Mexico feasible for the young and poor?

[RichBomb]

I've been researching a trip to Mexico for winterbreak for months now and it looks like I can scrape by on the money side (scrape as in plan on making my own food and hoping for some hospitality) but I've yet to find an insurance company that will insure me at 19. Mostevery company I can find requires the insured driver to be over 21 or 25 and not on a motorcycle. Is there anyway around this other than waiting two years? I'm itching to go on an adventure, just dying to get out and do something real for a change but it looks like I'm in a prison of red tape here


Edit: Well geeze, looky here, insurance for $205 that covers people under 21, I'm a big old baffoon. Whatever, any advice from veteran travelers still appreciated.

[Lone Rider]

If you're going the backpacker/cheapy route, most expensive things will be fuel and cerveza....

Unless you have a Visa, MC or Amex (some borders don't accept Amex), you'll have to place a deposit of $200-400 for thr Temporary Vehicle Permit - returned when you exit at any border crossing.

[CMWoody]

IMHO, you'll fit right in. Get a tan and dye your hair black too while your at it.

[NAVIGATOR]

We are all young and poor down here

[Lone Rider]

I suggest a Lonely Planet guide book. Not perfect, but has great info.

[ontheborder]

How much can you afford to spend per day?

[Carl.Custer]

Cleveland?
Long ride to Mexico.
An alternative is to hop a bus to the border.
At the border, hop another bus (Bus travel is great in Mexico).
Worse case is students in Mexican universities be clogging the transporation headed home. Take a cheaper bus or hop a train, If the Aztec Eagle still runs, first class (no reserved seat but no farm animals pemitted) is O.K. It's a day-day and a half to Mexico City.
But better, hop off at Saltillo or San Louis Potosi. Take in the atmosphere, eat some tacos (Xmas is tamale and bueñelo time) and practice your Spanish. Find a cheap downtown hotel. Take a bus to Guanajuato or San Miguel De Allende, or Leon, or Aguacalentes, or even Guadalajara or Vera Cruz or wherever catches your interest.
Smaller cities will be more hospitible; you'll meet more local people, and fewer tourists.
When you return, you'll be both thawed and more ready for that moto trip to Mexico in the future.

[ExDesertDog]

Originally Posted by RichBomb

I've been researching a trip to Mexico for winterbreak for months now and it looks like I can scrape by on the money side (scrape as in plan on making my own food and hoping for some hospitality) but I've yet to find an insurance company that will insure me at 19. Mostevery company I can find requires the insured driver to be over 21 or 25 and not on a motorcycle. Is there anyway around this other than waiting two years? I'm itching to go on an adventure, just dying to get out and do something real for a change but it looks like I'm in a prison of red tape here


Edit: Well geeze, looky here, insurance for $205 that covers people under 21, I'm a big old baffoon. Whatever, any advice from veteran travelers still appreciated.

Usually, when you cross the border you can buy Mexican insurance just accross the border.

[karmatourer]

http://www.bajabound.com/
http://www.cyclemex.com/thadknows.php
No affiliations but both come highly recommended.

Originally Posted by RichBomb

I've been researching a trip to Mexico for winterbreak for months now and it looks like I can scrape by on the money side (scrape as in plan on making my own food and hoping for some hospitality) but I've yet to find an insurance company that will insure me at 19. Mostevery company I can find requires the insured driver to be over 21 or 25 and not on a motorcycle. Is there anyway around this other than waiting two years? I'm itching to go on an adventure, just dying to get out and do something real for a change but it looks like I'm in a prison of red tape here


Edit: Well geeze, looky here, insurance for $205 that covers people under 21, I'm a big old baffoon. Whatever, any advice from veteran travelers still appreciated.

[Lafitte]

IMHO , Mexico has plenty of poor people already. One place I would not want to be down on my luck (broke) , is Mexico. In my experience , as long as you are spending $ , sharing the wealth , so to speak , everything is great. I urge you to read some Cormac McCarthy before you go on your quest short of funds.
Regards, via con dios,
Lafitte

[Hltoppr]

My moto trips, ranging from 14 days to 9 days, have always been "cheap" vacations...mostly between the $400 to $600 range, including gas and insurance.

I never had the opportunity to go when I was your age, and somewhat regret it now, as I think it would have changed my life in good ways, so I highly recommend you try and go....bike or bus; even sharing a car with buddies!

Cheers,

-H-