splash around in the waters, get some sun or see if you can spot any marine life. If just relaxing is a little boring for you, you must visit El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve to check out some of the great local flora and fauna. Other outdoor rec areas of note include Cholla Bay and Isla San Jorge. Wrap up and exciting day by checking out Manny’s Tequila Factory.
Los Michos Copper Canyon RV Park: Los Michos, Sinaloa
This RV park is open year-round and while it may not have the most incredible amenities, it definitely has what you need to rest up before journeying across vast spaces in Northwest Mexico. You do have full-service RV sites with all three major utilities as well as onsite washrooms and meeting areas.
The best part of Los Michos Copper Canyon RV Park is that they offer tours into Copper Canyon right from the RV park. Take in some great views from areas that rival the Grand Canyon itself. There are also a few well-maintained parks around the area such as Parque Sinaloa and the botanical gardens at Benjamin F. Johnston Park. There are also plenty of older structures to explore for the history buff in us all.
Totonaka RV Park: San Carlos, Sonora
Totonaka RV Park is a lovely little oasis found in the San Carlos area of Sonora. The RV park is very picturesque with 130 RV sites outfitted with electrical, water, sewage and cable TV hookups and you don’t have to worry about wonky water pressure and voltage here. The pet-friendly park also comes with restrooms, showers, laundry facilities and some specialized features such as nearby restaurants, 24/7 security, and even on-site RV service.
San Carlos is found where the desert meets the sea and both will provide you with recreational opportunities. On the desert side, you have Nacapule Canyon where you can hike, bike or even zip line. Along the coast, you have one of the best drives in the region in Mirador Escenico de San Carlos which translate simply as the San Carlos Scenic Lookout. In the Sea itself, you have plenty of options such as diving, snorkeling, flyboarding, guided boat tours, kayaking and more. You get the best of all worlds, San Carlos.
Trailer Park Las Jaibas: Mazatlan, Sinaloa
Mazatlan is another picturesque coastal town in northwest Mexico and Trailer Park Las Jaibas is a great place to start a Mazatlan adventure. This park features full utility hookups with regulated water pressure so you don’t have to worry about those notorious Mexican fluctuations. You have also clean restrooms and showers, laundry facilities and 24/7 security. Put all this in a peaceful setting shaded by palm trees and you have Trailer Park Las Jaibas.
Mazatlan is bursting with life and things to do. The most popular being Huana Coa Canopy Adventures which involve zip lining along the treetops to enjoy all the great views Mazatlan has to offer. If you dig older buildings and architecture be sure to stop by the Immaculate Conception Cathedral or venture to nearby Copala. Honestly, one of the best things to do is to explore the beautiful beaches or take a stroll down the boardwalk. There are also plenty of sightseeing tours if you get overwhelmed by the possibilities.
Northwest Mexico stakes its claim along many different rich locations. If you want a place to experience both high desert and beautiful seas while not being terribly far from home, Northwest Mexico is calling you.
5 of the Best RV Parks in West Mexico
Flying down the roads of the United States in your RV is always a great way to scope out the country but sometimes we need to shake things up a bit. Mexico has become a more popular destination for RVers in recent years with the further development of infrastructure to get you where you need to go. That being said if you’re going to head down to Mexico, a good place to make some stops can be found in the western region of Mexico.
For our purposes, the western region of Mexico includes the states of Colima, Jalisco, Michoacán, and Nayarit. Let’s take a look at the best places to stay when touring western Mexico, here are our top RV parks in West Mexico.
5 of the Best RV Parks in West Mexico
San Jose del Tajo Resort Trailer Park: Guadalajara, Jalisco
This quaint RV park is set on the outskirts of Guadalajara and has its welcome mat out for you. Unlike many Mexican RV parks, this one is quite large with around 200 sites, 175 which come with full utility hookups and you won’t have to worry about adapters as this park does come with 30-amp electrical input. For facilities, you have bathrooms, showers, and laundry as well as a kiddie pool, resort pool, and a rec hall. Definitely one of the more established parks in the area.
