I'm planning on two weeks in Mexico in March, riding in from southern Texas, ride south about as far as Veracruz, across to Mazatlan, then back to Texas. My goal is to see real Mexico and historic sites.

I prefer riding by myself, off the beaten track. I've seen a number of recommendations to not do that. I know some of that are just scare tactics and selling-newspaper tactics, but there are credible reports of deaths and kidnappings.

Danger thoughts? Recommendations? What to avoid? What to see?

thanks,
Chris

P.S. Reading "God's Middle Finger", about a guy who actively sought out narcos and bad-guys in the Sierra Tarahumara, probably wasn't a great choice

HEY CHRIS

I have about 6K RECENT MILES IN MEXICO.
About !/3 of it is solo ( KLR 650)

I go thru the border as early as possible,ride south for a few hours and then begin to enjoy.

Next week my son and i leave for about a month,my 3rd trip his first.

I'm an old dude -65
Try to learn a little spanish, use common sense,be vigilante.
I'm a little old to still be nieve (can't spell it) but i think people are basically good.

I have had good experiences.
GregEaton

I've lived here for over 30 years and have travelled around a bit. I have never had a serious problem so my advice is would be the same be careful and sensible.
If you want to come to Mex City send me a PM or post here. We can show you around and put you up.

My wife and I got back yesterday from a month long 2-up from Arizona to Guaymas, ferry to Santa Rosalia and then thorough riding throughout Baja (N & S). We observed all the normal precautions and had an awesome trip and never felt we were in danger or that a situation was not safe. Mexican drivers were courteous and helpful and the Mexican people were warm and friendly. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Be sure to check out Mollydog's postings. Don't ride at night, yada yada yada. Mexican cops are be on super good behavior and were nothing but helpful and friendly. Go for it and have a super time. Don't take to much stuff- I ended up shipping a box home from Cabo San Lucas.

I'm 75 and met with no problems or difficulties riding south from Veracruz (where I bought my Honda 125 for the ride to Tierra del Fuego) or on the way back north where I crossed to the US at Brownsville. Treat people with courtesy and you will be treated with courtesy. Consider them inferior and you are into a bad trip. Breaking the law (as in speeding) is dumb. Do not expect trucks to have perfect breaks or steering, nor expect all drivers to act in a manner you would consider rational. Do expect animals in the road and rocks left out by drivers who used them as brakes when parked. Don't ride at night - not because of bandits, but because you may hit an unlit car, truck, car, bike or donkey. Heading south, you will pass by the Sierra Gorda, fabulous riding country, charming people. When in Veracruz, eat at any of the restaurants above the fish market - everything fresh and great prawns!

You might find something of help at my BLOG.
Have fun, and ride safely...

Thanks everybody; that was the kind of responses I was hoping for. Use common sense!

That's one thing you learn in travel, isn't it, the dangers are amplified by people who don't know what it's really like.

Thanks for the invite garrydymond, I need to go to the Teotihuacan museum -- I'll contact you if I do.


Chris

I doubt you had that problem on your 125

But bribes are graciously accepted to get out of trouble!

[/quote]Do not expect trucks to have perfect breaks or steering, nor expect all drivers to act in a manner you would consider rational... Don't ride at night - not because of bandits, but because you may hit an unlit car, truck, car, bike or donkey. ...[/quote]

Best advice I have seen!! This is the main danger you will face in Mexico--the drivers, and the road hazards.

Hi, My husband and I are planning a trip from Canada to Ecuador and back through July, Aug and Sept 09. I'm curious about the stuff in the news about gang fights and swine flu. Has anyone been in or through Mexico lately and have some insight on this? Thanks

I experienced mexico as being friendly and save for 99%. And this i confirmed by numerous fellow travelers. Just use common sense and park your bike inside hotels, which is 9 ouf of 10 times possible. So go and enjoy!

About the pig flu.... don't know how that will develop though...

cheers,
alexander

__________________
http://sanderonasingle.blogspot.com/

I have seen several articles about the flu, and it should be something to think about. Not in a paranoid way, but be realistic. The people who have died in Mexico probably did not have easy and direct access to medical care. As visitors, we probably would not know where to find a hospital either, so just be aware of this potential menace. The flu does kill thousands of people in N. America yearly, but this particular strain is scaring people due to it not being around long enough for the majority of people to have developed immunity to it, like we have to other strains. Right now, the US CDC is recommending people not to go to Mexico for non-necessary travel, but that is more to err on the side of caution rather than for an actual pandemic situation.

I would think that being conscience to not itch our eyes or nose, and to keep our fingers away from our mouth would should keep us relatively safe, as it does to help prevent us from getting the common cold or the common strains of flu. Since viruses live on items, we are more likely to catch it by touching items, and then putting our fingers somewhere on our bodies (i.e. eyes, mouth, or nose) than by passing by someone in public.

Just be aware, and stay as clean as you can. I would hate to give someone a false sense of security, so think twice if you need to go to/through Mexico now versus in a few months (the US, too), or wait for the illness to pass, such as the bird flu or SARS of several years ago.