Safety, the way I see it.

[BlackdogGS]

Whenever you visit ADVrider, The Hubb, Expidition portal you will always hear how absolutely wonderful the native people are. If you watch any Moto travel vids they will always mention how safe it is and how trusting the locals are.

I'm about to depart to Mexico, centeral and South America. While riding with my Mexican pal Ricardo in Arizona I mentioned we ought to drop down into Mexico and do Copper Canyon. He said it was far too dangerous and he would never step into Mexico.

Yesterday while talking to my financial guy Ivan Garcia who, you guessed it, is Mexican, I mentioned my upcoming trip. He told me I was crazy and there was a very good chance I'd never make it to Panama.

I turn on the news and there showing bodies in the streets of Mexico, mowed down by the Cartel.

I have a dear friend I work with that was born and raised in Buenos Aires. I told her about my trip and she begged me not to go as it was much too risky.

I have been to most places in the world (not centeral or South America though). I never had an issue but I've always been on guard. I believe that 90% of people are great and trusting.

Has this had any effect on going on my trip? No, I kind of like some risk and I don't like things too easy. I'll be using "situation awareness" and be on the look out for the other 10%. I practice this state side too.

[*Touring Ted*]

News only shows the bad stuff.. Otherwise no one would watch it.

I've been all over Mexico and South America. People are the same there than anywhere else in the world.

The vast majority are nice, friendly people just getting on with their day to day lives. Polite and helpful to strangers.

Some are arseholes, some are thieves, some of drug addicts and some and paedos and murderers. Just like the any town everywhere else in the world.

You would have to be very unlucky to meet the bad folk. Use your common sense and if someone acts dodgy, then they probably are.


The only people I see getting into trouble are the ones who scream, argue or act like idiots. Treat people with respect, be super patient and remember you're a guest in their country and you'll most likely be treated the same.

You could get shot in Wallmart tomorrow. It's actually probably more likely.

Enjoy your trip.

[Threewheelbonnie]

There was a thread a while back but I can't find it. Some military chap who treated a trip to El Walmart like an SAS raid because Fox news had made him terrified ( think he was also selling armoured brazier and stocking sets plus free suicide pills) . The responses of people who had actually been there were a far more useful read.

Go. Most Mexicans survive there every day.

Andy

[Shrekonwheels]

I have not been to Mexico In years, however I tend to think the vast majority of the time people who get not trouble anywhere in the world were messing around with drugs or doing something else stupid. Now mind you that is not always the case but keep in mind people get shot over nothing in the inner cities of America and nobody canceled their trip to Chicago or LA

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by BlackdogGS

Whenever you visit ADVrider, The Hubb, Expidition portal you will always hear how absolutely wonderful the native people are. If you watch any Moto travel vids they will always mention how safe it is and how trusting the locals are.

Mostly true but you can find negatives here and there. Several travelers have died in Mexico and Cent. America. Not a perfect world, there are risks but the news is way overblown and half Bullshit.

Originally Posted by BlackdogGS

I'm about to depart to Mexico, centeral and South America. While riding with my Mexican pal Ricardo in Arizona I mentioned we ought to drop down into Mexico and do Copper Canyon. He said it was far too dangerous and he would never step into Mexico.

Typical response by many Mexican X Pats who no longer go home to visit but still listen to Mexican news channels. (5 times more hyperbole BS than even Fox non-news ... pure Yellow Journalism CRAP)

No denying cartels have shaken things up, lots of murders, gun battles. Good news is things seem a better now. Cartel battles have subsided but certain areas you still need to pay attention. (Guerrero, Michoacan) Cartels know gun battles are bad for business and killing Tourists is a nightmare for them.

I've visited deep into Copper Canyon 5 times. First time in a VW bus in 1973, again in '98, '05, '07 and 2014 (all on bikes) Early on you had to stay away from huge Marijuana grows around the Sierra Tarahumaru, now it's Meth Labs ... and they are far more deadly. Never go exploring without a trusted guide.

But even so, if you are just passing through ... 98% of the time you will be fine. I was there last year, riding AT NIGHT. Never felt any danger.
Stuff does happen, sometimes Military get into shoot outs with Cartels. Seem to be fewer lately. In all my trips to Mexico on bikes (dozens) I've never had any real problems. Same story for most ALL my buddies who travel there frequently.

Good news is Tourists are "generally" left alone. In fact a Mexican is in more danger than a Gringo. 10's of thousands of Tourists visit Mexico, driving cars, MotorHomes and on bikes too. Thousands more fly in/out.

Originally Posted by BlackdogGS

I have been to most places in the world (not centeral or South America though). I never had an issue but I've always been on guard. I believe that 90% of people are great and trusting.

I think that is accurate. I've not visited S. America in decades but have been to Mex /Cent. Am. more recently. IMHO, places I've been in Africa "felt" far more dangerous and "out of control". (Nigeria, Sudan)

Originally Posted by BlackdogGS

Has this had any effect on going on my trip? No, I kind of like some risk and I don't like things too easy. I'll be using "situation awareness" and be on the look out for the other 10%. I practice this state side too.

Using your "situational awareness" model you should be fine.

If you're uneasy, hook up with a buddy or two. A trio makes good travel group. Talk to locals but don't always take what they say as Gospel, talk to others including Police, Military, shop owners ... make your best judgement.
Avoid the "Tweakers", guys in $50K pick up trucks with guns ... and their girl friends! Don't go to "all night bars" where the clientele never seem to get tired.

!Que le via muy bien!

[stevedo]

Over the last 18 months we've ridden from Alaska and now in Mexico about to cross into Guatemala. The amusing thing for us is that many, many people in the USA told us categorically not to go to Mexico as we would definitely be killed. These people had never been there and their perceptions were entirely shaped by the media. Other people we met, who had visited, just told us to use common sense and have a great time and after nearly a year here that's exactly what we've done. Having said that, we did avoid the state of Guerero having been told from several people here in Mexico to avoid it


I think I would be more uneasy and in more danger in parts of LA or Chicago than I would in Mexico.


Most people in the world are more concerned about living their daily lives, feeding the kids, paying the bills, finding work etc than harming you on your bike. You meet these people and they are invariably friendly, welcoming and helpful. You'd have to be pretty unlucky, or stupid, to run into the bad guys. We implement simple, common sense rules e.g. don't ride at night, don't wander around unfamiliar places at night, avoid "rough" areas of town at all times, avoid dodgy looking bars etc etc. So far so good :-)

[tjheuvel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm5xF-UYgdg

I really really like this talk because it shows some actual data instead of more fear mongering.

[mtncrawler]

I did my first 3 week trip into Mexico solo in 2013. Rode down through CC, then west through the backcountry to Los Mochis crossing to Baja, then south around the tip and made my way criss-crossing north back home. I have traveled non-moto to SA a few times.

Like you, I was given similar warnings. I can't add anything more than what's been said from more seasoned travelers than I here, but I had a fantastic time. I grew up around and spent time living in Detroit. Common sense always prevailed and the same set of cautions and awareness of my surroundings I used back then, kicked in for Mex. I worked my way out of mechanical situation in Urique with the help of some great locals - and nearly worried myself sick the night before I left Batopilas going backroads to Los Mochis, with all the warnings I'd been given. (I actually turned around once, then regrouped and followed through) In the end though it was one of the most exhilarating trips I had done. Never felt in any danger (well, maybe once, but it turned out to be a great interaction) even though I knew it could be found in places and circumstances - just like spots here in the US.

I'm hoping to continue to expand my horizons this year again - and the Mex trip is just another stepping stone in my experience.

Keep your wits about you - and have a fantastic time!