Road suggestions Mexico and Central America
 

Will be crossing south at Nogales for 2-3 months on my VStrom first week in January, exploring Mexico and as far south thru Central America that I can or hopefully at least as far as Nicaragua.

This'll be my 4th trip thru this area, to include Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica so far, so have already seen a lot. But looking for some suggestions for some nice roads or places to see that maybe I haven't done yet.

Planning on riding down to Urique in Copper Canyon first, then over to Batopilas, then continue south. I've already done Bato, but want to check off Uriique.

Only other musts are Morelia, where I have plans for a week at my usual Spanish school, then to visit a family in Mérida, and a visit with a friend near Guatemala City.

Open for any hidden gems.

Keith's (Entre Amigos Hostel) in Urique. The Mariposas Monarcas outside Anganguero. The slippery, slimy tunnels of Guanajuato. The Espinazo del Diablo, uphill from Mazatlan. Either of the main roads between Oaxaca and the coast, checking first for political instabilities which show up as roadblocks. Plus a bunch more I haven't thought of yet. These are not exactly hidden gems, and for the first two I'd check ahead because it's been a while for me. But they're all vaguely close to your route.

I don't want to go on and on, especially since we have no idea where you've already been or what you're looking for--"hidden gems" covers a lot of ground. But as an American, I'd suggest a stop at El Mozote in El Salvador.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Great, thanks! I'll write them down! By the way, I see a RT 40, and a Rt 40D on the map between Mazatlan and Durango. Do you know which one is the Espinazo del Diablo?

40D is the newer road, with feats of engineering (bridges, tunnels) replacing a lot of the fun features of the original. I'm sure it's remarkable in its own way, judging by the photos.

Since you're looking at mid-winter, watch out for ice and freezing fog in addition to the usual crazed tractor trailer drivers (if they haven't all shifted to the new toll highway).

Might check out Rt 40 then,
Saludos!

AS Mark says , without knowing where you have already been it is pointless for us to try to recommend “ new” roads or places for you to scope .How long ago were these four rides through Mexico and Central America ?
The best advice for you at this time is to remember exactly all the roads and all the places you have already visited and then to set out on your travel while avoiding to repeat using exactly those same roads to the already seen places. Don’t fall into a habit revisiting the same places just because you know them. There are enough different roads and places to keep you busy for years . Of course certain repeats are unavoidable , as in the border approaches , but keep it to the minimum possible .

With “2 or 3 “ months available you should have no problem riding and exploring at a comfortable , relaxed slow pace . Best would be to leave the northwest of Mexico and the CC for the very last so that you do not hit winter weather of January there. The CC and Mex 40 are actually quite close to the USA and would be fitting for a dedicated trip in months with a guarantee of warmer weather . Apply your time to the more distant targets first .

Your past visit to the CC must have been in a good - weather month . By now you should have learned that even the Mex 40 route from Villa Union ( near Mazatlan) north and up the Espinazo Del Diablo Mountain could in January deliver you at the summit into icy/snow covered highway at La Ciudad : not the best proposition on a motorcycle!
When you do the Mex 40 the old LIBRE is the most curvaceous , the 40D toll road is the new bypass with many tunnels and the big bridge span . In spring/ summer you can relax about weather and do the area justice and explore the Espinazo segment of the toll road as an additional easy loop. Time your ride to stop for the night in El Salto . Don’t try running the whole thing Mazatlan-Durango in ONE day!!! Leave that to the old hands who live there and have no interest in sightseeing and want to cannonball it to their "destination".
The 40 D has entry/ exit points at the north side of El Salto in the high country and at Corte Alto , south of and below the snakiest section of the Libre 40 . If you use these two junctions you can for the cost of a toll make a loop which gives you a sampler of ONE pass on the NEW highway of about 60km including that big cable-stay bridge and tunnels and TWO runs along the hundreds of curves of the old 40 with its excellent pavement and light traffic. Enjoy!!!!



As Costa Rica appears to be your farthest extent of riding in your four preceding trips then that leaves Panama as the only option left for suggestions .
Okay ; so in Panama do make the effort to ride up into mountains on the side roads north and south off the PanAm highway . Bee-lining that major highway east would leave you wondering about how low , warm and dry the country appears to be .
Visit Volcan ( town name, in mts north of David) and the epically scenic high country loop roads on the west- side of Volcan Baru , then do the east-side road north and UP to and beyond Boquete. Lots of stuff to visit or hike to waterfalls etc .
Same applies for a visit to other north mountain towns Santa Fé and El Valle . You must see them to understand .
Do the southern peninsula of Chitre and ride the loop road to the south coast near Tonosi - you can not get any farther south than THAT on the continent .

Visit the various points along the renewed Panama Canal .

Ride all the way to Yaviza on the paved highway and see the Darien jungles up to the Darien Gap . Walk the bridge in Yaviza and you are in The Gap .

You can enter and exit Panama at three points from Costa Rica . My suggestion is to use the north coast crossing of Sixaola for one passage so you can explore the Bocas Del Toro region . The cross mountain highway is great for scenery but pavement condition on the north face is highly variable after wet season land slides .
On the south side of the mountains you have choice of A the busy PanAm crossing at Paso Canoas or B the calm piedmont town crossing at Rio Sereno which will bring you to San Vito CR by fine paved highway in green tropical country .

Great tips, thanks! I've seen a little of Panama when I was in the military, especially remember drinking beer at the locks and watching the ships go thru all day. Fun! Will look at all the others.

I was at CC/Creel and Bato in March 2020, and yep, I got snowed on in Creel, but it melted in a day or two. But you're right, probably worse in January.

Good suggestions all.

There is lots to see outside of Merida. Campeche is a great walled city not to be missed. Outside of Merida is progreso and from there one can ride thru the beach towns on the way to El Cuyo which is like Holbox was 20 years ago. From el cuyo or Holbox go to Valladolid which is a charming colonial town and much more manageable than Merida. There is lots to see outside of Valladolid. From there drive thru Tulum (which I am not a fan of) thru the sian kaan biosphere to Punta Allen. I have seen panther twice on that road so keep your eyes open. From Punta allen there is a dock where you can contract a launch to take you across Bahia espíritu to vigia Chica. From there a jungle road takes you to puerto Morelos then on south to Bacalar. Bacalar is 15 miles from chetumal/Belize.

The jungle road from vigia Chica takes one to Felipe Carrillo puerto not puerto morales sorry

If you will be in Morelia you may want to spend some time on the roads around Tacámbaro, " la puerta de tierra de caliente." It was once the capitol of Michoacan. When in the area ping me if you need anything. I will be on the road in January but plan to return home to southern Jalisco early February.

A town nearby Tacámbaro, Ario de Rosales, is a little hot at this time so you may want to avoid that area and roads to the south of Tacámbaro.

Que le vaya bien paisano!

Great! Thanks Pancho and BrianB!