Douglas,
I've not long left Mexico and it was fantastic. I entered via San Diego and went into Belize through Chetumal. absolutely no problems along the way just stunning country and lovely people.

Well, after a long search for the right used bike I decided to buy a new KLR. Kawasaki financing at 39 a month for 2 years makes it easy. Plan to kick off trip with the Copper Canyon meeting and head south. I received the AAA Mexico guide and it seems to be very good. Any further input on routes or Spanish schools still appreciated.

To jsherm
A few years ago I took some classes in Merida which worked out really well and this March I saw a school in Playa del Carmen which seemed very good. I was going to take my bike into mexico by the tampa ferry but they canceld it this year. Let me know how you are planning to get your bike down to mx. It is quite a ways from ny. Barrettb@optline.net thanks

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For Spanish schools try Cuernavaca. It's supposedly a center Spanish Language Educations. The school that was recomended to me was Pheonix, but there are others in the area.

Kurt

Thanks for the info. Current plan is to skip the ferry and take a week to go from MX via San Antonio, TX for the HU CC meeting. I looked the city for Spanish schools in Lonely Planet and indeed they have a two page listing. Seems to close to Mex City, though.

Cuernavaca is only an hour or two from Mexico City. There's another city in Mexico famous for it's schools as well but the name escapes me right now.

Kurt

It might be a little bit late to mention this--you may have started south--but usually when entering mexico, to process the paperwork they need the original title of the vehicle (unless rules have changed in the last couple months--check recent guides and the aduana website). If your vehicle has a lien, the lienholder has to write a letter saying "it is ok for so-and-so to take this vehicle to mexico."

Since you are financing, this may apply to you. Again, rules change, and are not always imposed consistently, so don't just take my word for this.

I had been assured by my dealer and insurance company that I just needed the title in my name. I insisted on calling the finance company but they just sent me back to the dealer. In the meantime. the bike was stolen and I need to find another one and get the insurance money. I will try to avoid financing and buy a used bike. Again, thanks for the info.

Sorry to hear about the bike being stolen; I hope the insurance works out for you. Anyway, double check with current aduana info and reports from people crossing in the last month or so, but when I last crossed I had to have the title in hand, and it had to be in my name. Normally if you owe money the lien-holder holds the title; there might also be problems if there is a space on the title where it says "lien held by x". Basically, they are trying to avoid someone buying a vehicle on credit and driving to Mexico and not coming back.

You will also want your drivers license, your passport (not required, but seems to make things easier), a current credit card in your name, insurance, and registration. I was never asked for registration, but it was on the list of required paperwork I saw at one point.

Really, it is a very easy and straightforward process if you have all your paperwork in hand--you can be in and out of the aduana in under half an hour; fees should set you back about $25 or so, including a dollar for photocopies.

Here is the aduana webpage giving the details in spanish:

http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aga.asp?Q=PregVehiculos08

and here is an English version, with extra information on aduana hours, etc:

http://www.mexonline.com/drivemex.htm