Check-Ins

AVOID THIS PLACE IF SEARCHING FOR A PROPER MECHANIST

We went to Antonio’s place after reading good reviews to check a van we wanted to buy. He’s perfectly bilingual English-Spanish which is super confortable. 

He was very confident with the state of the combi we wanted to buy, saying there were just a few reparations that needed to be done in order to drive without any trouble for at least the next six months. He assures us that the price for him to make these small reparations would be less than 6.000 $M which was already quite a deal for us, but certified us he could get original VW pieces to replace the broken ones (motor axe & a small oil leak). 

After one whole day where nothing really happened on our van reparations wise, we were surprise to hear that he was actually not a specialist in VW combi.

The second day, we decided to stay at the garage, even if we felt inconfortable with the idea of putting pressure, but nothing was done if we weren’t on site. We then realized that he didn’t got any original VW pieces but began to fix up other pieces together in order to fit them on our combi. At the end, he wanted 6.750 $M arguing that is was nothing for us, European. 

The worst is coming. We drove until Valladolid which is approx 150 km from Cancún. When we entered the town, the motor axe just popped out. The combi was in the middle of the street. Fortunately people came to help us to push the combi out of the road and we found a mechanist in few minutes. We called Antonio to understand how it was possible and he just told us that it was probably too many grease on the screws (!). All the screws he used were 1) not correct for the model of the combi 2) not fixed. The mechanist in Valladolid changed all of them very quickly for 300$M.

Antonio literary put our lives in danger and screwed up with our combi. When we asked for explanations he just told us : “I’m sorry”.

One half star for the chat.

I also join a picture of the "fixing"

Tanzania to Zambia:
Very easy border crossing.
Leaving Tanzania immigration took 2 minutes, however we had to wait for a customs officer approx. 15 minutes. But once he arrived we were stamped out in 2 minutes.

Entering Zambia, visit the immigration office- South African (Free entry) and Canadian (90 day single entry visa $50, but only 30 days granted at border. An extension can be made in Lusaka). After this go to customs- we had to pay carbon tax $45 (Vehicle over 3000cc). Try to have exact amount of $ or have enough Kwacha, money changers at the border give a terrible rate.

The road from the border for approx 25km to Mbala is in a terrible condition (Rainy season) allow 1hr30-2hrs. The customs official did say the road will be fixed by June 2020.

Nice peaceful spot, with picnic tables, some grills, and a bathroom nearby. Also a playground if you have kids. No pets are allowed in the park, but boat ramp area seems to be ok. Not as busy as many boat launches, so quieter than most. The park itself is day use, but the boat ramp area is good to park in for overnight. I stayed two nights here with no problems.

Camping with space for Caravans. Small braai at every site. Okay abolutions. Very close to the kite beach

Súper recomendables. Carlos muy buen mecánico. Estuvimos varios días y nos hicieron sentir muy cómodos. Sin duda volveríamos.

Great spot to spend a few days while exploring Todos Santos. About 30 cars/vans/RV here the last three days so we felt very safe. Awesome to wake up and watch the surfers and whales.

As written before, one of the best campsites on our tour. Rate 100P ppn.

What a beautiful spot on the beach. We were alone that night, only few locals till 8pm. The road to get there is good.

Lots of parking along a street in an industrial area. A few fulltimers here. Quiet at night. We heard that police will not bother vehicle dwellers if they park in an industrial area, so we chose to stay here instead of the many parking lots and residential areas marked on this app. Stayed a few nights, no problems. No signs prohibiting parking or about street sweeping.

bridge was free for cyclist.
You can cross the birdge and go right there is lovely places to wild camp by the river, shadow, flat, grassy . There is no traffic unlike the other side of the river.

Great spot to camp up on concreted raised area behind cafe. Felt very secluded and private at the back and had great views. Staff were super friendly as was the nighttime guard when they lock up. We paid 25Q a night which we felt was worth it, it was a bit noisy at night with dogs but to be expected camping outside.

Nice and neat place to saty in pocket friendly way.

I had an airconditioneer problem, the headlights were flashing un off road and my compressor was no longer working. After buying a new battery from Cymot, he reconnected it and my compressor worked again. I paid 500 $N for 2 hours of labour.

Planet fitness in the same shopping center as a laundromat and Wawa, with the cheapest gas prices I’ve seen in the area!

Very basic camping in a tiny village in the Karoo near Sutherland and Calvinia. The owner is very welcoming and their hospitality is lovely. No electricity and no water supply but permission will be granted to use indoor ablutions. Meals could be arranged for in the hotel’s doning room, wholesome Karoo cuisine.

A very efficient and honest mechanic. Recommended

They have a dump station that is locked until you pay, but they DO NOT HAVE POTABLE WATER even though they say they do.
The water source is right at the dump spot and is not sanitary for your fresh water tank.
I needed to fill up and found a different unmarked spicket over near the entrance but I don’t know if this is clean water either. Only filled out of desperation and will only use to shower, definitely not to consume in any way.
They still charged me for this water fill even though they admitted they don’t know if it’s clean. Oh well, win some and lose some.

Stayed for one night. A bit noisy. The campsite has many entrances so it might be a little unsafe (just perseption).

Hippy Hole river side camping pit toilets shade structures close to wildlife viewing area room for big rigs , boat launch , swimming sign reads day use but certainly some long term campers

as written before, one of the best places on our tour, rate now 100pula ppn

Nice and clean hostel. Pay $ 30,000 for a private room with TV, private bathroom and breakfast included. It is a good place to rest.

Nice picknick area that is well protected from the harsh winds around here. Lot's of grass, place for tents, rooftop tents, and big rigs. There's a little River flowing here as well, but I wouldn't drink it. Besides that, it's very quiet. We slept here on a Sunday - almost no traffic or locals around. Nice place to stay if you're in Gobernador Gregores!

Bel emplacement. Belle vue sur le lac. Sanitaires ok et eau chaude. Pas de wifi. 200 pesos pour la nuit par personne et 100 pesos pour le camping car. Bon accueil

Typical Walmart. Called ahead to see if I could stay here, no problems.

Recommended ! we had several repairs to do on our véhicule (Ford). immediatly the mechanics diagnosed the problems.
They found the pieces ( courroie de distribution ) Very competent, they make perfect repairs.
Friendly people, they allowed us to pass 1 night in the workshop.
It is a big and well equipped workshop.
Jean-Jacques

This place seems to be closed this season. There is a sign “cerado” and no one is around.

Nice campground with pool, clean toilets and hot showers. Very quiet after locals left on Sunday afternoon.

no one was at hostal.. ranged but no answer. later a neighbor came and called Oscar..who asked 80pp.. I asked politely discount. refused impolitely. I didn't stay and moved to Balcón Hostal.

single room..paid 50pp..shared bathroom. two bad room. nice view from bed and balcony. clean and warm shower.

Stayed here one night, talked to the guys at the station, said it was ok, no one charged us anything. 24 hr OXXO with restroom open all night. We parked along the fence back by the station building. Quiet enough for a road side truck/gas station.

It was on the other side if the highway from the direction we were going but open to both sides and easy to get to.