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Baja in January 2015 headed south
Hey guys,
I'm planning to ride from Toronto to Brazil in stages and am looking for people to ride with starting in Mexico. I'll be leaving from Rosarito, Baja, Mexico in January, my dates are flexible. I plan to cross Baja and catch the ferry to Mazatlan and go from there. About me: I'm male, from the states, and in my late 20s with a lot of travel experience but I haven't done a ton of motorcycle travel. I crossed vietnam on a 125 with a friend, and did a solo trip of ~4000km around the US and Canada including a stop off at an incredible HU meeting. I'm friendly, optimistic, and love adventure. My Spanish is mediocre(I plan to get better), my Portuguese is good. Anyone considering a similar timeframe or interested in doing a leg of it together? Message me. Cheers, Rob |
Rob,
You are very likely to meet up with various riders on your way South. Lots of riders on the road in January. You will find riders at popular destinations all along the Gringo trail. As an alternative to Ferrying to Mazatlan, you might consider taking the Ferry to Topolobambo instead. It's only 5 hours vs. 12 + to Mazatlan. If you wanted to see Copper Canyon, then that is the way to go. Also, MUCH cheaper to Topo than Mazatlan. I hope you take time to explore the Mexican Central Highlands. Bit cool in January but delightful. Beaches are good too if want to go that way. Both areas worth while. Good guide book or ask here for "special" places. Your Portuguese will serve you well when learning Espanol. You can take Spanish classes at many places along your route. I know some in S. Mexico (San Cristobal de las Casas) and in Antigua, Guatemala. Both destinations will be loaded with Motoqueros from all over. !Que le via muy bien! bier |
I am doing Baja Norte Dec 26. Not sure if that's too early for you
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My knowledge at the moment is limited to reading trip reports and hearing stories at a HU event, are there any resources you'd recommend to get a better idea of what to do and where to avoid? Just pick up a rough guide or lonely planet? More trip reports? I'm not really the planning type but I'm worried if I dont on this one I'll miss a lot of great stuff if I'm mostly just pushing South. Cheers, Rob |
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+1 on Copper Canyon. Also the Spanish schools in Antigua, Guatemala are an excellent value. While enrolled in a school there you can billet with a local family for as low as $80 USD for an entire week -- including meals!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Rob
Some few advises for your security: - don't travel at night, after 7 pm - don't travel through Michoacan and Guerrero. If possible turn to the center states after Sonora |
I these season, we have some hurricanes or tropical storms that can turn the weather rally bad, so check the weather forecast dally.
- If possible travel with some partner or contact bikers groups to join in some areas. The tip will increase your safety through Mexico a lot Regards |
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I'll definitely do more research as the time gets closer and my basic route becomes more clear. Cheers. |
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Not sure I'd swear off two entire Mexican States. YES .. the Cartels have been active there ... but hard to avoid an area just 40 miles from D.F. How out of control should we believe things are? It's always dangerous in the back country there during harvest season. (NOW!) But millions travel up and down those coastal roads without issue, yes? (Mex. 200) This latest massacre of young students (last week) in this area has lots of people freaked out ... lets hope the military can make it safe enough to drive public roads. (although could be a civil war brewing ... as it was THE MILITARY (or Police?) who killed the students.) I don't believe it's like their shooting Motoqueros off their bikes. I would stay off remote dirt back roads in Michoacan now ... (harvest season). But mostly they're harvesting Speed and Heroin these days ... and the big problem is they are using their own product. Nothing more dangerous in the world than a Tweaker. Quote:
Military, Police, Cartel guys all shooting it out. There are major Meth labs in these remote areas ... product is funneled down to Culiacan and distributed world wide from there. It's a huge, remote and rugged area and the military can't control all of it ... and really don't even try. Years ago it was just Marijuana ... seemed the growers had a "arrangement" with Military, now, with Speed, Heroin and BIG MONEY ... that arrangement has gone to Hell and the result is all out warfare. It's better now than it was a few years ago ... But suffice to say tourism is probably down in Creel and Batopilas yet you can read CURRENT ride reports of riders passing through without issue ... I just read one today: http://www.smboilerworks.com/pride-b...0f02-231969085 I would go ... but don't believe everything you hear from locals. They're all afraid of the guys in the next village. I did extensive exploration in this area ... at every village locals would warn against the "indios malos" in the next town ahead. Went on all day, through 3 or 4 villages. No "indios malos" encountered ... and we were lost in the most remote area in all of Mexico. Talk to other travelers ... always a bunch in Creel. Talk to riders who've done it recently. Always consider your source. |
Hey, was on the road and just read this. Thanks again for the advice. I haven't scanned too closely on the various mexico/C.A. subforums here on the HUBB but there are some pretty good regularly updated ones on advrider with lots of current security info.
