Central Mexico RV Guide
City in Mexico
RVers on their way from Texas to Guadalajara, Central Mexico, or Yucatan have several reasonably spaced dedicated RV parks. Pets are allowed at all parks.
Some have hot springs adjacent, and some are in the most artistically attractive town in Mexico. For RV’ing Mexico, you do have choices.
Central Mexico RV Guide: Coahuila
Saltillo is many people’s first stop in Mexico. If you left late, stopping in Saltillo is the safest option, whether in a car, motorcycle, or RV. Saltillo is about 4-4 ½ hours from the TX border (any crossing except El Paso or Matamoros). If you still have 3 ½-4 hours of daylight, you could keep going to Matehuala. If not, spend the night here.
The Imperial Hotel and Trailer Park are on the city’s edge, so you don’t encounter much city traffic getting there, which is good. The turn from the street to the park (between Kentucky Fried Chicken & the hotel) is tight, which is not so good. Rivers have been doing it for decades, but better forewarned than not. It’s on Av. Carranza, about a mile past the big intersection with the Soriana shopping center on the right. Park is somewhat unkempt, but it is a safe place to park for the night-beating the heck out of boondocking at a gas station or driving at night. Saltillo is interesting on many levels and a very safe city. There is a bird museum; artisans still make serapes, the food is good, the people friendly.
BTW–you may have noticed that I sometimes use RV Park and sometimes Trailer Park. In Mexico, Trailer Park is more common.
Central Mexico RV: San Luis Potosí State
The Las Palmas Hotel & Trailer Park is frequented by travelers returning to Mexico. Both the RV park and the rooms are popular. The restaurant is gourmet as chefs for one of the top restaurants in Monterrey train here. If you want to experience one of the truly magic Pueblos Magicos, leave your rig at the park and take a bus or tour to Real de Catorce – a nearby old mining town where parts of The Old Gringo were filmed. It has magic, ghosts, peyote rituals by the Huichols, and an altogether indescribable atmosphere.
Central Mexico RV Guide: Gogorron RV Site in San Luis Potosi, photo by Mike Nelson
Centro Vacacional Gogorrón Go Another short day’s drive brings you to the pleasant city of San Luis Potosí. Alas, there are no parks there. So you can completely bypass the city on a toll road, and from there, choices. If you are going to Guadalajara, exit onto the toll road 2 ½ miles past the intersection with MEX-57 Libre. If you are continuing south, stay straight for 5 ½ miles to the turnoff for Villa de Reyes, right? Continue of 2 lane road to bypass a little town and then left for Gogorrón, 5 miles ahead. The spaces are under trees, and everything is kept up. Admittance to the thermal waters should be included, though this could change. Be sure what’s what before you check in. There is a restaurant there. The waters are hot and good for arthritis, fibromyalgia, insomnia, and who knows what else. Spend a few days here and find out. They also have hotel rooms with private baths filled with mineral water.
Central Mexico RV Guide: Guanajuato State
San Miguel de Allende. No visit to the central highlands of Mexico would be complete without a stay in San Miguel de Allende. This has been an expatriate magnet since the 1950s. Artists working in all mediums call it home. Gringos feel comfortable here because English is widely spoken and expected. The rich from Mexico City often have second homes here. Those who are not yet rich fill up the better hotels on weekends. There are so many things going on that you’d never lack for something to do.
There are three trailer parks here-all with a different atmospheres.
San Miguel Tennis Club is older and closer to town than the others. It is for truck campers, vans, or Class B or C motorhomes. Big rigs cannot make the turn.
San Ramon Trailer Park is a little north of town and has full hookups for any size rig. They also have a natural thermal pool, and soaking is included with the rental. They also have hotel rooms. Pets are not welcome in the hotel.
Minihaus Suites is the newest addition and is the most unique. The owners are Canadian artists and would like to attract other Canadian artists, though they do not limit entry by nationality. There are RV spaces and suites. The suites are tiny houses and are ecologically sensitive to everything. Pets are welcome at both the suites and RV park.
Big Picture
We hope this gives you a big picture of how easy it is to drive from northern Mexico to the central highlands in your rig. There are enough RV parks that there is no reason to drive at night. Besides, you miss the scenery when driving at night.
