Mexico Road Travel Expert

Mexico Mike Nelson

For decades, “Mexico” Mike Nelson has helped travelers understand the real Mexico by road — from border crossings and scenic highways to RV routes, small towns, beach roads, and the practical details that make a driving trip safer and more memorable.

Mexico Mike Nelson, Mexico road travel writer and guide

Meet “Mexico” Mike

Mexico Mike Nelson has been exploring Mexico and sharing first-hand travel experience since the 1980s. He became widely known as a trusted voice for people driving into Mexico, especially travelers who wanted practical, honest guidance beyond headlines and rumors.

His work has helped first-time and repeat travelers feel more confident about Mexico road trips, RV travel, border crossings, route planning, and lesser-known destinations. Many of Visiting Mexico’s RV and road-travel resources were inspired by, and many are authored by, Mexico Mike Nelson.

A Lifetime of Mexico Road Knowledge

Mike’s connection with Mexico began early and grew into a lifelong focus on Mexico travel, culture, safety, and driving. Over the years, he wrote extensively about driving Mexico, contributed to guidebooks, published books, and became known for practical road logs that help travelers understand what to expect mile by mile.

Driving Mexico Since the Early Days

Mike has long focused on the experience of entering and exploring Mexico by road, helping travelers prepare for routes, border requirements, local customs, and real-world travel conditions.

Guidebook & Road Log Experience

For more than a decade, Mike wrote Sanborn’s Travelog guide material for self-driving tours to Mexico and developed detailed road logs for independent travelers.

Media Recognition

Mike has been recognized, quoted, or profiled by major publications and media outlets as a knowledgeable source on Mexico travel, culture, driving, and expat life.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Mexico

His writing often highlights more than major resort destinations, with attention to small towns, scenic roads, thermal springs, waterfalls, and local experiences.

Mexico RV Guides Inspired by Mexico Mike

Many of our Mexico RV Guides were inspired by, and many are authored by, Mexico Mike Nelson. These guides are built for travelers who want practical, road-tested advice for exploring Mexico by RV, van, truck camper, or car.

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RV Guides

Explore Mexico by RV with guides inspired by, and in many cases authored by, Mexico Mike Nelson, a longtime authority on driving Mexico.

Mexico RV Guides
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Road Logs

Plan routes with practical road knowledge, border tips, highway context, safety perspective, and destination notes for self-driving travelers.

Driving Mexico
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Contact Mike

Follow Mexico Mike Nelson for updates, travel perspective, and road-tested insight from a longtime Mexico driving expert.

Mexico Mike on Facebook

Why Travelers Trust Mexico Mike

Mexico road travel can feel intimidating the first time. Mike’s work has always centered on replacing fear and rumor with experience, preparation, and practical advice. He has spent decades helping travelers understand what driving in Mexico is really like, how to prepare, and how to appreciate the journey as much as the destination.

His perspective is especially valuable because he has lived along the Texas-Mexico border, traveled extensively throughout Mexico, and written about Mexico for drivers, RV travelers, expats, and independent adventurers.

Mexico Mike’s Travel Philosophy

Mike’s approach to Mexico travel is personal, curious, and experience-driven. He looks for the stories behind the road: the people, scenery, food, local customs, route details, and small moments that make a Mexico trip memorable.

For travelers planning their own road trip, this means more than simply getting from one city to another. It means understanding the route, knowing where to slow down, and having enough confidence to enjoy the road.

Planning to Drive or RV in Mexico?

Start with the essentials: border documents, vehicle permits when required, Mexico insurance, realistic driving days, and route guides that match your travel style.

FAQ: Mexico Mike Nelson

Who is Mexico Mike Nelson?

Mexico Mike Nelson is a longtime Mexico travel writer, road-travel expert, author, and guide known for helping travelers explore Mexico by car and RV with practical, first-hand advice.

Did Mexico Mike write Mexico RV Guides?

Many Visiting Mexico RV Guides were inspired by Mexico Mike Nelson, and many are authored by him. His road-tested knowledge helps shape the practical, traveler-focused guidance in these resources.