Guadalajara also always has out its welcome for visitors. Their primary draw comes from their historic architecture and buildings but there are a variety of other attractions as well. Some of the crowd favorite historical buildings include the Instituto Cultural Cabanas which is both a museum and a museum piece in itself, Teatro Degollado and Expiatory Temple, just to name a few. Those interested in early American history will love the Guachimontones Pyramids and if you need something for the whole family, try
Club Roca Azul: Jocotepec, Jalisco
This resort is definitely one of the most well-stocked in all of west Mexico so make sure to give it a go if you plan on staying in the area. The 60 RV sites come with full utility hookups as well as Wi-Fi access. You get your typical RV park facilities such as showers and laundry facilities complimentary on top of some of the resort’s other facilities such as their walking trails, pools, clubhouse, shaded picnic areas and snack bar. Heck, you’ll feel like you’re at a KOA when staying at Club Roca Azul.
Jalisco is not loaded down with things to do but that’s kind of the point in this area. You can relax at the resort while enjoying drinks and local cuisine or take a jaunt down to Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, to stick your toes in the sandy shores or have some on-the-water fun. If the kids need an outlet there is a water park nearby and if you and your SO need an outlet, you have Monte Coxala Spa. Get some R & R in Jocotepec and Club Roca Azul.
Villa Patzcuaro: Patzcuaro, Michoacán
This combination garden hotel and RV park is beautifully landscaped and comes with the facilities and amenities you will need for your creature comforts. At your site, those amenities include full or partial hookups, depending on your preference. The shower and restrooms are kept clean and tidy for your use and a pool keeps you cool under the Mexican sun. Other services and amenities include Wi-Fi access, group use areas, and a tennis court, just to name a few.
Most of the fun in Patzcuaro is found just from walking around town. The hottest spot in Patzcuaro is the Plaza Vasco de Quiroga, more colloquially referred to as just the Plaza Grande. This area is full of neat shops, great dining and of course that signature historical Colonial architecture. If you’re looking for an authentic Mexican experience and not just a tourist trap, give the Plaza Grande a try. Other areas of interest in the area include Santa Clara del Cobre, a historic site known simply as the Copper Place and the
Coconutz RV Park: Cuyutlan, Colima
This park actually came about due to the lack of reliable RV parks on the stretch of Pacific Coast in Colima. It is a brand new park that comes stocked with only four sites but those sites are decked out with full utility services and your choice of 15, 30 or 50 amp electrical hookups. There are also two separate bathhouses with showers that also have viewing decks on top. This RV park is beautiful in its simplicity as it was designed for RVers by RVers with hardly any frills. A great oceanside getaway in Colima.
There is no question that this park is meant for one thing, to stick your toes in the sand and relax, if that is your ideal stay then you’re already there. If you do need some activity you can take a drive to nearby Puerto Vallarta but Coconutz itself wants you to kick back, have a cerveza and enjoy the gorgeous views without being surrounded by tourist traps or barking salespeople, just peace.
-
Sol Tierra RV Park: La Penita de Jaltemba, Nayarit
Many of the RVers at Sol Tierra RV Park are Canadian and American seasonal campers but there’s plenty of room for everybody. The sites were developed not just for camping but for RVs specifically and the sites come with reliable 30 or 50 amp electrical as well as water and sewer hookups. Did we mention that all sites come with their own private shower and bathroom facilities? The site also hosts a laundry facility, pool, Wi-Fi access and rec room, all in a gated community with 24/7 security.
La Penita de Jaltemba and the local area is quickly gaining attention as a popular tourist destination and you’re more than welcome to experience it as well. They are located on the Pacific coast so that holds most of the fun in sportfishing, snorkeling, scuba diving and other types of Pacific fun. You can make your own souvenir at Splash of Glass or explore the outcroppings of Isla Marietas National Park. If you just want to kick back, take an hour drive to enjoy sunny and beautiful Nuevo Vallarta
If you’re gunning for an authentic Mexican experience on the Pacific Coast look no further than west Mexico. The combination of culture, sand, and sun make western Mexico quite the experience that you’ll be hard-pressed to match elsewhere.
5 of the Best RV Parks in Southwest Mexico
If you’re an RVer that likes to mix things up or you want a unique adventure, you’re going have to leave the friendly confines of the United States. Luckily you don’t have to go overseas to get this kind of adventure, all you have to do is keep heading south to our neighbor to the south, Mexico. Mexico has many different regions and topography for you to explore and you’ll experience this when you venture down to the southwestern region of Mexico.
The southwest region borders the Pacific Ocean so you can expect a lot of lovely sights along the beach and some great ancient ruins. Let’s help you start your southwest Mexico adventure by giving you some of the best parks in this area as well as what to do when you get there. For our purposes, the southwest region of Mexico includes the states of Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca.
