Thanks for the suggestion to look at Lonely Planet "when to go" pages, exactly the type of resource I have been hunting for, though I could wish for a few more specifics in temperature for some countries....

Sounds like I cold do this route through I may spend more time in the highlands than along the coast. Riding in the rain ... I'll just have to adapt as best I can.

I'm coming to realize that route planning is somewhat of a lost cause given my only constraint is my bank account, which should last several years of RTW travel. No deadlines means there is nothing to determine if I will spend a month flying through Central America ... or a year exploring it in detail.

I'm beginning to think that when I leave next May I might simply flip a coin: Heads I go to Alaska first, Tails I go to Mexico.

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Traveling The World Since: 2011
Blog: The Seductive Life (General Travel)

Try "www.weather.com" and type in some of the major cities down south. There is a way of getting averages for temperatures and rainfall for some of those cities. But keep in mind that weather can vary quite widely from one area to the next, even in some small country.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com

While useful for a general overview, you may find weather graphs and trends may not have reliable relevance now. Climate Change is affecting these regions in a major way.

Don't forget to figure in Humidity. Humidity in low lying areas is very high. 80% to 90% typically. Temps typically from the 80's up to 100F in lowlands. Highlands from 60's to 80's typically. Don't quote me on all these as things are now swinging wildly in both directions. Rainy season temps are typically lower with humidity higher. (cloud cover keeps temps down)

As a rule I'd be more inclined to trust flesh and blood real motorcyclists over Lonely Planet, since I've used their books in the past. Quite a bit of "real world" knowledge right here on HUBB specific to riders.

I lived, traveled and worked in Latin America for 7 years. Lots of time in Mexico too ... from age 12 and probably 20 motorcycle trips since 1964.
Lived in Guatemala, El Salvador and Argentina. Rode bikes there part of the time.

I've found setting specific goals within reasonable time frames really makes traveling more meaningful and keeps you going when things aren't going so well. Keeps you focused and busy. Sounds crazy but it really works! Don't take it TOO EASY, tempting as it is. Have a plan and a schedule ... but be flexible enough to improvise. Having goals works for some. 3 years is a long time on the road. Sounds like a life changing epic trip!

Why not? Follow your passion.

Don't get me wrong, I will have goals and I will have a schedule. The problem is planning ahead of time what that schedule will be and which of my many goals I will actually reach. There are too many questions about myself I just don't have a way of answering because I've never done a trip even remotely close to this one.

It will be a life changing epic trip. Its the reason I have been pursuing it for the past few years.

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Traveling The World Since: 2011
Blog: The Seductive Life (General Travel)