How can I contact or follow Mexico Mike?

You can connect with Mexico Mike Nelson on Facebook at facebook.com/mexicomikenelson.

Where should I start if I want to drive to Mexico?

Start with the Mexico Border Crossing Guide, review whether you need a Temporary Import Permit, and make sure you have valid Mexico auto insurance before driving across the border.

Do I need separate insurance to drive in Mexico?

Yes. Even if a U.S. carrier covers your car while in Mexico, U.S. carriers are not recognized by Mexican authorities for damage you cause while driving in Mexico. At minimum, travelers should have Liability Only coverage from a Mexican carrier. Learn more about driving laws in Mexico, or get a quote at GoBuho.com.

Car repairs in Mexico

Car Repairs in Mexico

What travelers should know if their car, truck, RV, or motorcycle breaks down in Mexico, including mechanics, dealerships, parts, Green Angels, towing, and insurance help.

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Car accident damage in Mexico

Hit and Run Mexico

Being involved in a car crash is bad enough, but having the other driver flee the scene is even worse. Worst of all is being involved in a Hit and Run.

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Toll Road Mexico

Toll Roads in Mexico

Learn how Mexico toll roads work, when to use autopistas, how to pay tolls, why pesos matter, and how toll roads compare with free roads.

Read More »
Retired Ex-pat in Durango

Residente Temporal (FM3) Visa

You apply for the Residente Temporal immigration visa at a consulate in the USA or Canada. You get a temporary travel permit stamp on your passport when approved, but the FM3 is not issued until you apply at the Migracion office in your new home in Mexico. This is good for only 30 days from the day you cross the border.

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Mikes Hot Springs of Mexico Book

Hot Springs of Mexico

OK first of all, for those of you new to this, a “Hot Spring of Mexico” is different than any other hot spring in the

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The Mexican Riviera

The Mexican Riviera

Bringing Pets to Mexico City in Mexico The Mexican Riviera is located on the west side of the nation and generally encompasses the major cruise

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Trip Planning Coahuila
Trip Planning Tamaulipas
Trip Planning San Miguel de Allende
Trip Planning Sinaloa
Trip Planning Morelia
Trip Planning Riviera Nayarit
Trip Planning San Cristobal de las Casas
Trip Planning Palenque
Trip Planning Monterrey
Trip Planning Nuevo Leon
VM Trip Planning Hermosillo
VM Trip Planning San Carlos
VM Trip Planning Puerto Peñasco
VM Trip Planning Sonora
VM Trip Planning Mexico City
VM Trip Planning Ciudad Juarez
VM Trip Planning Chihuahua
VM Trip Planning Los Cabos
VM Trip Planning Todos Santos
VM Trip Planning Loreto
VM Trip Planning Baja California Sur
VM Trip Planning Tijuana
VM Trip Planning Mexicali
VM Trip Planning Tecate
VM Trip Planning Puerto Nuevo
VM Trip Planning Valle de Guadalupe
Plan Your Visit to Ensenada
VM Trip Planning Rosarito
VM Trip Planning San Felipe
VM Trip Planning Baja California
B2B Conference Signup

51 - B2B Conference Signup

Form signup from a conference to retrieve business details of people in Mexico who have business that would like to be affiliated with our website for marketing and advertising purposes.

Location of the Business
Type of Business
Off Road Map

34 - Off Road Map

The Automobile options includes SUV, Pickup and Van but custom vans will fall into the RV option.
Free Zone Map

33 - Free Zone Map

Baja Surf Map

32 - Baja Surf Map

Automobile (Sedan, Pickup, SUV, even if towing an RV you select Automobile). RV should be selected for custom-vans.
Yucatan RV Guide

