Mexico and Central America Ride Planning and Road Wisdom

[Jeff Munn]

With the help of K7, I now have these tips in .pdf format. They can be found at this link for downloading and printing. (CA Wisdom in printable format)

I also went back and edited the first post to include the link.

My thanks to those adding their tips. Since I've never ridden the Baja, I did not know the rules for vehicle import and travel in the rest of Mexico did not apply there. Also, Pilot was correct in pointing out that at any border other than the US, you will have to process OUT of the country you are in, go a couple hundred yards, and then process INTO the next country. Usually departing is a lot easier than entering, but it is a time consuming process. I think Pilot did a 2 border day when he was running north solo (departing Costa Rica, across Nicaragua and into Honduras), but as a general rule that is a very difficult proposition and will kick your butt.

[slideways]

I have lived in Central America for the last eight years and your advice is right on target. The only thing I could add would be that when dealing with the police always ask for a boleto (ticket) or factura (receipt) when they ask you for money. In Honduras there are set amounts for certain traffic violations but the police can be enterprising at times and try to charge you much more than the actual amount.

This thread should be made a sticky.

[EduardoMas]

Jeff's advise is perfect! Follow it. He has explained details I forgot from a year ago while doing the same route.

While doing Baja I decided to keep going (unplanned) and invited Friends to fly and meet me in Costa Rica in 11 days and later continued to Yaviza Panama.
So most of CA was done in a rush but still through secondary roads, with border crossings taking a big chunk of time.

Now as Jeff described, you will have to export and import your bike at all borders, and as a rule (except for a few borders), this is best done on weekdays during office hours because some of the 2 or 5 officers ,agents or banks you need to talk or get signatures, stamps or pay may be off.
If it wasn't for your bike or car you can go through 24/7.

Read Jeff's advice, print it and keep it in the map drawer to read again before you leave to CA, it is SPOT ON!!

Being fluent in spanish and knowing most coloquialisms and gestures I hepled a few traveling gringos at the borders who would have done things a lot faster (and often cheaper) if they had some basic Spanish.

Again, Jeff is right... learn some Spanish.
Thanks to Jeff for taking the time to write all this for the rest of us!!!

Cheers!
Eduardo
XR650R

[dnunley]

Just want to add my plaudits to Jeff for an INVALUABLE (and I'm sure, time-consuming) piece of work. I'm riding to Costa Rica next Jan. or Feb and will consider this to be my "bible." (Also helps that I speak Spanish)

[Jeff Munn]

If this is so worthless that is has fallen to the bottom of the second page, maybe I should just delete it. Some have thought it worthy of a sticky. Moderators? Have you an opinion? Please let us know.

[kootenay kid]

Jeff, that is awesome information. I have my sights on Central and South America and greatly apreciate your vast wealth of information.

[Django Loco]

Originally Posted by Jeff Munn

If this is so worthless that is has fallen to the bottom of the second page, maybe I should just delete it. Some have thought it worthy of a sticky. Moderators? Have you an opinion? Please let us know.

Hey Jeff,
This is most definitley Sticky material. Probably the most useful document
I've seen on ADVrider.

The problem, as I've complained about many times, is that there is really no
trip planning forum at ADVrider. This type of info really has no place given
the current set up.

The Upcoming forum is all about group rides and events with endless crap about where everyone is going to meet up on the first day. Useless.

The regional forums don't even have a Mexico or S. America section.

Its not a Ride Report, cause it hasn't happened yet.

So tell me.. where does this type of important travel information belong?

I've bitched and moaned about this for a year or so. The Mods don't care
or don't get it.

We NEED a Trip Planning forum. A place were solid and proven advice like
yours can be dissiminated, shared and added to. A place where travel questions can be answered and specific current info can be exchanged.

HU is good for this but is little used and is mostly European. HU is helpful and
Grant's site is great, but I think ADVrider could do something just as good.

STICKY? HELL YES!!!

I propose this Thread be moved....into a New Forum.
Trip Planning.

[THE CAT]

I must agree with Mr Loco!!

The problem is that you hae this great info and eventually it will just all disappear because the thread is not kept alive and in the forefront.

This kind of info is invaluable and realtively timeless in nature.

Great ida Mr LOco!!

Let's make a little noise!!

The CAt

[12ride]

In February of 2005 myself and a friend crossed into Mexico at the Naco crossing(south of Bisbee). The immigration and vehicle registration offices were just around the corner from each other. In addition at the vehicle office they made all copies on their copy machine and did not charge us anything. We also paid all fees at that office and took the receipt back to immigration who issued us the travel permits. It took about 30 minutes.

We later took the ferry to Baja Sur from Topolobampo to La Paz and was not asked about travel permits. When we came back from Santa Rosalita to Los Mochus on that ferry we were not asked for anything except cash. They would not accept credit cards. (the ferry from Topo. to La Paz took credit cards). We came back through Naco on the way home and turned in our vehicle permits. (5 minutes??). jim

[free2slide]

Awesome post, some things I had already heard about and some things you mentioned were new. I saved your posts and web site link in my documents.

Does a small cargo trailer pulled behind a motorcycle count as another vehicle requiring seperate documentation?

I'm planning a Central American motorcycle surfing trip. I'm trying to fabricate a pull behind to carry extra water, camping gear, and surf board for remote surf spots.

I had a buddy of mine and his girlfriend do the same trip in a Nissan truck. They camped at surf breaks the whole way down and back and never had a serious incident. They were gone about 6 months and spent 3 grand, mostly on gas...

[colomtnbiker]

How sweet this information is. I just copied it. The wife and I just got back from a 31 day, 6400 mile trip to the pacific northwest, British Columbia and back to Colorado. This was our warmup ride for our trip through Mexico to the Panama Canal and back starting December 1, a 3 month adventure.
Thanks again.

[Django Loco]

Well I guess this thread is now in Outer Darkness!

I guess that's better than nothing. Now, lets make it a STICKY!!

[free2slide]

What is...and how do you make something a "sticky"?

JT

[Django Loco]

I have no idea how a Sticky is created, but the moderator is the one to
take care of this.

This forum is moderated by "philspace" who probably has moved on
and no longer reads this forum. Dunno.

[Lone Rider]

Originally Posted by Django Loco

I have no idea how a Sticky is created, but the moderator is the one to
take care of this.

This forum is moderated by "philspace" who probably has moved on
and no longer reads this forum. Dunno.

My understanding (always suspect) is that 'they' (I've never met 'they') are in the process of fluffing up the Regionals. Some additional sub-Mod help, or maybe more, for the different regions.

I'm guessing that Sir Bald Smart One understands the long term possibilities.
Philspace is a good dude, so just PM him (overload him with demands) with any questions.

Yeah, patience sux....