from Mexico to Panama? Best way

[bomboliere]

Ho guys,
I'm willing to run the way down from Mexico (Mexico city) to Panama.
Trip to be done ideally in December or January.
The shortest way would be 3200 km, but I'm asking you which is the best way in order not to lose the best things/roads/places to be seen, making deviations if it worths (i.e. Belize? etc)
Thans for your help
roberto

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Hola Roberto .
Is it a one way trip or are you riding back also? That would make a difference in logically setting up some points to visit in a neat sequence
Consider these ideas as part of your route to Panama

South in high country through OAXACA, and all the way through on the Pan Americana , the usual sights in Chiapas san Cristobal and the mountains of Guatemala- Lago de Atitlan, Panajachel, Solola, Chichicastenango , Antigua
Then into Honduras to Copan ,
Into Costa Rica many possible routes but recommend at least the ride around Lago Arenal and volcano views , other volcanos to ride up around Central Valley and the road south to San Isidro over the mountain tops

If you have a round trip planned maybe go to Palenque , then over to the coast at Chetumal and do a bit of Belize then, enter Guatemala for the closest entry to visit Tikal , Fom there either go south via Coban or Rio Dulce
and into Honduras via Corinto to San Pedro Sula and from there it would need to be back southeast through Tegucigalpa and to Nicaragua

Panama could be entered at the north coast at Sixaola CR or at the south side of the country both every interesting .
The point is that there are so many possible ways to go and it is only a case of deciding. Have fun is the main goal and you will find plenty to keep you interested as to discover stuff along the way without planning

[bomboliere]

Hi Sjoerd and first of all, many thanks for your message,
It's a one way trip Mexico to Panama, shipping the bike from europe to mexico (veracruz port) and back from Panama to Europe.
Could you summarize your indications accordingly?
It's very kind of you, my friend!
roberto

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Ah , so it is not a Mexican Roberto we are dealing with, hence the request.
At the moment I too am travelling around on a vacation ride in western Canada and my internet access is sporadic.
But I will provide some more ideas later, you have plenty of time

[bomboliere]

of course,
enjoy your trip and thanks
roberto
(Milan, Italy)

[Peter Bodtke]

Roberto,

First, there are so many good things to see in Mexico DF, you really have to spend time there. There are several fine art museums and the new archeological museum is not to missed. The art museum built by the billionaire Carlos Slim is amazing and entrance is free. Keep your eyes open as you head south from Mexico DF for the smoking volcano.

Oaxaca rocks, a must stop. Good food, catch some music at a club, visit the churches. Afterwards, take 175 through the mountains to the Pacific ocean. Its a full day ride, about 5-6 hours, slow going due to the twists and turns in the mountains. When you arrive at Porto Angel go up the coast ~20 minutes to Zipolite, a sleepy surfer town. Posada Kiki is a cheap place to camp or rent a room (limited number of rooms.) The beach bar Bang-Bang is a lot of fun. Its a little hard to find Posada Kiki, it is the southern most hotel on the strip, somewhat tucked away from the road, no sign when I was there.


I rode almost the length of Belize, mostly because my wife wanted to meet me in Placencia. Belize isn't my favorite country, but check it out of you have time. The culture is rather Caribbean and not always laid back. Belize City can be a little rough, so keep your wits about yourself. I managed to fine a pool bar on the edge of the bad section and nothing evil happened to me. We enjoyed a butterfly farm in the Pine Ridge District (north western) south of San Ignacio.

As mentioned and if time allows go to Tikal the amazing ruins in northeastern Guatemala. I traveled there via Belize. I believe there are roads will get you to Tikal from Mexico. Not sure of the route to the condition of the roads. If you are ready for off road riding, then keep asking and someone will provide the details. AndyT is very experienced in GU.

In Nicaragua, 20-30 minutes southwest of Managua there is a volcano that you ride to the top and look down into the smoking pot. Perhaps late in the day you can see glow of lava. I recommend stopping in Granada for a night or two. Consider storing the bike and taking the ferry to Ometepe Island on Lake Nicaragua. I haven't done it but heard good things from my second cousin who visited the island.

On the Pacific coast in southern Niceragua you might want to visit San Juan del Sur, a laid back surf town. I read about various touristic lodging north of town. Yoga, surfing, that kind of thing. Cheaper backpacker hostels can be found in town. I recommend from personal experience taking the gravel road south of San Juan del Sur to Playa Coco. You ride for 45 minutes to 1 hours. A little further is Playa La Flor, where turtles come in to lay eggs. You'll have to conduct some research see if any turtles are laying eggs while you are there. There is one season in the fall, late September to early October. I believe other turtle nest there, but do not know their schedule. If it is dry (no rain) and you are feeling adventurous, consider continuing south on the road that parallels the ocean until you get near the Costa Rica border. Chance are you will be stopped at some point by young soldiers for an ID check. When the road basically stops turn left and take the farm roads back to the Pan American highway. I have wanted to try this stretch of road, but have no idea it there are farm roads or paths that are navigable. Last time I was there it had been raining, so we turned around at Playa La Flor back tracked to San Juan del Sur, then the 20-30 minutes to the Pan Am...

In David, Panama, I recommend the Bamboo Hostel. In Panama City, Luna's Castle is the place to stay. Not garage for your bike, but there is a guard that stay out front all night.

I have a few spots marked on a personal Google map. http://goo.gl/maps/toR15

Have fun and post some stories.