31 - Yucatan RV Guide

How will you get to Yucatan?
Campeche RV Guide

31 - Campeche RV Guide

How will you get to Campeche RV Guide?
Yucatan RV Guide

30 - Yucatan RV Guide

How will you get to Yucatan RV Guide?
Sonora RV Guide

29 - Sonora RV Guide

How will you get to Sonora RV Guide?
Sinaloa RV Guide

28 - Sinaloa RV Guide

How will you get to Sinaloa RV Guide?
Nayarit RV Parks

27 - Nayarit RV Parks

How will you get to Nayarit RV Parks?
Coastal Michoacan Guerrero RV Guide

26 - Coastal Michoacan Guerrero RV Guide

How will you get to Coastal Michoacan Guerrero RV Guide?
Coastal Jalisco Nayarit RV Guide

25 - Coastal Jalisco Nayarit RV Guide

How will you get to Coastal Jalisco Nayarit RV Guide?
Jalisco RV Parks

24 - Jalisco RV Parks

How will you get to Jalisco RV Parks?
Baja California RV Guide

23 - Baja California RV Guide

How will you get to Baja California RV Guide?
Tijuana

20 - Tijuana

Valle de Guadalupe

21 - Valle de Guadalupe

For Sedans, SUV, and Pickup Truck (with or without towed units attached) select Automobile. For Conversion Vans select "RV".
RV Guide Baja California Sur

22 - RV Guide Baja California Sur

How will you get to RV Guide Baja California Sur?
Tecate

19 - Tecate

Use RV for conversion vans. For pickups, SUV's and sedans use "automobile".
Tamaulipas

18 - Tamaulipas

For SUV, Pickup Truck, Sedan or Crossover with or without a towed unit attached select "Automobile". For van conversion, select "RV".
Sonora

17 - Sonora

For SUV, Pickup Truck, Sedan and Crossovers or Minivans, select "Automobile". For Van Conversions, select "RV"
San Felipe

16 - San Felipe

For Pickup Truck, SUV, Sedan or Minivan and crossover, select Automobile. For Van Conversions select RV.
San Carlos/Guaymas

15 - San Carlos/Guaymas

For pickup truck, sedan, cross-over or mini-van with or without a towed unit, select "Automobile". Conversion vans should select "RV".
Rosarito

14 - Rosarito

For SUV, Pickup Truck, Minivan and Crossovers select "Automobile". For Van Conversions use "RV".
Puerto Peñasco

13 - Puerto Peñasco

For SUV, Crossover, Pickup Truck or Sedan with or without a towed unit, select "Automobile". For a van conversion, select "RV".
Puerto Nuevo

12 - Puerto Nuevo

For Pickup Truck, SUV or Cross-over/Minivan select "Automobile" but for Van Conversions select "RV".
Monterrey

11 - Monterrey

For pickup truck, SUV/Crossover, sedan with or without towing select "Automobile". If you operate a conversion van in Mexico, select "RV".
Mexico City

10 - Mexico City

Mexicali

9 - Mexicali

For pickup truck, sedan, SUV or minivan select "Automobile" but for Self Propelled RV's or Conversion Vans - select RV. Dune Buggies shoud be "Motorcycle"
Juarez

8 - Juarez

For pickup truck, SUV or Crossover, select "Automobile". For van conversion, select "RV."
Jalisco

7 - Jalisco

How will you get to Jalisco?
Hermosillo

6 - Hermosillo

For pickup truck, sedan, SUV or crossover with or without a towed unit attached select "Automobile". For van conversions, select "RV".
Ensenada

5 - Ensenada

For sedan, pickup, suv with or without towed units select "automobile" but for a van conversion select "RV".
Chihuahua

4 - Chihuahua

Use Automobile for Pickup Truck and Towing Vehicles; Use RV for Custom Camper Vans and Self-Propelled RV's.
Baja California Sur

3 - Baja California Sur

For Sedan, SUV/Crossover, Pickup Truck select Automobile, for a conversion van select RV.
Ajijic

1 - Ajijic

"*" indicates required fields

For sedan, pickup truck, SUV or Crossover select "Automobile". For Conversion van select "RV"
Baja California Map

2 - Baja California Map

Use "Automobile" for Pickup truck, sedan, wagon, or SUV. Use "RV" for self-propelled RV units including custom vans.