Van Life Driving to CENTRAL AMERICA | Crossing the Mexico and Belize Border
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- We drove our van across the Mexico and Belize Border to accomplish our van life and travel goal of Canada to Central America. Our journey begins in Bacalar, Mexico with the end goal of the Wild Horse Cottage in Sarteneja, Belize. What was supposed to be a quick 2 hour drive turned into a crazy day at the border and a run in with an unexpected stranger. We spent a few hours on the Mexico border turning in our FMM and paying the tourist tax. Then another few hours in Belize getting all the correct documentation like health and car insurance. Finally passed the border we run into a few manual crank ferries that add hours onto our drive but we do meet some great people along the way. We were offered a free spot to stay on the beach from an expat living in Belize. We took him up on his offer but then we were forced out by the property care taker. This is the first time we've ever had a scare in the van. Finally we make it back to the Horse Cottage where we booked a ferry to take us to San Pedro, Belize!
#VanLife #Belize #TravelVlog
Products We Use in the Van
Bed
• Mattress topper (We have 2 in and wish we went with 3 in) - amzn.to/3BZfUSw
• Sheets and Pillowcases (Full - Blue Grey) - amzn.to/3j7W5jm
• Duvet Cover - amzn.to/3zU5JwF
Kitchen & Cooking
• Paper Towel Holder - amzn.to/3Am1MBk
• Refrigerator Storage Bins - Medium - amzn.to/3rHjsnM
• Refrigerator Storage Bins - Bottom Shelf - amzn.to/2UYlCUb
• Plastic Dish Set -amzn.to/3rHLkbr
• Yeti 30 oz Rambler - amzn.to/3yt26xD
• Sink Scrubbie Holder - amzn.to/3j6CMH5
• Drawer Organizers - amzn.to/3xfokl1
• Blackstone Griddle - amzn.to/3yh6Vtx
• Blackstone Griddle Cover - amzn.to/3BXJZBS
• Griddle Utensils - amzn.to/3lde3Dw
• Portable Espresso Maker - amzn.to/3zQ3udR
• Aeropress Coffee Maker - amzn.to/3xyKqz8
• Coffee Bean Grinder - amzn.to/3xF1kfL
Cleaning
• Mini Shark Vacuum - amzn.to/2Vx0Aft
Bathroom
• Toilet Cleaner Brush - amzn.to/3j5WKld
• Porta Pack for Holding Tank - amzn.to/3rXgJGX
• Eco-Friendly Shower Shampoo/Soap - amzn.to/3jzcYn0
• Laundry Bags - amzn.to/3lF7EkI
• Mirror - amzn.to/3CrKa8H
Work Stations & Electronics
• Computer Monitor Stand - amzn.to/3lFnKuI
• Kindle - amzn.to/36twRpL
Storage & Hooks
• Clothing Bins fit in cubby above driver & passenger seats - tidd.ly/3feK1vm
○ Message Seller for custom bins - Length 12.25in, Width 10.5in, Height 7.5in
○ Color: Black
• Storage Bins - Used in bathroom - 2 small, kitchen - 1 small, electronics cabinet - 1 small, garage on top of black aluminum boxes - 1 large, 1 small, Garage under bench seat - 1 medium - amzn.to/3CpLjxt
• Aluminum Black Storage Box 1 used in garage, 1 used on roof - amzn.to/2Voa6lf
• Adhesive Velcro Netting - amzn.to/3xv4CBO
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• Self Adhesive Wall Hooks - Stainless steel - amzn.to/3AgKSE0
• Plastic Adhesive Wall hooks - amzn.to/2VDhM2p
Cockpit
• Visor Mirror - amzn.to/37uGQLG
• Blackout Curtains - amzn.to/3xxCa2i
Bikes
• Bike Cover - XL - amzn.to/3fEGYNb
• Bike Rack - rockymounts.co...
Modifications
• Hose Filter - Drinking Water - amzn.to/3yuoMxr
Vehicle Maintenance / Needs
• Tire Deflator - amzn.to/3fDW99z
• Portable Compressor 40045 400P - amzn.to/3CsQ7m6
• 25 FT Water Hose Fill Up - amzn.to/2TYCYj4
• Tool Roll Organizer - amzn.to/3Cs6BdS
• Bungee Cords - amzn.to/3yygILS
• Hatchet - amzn.to/3xtOSiA
Outside
• Camping Chairs - www.rei.com/pr...
