Mexico Ride
Mexico has vast opportunities to experience different terrain, history, and culture, and is easily within reach of the average US citizen. Largely overlooked due to the bad press, Mexico is often regarded as a fantastic vacation or travel area by those with first hand experience. A couple ferry options open both the Baja (north west) and the Yucatan (south east) peninsulas to traveling without backtracking. This trip would require both the most preparation and planning, as well as the most time, of any of my 'planned' trips.
Options range from 5500 miles (3500 miles to and from, and 2000 miles in Mexico, with 1 small ferry crossing) to 7000 miles (3500 miles to and from, and 3500 miles in Mexico, with 1 small and 1 large ferry crossing).
I break Mexico down into 3 sections: The (west) Baja Peninsula, massive mainland Mexico, and Southern Mexico. These sections are not 'official', it's simply how I view Mexico.
Options range from 5500 miles (3500 miles to and from, and 2000 miles in Mexico, with 1 small ferry crossing) to 7000 miles (3500 miles to and from, and 3500 miles in Mexico, with 1 small and 1 large ferry crossing).
I break Mexico down into 3 sections: The (west) Baja Peninsula, massive mainland Mexico, and Southern Mexico. These sections are not 'official', it's simply how I view Mexico.
Some Basics
You need a special (supplemental) vehicle insurance to drive in Mexico. Http://www.bajabound.com is a popular source for this insurance, although it is available through several different websites and all major border crossings. I want my border crossings to go as smooth as possible, so I will be per-purchasing my insurance. I ran a quote for my KTM 990 Adventure to get an idea what kind of cost I would be likely to pay. 15 days of insurance cost between $150 and $200, many more days than that, and it's worth it to jump to a 6 month policy ($270-$370).
A visa is not required for US citizens staying in Mexico less than 180 days, although a current passport is required. Also, a Tourist Card will be required; this can be obtained from any boarder crossing at the cost of about $25 (it is not available online). No further documentation is required, although traveling in foreign countries should always necessitate extra precautions such as photo copies of all important documents and cards and critical phone numbers (in case your wallet or cell phone come up missing).
The common currency in Mexico is the Peso, although boarder towns often take US dollars as well. The exchange rate generally fluctuates around 13 Mexican Pesos to 1 US Dollar. This exchange rate plus the lower cost of living can lead a Mexican trip to cost much less than the equivalent trip in the USA (even after the aforementioned insurance and card costs). Food (whether at a restaurant or store) averages about 80% less in Mexico. I've read that a lone traveler, staying at budget accommodations and only paying for 2 meals, can expect to live at under $25 (US Dollars) a day. A person can travel well (lodging and eating) at $50 per day.
While you can exchange US Dollars for Mexican Peso's at any major bank or border crossing, many simply utilize a credit card and ATM to get Peso's as they need them. Large establishments will take standard credit cards in Mexico. But smaller gas stations, restaurants, stores, etc, always need Pesos.
The language barrier: Obviously, it would be optimal if one could speak Spanish when traveling to Mexico. Since that's not always an option, learning some common phrases, and realizing that a positive attitude of 'help me, help you' goes a very long way. Border and tourist areas will have many English speakers, but smaller towns will likely have very few. The good news is, locals are often very excited to see tourists, and are happy to help, even when lacking a common language. Personally, if I'm going to put months into planning a ride, I can put some effort into learning common phrases as well.
Here are a few handy resources covering the basics of traveling in Mexico:
A visa is not required for US citizens staying in Mexico less than 180 days, although a current passport is required. Also, a Tourist Card will be required; this can be obtained from any boarder crossing at the cost of about $25 (it is not available online). No further documentation is required, although traveling in foreign countries should always necessitate extra precautions such as photo copies of all important documents and cards and critical phone numbers (in case your wallet or cell phone come up missing).
The common currency in Mexico is the Peso, although boarder towns often take US dollars as well. The exchange rate generally fluctuates around 13 Mexican Pesos to 1 US Dollar. This exchange rate plus the lower cost of living can lead a Mexican trip to cost much less than the equivalent trip in the USA (even after the aforementioned insurance and card costs). Food (whether at a restaurant or store) averages about 80% less in Mexico. I've read that a lone traveler, staying at budget accommodations and only paying for 2 meals, can expect to live at under $25 (US Dollars) a day. A person can travel well (lodging and eating) at $50 per day.
While you can exchange US Dollars for Mexican Peso's at any major bank or border crossing, many simply utilize a credit card and ATM to get Peso's as they need them. Large establishments will take standard credit cards in Mexico. But smaller gas stations, restaurants, stores, etc, always need Pesos.
