Getting ready for a ride to Belize and back from the states with a buddy. Any word on banditry around the Mexican border nowadays. Just a bit concerned about the 100 or so miles on either side. Any suggestions on places to avoid on this ride... :confused1:

Thanks

My info is a little old, but 10 months ago I was around that area. It seemed safe to me - I camped the entire time. There is heavy military presence there as well. They will stop you, ask for your papers and then want to know how fast your bike will go. Same old stuff.

If you want, PM me and I will send you an email address of a fellow Mexican rider I met on my trip to SA, he lives in DF but will be a wealth of knowledge.

When it comes down to it though, just go.

As with much else the news about Mexican border crime is often sensationalised. Yes , there are muggings, roberies etc . and they reflect the problems caused by large numbers of people from Mexico and Central America gathering in the frontier zone for the express purpose of trying to get into the USA. As can be expected such a collection of vulnerable people often carrying much of their meagre savings will also attract the nasty parasites who see a chance to make a killing, sometimes literally.Nearly all of the nastyness is suffered by these migrants, during their hazardous nighttime attempts to get into the "promised land". This phenomenon is also present along the southern border of Mexico where they sneek in from Guatemala .The other problem is the organized smuggling of drugs and these morons have been particularly violent recently, killing cops and anyone who tries to get in their way.
You as a tourist will have little real contact with these problems unless you go looking for trouble. Sure, go for a look at some of the problem areas in daylight, but get off the highway before dark. Observe the game of cat and mouse from the US side as INS agents patrol the fences or the Rio GRande banks, haul back busloads of detainees to be released in Mexico so they can give it another try.
Just be watchful of what you do, mind your manners ,travel in daylight and you will be fine.

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