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We're Faris and Lisa
A travel couple from Metro Detroit, MI. We met in business school and started traveling immediately post graduation in 2016 while maintaining automotive marketing positions. We’ve traveled to over 35 different countries together and still can’t get enough!
In April 2021, we made the leap and quit our 9-5 jobs to follow our dreams of full time travel. We sold our house, donated all of our belongings and moved into Tina. Now we document all of our travels via travel vlog style! Subscribe to our UA-cam channel and Newsletter to follow along on our adventure as we explore North America.
Wow Faris, look at your tan! You looked great! Crazy heat,I can imagine, probably like Philippines, hot and humid. I have never seen a manual cranked ferry 🤔😆. Shame the owner of the private property didn't inform the caretaker. 😱. Beautiful video as always!!!! Take care, can't wait for another video! I feel like I'm a groupie now. 🤣
Hot, sweaty and tropical over here. I bet it is very similar to the Philippines. When we went to Thailand it had that same feel. You are definitely a number one fan! And we love you for that :)
I'm glad to hear you are having funs and staying safe. You were right to leave the first place, when you feel unsafe, the best thing is to trust your gut and move on. Thanks for sharing, I'm looking forward to more adventures.
We agree! Always follow your gut. Thanks for commenting! :) we always appreciate it
You two are always having the most interesting experiences, some a bit nerve wracking but you handle everything so well! That dog looked absolutely ferocious so glad you left! And cranking that ferry must have been a workout in that heat!
one more thing, please insert "Winnebago Revel 4x4" in your titles should net you another 100k views in a few weeks. It will give you a better fan service for Revel 4x4 base. "Revel 4x4 on a manual crank" 😂
Haha as much as we love the revel community… we would love to interact with more than just a singular Van community. Especially people who are up for travel and foreign adventures. It’s a great niche and you are probably right, but that is not our intention for these videos. That is a great title though 😂
That is so helpful. I have a 2020 Mercedes sprinter and have hesitant to take it beyond Baja. Would love if you can keep us informed on this aspect as you hopefully press further into Central and possibly even South America!😀
I just got a bus so I’ve been watching so many video on all this stuff. I loooove this!
Hi Matt! So cool, Glad you found us!
Congrats on the bus, Matt! Enjoy it, and safe travels!! 😌🚐
The ferry ride looks so cool. Awesome job rowing lol 😂
Haha had to give those boys a break. They are working all day long.
Love the video
Thanks bud!
Great! 90f! When was that? Can modern sprinter go there, no def or fuel issue? Is propane tan k ok? Think of going to Costa Rica. Enjoy your trip!😅
You should visit Roatan in Honduras.
Wow just googled it. Looks amazing!
Been thinking about a trip to Belize I've said for years North/Central America should just go w/ an EU-type of soft border crossing system where your passport/insurance is reciprocal from country to country.
There is what they call a C4 for Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador, but it doesn’t seem to alleviate all that much. It makes the journey interesting. Driving down to Belize has been an eye opener to possibilities.
Great adventures! Question on Diesel: are you finding and using Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) or just whatever diesel is available?
Any impact on the van performance?
Hi Victor, there are a decent amount of Mobil stations that have ultra low sulfur diesel labeled so we try to fill up there. Mostly we only go to foreign pumps that import their fuel because during our research a lot of the diesel in Mexico has been tested and the Sulfur levels are quite low even if it not advertised. That being said, in this video we stopped at Pemex (mexicos national brand) to top of just because we did not want to fill in Belize. If anything I think the van has performed better. There are a lot of commercial Mercedes Sprinters on the road all using diesel and we have met a few travelers in newer Sprinters that have been there for 2+ years without any issues. Also on the fuel websites, main areas (cities, main tourist destinations) and the toll roads between them should all have low sulfur. Again the information is a little unclear, but I would not hesitate. Another note the diesel here is higher octane which I believe also improves performance. Now for Belize. They do not have any fuel regulations. Luckily it is such a small country that traversing it will take less that a half tank.
Posted my reply in wrong spot. Thanks for the detailed explanation. So helpful as I consider taking my 2020 Mercedes Sprinter an the PanAm route
Hi
thinking about driving our truck and 41ft 5th wheel to Belize. Any tips?
That is definitely doable. There are RV camp spots all the way down there. Use the toll roads and go through the middle of Mexico. You will be good. Use the app IOverlander for all the camp spots