Life Of An Adventure Trip to Central America
 

I have approximately ten individuals that are interested in the trip that I am planning on doing from Leon, Guanajuato to Panama. I know that the ten will probably end up only being one or two when all is said and done. My intent is to leave on Monday, February 15 from my city of Leon. I can also meet people on the way in Mexico City or wherever else on the way down. I am writing the email to solicit info, ideas and interest. I will also be posting it on my website that is currently being developed at LifeofAnAdventurer.com]as well as the various motorcycle forums. If you are interested please send me your email address. All emails will be blocked so no one can see your address.

I am blocking out 4 weeks for this adventure and if I end up staying longer, I will do that as long as my manager doesn't burn down my restaurant, Gringo Teriyaki.

I would like to bring camping gear as well as sleep in places along the way. I think that by bringing the gear, we will be have a more rewarding trip when we find some beautiful off the beaten path location. That does not mean that I wont appreciate a warm shower and comfortable bed at the end of the day.

I think that at 47, I don't want to do punishing 500 mile days. I want to be able to smell the coffee and stop and do some sightseeing along the way. See some ruins, sit on a beach and drink a beer and eat some seafood. I would love to go fishing one day and maybe do some snorkeling.

A little about me. 47 year old male with extensive camping, boating, fishing, kayaking, diving, hunting and traveling experience. Have traveled the world and have spent lots of time in Baja whether it be in a 4x4 or motorcycle. Some of the best times of my life were there camping in desolate locations and catching fish off the beach. Grew up in Los Angeles and lived in Phoenix. I am also EMT certified and speak Spanish.

I would like to enter through Guatamala, then to El Salvador,through Honduaras then to Nicaragua then to Costa Rica and then to Panama. If I don't make it all the way to Panama, then so be it.

On the return trip I would like to go through all the return counties but also stop in Belize and exit into Mexico around Cancun. Then back to reality.

Many of you are going to read this and wish that you could go. We get older and time begins to pass by you so very quickly. Don't have regrets in life and wish that you had done more things. I will be posting as much as I can on the website LifeofAnAdventurer.com so you can follow us on our adventures or you can be a part of it. My email address is lifeofanadventurer@yahoo.com

Please give us advice, places to visit and things to do. I welcome all information. Who knows, we may be even driving through your country and you can visit with us. Maybe you can also ride with us for a few days.

Safe riding and my wish that you have many adventures in your life.

Mark

Team Elephant - Mike and Jo Hannan
 

Hi Mark, you are planning a great trip, but 4 weeks isn't much to see this area. We have just spent two months getting from the Mexican border to Panama and we rushed it badly. The other thing is Mexico itself. The place is big and very diverse. We have spent a total of four months and ridden all states except the NE. We feel like we haven't seen anything yet. In fact, as far as Mexico goes, we advise folks to forget about the Baja and Yucatan and head for the old cities of the heartland. Places like Zacatecas and Moralia are wonderful and not so full of gringos.

There are some great bike clubs in Mexico and if you make contact they well give you contacts all the way south. These folk will be amazingly helpful and friendly and can get you some good local advice. A Mexican friend organised some assistance for us here in David where we had some business with the Aduana.

Our last bit of advice would be not to worry too much about a big group. We never ride with others (almost never) and always travel as a couple on one bike. It is hard enough to organise ourselves without worrying about others. Relationships fall apart on the road and there is nothing to spoil a journey more than a souring friendship. The other aspect of this is that you will meet many more locals and have a better time if you are not in a big group.

Our latest blog post from Costa Rica is here: Team-elephant's Travel Blog: David, Panama - December 20, 2015

You can link back to previous weeks for this year on the bottom. Previous years, including Mexico and Guatemala in 2013 are links on the right.

Also our website if you want to know a little about us is: Elephant Home

Finally, we are 20 years older than you and still going, so you don't have to see everything in a single trip!

Enjoy the ride, Mike H

Hi There
we traveled 2 month in Mexico, Belize and the eastern part of Guatemala last year. Then we went up to Texas to store our bikes, wich we picked up again in beginning of december. We are now in Guatemala and it tokk us 3 weeks till now.
Wee are also planning to be in Panama in 5 weeks from now and we are not sure if time is enough, but 4 weeks for return trip I don't think that is worse it, you would be on the road all day.
For finding best places for camping we can recommend iOverlander app, here you find the best campsites and also Hotels with secure parking.
You can follow our journeys here if you want
https://www.facebook.com/WanzunguAufSafari/

Good luck Meike