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Safest, quickest and best way through Mexico Safest, quickest and best way through Mexico
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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
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Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 22 Oct 2013
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Safest, quickest and best way through Mexico
Hello, we are Ian and Tavis, on Suzuki vstrom dl1000s. We are about to head into Mexico at Nogales. We are wondering what is the best way to travel through Mexico, and what are some safe routes And good places to stay along the way. Thanks for your input. Regards, Ian

Our blog is My Road is Your Road
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  #2  
Old 22 Oct 2013
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Contact some of the regulars on the "Is Mexico Safe?" thread on ADV rider.

You'll get a ton of useful information, and without a doubt you biggest problem will be that you will want to find the slowest route!

Don't believe the press. You are a safe as you want to be in Mexico. The roads and scenery are world class, and the people some of the friendliest you'll find.

Three rules:
  • Don't ride at night (unposted speed humps and wandering animals)
  • Don't even think of getting within a 1,000 yards of drugs, the drug trade or drug people.
  • Smile a lot!

Serously, check out the thread. It's thousands of posts long, but the first and last will where you need to check.
Last edited by craneguy; 23 Oct 2013 at 05:16.
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  #3  
Old 22 Oct 2013
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Thanks for the tips. I'm not so worried, just wondering really what are some good routes to take and some nice towns to stop in on the way so we can avoid the big cities. Also some accommodation suggestions would be appreciated too.
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  #4  
Old 23 Oct 2013
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Here's a link to the Mexico and Central America hotel list that people on ADV have been contributing to. I started adding them to a Google map to help with planning.

There's a book written by a guy Call Sjoerd Bakker which lists hotels and accommodation in Mexico. I haven't seen it (I live there!) but everyone says it's fantastic. He's a regular contributor on ADV, so you can PM him for more specific guidance.

You should also message Gary Dymond and MIkeMike for advice on central and eastern Mexico. Both are mines of information, and Gary might even offer you a place to stay in Mexico City.

Every town has at least one "love motel" (No-tell Motel) where couples go to get it on. Invariably cheap and clean, and often with a garage underneath. Excellent for the motorcycle traveler! You can plan your stops, but if you need a place unexpectedly they are an excellent resource.
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  #5  
Old 23 Oct 2013
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Thanks for the great tips! I didn't get the link for the ADV hotel list though.

You're based in Muscat? Nice area, I spent the last 3 years in UAE.
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  #6  
Old 23 Oct 2013
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You should study the first 2 threads!

Americas - ADVrider

If the link is a problem they are under:

ADVrider > Riding > Trip Planning > Americas

UAE eh? It's actually a pretty good part of the world. It's my second time through the region. Did 5 years in Saudi and Abu Dhabi at the end of the 90's.
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  #7  
Old 23 Oct 2013
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This was just posted on ADV by MikeMike. It says it all:

If you have never ridden in Mexico before, you will be hard pressed to average over 650kms in a day even on the cuota roads. If you are doing a mix of roads, anything more than 550kms, riding like a gringo, will be tough. There is a method to riding in Mexico, it is totally unlike the USA and everything you have learned.

First, don't fight the rhythm of traffic, you will find it after a few minutes on any road. Too fast or too slow and you are not in the groove. This will make sense after your first day.

Second, you are on a bike and expected to act like you are, motorists will anticipate you to act like a Mexican motorcyclist. Riding Mexican style means lane splitting, moving to the front at lights, cutting through traffic jams, a cut and thrust style like motorcycle couriers.

Third, expect the unexpected and learn to enjoy it.

Fourth, you might stretch the kilometers more than what has been mentioned but climate and road conditions, detours, traffic blocked by protests, accidents, etc... will all conspire against you.

Fifth, don't believe anything anyone tells you about the left turn signal being left on. That, like finding Carta Blanca in every store in Mexico, hasn't been true for a long time. It can, and will, mean anything and everything. You cannot bet on it. The moment you do, you will be seriously screwed.

Sixth, get a Spot device to quiet the people telling you that you are insane to ride in Mexico. Or simply ask them how they think motorcyclists who live in Mexico ride?
That will usually quell the ignorant and the innocent.

Seventh, make sure you have sufficient motorcycle and health insurance.

Eighth, since there is usually a debate over speed limits because, like distances, they are rarely posted and rarely enforced, you can easily cruise on the cuotas above 140kmh. Bear in mind that there will be traffic waiting to pass you because they are cruising at 160kmh and it will often be a white Suburban full of politicians or their wives on the way to their plastic surgery appointments.

Ninth, the Federales de Caminos are not to be confused with the PFP Federales nor to be confused with the municipal transit police. You might encounter state police, PFP, or Army/Navy/Marines at a highway checkpoint. Or none. Or any combination. However, it is the municipal transit police that will usually try to screw you. How you deal with that is a whole other story that depends on so many factors you could write a book that would be outdated the moment it hit the stands.

Tenth, listen to what guys like Sjoerd are saying, I've been living and riding in Mexico for 20 years full time and I can still learn something from these guys. I have met Sjoerd, he knows his stuff, the other US guys I have met can all ride Mexican style and understand it. Keep an open mind and remember that the learning curve at times can be quick and very steep.

Try to "see" Mexico for its richness and diversity and it's incredible magic, rather than see Mexico as a "green blur". Try to look at your routing and find interesting places that are nearby and give yourself some time to visit the Pueblos Magicos, some ruins, famous natural landmarks, sample the foods, mingle with folks at a market (Wednesdays are market days and are always busy, busy), get your camera out and use it.

If you are "out of sync" with things and you notice this, take a breather, rehydrate, and take a look at the landscape. Try looking at the landscape in the same way you look at a night sky. It takes a few moments and you let things come into focus and then you see all the stars and more detail.
Try to avoid the "500 yard" stare that signals you are zoned out and not zoned in and it will usually be caused by dehydration or low blood sugar.
Treat your body as well as you treat your bike. Know your limits.
I probably haven't told you anything new, so I'm done. Oh! I almost forgot! Remember the Virgin of Guadalupe and St. Christopher, you don't see them on Mexican trucks just for decoration. Some might scoff at this, but some of us have seen some pretty incredible things in Mexico and wondered how the hell anyone walked away from it. But it happens all the time.

And one last thing, don't forget to tip the Pemex attendants! 3 or 5 pesos on a fill up is sufficient. Be sure to always carry small denomination bills like $50 peso and $100 peso notes and carry some coins.

The note about small bills is valid, but you'll have change soon enough after using a few toll boothes.
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  #8  
Old 23 Oct 2013
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Tons more information in this thread:

Mexico and Central America Ride Planning and Road Wisdom - ADVrider
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  #9  
Old 6 Nov 2013
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Quickest and best are 2 totally different things. Take your pick. Why does everyone have this big hang up about safety in Mexico ??? I never had a problem and never met others with problems. Maybe never listen to USA news and you should be fine
Lots to see,eat,drink and do in mexico
Enjoy your trip
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  #10  
Old 6 Nov 2013
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Thanks, actually We are in Mexico City now and understand that quickest certainly isn't the best as ou say. However for us, speed is owing to more of a time and budget constraint than anything else. We are headed down to Oaxaca and Chiapas then into Guatemala. Any suggestions on which border crossing to take into Guatemala?
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  #11  
Old 19 Nov 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemlokk View Post
Any suggestions on which border crossing to take into Guatemala?
There are a few reviews at BorderHelper, Information for your next border crossing. Feel free to add your own review after you cross to help future travelers.

Enjoy the ride!
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