getting to Cuba Via Mexico
 

Hello,
Can anyone give any advice (i.e. hassles and costs) with getting from Mexico to Cuba. I’m considering it
For a week or so in a Mexican ride in Feb.04.
Thanks in advance.

I'm allso wondering the same question, What's the cheapest way to get across the Darien gap. I know its been done on one of those Ruckon bikes, and it's been done with a land rover, so would it be at all possible with a 650KLR? if a jeep can do it shouldn't a KLR be able? if not, is there a way to take a boat around it with the bike? any info would be great, thanks.

It's also been done twice with R80G/S's - but that was a while ago. Also took weeks to go the 50 odd miles. It's everyone's TV vision of real jungle - loading the bike into a dugout and pushing it through swamps, up to your neck in leeches and snakes, winching it up steep slopes etc. Riding it for maybe a few hundred yards total. Pushing / carrying the rest. Those who have done it wouldn't consider it again.

Today, it's insane because it's a major drug path / guerilla hangout - and your odds of getting through without getting shot is about zero.

Boats are out too - there isn't a legitimate ferry. The others are generally smuggling something, and you are dropped at the beach at midnight. With of course no papers to explain how you got in, how you get out is a little problematic... (massive understatement here...)

Fly. Girag does it regularly and well.


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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

ZacT,

Copa charged me $375 to air frieght my bike from Panama City to Bogota 7 months ago and they were helpful. The Copa agent that helps you with the customs shit in Bogota is real cute and nice - her name is Margarita. Herman and Margarita (different Margarita) on the Panama Side are real nice and speak some english. I will work with Copa whenever I have the need.

I felt the $375 was fair considering the transport distance and lack of alternatives. I found that riding my bike through Cental and South America was not cheap: Border Fees, Gas, Tolls, Cops Etc.

Have fun.

JD

thanks alot for the info guys, Perhaps I'll forget about the idea of taking the bike across the darien gap for now. was the 375 just for the bike? I'm assuming you bought another seperate plane ticket to get across?

ZacT,

The 375 was for the bike. I do not remember the cost for my ticket. Probably 2 - 300 - But I Really forget - Sorry. You will have fun regardless of your route.

JD

I have not done myself, but I met and talked with three Americans who did. Basically they just walked up to the airline counter and bought a ticket. They did not take their bikes, so I have not info on that.

Bob

The land rovers took a very long time to make it. They had people carrying in drums of fuel for them the entire length of the journey despite the trail growing over. I got this info from the Rover dealer in Queenston, Ontario.

Cheers, Steve

As Grant mentioned the Darien is supposed to be hell, Columbia is quite unsafe too.
We flew our Bikes with Panavia from Panama City to Quito for 400USD each including everything in Panama. In Quito we spent another 50USD to get it out of Custom.
For more details contact Ricardo Rocco via aroundforpeace - attt -- yahoo dotdotdot com, he knows everything and is very helpful!

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email address obfuscated to slow down the spambots - PLEASE always obfuscate someone's address if you post it here. Grant

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 18 January 2004).]

When the Range Rover was introduced in the early 70's, two were driven from Alaska to South America. Getting across the Darien took an unbelievable toll on both vehicles and I recall something about many, many spare parts being flown from the UK and then airlifted into Panama.

Even earlier than that, the early 60's, a Jeep and a Land Rover SII were driven across. Again, much of the same. Difficulties, winching, etc, etc. The LR was destroyed when a winch cable broke. I have a copy of that National Geographic issue and occasionally look at it.

It's not something to be taken lightly. Grant's advice is spot on.. your life would be in jeopardy!

There's a huge crackdown in unsanctioned trips into Cuba. The US gov'ment is now tracking people down suspected of such activity and imposing huge fines.

Seems like there was something in today's WSJ even.... do a google search and you'll find that it's still restricted to maybe educational and humanitarian trips...unless you're not from the US of course.

Took flight once from Cancun to Havana. Less than hour and quite inexpensive.--Porter

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on the road(almost)
and lovin' it!!
KLR650-A13 'BURRO'