Well, we moved from Sayulita and up the road about 12 miles to Ron’s RV Park in the town of Lo de Marcos.
Lo de Marcos, a small town of some 2,500 people, is easily accessible by National Highway 200 from the north (San Blas: 1½ hrs) or from the south (Puerto Vallarta: 1 hr) and by National Highway 15 from the east (Guadalajara: 4 hrs). Lo de Marcos is surrounded by hills covered with lush semi-tropical vegetation, has beautiful beaches and enjoys summer-time weather year around. And, unlike the neighboring tourist towns, Lo de Marcos has maintained its small-town charm and unhurried life style. With the exception of Holy Week, around Easter, Lo de Marcos remains unperturbed by the hustle-bustle of the outside world. The casual tourist or would-be resident finds a tranquil atmosphere, friendly people and a welcoming attitude where discos, fast-food joints and malls have not yet intruded.
Lo de Marcos is home to about 7 or 8 RV parks. The largest, Villas Tlaquepaque and Trailer Park also know as El Refugio, has a couple of hundred spaces, pools, beach access and is associated with a really nice hotel, and they keep the pools clean using above ground robotic pool cleaners which are great for this See Comments: It has been pointed out that Villa Tlaquepaque (El Refugio) has only 70 spaces, not a couple of hundred. Hmm, it seemed larger. That will teach me to finish my research. One listing shows 32 full hook-ups. Well, I guess they are wrong too. Two new parks opened in December. One has the barest of essentials, and the sign labels itself as “New RV Park”. Another is Savage RV Park which is very nice with a small pool and will handle 15 rigs. Construction is underway for a new park that will accomodate about 50 rigs. Ron’s RV Park is about a block off of the beach and has been in business for 5 years and is quite unique, as Mexican RV parks go. The facilities are more like you might find in the US or Canada. The power is good, water pressure good, the grounds are spotless and they didn’t hold back on pouring cement. We’re not burdened with the sand and dust that generally filters through the air and settles on everything. There is even a separate parking lot for the trucks and tow vehicles.
Backing the rig in from the street was a snap with Ron’s guidance.
Those of you that are experiencing winter may not show much sympathy, but for the past 3 weeks, we have suffered through a cold spell. Most of the regulars indicate that this is the coldest that they have ever seen it here. Some days only get up into the mid-70’s and the nights are down-right cold, approaching 60 degrees.
Our next door neighbors threw a fish fry the other night with some halibut and salmon that they brought with them from Alaska. We gathered at the palapa nearest the pool for the party. You can see how everyone is bundled up.
We ate at tables on the other side of the pool.
You’ll be relieved to know that our cold snap is finished and with the help of the solar cover for the pool, the water is above 80 degrees.
The only blemish on the last few days happened when the microwave door-release button failed, trapping our thawing steaks that were destined for the hot grill. Removal and dissassembly of the entire oven was required to get to the release mechanism. 4-hours and a little super glue fixed it right up. I can’t believe it, but one guy on our Montana Forum had already prepared a slideshow demonstrating the repair. I guess we’re not the first to experience this problem. By the way, the steaks were thawed out by the time I got the door to open the next afternoon.
You guys do seem to have a bit more than your share of mechanical problems!! Fortunately, they have been all non fatal!!
Well, you expect some maintenance on a 9 year old vehicle, especially when you are pulling a house behind it. A diesel engine is supposed to last for hundreds of thousands of miles. It’s the other normal things that wear out, usually rubber, like on any vehicle.
When the appliances, in the 5th wheel, are bouncing down the road they tend to break down a little more often. Luckily we have only had minor problems with the refrigerator and the microwave. Unfortunately, the refrigerator can’t be fixed until we get back to the States.
I’m not familiar with Lo de Marcos. Sounds like a great place.
Your comment, “Lo de Marcos has maintained its small-town charm and unhurried life style”, really caught my eye as we like to get off the beaten path when we travel Mexico.
A little bit about my story, I retired early to Lake Chapala, Mexico 7 years ago, and checked out of the rat race forever.
Now, I live in the worlds best weather (according to National Geographic) on Lake Chapala, near Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.
I am so glad I did what I did and have not looked back.
Happily Retired Boomer in Ajijic, Mexico,
Joel Smith
Casa Preciosa, Ajijic, Mexico
Errrrr! El Refugio does not have a couple of hundred spaces. It has 70….Just thought you’d like to know.
Thanks, I guess it just seemed like it when we were breezing through. Correction note made.
How much do the RV spaces in Lo de Marcos cost per month? A range if possible. I have a Artic Fox camper on my Dodge 4X4 and will be towing a Jeep Wrangler. Solo, pero con mi perro.
We stayed at Ron’s RV Park, which is probably the most modern park in the area. Their rates can be found at: http://ronsrvpark.com/prices.html. Basically the rates are between $200 per month and $500 per month. The prices on the website are in Pesos. We always found it easiest to work in pesos when you get away from the border.
Electricity at Ron’s is additional.
Other parks in the area are similarly priced.
Lo de Marcos is much more reasonable than neighboring Sayulita or Rincon de Guayubitos. That includes dining and all other things.
A good source for other Mexican RV Park information is: http://www.ontheroadin.com/
Good Luck.
Thanks for the heads up. You have solved a problem and answered a question. I would need two drivers since you say they require a driver for each car or truck. I am solo. So when I come I will not be towing the jeep. Thanks for the info. Sid.