Driving from Canada to Belize with 2 dogs towing an RV

Hi everyone

Thought that maybe some people will find this post interesting..

My husband and I with our 2 small dogs drove with our Van towing our 27 1/2' travel trailer from Kelowna, BC Canada to Hopkins, Belize in October, 2015.

If bring pets into Belize apply online to BAHA officials for your pet permit. Cost is $50USD per pet and takes up to 10 days.

It took us 11 days driving.

We crossed into the USA at the Osoyoos border crossing and drove to Pendalton, Oregon and fiinally finishing in Anthony, Texas.
During our trip through the United States we boondocked at truck rest stops and every 2nd night we stayed somewhere with full hookup.

We crossed into Mexico at the Juarez broder crossing. This is what we learned from that experience.

1. NEVER drive at night. the roads are horrid and you will ruin your vehicle or worse, like encounter a drunk driver. Period.
2. Get Mexico car insurance before you enter into Mexico. It's hard to find in Juarez if you don't. We paid for 7 days of mexican insurance.
   If you google mexico car insurance for sale in texas you will find plenty that will insure you.
3. Make sure all aspects of the border are open when you cross. 8am/9am is usually a good time.
4. You will have to pay for a car/truck permit plus an rv permit if pulling an rv. Permits are available for up to 180 days.
   Ours for 180 days cost $450 which is refundable upon exit at 180 days. We chose that long to make life easer upon our return to Canada.
5. For us personally it cost $25/each for 180 days at immigration.
6. Have copies of everything...from the purchase agreement to your insurance coverage to your pasports.
7. Travelling with dogs you will need your vet to examin your pet, fill out a Canadain Animal Export Form
   as well as a Canada Agriculture form stamped within 10 days of crossing into mexico. We got ours stamped in Vernon, BC.
   Belize gives you 14 days to make it across their border only. So no dilly dadling MAKE COPIES OF THESE PAPERS AS WELL.
   $50 Vet exam fee, $20 each pet for Canadian Agricultural stamp.
8. Make sure you have Pesos for gas and food as not all gas stations accept major credit cards. Nor do the borders.

We went the longest possible route through Mexico. From Juarez to Mexico City then over to Chetumal. We thought this route would be best because
of all the toll highways. We are unsure what the other roads looked like but we spent $3900 pesos getting to Chetumal from Juarez and only about
10% of the roads were decent. So pack your unit well! Also make sure you have a spare tire for your RV as well as your tow vehicle.

Also if you drive in or around mexico city please google what their license plates laws are regarding emmission control. We were driving through
Mexico City on a Friday and got a $250 USD fine because our plate on our trailer ends in the #9. arguably the trailer does not have an engine
therefore no emmissions but you try telling a mexican policia that. They originally asked for $500 USD so we got away with paying less. 

During our road trip through mexico, we boondocked at PEMEX gas stations. Sounds crazy, but they have armed guards there and it was safe.
If you happen to see something you think is shady, it probably is so look the other way. Pay no attention. It took us 4 nights and 5 days driving
to make it through Mexico.

At the Mexico / Belize border there is what is called a free zone. To enter it, you leave Mexico, but you do not enter Belize yet. We stayed in the
free zone for 1 night at the Las Vegas Hotel. A great hotel with very friendly and helpful staff. There are bank machines that give out belize dollars.

Entering into Belize is tricky. There are 5 steps with no pets, 6 with pets.
1. Get Belize car insurance before you enter Belize. In the free zone there are insurance companies. They insure up to 4 months but only for comprehensive.
   So drive carefully!!
2. There is a little white house that you have to stop at before the border. They spray/fumigate your trailer to get rid of the cockroaches that you may have picked up in Mexico. Cost $6 Belize.
3. Go to immigration. this is where you may need to lie. If you plan on staying more than a month NEVER tell them that. Tell them that you are
   visiting for 30 days or less. Being honest will make you have to pay 12% duty up to 70% duty on your vehicles and contents.
4. Get your vehicle import permits. Again only say 30 days.
5. See the BAHA officials regarding your pets. Inspection $10 USD each pet.
6. Get your vehicle inspected and off you go! You are now in Belize.
(We somehow got away with not paying immigration for entrance so we do not know how much this costs).

The first town you will enter is Corozal Town. In Corozal Town there is a great RV Resort with full hookup. It's called Caribbean Village. The cost is $20USD per night or $480 USD per month.
It is right across the street from the ocean with unobstructed views. The Owners and staff are very friendly and helpful.

The only other RV spots with Full Hookups are in San Ignacio. They have `two at the time of this writing.
San Ignacio is a very beautiful town that borders Guatemala. Their market is a must see! The food is awesome and the people are amazing!

DO NOT trust any advertisements that say they are RV friendly. They are not. Period. Unless you are in a camper van or something very small and you do not require hookups. We drove all through Belize looking and had to boondock. There simply are no RV resorts except the three I mentioned.

Once into Belize for your 30 days, you can pretty much stay as long as they let you. On your immigration form there are 4 more spots for extensions. But understand you can extend much longer if you wish.

So, one or two days prior to your exit date that immigration gave you, you simply go to an immigration office
(if you have a vehicle &/or RV you must go to one that has customs at it). Immigration is in most major towns.
Immigration with Customs is at the border you crossed or at Big Creek as they have a port of entry there. 

Driving to Belize has been an adventure to say the least. Traffic in Mexico is insanely busy! Never go into a Mexican township with your RV as
you will get stuck. That goes for Belize as well. The streets are way to narrow and way to busy with other motorists and pedestrians. Almost all cities
have some sort of bypass around them. Use them!

On a side note, we are currently the only RV in Belize. And driving through Mexico we seemed to be the only one also. People will look and stare
as they haven't seen an RV in a long time. Just give them a wave and they smile and wave back.

The issues that are in Mexico right now and seem to have been plagued with for last few years (mostly drug related), has unfortunately eliminated
most RV tourism into Central America. It would be nice to see it as a RV destination again, as it was in the past. 

We did not experience anything bad or scary in our travels down here.

Belize is a small, beautiful country with lots to see and do while here. And most people in Belize speak English.

If you are thinking about driving down here, do it! You will love the experience! Lots of people will scare you with their tales of woe and of what they
have heard. Go with your gut. Be friendly and polite and again, trust your gut. If something feels "off" it probably is so politely excuse yourself and go
on your merry way.

Happy travels.