Fernando’s Trailer Park & Campground: Puerto Angel, Oaxaca
A simple but lovely campground situated right on the coast of the Pacific. You can expect water and electric sites and while there are no sewer connections, there is a nearby dump station. Showers are available and the park is close to downtown Puerto Angel which has any other amenities or facilities you will need such as laundry facilities or groceries.
Puerto Angel is home to the infamous Zipolite Beach where you can hang out with the local hippie crowd and stick your toes in the sand. Be advised that while it may look peaceful at times, Zipolite is infamous due to its undertow and currents so we advise against swimming out into the ocean. You also have Bahia Estacahuite nearby which is another lovely local beach. If you’re looking for tons of activities than Puerto Angel isn’t right for you but if you love getting the sun and thinking about nothing, it is just right.
San Felipe del Agua Trailer Park: Oaxaca, Oaxaca
Great sites at San Felipe del Agua that come with full utility hookups on top of Wi-Fi access as well as your choice of sunny or shady sites. You get hot showers and clean restrooms on a site that are entirely fenced and protected from any outside interference. There is also a bus service right outside that can take you to the sites around Oaxaca.
The location of this park is fantastic as you will find Benito Juarez National Park directly behind the campground soaring into the sky. Other great outdoors activities include tours of the local Ethnobotanical Garden as well as the ruins of Monte Alban. Other can’t-miss points of interest include Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman, the Oaxaca Museum of Culture and the Cathedral of Oaxaca. A good mix of ancient, stunning and modern when you visit Oaxaca.
Los Leones RV Park: Palenque, Chiapas
A very nice RV park in a spacious field in the town of Palenque and is the park you want to use if you have a larger RV. There are 50 RV sites outfitted with full utility hookups so need to worry about your creature comforts. You can get yourself cleaned up at their bathhouse facilities as well as arrange local tours at the front desk.
Palenque is an area that seems to have been plucked out of an adventure novel. You are surrounded by forest and ruins making for a unique experience. Your top choices of fun will come at hiking around the National Park of Palenque as well as visiting the world famous Palenque Ruins. The area is overflowing with other outdoor adventure and natural waterfalls such as Cascadas de Agua Azul, the Welib Ja Waterfalls, and Cascada de Roberto Barrios. You’ll feel like you’re in the heart of the jungle, and you will be, in Palenque.
Diamante Trailer Park: Acapulco, Guerrero
One of the more established RV parks of the area greets you at Diamante Trailer Park in the resort town of Acapulco. 90 full hook-up sites that come with your choice of 15, 30 and 50 amp electrical utilities, a rarity in Mexican RV parks. There are several bathhouses around the park as well as other great facilities and amenities such as pools, group terraces, camp store and more. The park is a bit away from the true Acapulco but that’s actually a bonus in the area of Guerrero.
Acapulco is a great resort town that lies in an area known affectionately as the Triangle of the Sun which includes the resort areas of Acapulco, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Taxco, all within a short driving distance and ready for you to explore. You don’t have to visit the entire Triangle of the Sun if you don’t want to as Acapulco has plenty to offer by itself. The majority of your time will be spent on the lovely beaches such as Punta Diamante, Barra Vieja Beach, and Costera. Grab a seat to watch cliff divers at
La Hacienda Hotel Trailer Park: Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas
A sparkling RV park right in the heart of Tuxtla Gutierrez is found at La Hacienda Hotel Trailer Park. This RV park caters more towards smaller rigs but there are a few larger spots available that come with full utility hookups. Clean bathhouses and clean facilities which include an onsite restaurant, playground, and pool. The location of this RV park also makes it excellent for restocking groceries and other supplies.
A great mixture of things to do awaits you in Tuxtla Gutierrez. You can find one of the best zoos in all of the Mexico at the Miguel Alvarez del Toro Zoo, dance to some local music at Parque de la Marimba or get an in-depth look at your favorite beverage at the Coffee Museum. If you’re looking for places to look out then look no further than Mirador Manos que Imploran. There are numerous other museums around the area but if you want to really get in touch with the local environment, you should try an eco-experience in Chiapas.
The southwest portion of Mexico is one of the prettiest areas in all of the Americas. If you’re looking for ancient ruins, sunny beaches and dense jungle that’s not too far from the states, you’ll be taken care of when you visit southwest Mexico.
Now all you have to do is head on down to the Yucatan Peninsula and back up central Mexico for a completely different adventure.
Safe Travels The Mazatlan Post Team
BY STUART WEBB, RV TRAVEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER