AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Chat Area Follow up request for people who travled with dogs and survived

Glad to see you guys made it to Belize! I'd read the posting Traveling via Mexico with Dogs. There was a lot of good info there. I'm very curious now. How was it traveling with dogs through Mexico to Belize?

I'm crossing the Mexican border at the end of the month with my Deerhound. I have a feeling that you can understand my worries. All the technical stuff is taken care of, shots, paper work, etc. It's dealing with lodgings, people, and pet supplies that concerns me. Hearing from some people that have just done the trip, what you experienced, and have to say, would be invaluable to me and others about to do the same. If you have the time, I'd love to hear your accounts.

24 days and counting.

PS Thank God this sites back. It's really appreciated.

[This message has been edited by Woz (edited 07-05-2002).]

I have a real gut feeling, as you probably already do, about not finding accommodations that will allow the dog inside the room for the night. We've done the trip from Texas down the Gulf Coast and across the Southern Yucatan road six times, but with a much, much smaller dog. When we've had to resort to deception because of being refused permission and it's too hot to leave the dog in the car, he's small enough to put inside his Sherpa bag which looks like a duffel bag and be carried right into the room while no one suspects a thing.

Veterinaria shops are in any town of any size larger than a village where you can buy food. Most of them are geared toward farm animals but I'm sure you could find a sympathetic vet if you needed one. You'll probably find a lot of people fascinated by a dog the size of yours.

You might search www.mexconnect.com for more reading material and perhaps some recent information on any possible "pet friendly" lodging.

I had checked out mexconnect.com, it wasn't encouraging. I'm bringing my camping gear and have a great book on camping in Mexico as a lodging solution. But it would be nice to sleep in a bed and take a bath once in awhile. I'll be crossing in Nogales and going along the Pacific till Gaudalajara. Then crossing over to the Gulf side. Knowledge of any dog friendly motels along the way would be great. Unless I ran into a very very drunk, or blind Motel manager, sneaking her into a room would not be an option.

It's good to know about the Veterenia Shops though, thanks.

Another suggestion I have is one you might already know about and that is the Sanborn's mile-by-mile guides. They're pretty helpful in lots of ways by pointing out off-the-beaten-track places to eat/stay/fill up, but they're not necessarily 100% accurate. Depends on how recently Mexico Mike has updated a particular route. You'll have to get Mexican insurance coverage for that leg of your trip and I'm sure you can find an agency in AZ. There are other brands of insurance but we've always used Sanborn's (and hoped we won't need it.)

We use a Guia Roji atlas and a handheld GPS device as a foolproof backup to the maps which can be a frustrating reference because the highway numbers don't always jive with what's on the maps.

We did the drive from Toronto, Canada to Placencia, arriving last week. We have a van and a travel-trailer. Unfortunately, owing to the size of the trailer, a/c couldn't be turned on while pulling the beast. This meant that we started early in the morning, 7-ish, and stopped around 12 or 1, so our two dogs(english setters) and cats didn't get overheated.

Overall, the trip went very well. The pets were healthy all the way - only gave them bottled water and brought our own food. No problems at the borders, but we had all the paperwork, just in case.

We camped, using a great book by the Church's, as well as the Sanbourn's guide. I don't think there are too many dog-friendly hotels, but we did find a couple of dog-friendly restaurants (it is the slow season).

The military checkpoint guys in Mexico were very curious as to why we were bringing the pets with us. Unfortunately, our lack of Spanish didn't let us explain. Not curious in a bad way, just liked the dogs - they look a little different than your average Mexican dog.

Our expereince was very positive, so give it a go.

Mary

The soldiers always asked: "Que raza de perro?" (What kind of dog?)

"Como se llama?" (What's his name?)

"Mordida?" (Does he bite? Ans: yes!)

Skipper is a min pin who thinks he's a real Doberman, so he put on a good show for the guys. Always sped up our passage through the checkpoints.

Mary...so happy to hear you guys are there!!!! How is Placencia since Hurricane Iris??? Still lots of people without homes??? Glad to hear your trip was a success!!!!! Cheri and Rick

Thanks to every one. Funny, but it's things like giving the dog bottled water, and knowing what the gaurds are going to ask about the dog in Spanish, that are so good to know. Wasn't sure wich insurance to go with. Your suggestion of Sanborns clinched it. Will look for the Guia Roji atlas after I cross the border.

TWOSPOTDOG It was very reassuring hearing that your trip went so well. I'm afraid that I have just enough time left to start needlessly worring. You put a lot of my fears to rest. I have the Churches Camping book and am glad that it is as good as it looks.

In about 5 or 6 months if you see a little red headed lady (hair color might change enroute) and a big old Scotish Deerhound happily wandering through Belize it will be me.

23 days till the border crossing!

Hey Twospotdog-

Can you E us on your trip.. Thanks, Rick

Rickcheri@hotmail.com

Guia Roji maps are available in the US. We buy ours from a Mapsco store. If you do a Google search for Mapsco and/or Guia Roji, you could probably find an online source. I studied mine voraciously before our trips. Also, have you heard of "Peoples Guide to Mexico"? Do a search on that, too, and pick up some tips. The Guia Roji online tienda (store) is in Spanish but they have the 2002 version of the Gran Atlas de Carreteras. Doesn't matter if you don't speak or read Spanish; maps are maps.

Go by Nautical Inn and see Ben and Janie Ruoti when you go through Seine Bight (just on the north end of the village on the road.) Tell 'em Carole sent you and let them have a look at the dog. They'll love it!

[This message has been edited by ckocian (edited 07-08-2002).]