central and southamerica trip

[Marbella]

Hello guys, am doing trip through central and southamerica, have seen some threads but were dated back a few years... would like to get information about how to avoid dodgy areas in mexico at colombia, which i think are the most risky countries to cross...

thanx a lot

[Dave seager-Thomas]

we are in Mexico at the moment entered from the US now in Acapulco. we have wild camped a lot and have been told to be careful on the Gulf of Mexico coast. Police everywhere with big guns but very friendly & no bribes.

Dave

[Marbella]

thanks Dave,

sounds like is not that bad... I red in many places to avoid driving at night time butn if u are camping... what city did u pass through in the border?

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by Marbella

Hello guys, am doing trip through central and southamerica, have seen some threads but were dated back a few years... would like to get information about how to avoid dodgy areas in mexico at colombia, which i think are the most risky countries to cross...

thanx a lot

I would do more research here and over on ADV Rider, look for current riders in Mexico. Pay attention to those who've traveled Mexico a lot. Driving at night is not advised ... but lots of times you will run late and end up doing it anyway. It's just no big deal.

Are you riding a bike, bicycle or camper? Where are you starting from? For how long? Have you ever read a good guide book on ANY country in Latin America?

For Moto riders Mexico is generally safe. But always talk to other travelers you meet on the road and locals ... but weigh what they say as they are victims of media hype like everyone.

For someone who's never seen Mexico, you might think the entire country looks 'dodgy" ... but of course not true. Lots of resources here and elsewhere for sites to see, routes to take and Hotels or places to camp. I'm not fond of wild camping in Mexico, but many do. It's not about the danger for me, more about the comfort/convenience.

Read more, ask questions about things you don't understand.
Colombia is quite traveler friendly these days from what I hear. Read up, see what you think!

[Marbella]

Hi Molly,
Will go from the states, am planing cross it, and go to centralamerica, visiting some places, not decided yet, i guess historic places and coast, will depend on therisky areas, red are in the north... Camping for me woudl b great, embassies information is to visit just turistic places and avoid get out its routes.

[Peter Bodtke]

How do you determine dodgy? Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala all have higher rates of death by fire arms than Mexico. Venezuela is ranked higher than Colombia.

List of countries by firearm-related death rate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

...this is not mentioned to discourage anyone from traveling to these countries. I believe that tourist are not the typical targets/victims on violence...its local people. Just pointing out that the news media highlights Mexico because borders the US, so the problems are to an extent inflated. Take normal precautions, as you should anywhere, and you'll be fine.

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Standard advice applies - NO riding on the highways after dark . If you find yourself doing so repeatedly your day - planning is poor. Learn to not overestimate the distance target for any day , don't be greedy .If you do find you goofed don't be so stubborn as to insist on covering that distance anyway by riding into the night . Do NOT make appointments or reservations far in advance because they will force you to do silly risky things when you try to make time to hit the agreed -to meeting.
Ask yourself , Why did you take the trip- was it to see your headlight beam burning a cone in the dark as you peer ahead to spot livestock and road hazards, or was it to see the country ? The number of drunks and criminals out and about always increases after dark . Scout out a place for the night BEFORE sunset.
Best way to avoid " dodgy " is to always stay out of slummy areas of the big cities . Research beforehand or just remember stuff you see as you ride through parts of a city and make mental notes where it looked as if it could be a problem and don't go there again .Do not wander around on foot on unlit streets but stay in the popular well lit areas and the plazas . Much of the crime, murders , muggings are drug related or driven and the crooks are often younger men many of whom got deported from the USA and were into gangs and drugs there too .They gravitate to the big cities because of more " opportunity " there. Crime wise I think that Tegucigalpa ,Honduras about leads the pack for Central American cities , but big cities anywhere can be nasty if you wander into dark corners.
If you are in the smaller towns the risk is a lot less , folks are friendlier .
If you are wild camping Dave, do you mean plunking a tent down anywhere in farm fields , bushes or peoples ' yards ? ... with permission? You show it can be done but there can be problems with that approach relating to security , health and comfort.
With the impending wet season it will get increasingly difficult to find good tenting spots where one won't get mired or washed away or eaten by bugs, or risk getting infected with dengue or malaria or some other malady . After a sweaty rainy day of riding a good shower and dry bed will be nice , probably necessary.
Central America is more overpopulated than Mexico where wild camping in open desert locales is still attractive. Camping willy nilly on beaches is risky anywhere . Some beaches are reported to be notorious hangouts for drug addicted vagrants who steal for a living, and some shady " tourists" do it too ..
And while your campsite is set up in an unsupervised location you will not be inclined to drive into town , lest the tent is ransacked when you get back . Remember , in the tropics it is a 12/12 split for hours of daylight and dark .It could get tedious sitting in a tent that long . Good news is that hotels can be cheap especially by Euro and Anglo -America comparison levels .It is much more relaxing and entertaining to get a room in a small -town hotel and to be free to experience the local culture up close.

For Mexican border crossings from the U.S. pick any point that is convenient , other than Matamoros at this time . Read ahead , stay informed of news from the areas you are thinking of visiting .
Know the documents you need to show- passport, drivers license , registration/ownership and credit card ,ALL in your name .
.Have Mexico liability insurance for the bike . It is available from many sources but you also can buy that at the busier bigger Mexican border crossing terminals at the same time you get the tourist documents. And know that you have to pay a REFUNDABLE security deposit for the bike, you get it back when you sign out of Mexico at the border exit before its expiry date .

[Peter Bodtke]

Excellent advice Sjoerd, as always. What's going on in Matamoros? I passed through there heading north, stopping to pick up presents and such, and found it to be a nice place. Although I did not explore much of the town. After staying at a love hotel I went to the shopping zone, then out.

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Back on 7 Feb'15 some clowns threw a small bomb at the Televisa property and there was a short buzz of some other violence. Of course that made the army and federal police more active . So by now it may have all settled out and it may be okay for travel through the city . Keep chevking current news

[Marbella]

thnx a lot, any help is very valued when going to unknown places with dodgy fame...