Atlanta to Belize City, January, 2017
 

Planning a trip to Belize City, Belize for the Harley Rally that has been going on the past few years. Need input from those who have been there and done that including riding through Mexico. I was told to hit you guys up on this website as you would know best. 2 Harleys and 2 Goldwings. I know to contact my insurer and have them issue me a Mexican and Belize insurance card but my main concern is security, threats and possible problems to avoid. I've been told that the Mexican border is closed on the weekends. True or not true? Thanks, Gean

Do your research here and on Adventure Rider. Check out tourist sites like Lonely Planet and iOverlander.com and others for places to see along the way. The one piece of advice is to plan to ride the first 100 miles south of the US/Mexico border before you spend the night. The drug issues are more prominent closer to the border. I love travel in Mexico and find the people to be very friendly and warm to travelers. In contrast to the US, it's part of their culture to welcome family and travelers. I'll never forget my first trip to Mexico, while at a food stand for lunch, a local rider came up to me and said, "Welcome to my country."

Do understand the import/export procedures for both you and for your motorcycle. When you leave Mexico and Belize heading back north, make sure you get your passport stamped out AND you get your Temporary Vehicle Import Permit canceled. It's your responsibility to make sure that's done. The border officials don't check those things when you are heading back north.

Plan enough time to take the libre roads, the free roads. Focus on interacting with the local people. Stop at the small towns, eat street vendor or small cafe food at the central plaza, visit the sites along the way - including some of the Maya ruins farther south. The couda/toll roads are as interesting as is the US interstate system. You don't see or experience the country on the fast roads. It will take at least a week to reach Belize City. Mexico is a long country and you don't get the daily mileage that you do in the States.

Bring a chain or cable to lock your bike at night. Find a motel with parking off the street in a cochera or some other secure place. Be aware of security, but don't fret about it. I take normal precautions, but have never had anything stolen, except some gas one night.

I found Belize City is less Latin America influenced, but more Caribbean. My experience in Belize is more limited, and I want to explore more of the coastal small towns and culture farther south.

Buen viaje!

Mexico
 

in few word .
Make sure you have a clear title and your insurance ( insurance in Spanish will be better) have few copies of them, arrive at the border early so you can do the paper fast and still have time to drive to a nice city ( border town are not the best . Have a bike cover and a lock this will keep curious away , do not drive like a maniac , they have serious speed bump .
Super nice people in Mexico and great food , Belize is nice for diving but limited for riding ( serious mosquito at night ) you should be able to find good hotel with safe parking for your bike .
Have fun
Hendi

I rode from Ohio to Belize in 2015. No issues generally speaking...The nice highways in mexico can be long and boring with lots of tolls, but you will be covering a lot of ground, dont think the bike your taking would like the smaller roads of mexico.. Once a hundred miles or so inland from the mexican borders, its a whole different, nice and beautiful country...People are nice, helpful and quite good at repairs if needed..The Harley rally in Belize is cool, much smaller of course than rallys in the states, Belize City is where the rally is and is much much different than the rest of the country...It IS A MUST to explore Belize on your bikes, dont miss the hummingbird highway, San Ignasio, Placencia etc. You can ride anywhere in the country in several hours.. I paid the small Harley dealership to store my bike while i went to Caye Caulker on the ferry, there will be guarded storage in the city during bike rally i assume, that place is laid back, chill and amazing... Mexico cant be a pain on occasions with checkpoints, federales etc. just be patient, friendly and you can smooth almost anything out in Mexico with 3 things... bottle of water, racing/bike stickers or tshirts...Retrain your brain a bit, things happen slower, take longer and most important your not in your country, things will be different...go with the flow....Have fun!!! I loved that trip!!!!!

Borders in Mexico usually always open, however the offices you need for auto/motorcycle paperwork will have standard hours...I always get mexico insurance online, and you will pay for insurance in Belize at the very small and friendly border office... I am assuming you are entering at the north mex/belize border to avoid going through Gautemala...At that point your are only hours away from some good sights north up the peninsula in Mexico, namely Tulum ruins and Riviera Maya area... Also just remembered the water park just outside Belize City that has bike events, live bands etc...I liked that place too..