Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am planning on going to Mexico to photograph reptiles. Does anybody have stories or advice? Thanks.

Speak spanish
stay out of trouble
have fun

I have been to many areas of Mexico herping (and birding) over the years. I go every chance I get. And I hardly speak a word of Spanish. Here are a few tips I wish I had known before I set out on my first Mexican trip.

Generally it is an easy place to travel, as long as you accept that it is a foreign country and they get to make the rules. Most gringos I see that get in trouble are those that have the "I'm an American, dammit!" attitude or the "these people don't know how to run a country" attitude. Its a great country; accept it for what it is and you will have a great time.

Depending on where you go, you are going to see the effects of extreme habitat destruction (not as obvious in the desert areas as it is in the tropical wet areas).

And if you expect to see hundreds of cool tropical animals on your trip, temper your expectations. It isn't that the herps aren't there, they are just hard to find, particularly in the wetter areas. (Except for a few abundant species, I see a lot more diversity and numbers of herps when I a herping in the US).

What is cool about Mexico is the fact that you can find so many interesting species.

In general, it is possible to herp unfenced land without any problems, but stay away from areas with houses, etc., and don't break down rock walls, etc looking for lizards. You don't often find large boards or tin to flip like you can in the US (building materials are too valuable!) but there are lots of rocks and logs and lots of leaf litter in forested areas.

Road hunting can be tricky. The problem is that most roads that go anywhere are very heavily travelled. Get the Guia Roji State maps or road atlas and look for roads that go off to small towns and dead end or roads that parallel a bigger road. They are often quieter.

And even if you find a less travelled road, there are often hordes of people standing on or walking along it. Also, beware domestic animals (not just dogs, but cows, horses,and burrows) sleeping on the road at night.

One other important rule - expect people anywhere and everywhere. It always amazes me how you will be out in the middle of nowhere herping and suddenly look up and there is a person walking down the trail etc. It can lead to some embarrasment (choose your baño stops carefully!).

Read the current US, Canadian, British, Australian travel advisories for the area. There are a few places in Mexico that are unsettled at best, dangerous at worst. I wouldn't go to SE Chiapas right now, and I would be careful if you end up in the Sierra Madre between Mazatlan and Durango, or north of Acupulco (towards Chilapancingo). The problem in Chiapas is political while the problem in these latter areas is drug crops being protected from discovery.

Also be aware of the border crossing regulations in advance (how to bring a car in, etc.) If you are driving into the country, you can save a lot of time by registering you car in advance at the [url=https://www.banjercito.com.mx/iitv/index_en.htm]Banjercito Vehicle Importation site[/a]. That way you walk up and get your permit without much waiting.

Mexico is not as cheap to travel in as it used to be a few years ago, either. Gas is now approaching $3 gallon and even the cheaper hotels that used to cost $10 a night or less are now charging $20-30 or more. Food is still reasonable. Of course, you can only buy gasoline with cash and the same is true for many cheaper hotels and campgrounds. Fortunately, most reasonable sized towns now have ATM machines.

I am not trying to discourage you, just to prepare you if you haven't been there recently. Enjoy the trip, you will find yourself wanting to go back for more!

I have a few trip reports - my field notes (mostly birding but some herp info) at our web site (most of it is empty, but there are a few links on the Mexico page). www.intrepidtraveler.net

You cannot bring guns or ammunition into the country. Don't try and hide something in your car ("just for safety". There are frequent searches of vehicles (you will be searched) all over the country and they are specifically looking for guns and drugs. If they find any, you are going to spend a long time in a Mexican prison.

And, of course, nothing you find down there is worth the jail time and thousands (tens of thousands) of dollars in fines you would pay if you are caught at the border with live animals.
-----
Chris Harrison

I have been to many areas of Mexico herping (and birding) over the years. I go every chance I get. And I hardly speak a word of Spanish.

Generally it is an easy place to travel, as long as you accept that it is a foreign country and they get to make the rules. Most gringos I see that get in trouble are those that have the "I'm an American, dammit!" attitude or the "these people don't know how to run a country" attitude. Its a great country; accept it for what it is and you will have a great time.

Depending on where you go, you are going to see the effects of extreme habitat destruction (not as obvious in the desert areas as it is in the tropical wet areas).

And if you expect to see hundreds of cool tropical animals on your trip, temper your expectations. It isn't that the herps aren't there, they are just hard to find, particularly in the wetter areas. (Except for a few abundant species, I see a lot more diversity and numbers of herps when I a herping in the US).

What is cool about Mexico is the fact that you can find so many interesting species.

In general, it is possible to herp unfenced land without any problems, but stay away from areas with houses, etc., and don't break down rock walls, etc looking for lizards. You don't often find large boards or tin to flip like you can in the US (building materials are too valuable!) but there are lots of rocks and logs and lots of leaf litter in forested areas.

Road hunting can be tricky. The problem is that most roads that go anywhere are very heavily travelled. Get the Guia Roji State maps or road atlas and look for roads that go off to small towns and dead end or roads that parallel a bigger road. They are often quieter.

And even if you find a less travelled road, there are often hordes of people standing on or walking along it. Also, beware domestic animals (not just dogs, but cows, horses,and burrows) sleeping on the road at night.

One other important rule - expect people anywhere and everywhere. It always amazes me how you will be out in the middle of nowhere herping and suddenly look up and there is a person walking down the trail etc. It can lead to some embarrasment (choose your baño stops carefully!).

Lastly, read the current US, Canadian, British, Australian travel advisories for the area. There are a few places in Mexico that are unsettled at best, dangerous at worst. I wouldn't go to SE Chiapas right now, and I would be careful if you end up in the Sierra Madre between Mazatlan and Durango, or north of Acupulco (towards Chilapancingo). The problem in Chiapas is political while the problem in these latter areas is drug crops being protected from discovery.

