Dear Cartagenabound,

I have taken both Pacific, Gulf and central plateau routes heading south to central America. It can be quite chilly in Feb. heading across New Mexico/Arizona in the depths of winter. It can also be chilly on the Mexican central plateau in the mornings. Checking the internet weather, I see it is 45 degrees in Mexico City as I write this in the early morning. As you are coming from Atlanta, I can see your interest in southern Texas and gulf coast Mexico route. I have been through Laredo/Nueve Laredo heading south on 85 to Monterrey, Ciudad Victoria, heading over to Tampico, Tuxpan, Veracruz on 180 before cutting across the ithsmus of Tehuantepec. The road stays in the lower elevations along the gulf coast plains pretty much all the way. Evenso, it was in the 40's in the morning in the far north. I like to ride in the early morning before everybody gets up. Traffic is sparse from sunrise to 9 or 10 am in rural Mexico. It warms up in the daytime and quickly you are south and it is in the 70s and 80s and you are wondering why the hell you brought a heated vest. (Until you get to the mountains of Guatemala in the early morning).
The gulf coast route has no tourists to speak of. I didn't see a gringo until I got to Veracruz. Most tourists head to the colonial cities in the mountains or the Pacific coast beaches. And with good reason. The Mexican gulf coast is flat and less dramatic than the Mexican Pacific coast. Evenso it is a quick route to Guatemala from where you are coming. So, to answer your original question, I have done the gulf coast route. It is fine. My advice is to wander around Mexico if you have the time. Enter at Reynosa or Laredo, head south and cut up into the mountains if the weather is nice and you feel like it. Mexico is HUGE. You will see what I'm talking about when you get there.
Have heaps of fun you lucky dog!

Kindest regards,
John

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076