As of now I plan to avoid Michoacan and Guerrero but am disappointed to do so. Ive heard great things about both, especially Michoacan. But the bottom line is I'm traveling solo, for the first time on moto in Latin America, I'm not fluent in Spanish...etc and I'm fairly young so hopefully this won't be my only pass through Mexico. I am going to read some more Mexico threads and TRs before starting to plan a route, and even then my route will be general (basically a list of states and maybe some must-see places to stop) and I'll adjust it as I go based on my mood and what I hear from locals and travelers there. Great point about the "malos indios" it is the same everywhere. In Brasil, dont get them started on those damn argentinians. In Argentina, it's Chileans. And in America they think EVERY country is dangerous haha. Cheers. |
Bump, dates getting closer, trip plans are getting more solid. I'll be heading south starting Jan 2nd but could potentially be convinced to leave earlier. So far I'm planning as if I'm going solo because I'm going either way, but I'd prefer to have travel buddies for a few weeks, especially early on and in north/central mexico. Cheers.
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Just returned from the wider Xilitla area with friends and had a wonderful trip riding the tarmac. Experienced several incidents of over the top hospitality extended to me and us over our trip. There is a different vibe in Mexico with the protests and political issues, but just be aware of it. I experienced nothing of it directly, but heard short comments a couple times. You're a gringo and a tourist, like I was, so not a threat. I am in envy. Have a great trip! |
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For now I'm going to give it a pass and hopefully will ride my bike back home and take that route when I have more experience and my Spanish is better. It's a shame as it looks like I'll skip Guerrero/Michoacan as well. Hopefully things get better for the people of Mexico but I imagine they'll get worse first. |
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I will probably give them a miss despite really wanting to see these areas. I'm not saying that nobody should go there, just that from the people I've talked to it is outside my risk equation for my first solo trip on bike in the region. |
Headed into Baja on Friday with plans to spend 5-6 weeks in Mexico before heading into Central America. Anyone around? Lets grab a beer.
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Mexico Buddies
Hi Robb,
I am about to enter Mexico through the Nogales border, will be doing this on Thursday, then riding south all the way to Panama. Hopefully the plan will be Hermasillo, Creel (Copper Canyon), the through some small mountain roads to another place, then another, haha... I've got a route sorted, and want to take in as much as i can, but at the same time, don't have all the time in the world. I'm planning on riding through to SA. Where are you now? Hit the road yet? Maybe we can catch up at some point. Neil |
Hi,
I'm looking at heading down from the states through Central America. Haven't got a bike yet, but could possibly be leaving within the next two weeks if everything works out. Would love to try and catch you guys, I'm travelling solo too. Keep me in mind anyway. |
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I'm heading over to LA on the 24th of jan, planning to head south without much else of a plan =) Also need to get a bike in Cali asap but think I should be able to cross the border into Mexico first week of feb. How are you getting on with your trip? Best Regards! |
Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Right now Im in La Paz in Southern Baja. Trip couldnt be going better. I met another HU rider who I've rode with since Rosarito and it's been awesome but we'll probably split off at some point because we are on slightly different timeframes (Im trying to move a bit slower).
Keep me posted on your trips and maybe we can get together somewhere on the mainland. Also I can put you in touch with the guy Im riding with, he's great, super laid-back, and really easy to get along with. Cheers. -Rob |
Hi Rob.
Nice to hear that you're having fun in Baja. Have you been using camp sites? Assuming you'll take a ferry over to the mainland, it would be great to get an update on the price and how the crossing was in general. Can't wait to get going! =) Quote:
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I'll keep you posted on the ferry price and crossing. We are trying to decide a route towards central mexico now. Cheers. |
I have a place on the beach near Todos Santos for campers
Robb if your still around look me up. We where probably leaning on the same palm tree last night in Todos
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Hey all, i'm in zacatecas now and it's probably my favorite city in Mexico so far. The ferry crossing was 2006 pesos for myself and the bike plus an additional 76 pesos at the weigh station.
