Should You RV to Mexico? Pros & Cons of RVing Outside the U.S.

This post may contain affiliate links.

There is a rising interest in RVing outside the U.S., and it doesn’t surprise us! RVing in another country can be an exciting way to explore a new territory. For many, this excitement is balanced with intimidation too. Crossing a border in your home-on-wheels opens the door to new landscapes, cultures and experiences, while still having your home with you. With this excitement however comes many questions about safety, logistics, and how the road might figuritively and literally be different beyond the familair highways of the States.

We recently ran a poll on RV Inspiration and found that 51.6% of readers would feel comfortable taking their RV into Mexico or Canada, while 48.4% said they wouldn’t feel comfortable attempting to RV outside the US at all. Interestingly enough, 0% said they would go as far as Central or South America—highlighting the hesitations many travelers still have about longer international routes.

Here is the good news! Thousands of RVers safely make these trips every single year, and with research, planning and the support of the expansive RV community, cross-border travel is far more achieveable than most people initially suspect. This guide will explore what it’s like to RV to Mexico, drive through Canada to Alaska, and travel beyond North American, and even rent RV’s in other countries.

Want to deep dive into what RVs look like around the world? Check out this cool roundup we did!

RVing to Canada and Alaska

If you’ve ever driven into Canada, then you already have a leg-up on this route, because traveling with an RV in Canada or driving your RV to Alaska through Canada is one of the most straightforward forms of international RV travel. The border-crossing process typically requires the same documents as driving a car through, such as passports, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance that covers travel in Canada. However, you’ll need to be aware of restrictions on food, alcohol, and firearms, which Canada takes seriously.

Best Routes & Highlights

Many RVers follow the classic Alberta–British Columbia route into the Yukon, connecting to the Alaska Highway (ALCAN). Others prefer the scenic, less-traveled Cassiar Highway with its rugged mountain views and abundant wildlife. These are bucket-list drives filled with national parks, glaciers, hot springs, and remote boondocking sites.

Ready to dip your toes into boondocking? We’ve got the guide for that!

Documentation & Pet Requirements

One super important step before hitting the road is making sure your RV insurance covers international travel, because not all do. It may be something you can easily add on. As for pets, they generally need a current rabies certificate and sometimes additional paperwork. Canada also had breed-specific bans in certain provinces, so make sure to check this as well.

Helpful Resources:

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/ftfnorthoftheborder/ 
• https://www.thervgeeks.com/rv-border-crossing-us-into-canada/

RVing to Mexico

The top concern of many people wanting to RV to Mexico is safety; however, seasoned RVers who’ve been there often say the reality is very different than the folklore. As with any place you’re not familiar with when traveling, you have to use common safety sense like sticking to main highways, traveling during daylight, and staying in established RV parks/campgrounds. These are simple ways to reduce risk!

Tolls Roads, Fuel, and Campgrounds

Mexico’s toll roads (called cuotas) are usually the safest and best maintained for RVing in Mexico. PEMEX fuel stations are widespread and good for RVers, but pro tip—they usually prefer cash over card transactions. RV-friendly campgrounds also exist throughout the country, with Baja California, Puerto Vallarta, and the Yucatán as top-rated destinations.

Want to see real-life examples? We’ve got many! Nate and Christian Axness (@projecttrek) are great examples of successful long-term Mexico RV travelers—they loved Baja so much they moved into an RV resort there at Siempre Mañana. For detailed planning in Baja, check out Crazy Family Adventure’s Baja guide, or RVshare’s Central Mexico article. We also love how helpful this popular YouTube video on RVing to Mexico is.

Travel Groups

• Fulltime Families Traveling Mexico
• Mexico Travel Buddies Facebook Group

PS! Thinking about shipping your RV cross-country (including South/Central America? We have info on that too! Read here.

Beyond North America

Very few RVers attempt routes into Central or South America—something reflected clearly in the poll, where 0% said they’d take an RV that far. While the idea is appealing to adventure seekers, we don’t sugar-coat it… international RV travel beyond North America requires extensive planning.

Challenges include complex border paperwork, inconsistent road infrastructure, frequent checkpoints, insurance requirements for multiple countries, and language barriers. These trips are best suited for long-term, highly experienced overlanders who don’t mind uncertainty or slow travel.

