Border Crossing Concern for CA unwarranted?
 

Hi guys

I`ve recently crossed Mexico - Guatemala near La Mesilla and Guatemala - Hondura at El Florido (Copan) and have had absolutely no problems except having to exchange cash at the border.

Both times I have crossed at about 5pm and the places were ghost towns. There were maybe 3 or 4 money changers and officials sitting on chairs waiting to go home. I had to wait 5 minutes at Guatemala because the customs fellow had gone to the bathroom but that was it. For Honduras I handed over my requisite $29 and again sat in the sun for 20 minutes talking to the guards while a nice enough guy worked out the paperwork. Hardly a nightmare.

Have I just struck it lucky here or was all my uptight concern really misguided? I would be interested to hear of anyone elses good experiences.

Also we`ve not seen one (serious) hint of corruption. All military checkpoints and police stops, I`ve waved, explained where I`m going and had a chat if necessary. Particularly in Mexico they`re just bored 20 year olds who are pretty interested in the motorcycle and the trip. I got a great photo of the sergeant holding Jon`s guitar while he was loading his bike looking as if he`s about to serenade him.

Now I`m in Honduras near Tegoose chilling out while my travel companion learns Spanish in San Pedro Guatemala (cheapest place but you turn up and the Indians by the lake are speaking their own mayan tongue). I saw two KLR650s kitted out with everything in Copan but the owners were nowhere to be seen. Anyone around here? Anyone else local?

safe travels
Josh