We've been on the road for 56 days in the US and are ready to head south through Texas and cross into Mexico. Our plan is to ride on the eastern side of Mexico as we journey toward the tip of South America.

Any tips to share about current Texas/Mexico border crossings? (We haven't decided which city to cross through, yet.)

Any tips to share about the eastern side of Mexico?

Thanks!
Jalene
southonabike.com

Need Mexican liability insurance - available on-line.

Visitors permit and TIP can be a trap because of the Hassle free area where they may not be required

__________________
Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map

I would get a good guide book - read up ... but the East coast is my least favorite part of Mexico until you get all the way South to the Caribbean area. Veracruz has it's high points but overall I'm not wild about the look and feel of the whole East coast.

By far the most interesting, beautiful and historic areas are the Central Highlands. (AKA The Bahio) Starting from Real de Catorce in the North, drifting South through San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Aquascalientes, Guanajuato, Dolores de Hildalgo, San Miguel de Allende ... and many towns big and small in the area. You could spend a month in the area easily. (I have) Challenging roads in places.

The weather will be cool this time of year but not much rain. October and November some of the best months. If you like beaches head to Pacific Coast's small villages or Caribbean area away from big Tourist resorts. (hard to find UN developed areas these days)

You are in for some of the best riding of your life once you hit the mountains on the Veracruz/Puebla border. Most people on this forum have no idea what is here. I've been living and riding here, on and off road, for more than two decades. Do not drop down through Tamaulipas. Cross at McAllen and then come down more central. Cross over to Puebla, then into Veracruz and then take the coast. The Mex #180 main coast highway is the shittiest road in Mexico. I live in Veracruz and can give you routing and security advice. Matamoros to Tuxpan is not worth a second look, trust me.

Thanks so much for the specific information. I'd appreciate getting your routing and security advice for Veracruz. Is email the best way to send it? You can use: jalenecase@gmail.com.
Thanks!

If you come to Mexico City we can put you up and show you around for free. Contact me at garryhostel.com @ gmail.com (put it all together)

We crossed Monday morning sept 21st. The border at eagle pass tx was almost too easy. We could have been in trouble if I hadn't done some reading beforehand. We crossed at a small town called Piedras Negras where we were met by a guy in a blue shirt on the street that asked a couple of questions and then waved us on. Never showed a passport or any kind of documents. About 50km down the road there is a checkpoint that you can just drive through without any questions asked, however we stopped in an office and talked our way through the documentation procedure. Otherwise, leaving Mexico might have been a real adventure if we hadn't stopped for visas and motorcycle papers. After getting our visas I had to ask specifically for the motorcycle documentation. Everyone was very friendly and helpful, but slow. No line ups at all at this crossing.

Vroom, take Gerry's offer if you can. I can route you down through to Mex DF. You have a PM. After Gerry, you are positioned well to hit Puebla and then weave your way south through the mountains and over to Los Tuxtlas and then down. Highway has major slow down near Las Choapas, Veracruz owing to political tinderbox drama at the moment. The protest could get worse quickly but will likely be broken up by Federales within 48 hrs.

Thank you so much! I'll hold on to your email in case we decide to head into Mexico City.

Thanks for this information...it's extremely helpful.

Me and Capella87 are entering Mexico sometime in the next 2 weeks, Going through the central highlands as mentioned. We both have ride reports here, though I am updating my ADV report more often http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...ctory.1097613/ and Bram (Capella) is updating here http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...os-aires-83520 . Perhaps we can meet up on the way.

Sounds great! We're leaving Plano, TX today and heading toward Big Bend. I'll send you a PM.

I recommend crossing at Eagle Pass, TX/Piedras Negras. There are cheap hotels in EP. Cross the border in the morning. There is vurtually no traffic. Aduana is very fast and they barely check. The Banjercito, where you get the Temporary Vehicle Permit is about 50 kilometers south of the border. It takes about ten minutes to get a 180 day tourist visa AND the temporary vehicle permit (Permiso de Importacion Temporal de Vehiculos). Have copies of your registration, title, passport and driver's license.

Get at least 100 kilometers south of the border before you stop for the night.

I've been on the road for about six months and I'm finally going to cross into Guatemala this weekend.

Have a great trip.

Forget the nonsense of needing to get at least 100 km past the border before stopping . That is a bit of " wisdom " someone started without too much thought.
If , as some sources suggest, the entirety of all the border states is under the sway of the narco cartels then why would any point beyond 100 km be any less risky than short of that ? This 100 km stuff is creating a false sense of fear or of false security.
If you go 100 km in from Piedras Negras you will be in some lonesome chaparral country but not in any town , having overshot Allende and falling short of Sabinas.
For the safety aspect it is only a serious concern if there may have been a flare up of narco vs police/army violence , so stay informed of those newsworthy events in the border points you are considering .

If all is calm then proceed with normal care and don't ride the open highways at night.

If you get to the border at Eagle Pass TX / Piedras Negras , Coahuila sometime in the afternoon with an hour or two of daylight left and with Mexico insurance looked after you do not need to drop anchor in Eagle Pass . The hotels may be relatively cheap by U.S. standards but that is deceptive.
Actually Piedras Negras is a much bigger city and they have a bunch of pretty good hotels where you can safely stay and pay less than in Texas.ive done it, so can you.
And it is quite safe to spend the night there, get some authentic Mexico food experience and head out at an early hour , after sunrise of course, and move on south.
Second alternative is to cross the Rio Grande , trundle through the border and through the city centre and head down as far as ALLENDE , Coah , it is only 50 km. Allende is the town here you need to arrange your Tourist Card and TVIP at the Mexican Customs Facility. You CAN NOT miss it as it still has the check lanes with roof spanning Mex 57 at the southwest corner of town.
If you just stick to 57 you will hit it. You can get your paperwork at any hour you choose.
Allende has about 5 hotels and they are all good and in a cluster on the north entry to town off Mex 57., There is hotel construction ongoing and a brand new one is super deluxe, but you can get a very good one for about $15 U.S. I know because I'm staying at one tonight, h&c shower, ac, TV , wifi and secure parking at my room door at Hotel Principal, across the street there is a nice restaurant , a Pemex and an Oxxo . All needs looked after in on stop.
This same scenario can be replayed at just about every border crossing from USA into Mexico , this year alone I've spent nights in Matamoros , Nvo Laredo and Mexicali. And I lived to tell about it .
The border cities are not the shooting galleries that some make them out to be . Sure if you go looking for trouble you can find it but behave well and stay out of the dark corners and booze halls and you will have no problems there

__________________
http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93