MN to GTO

[DianaL]

Hello, I am a retired surgical RN and I am moving from MN to GTO in November, probably the first two weeks of that month. I have received wonderful advice from expats from GTO I have met via a network of friends going all the way back to people I grew up with in Saudi Arabia.

Thus, I have received advice on visas, car insurance and roads, but one of the expats feels I shouldn't drive alone after I cross the border. (I am a young 71 y/o.) It is possible I can get a companion in TX to drive with me, but just in case that plan falls through, it was suggested I join this forum and see if anyone of you is driving to GTO about the same time. My exact date is flexible. The idea is that I would follow, as in caravan, another person driving to GTO.

There is one complication. I am traveling with my three Boxers. I have already researched taking my dogs to Mexico and will have all the required paper work. One of my Boxers is my service dog, one is a service dog in training and the third is a rescued puppy mill bitch. All have obedience training and in fact, the service dog has AKC ribbons in obedience. The service dog in training will also compete once he settles down and can concentrate. At 2 years of age, he is still a silly puppy.

Traveling with three dogs means I will need to stop every 3-4 hours to let them out to stretch their legs. I do have a question regarding my dogs, though. One new expat friend said hotels/motels do not allow dogs. He suggested I find a place to stay that is used for "trysts" because they often have private entrances and I can sneak my dogs in. If anyone has a name for a place like this on my journey, that would be helpful. I do plan on staying overnight in San Luis Potosi and leaving early for GTO.

As a surgical RN with some natural OCD issues common with RNs, I am leery of sleeping on a bed used for "trysts". I will be taking a sleeping bag. Any comments on the cleanliness of places to stay are VERY welcome.

I will, if necessary, find a safe place to park my Jeep and sleep in it with my dogs. No way would I leave my dogs in my Jeep overnight without me.

BTW, I am fluent in Spanish. I lived in Mexico City for nearly 5 years in the 1970's and have been used as a translator at the hospitals where I have worked both in surgery and PACU.

As a person who has traveled extensively and traveled alone as young as the age of 14 to Saudi Arabia, I am not reluctant to drive alone in Mexico, but I am also fool hearty, taking risks I shouldn't. I hope someone can help me. Please contact me via this forum or at my private email, dlboxerdog@gmail.com or call me at 651-230-7958. I appreciate your thoughts.

[MarionP]

We drove up from Guatemala years ago with our 3 dogs and 3 cats. We stayed at the motor hotels (trysts)
Usually they were not impressed we had dogs with us and told us to keep them outside which we did not. They have a private area to park your car right at your room so the dogs can use the washroom there with no fear of them getting out.
The rooms are super clean, I guess they are cleaned often. The room service menu was alcohol, cigars and condoms and usually only porn on the tv. They could not understand that we were there to sleep for the night and not just for an hour or two, so when one of us went out to buy food they were alsways asking if we were done with the room, ha ha.

Good luck with your trip.

[pianoheat]

You have touched on a lot of points There are hotels that take dogs but 3 may be a problem. looking on trip advisor or other sights you can actually select accept pets as one of your search criteria and then email or call. A Motel is a Mexican term for where you take your girlfriend or prostitute My wife and I accidentally stayed at one. Everyone went out of their way not to see us. Most have individual garages with doors that close so no one can see your license plate. They even had a revolving lazy susan in the wall for discreet food delivery. The food was good it seemed very clean and it was cheap. Problems might arise if your dogs bark and if you need to take them out to pee. If I where doing it I'd probably ask and tell them you'll leave them in the Garage. These places are not selling out and would probably be glad to take your money. good thing about Mexico is almost no carpets so even if the dogs have an accident it's an easy clean up.

Don't drive at night, Don't sleep in your car!

[The Duck]

Motels del paso are best midweek and especially not on quincena weekends where you might be advised that the maximum time is four hours.
Most all are set up discretely - you drive in to an intercom box an you request toda del noche [some motels will not offer this service until after 8pm or later] The barrier gate goes up and you look at a screen telling you of the room/garage number to go to. You drive in there and park. In a few minutes an attendant will come by to collect the fee. Usually there are no keys and the room will be open - get the dogs in the jacuzzi to keep them out of sight. I agree with the previous poster about food quality. Change is provided via the turntable window and instead of a mint a condom is left. Also some offer a complimentary drink on checkin. I always ask for two even if I'm alone.

Motels del paso are the best values in Mexico but with all the above said I do not recommend this for you even though you are adventurous. You'll have to cruise around looking for one as they are not on the internet - the locals just know where they are - you might run into the 8pm or later situation and it will be dark out and you'll be tired from a long drive.


Mejores hoteles que admiten mascotas en San Luis Potosí - TripAdvisor

Try the Sands Motel on the south end of the motel strip. It is on the right side of the road. Big rooms and a large lawn area. Small restaurant on site . Contact them in advance re the dogs.

[jesm]

Welcome. You will love living here, especially so when it is winter in MN.
Just an idea. We do this twice a year. It is almost exactly a 10 hour speed limit drive from Pharr, TX to GTO. Good freeway for 90% of the trip. We leave Pharr at first light, stop only as necessary, we travel with our one dog, and can get here just before dark.
Eliminates all that motel/dog hassle.
Just one guy's approach.

PS I cannot support your sleep "somewhere" idea. Not wise IMHO. Travel safe.

[Erika128]

We made the trip from Laredo, TX here with daylight to spare - got here around 4:30pm - with two big dogs, because I didn't want to deal with the motel issue either. We crossed the border around 6:30, but you could leave earlier if you don't mind being in the dark for a bit during that first leg. We stayed on the toll roads, and honestly, everything was just fine. Once you reach Matehuala or even San Luis Potosi, you're only a couple hours away, and it seemed silly to stop.

[DianaL]

Erika, that is so good to know! I do think that is what I will also plan to do. Am not sure if I will have another person to help me drive after crossing the border. Am trying to find someone, but I'm leaving a week from today and the one person who was going to go with me hasn't received her passport yet. Yes, I really don't want the hassle of Mexican motels. Tell me about where you stopped to let the dogs get out, relieve themselves, etc. Are there road side rest stops??

Please write me at dlboxerdog@gmail.com. Thanks so much. Diana

[Erika128]

We stopped at Pemex stations and just let them out to pee then. I think we only made one potty/gas break if I recall. No, there aren't any rest stops, not in Mexico that I've seen. You just pull over wherever and whenever you want/can. The Pemex people don't like dogs peeing on the manicured part of the grass though, so just be aware. I just go to the end or back of the lot and didn't have any trouble. You'll be going through rural areas primarily, so there are lots of places to stop.

[pianoheat]

Most likely you will be going through a lot of toll booths most have little stores and restaurants areas to park and grassy areas for the dogs.