Also be aware of the border crossing regulations in advance (how to bring a car in, etc.) If you are driving into the country, you can save a lot of time by registering you car in advance at the [url=https://www.banjercito.com.mx/iitv/index_en.htm]Banjercito Vehicle Importation site[/a]. That way you walk up and get your permit without much waiting.

Mexico is not as cheap to travel in as it used to be a few years ago, either. Gas is now approaching $3 gallon and even the cheaper hotels that used to cost $10 a night or less are now charging $20-30 or more. Food is still reasonable. Of course, you can only buy gasoline with cash and the same is true for many cheaper hotels and campgrounds. Fortunately, most reasonable sized towns now have ATM machines.

If you are taking photos, bring all the film and batteries you need (including weird camera batteries). That sort of stuff can be hard to find.

I am not trying to discourage you, just to prepare you if you haven't been there recently. Enjoy the trip, you will find yourself wanting to go back for more!

I have a few trip reports - my field notes (mostly birding but some herp info) at our web site (most of it is empty, but there are a few links on the Mexico page). www.intrepidtraveler.net

You cannot bring guns or ammunition into the country. Don't try and hide something in your car ("just for safety". There are frequent searches of vehicles (you will be searched) all over the country and they are specifically looking for guns and drugs. If they find any, you are going to spend a long time in a Mexican prison.

And, of course, nothing you find down there is worth the jail time and thousands (tens of thousands) of dollars in fines you would pay if you are caught at the border with live animals.
It is cheaper to buy anything cb in the US.
-----
Chris Harrison

>>I have been to many areas of Mexico herping (and birding) over the years. I go every chance I get. And I hardly speak a word of Spanish.
>>
>>Generally it is an easy place to travel, as long as you accept that it is a foreign country and they get to make the rules. Most gringos I see that get in trouble are those that have the "I'm an American, dammit!" attitude or the "these people don't know how to run a country" attitude. Its a great country; accept it for what it is and you will have a great time.
>>
>>Depending on where you go, you are going to see the effects of extreme habitat destruction (not as obvious in the desert areas as it is in the tropical wet areas).
>>
>>And if you expect to see hundreds of cool tropical animals on your trip, temper your expectations. It isn't that the herps aren't there, they are just hard to find, particularly in the wetter areas. (Except for a few abundant species, I see a lot more diversity and numbers of herps when I a herping in the US).
>>
>>What is cool about Mexico is the fact that you can find so many interesting species.
>>
>>In general, it is possible to herp unfenced land without any problems, but stay away from areas with houses, etc., and don't break down rock walls, etc looking for lizards. You don't often find large boards or tin to flip like you can in the US (building materials are too valuable!) but there are lots of rocks and logs and lots of leaf litter in forested areas.
>>
>>Road hunting can be tricky. The problem is that most roads that go anywhere are very heavily travelled. Get the Guia Roji State maps or road atlas and look for roads that go off to small towns and dead end or roads that parallel a bigger road. They are often quieter.
>>
>>And even if you find a less travelled road, there are often hordes of people standing on or walking along it. Also, beware domestic animals (not just dogs, but cows, horses,and burrows) sleeping on the road at night.
>>
>>One other important rule - expect people anywhere and everywhere. It always amazes me how you will be out in the middle of nowhere herping and suddenly look up and there is a person walking down the trail etc. It can lead to some embarrasment (choose your baño stops carefully!).
>>
>>Lastly, read the current US, Canadian, British, Australian travel advisories for the area. There are a few places in Mexico that are unsettled at best, dangerous at worst. I wouldn't go to SE Chiapas right now, and I would be careful if you end up in the Sierra Madre between Mazatlan and Durango, or north of Acupulco (towards Chilapancingo). The problem in Chiapas is political while the problem in these latter areas is drug crops being protected from discovery.
>>
>>Also be aware of the border crossing regulations in advance (how to bring a car in, etc.) If you are driving into the country, you can save a lot of time by registering you car in advance at the [url=https://www.banjercito.com.mx/iitv/index_en.htm]Banjercito Vehicle Importation site[/a]. That way you walk up and get your permit without much waiting.
>>
>>Mexico is not as cheap to travel in as it used to be a few years ago, either. Gas is now approaching $3 gallon and even the cheaper hotels that used to cost $10 a night or less are now charging $20-30 or more. Food is still reasonable. Of course, you can only buy gasoline with cash and the same is true for many cheaper hotels and campgrounds. Fortunately, most reasonable sized towns now have ATM machines.
>>
>>If you are taking photos, bring all the film and batteries you need (including weird camera batteries). That sort of stuff can be hard to find.
>>
>>I am not trying to discourage you, just to prepare you if you haven't been there recently. Enjoy the trip, you will find yourself wanting to go back for more!
>>
>>I have a few trip reports - my field notes (mostly birding but some herp info) at our web site (most of it is empty, but there are a few links on the Mexico page). www.intrepidtraveler.net
>>
>>You cannot bring guns or ammunition into the country. Don't try and hide something in your car ("just for safety". There are frequent searches of vehicles (you will be searched) all over the country and they are specifically looking for guns and drugs. If they find any, you are going to spend a long time in a Mexican prison.
>>
>>And, of course, nothing you find down there is worth the jail time and thousands (tens of thousands) of dollars in fines you would pay if you are caught at the border with live animals.
>> It is cheaper to buy anything cb in the US.
>>-----
>>Chris Harrison
-----
Chris Harrison