This was without a cabin but it's probably worth it to get one if you have four people it will cost like $12 each and youll have your own bed. I instead opted to sleep on the floor on my moto jacket. Make sure you take whatever you need with you from the hold when you leave your bike because you cant go back down. I thought about this all night long while my sleeping bag, mat, and pillow remained in the bike. Hey freddy, where are you now? |
Zacatecas is a great town! Enjoy!
This last November (2014) I paid: 1728 Pesos (La Paz to Topo) for me & bike. (DR650) No cabin. That is $130 USD (using ex. rate from credit card of 13.2 per USD) I paid 4,970 Pesos for my TVIP. (deposit plus a FEE) Also paid port charge, I think same as you 70 some pesos? I got my $300 plus deposit back as soon as I checked out and cancelled TVIP near Nogales border. Bancjercito credit your account in a day or less ... usually. Totally agree about getting a private cabin. First time I crossed on this Ferry, from Topo to La Paz, only took 5 hours. But this last time from La Paz to Topo took about 6 hours. Had a cabin with three buddies ... slept the entire crossing. This last time I suffered in the Bar. :rofl: |
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Zacatecas was fantastic, I spent 9 days there and nearly was convinced to rent an apartment for a month or two with some friends I made but the trip must go on. I'm am currently in querétaro headed for Bernal and Teotihuacan. Where is everybody? |
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Thanks for the info about the ferry, always good to have an idea even if I'm sure they wouldn't try to rip you off on a thing like that. I'm in Loreto atm. Loving the town and the campsite so far. Nice to have some wifi and fresh water after roughing it on the beach for the past week, and at 60 pesos it feels like a steal. (Riveria del mar, RV camp.) Close to beach and town center if anyone's passing through. Will probably head inland after Mazatlan as well, did you stop at the Sierra de Organos national park on the way to Zacatecas? |
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Thanks for the info Molly, Do you have any suggestions on what route to take going south on the mainland from Mazatlan? Sierra de Organos looks like a good distance on the way to Zacatecas but have no idea after that... |
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I did not hit Zacatecas this last trip, was there years ago. Don't know Organos park, but looks good and it's on the way to Zaca if you go EAST to Durango from Mazatlan. Some good back roads in the area. Or, you could go South along the coast and beaches, which I know better since I've done Surf trips down there since early 70's. Still tolerable temps at the beach I would think. But by May, could be too hot? If so, go back UP to the Sierra :thumbup1: I've ridden Mex 200 several times, stopping at beaches along the way, all the way to Guat. border. Did it on a Jawa 350 two stroke in 1973 the first time. Favorite place? Barra de Navidad ... now over run with development but good places near by. But the Sierra is also fantastic, historic towns, fun roads, not many tourists. Prices should be "flexible". I loved Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende ... all fun places to hang out. bier |
Nah I didn't stop there, just straight from Durango to Zacatecas.
Now I'm in Oaxaca city, I went from querétaro->bernal->puebla and from there I decided to take the road less traveled. I took the 182 across the mountains to Tuxtepec and then the 175 down to Oaxaca. Was quite the adventure. I would recommend it, the scenery on the 182 was incred. I spent 10 hours at a roadblock though by protesting teachers. All in all it was a good experience, met and befriended a lot of the protestors, I shared what food I had and they fed me dinner. I was planning to sleep in the street there with them when a deal was finally reached and the roadblock broke at around 8PM so I road a few km up the street to a hotel. The 175 was good as well but thick fog and rain made it a really slow pass with no cool views. Quote:
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Looks like we are a couple of months behind you, I'll keep an eye on this thread for some good suggestions
Will cross from US to Baja tomorrow Safe travels Glen |
Yeah man feel free to PM me questions Im not really posting much here. I also have a lot of friends here in Mexico I can ask about stuff I dont know about. I dont check here often though so I'll pm you my email.
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Finally crossed over to the mainland yesterday. Man it's easy to get stuck in Baja. In Durango now. Man, especially the first 200km between Mazatlan and Durango is def one of the greatest roads I've ridden. Never fought I would grind foot pegs that much on this trip, on a klr.
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http://patricksphotos.smugmug.com/ph...-M6tXbVm-L.jpg
A great road indeed. One of the most remote sections, a true road of 10,000 curves! :mchappy: I rode on Libre road most of the way ... then switched to Cuota road right before Durango to make up some time. enjoy! bier |
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I've added this one to the list for when we hit the Mainland
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