The language barrier: Obviously, it would be optimal if one could speak Spanish when traveling to Mexico. Since that's not always an option, learning some common phrases, and realizing that a positive attitude of 'help me, help you' goes a very long way. Border and tourist areas will have many English speakers, but smaller towns will likely have very few. The good news is, locals are often very excited to see tourists, and are happy to help, even when lacking a common language. Personally, if I'm going to put months into planning a ride, I can put some effort into learning common phrases as well.
Here are a few handy resources covering the basics of traveling in Mexico:
- Go Mexico - Before You Travel To Mexico
- Fodor's Travel - Customs and Etiquette in Mexico
- Chicago Tribune - Staying Safe in Mexico
- Complex City Guide - 20 Things You Need To Know Before Traveling To Mexico
Baja Peninsula
The Baja Peninsula is the furthest west, at about 2100 miles from my door to the boarder crossing (in Mexicali, Mexico), but is home to some fantastic riding. MEX-1 is a paved 2-lane (think, country road) that travels the length of the peninsula. Hotels, camping, and food are common place along the route, although fuel is more sparse (the longest stretch is almost 200 miles between fuel, towards the southern end). Endless smaller roads (both paved and unpaved) lead off into terrains ranging from desert, to mountains and canyons, to beaches generally only found in ones wildest fantasies. The peninsula is nearly 1000 miles long, with La Paz and Cabo San Lucas as the larger cities towards the southern tip. La Paz is home to the main Ferry line running across the Gulf of California to mainland Mexico (docking in both the northern Topolobampo, or southern Mazatlán.
Below are some pictures of this region that have sparked my interest.
Below are some pictures of this region that have sparked my interest.
Baja References and Ride Reports
Mainland Mexico
Like in Baja, Mainland Mexico features Deserts, Beaches, Mountains, and Canyons. More pavement is obviously present, but smaller roads are still quite often unpaved.
Centrally located is the massive Mexico City, the largest city in the western hemisphere and third largest in the world, populated by 21.2 million people. I'm not sure if that statistic alone makes it a must see or a must avoid location.
Most popular to the motorcycle traveler is the Copper Canyon region to the west. In fact, nearly the entire length of the west coast is comprised of mountains and canyons, nearly 1200 miles worth.
Mexico has 67 national parks, two thirds of which are located in this 'mainland' Mexican region.
Mexico References and Ride Reports
Southern Mexico
For my own uses, I consider just about everything below Mexico City to be Southern Mexico; that includes the Yucatan Peninsula. This area is still known for it's stunning terrain and beaches and enjoyable roads, but the main feature is the Mayan ruins. I suppose Cancun and Cozumel (and associated coral reefs) are high on the list of highlights, but the Mayan ruins can provide a historical and cultural experience that most Americans never get the opportunity to enjoy.
The problem with this region is simply it's extreme distance from the USA. From my door to Mexico City is 2,200 miles, and to Cancun is a massive 3,000 miles, and that's simply going down the east coast. Add in traveling west to see Copper Canyon and it's closer to 4500 miles, and if you figure the Baja Peninsula into the plan, the route becomes nearly 6,000 miles. The issue becomes greater when you have to backtrack the entire length of the this southern portion of Mexico before heading north again. The solution is coming soon in the form of United Caribbean Lines Ferry/Cruise from Cancun Mexico to Gulfport Mississippi. This ferry would allow me to see nearly all of Mexico, while riding in a loop without any serious backtracking. I also see Cancun as a prime meeting point, if say, the girlfriend wanted to fly there for a beach getaway, and I wanted to take a couple weeks to ride there (via the very long way).
The problem with this region is simply it's extreme distance from the USA. From my door to Mexico City is 2,200 miles, and to Cancun is a massive 3,000 miles, and that's simply going down the east coast. Add in traveling west to see Copper Canyon and it's closer to 4500 miles, and if you figure the Baja Peninsula into the plan, the route becomes nearly 6,000 miles. The issue becomes greater when you have to backtrack the entire length of the this southern portion of Mexico before heading north again. The solution is coming soon in the form of United Caribbean Lines Ferry/Cruise from Cancun Mexico to Gulfport Mississippi. This ferry would allow me to see nearly all of Mexico, while riding in a loop without any serious backtracking. I also see Cancun as a prime meeting point, if say, the girlfriend wanted to fly there for a beach getaway, and I wanted to take a couple weeks to ride there (via the very long way).
Southern Mexico References and Ride Reports:
