Job Discussion Forums

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

Hi All!

I know Christmas vacation hasn't quite started yet but after the hassle of trying to find a place at Playa del Carmen, I'm trying to 'learn my lesson' and start planning earlier!

I would really like to check out Oaxaca and/or Chiapas for the 2 weeks of Semana Santa, specifically the coastline. However.....I cannot leave Tequila (my dog) boarded for that long and there isn't anyone who can look after her. If I can't bring her, I can't go Crying or Very sad

Thus, I would like to bring her. So my question is:

Has anyone travelled with their dog around Mexico before? And what were the difficulties you experienced?

I would really appreciate any advice people have. She's a great traveller and would love the trip. I really want to make this happen so thanks for any help you can provided in helping me to do it!!

..dixie

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I brought my dogs to live in Acapulco for a time...that required a sedated ride on the bus - an experience I'll not put them through again. One of the troubles pets experience in Acapulco are ticks...the nastiest little critters to inhabit Mexico (and I include Yucatecos in that group). These soft bodied ticks are uncontrolled and very prevalent in the southern hot country I've read. There are vaccinations available against them, which work for all of three hours.

One of my dogs had skin trouble after taking a swim in the ocean outside Acapulco. Sand fleas infest many Mexican beaches as well.

Otherwise, renting a car and road tripping might be easy enough with Tequila. During the holiday period, things book up quite fast, so you may be at pains to find a spot that will take you, let alone your doggie. Smaller spots on the coast might be more easy-going about pets, so I've been told.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

The answer while on the road in Mexico (especially with a dog) are the 'moteles de paso', sometimes referred to in English as "romance motels". You will find them at the outskirts and burbs in every city and they are completely secure, as they don't see what or who is in your vehicle when you check in, and the garage door is pulled down behind you for privacy reasons. Wink

Foreigners loaded down with household goods and pets have happily discovered these places and take advantage of the perfect situation since many regular motels refuse pets and don't have particularly secure parking.

I understand it usually costs about $200.00 - $300.00 pesos a night depending upon location and the property. Apparently they are very adequately outfitted and you just need to specify that you are staying the ENTIRE night and not 2 hours. Smile

Easy to spot as they would be the properties with motel signs but you cannot see inside the walled grounds.
Enjoy your trip!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

gordogringo · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 159 Location: Tijuana

The usual policy at these places is that if you leave you must leave an id or you have checked out. They are very nice and many units have jaccuzis in them. I know because with all the sabrinas invading our house sometimes the novia and me need a place to get away. Just don't be offended if you see young ladies walking up and down the halls all night.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Present company excluded of course, Tim. Just trying to get a rise out of you. Wink

amelie · Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 4:58 pm Post subject: dogs

Hello,

My husband and I actually bought our two dogs while we were in Puebla. When we just had the one, she came EVERYWHERE with us. We didn't have a car either. Because she was so little (chihuahua) we smuggled her onto the bus in a doggie purse and then she slept on my lap after we got moving. We just never took the buses that required us to x-ray our bags. Generally I would have a "decoy" bag for the security to search and then just carry her on as my "purse". They would just pat the purse and she would stay absolutely still. It was hillarious. On one long busride, when she had to pee, she just came with me to the bathroom, I put some paper towels on the rubber floor and she went on them (she was paper trained). But she is a really quiet dog that travels well, so this might not work for you.

She came with us to Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido as well as Veracruz (Chachalacas). We had no trouble finding a hotel that would accept her. We would just ask before we booked if it would be ok to bring our chihuahua with us.

She loved the beach and most of the outdoor restaurants would allow her to chill underneith the table as we ate. Some waiters would be so infatuated with her that they would bring her water and sometimes food scraps.

If you want, I can tell you the names of the places we stayed in Oaxaca. They weren't 4-star or anything... just average and clean (about 250 pesos a night).

Good Luck!

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

amelie, that would be great if you could send me the names of the places you stayed! It would be a great help for me. Thank you!

Although Tequila still climbs onto my lap and thinks she's a lap dog...she outgrew that stage over 2 years ago!! She's about 4 chihuahuas tall and so sneaking her anywhere isn't overly easy.

As for the other motel options...I know what you mean. I hadn't thought of them before but....it's a good idea! But...wouldn't the owner wonder what was up when they saw only me in the car? We've always had to stop to at least say what we wanted and pay...And I'm not sure how I would do it so that they wouldn't see TEquila sitting there...

This could turn out to be quite the adventure!

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

The motels de paso I am referring to don't care to see you, let alone who is in your car. They operate on the premise of discretion. I don't know anything about the Tijuana ones that Gordogringo is referring to. (Tijuana is in it's own world) The ones I have heard of which friends and acquaintances have used along the highways are clean and safe and each one has a private garage for security... there are no hallways being walked outside your doorway.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:23 pm Post subject:

Dixie with larger dogs, the only way to travel is in your own car. I will tell you this, the cobination of altitute change with the curves can bring even a well travelled dog to the point of vomiting along Oaxacan highways. Shocked

I'm speaking not just from my own experience, but that of two other teachers who have transported dogs in cars between my town and Oaxaca City, the highway is curviest on the mountain pass which is over 2000 meters above sea level and of 5 dogs I know who have made this trip in private cars, 4 have vomited.
Just in case you were thinking of renting a car, get a tarp as well! Laughing

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

Melee...thanks for the vomitting warning! I'm pretty good at getting the head over the garbage can/bag...although doing it while driving around intense curves would be an added challenge!

Anyone have specific beach recommendations (maybe places a little more off the tourist path). And is it possible (and safe) to camp anywhere around the beach??

...dixie

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Thread on camping...

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=41197&highlight=camping