A great resource for understanding the process is Desk to Dirtbag’s guide to overlanding Central America, which outlines realistic expectations, route notes, and essential paperwork. This is not for beginners, but if you’re a seasoned RVer who is up for it, this could be the adventure of a lifetime.

Renting an RV in Other Countries

One of the easiest and most fun ways to experience RVing outside the US is by renting an RV abroad instead of bringing your own. Renting removes the hassle of international insurance, border inspections, and importing a U.S. vehicle.

RV travel couple Heath and Alyssa Padgett have rented RVs in Italy, Japan, and New Zealand while traveling with their kids, proving that family-friendly RV rentals exist worldwide. Travelers also report great experiences renting in Iceland, Australia, Scotland, and throughout Europe.

Renting lets you experience new camping styles, European campervan layouts, and international road systems with minimal risk.

Preparing Your RV for International Travel

If you do decide to take your own RV abroad, preparation is key! Here are just a few things to think about beforehand (the list, of course, is extensive!)

Insurance & Documentation

• Mexico requires third-party liability insurance purchased from a Mexican insurance provider.
• Canada requires proof of insurance covering travel there.
• Keep passports, vehicle registration, and (for Mexico) your Temporary Import Permit (TIP).
• Make sure your pets are up to date on registration, vaccines and any other requirements per country.

It’s always best to have all these documents and proof of information printed in physical form as well. You never know where you’re going to hit a no-service zone on the road!

Connectivity

In order to stay connected to friends and families, you’ll need international SIM cards, eSIMs, or something like Starlink to help ensure reliable communication, especially if you plan to work on the road. Offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me) and iOverlander are essential navigation tools as well.

Campsite & Road Research

Finding reliable camping and road information becomes even more important when RVing outside the US, and luckily there are many traveler-tested tools that help you plan routes, avoid hazards, and choose safe, comfortable places to stay.

Recommended campsite and road-research tools:

• iOverlander – One of the most widely used global camping databases. It gives information on RV parks, dry camping spots, dump stations, fuel, water, propane, and border notes. It’s especially valuable in Mexico!
• Campendium – Helpful for Canada and Baja; provides RV park reviews, boondocking locations, and cell signal reports.
• The Dyrt – Excellent for Canada and some Mexico regions, especially where established campgrounds are available.
• Sekr – Good for community-sourced boondocking and campground info across the U.S., Canada, and parts of Mexico.
• AllTrails – Primarily for hiking, but extremely helpful for understanding terrain, road access, and reviews of trailhead parking areas where RVs may stop.
• Google Maps Offline + Maps.me – Essential for remote Mexico and Canada, where service can drop. You can download offline maps before driving major legs so you’ll know you’ll be covered.
• Government & park websites
  • Parks Canada – Reservation system, campground closures, road advisories.
  • BC Parks – Great for travelers heading toward Alaska.
  • CONANP (Mexico) – Mexico’s National Parks site for official closures and protected areas.

Facebook groups for real-time road updates and campground alerts:

• Fulltime Families Traveling Mexico
• Mexico Travel Buddies
• On the Road in Mexico – RVers
• Pan-American Travelers Association
• Fulltime Families North of the Border

These groups are invaluable for learning about temporary road closures, construction delays, safety concerns, weather events, and campground recommendations from other travelers already on the ground. You may even make a connection with others you can be along the route!

Final Thoughts on RVing Outside the U.S.

All in all, traveling with your RV beyond U.S. borders can be an unforgettable way to experience the world. Whether you’re dreaming of wildlife-filled drives through Canada, warm winter months in Baja, or a rental campervan adventure in Europe or Japan, international RV travel offers new scenery and deeper cultural experiences you won’t find at home.

While there are real considerations like insurance, safety, paperwork, and road differences, thousands of RVers safely make these journeys every year. There are a lot of amazing folks ready to share their knowledge! With solid research, community support, and the right preparation, you can confidently explore new countries with your home on wheels.

And if taking your own RV feels overwhelming, remember that renting overseas offers a low-stress, high-adventure alternative. Wherever you choose to go, the world of international RV travel is wide open and waiting!