Is Mexico Safe?

[Turkeycreek]

Originally Posted by dcstrom

Hey guys, TVIP question - I'm going to Mexico in a couple of weeks and was about to apply online the TVIP... I'd recalled something about having to apply 7 days in advance, so thought I had plenty of time. Turns out there is a 7 day processing period, then time for mailing, so seems like it needs at least 3 weeks lead time to get the paperwork. So looks like I have to do it at the border. Plan is go via Baja and get the ferry from La Paz to Matelzan.

My question is - where do I do immigration and TVIP in this case? Any issues I need to watch out for?

thanks

Trevor

I'll agree with Sjoerd Bakker's comment. Don't do the internet thing. If your bike is stolen or wrecked between the time you do the online thing and get to the border you might have to jump through major hoops get your deposit back and be able to get a new permit. The risk of this is quite small but as Sjoerd Bakker says, it is so easy either when you enter Mexico or In La Paz. I crossed at Mexicali 3 years ago. Simple, just cross at the truck gate, well to the east of the downtown gate. There was no Banjercito downtown 3 years ago.

There is good general info here on my website though most of it is specific to crossing into Sonora. Bien Viaje
http://www.losarcossonora.com/index....ps/attheborder

[jimmex]

Originally Posted by Sjoerd Bakker

Forget about any Holiday Inn as being cheap !
Go to. 69 Avenida Republica de Uruguay. There just ride your bike in through the huge
front portal of Hotel Montecarlo . You will get a nice room for $25 or less
Secure parking garage just after you ride past the reception desk.
You will be only 2 blocks SW of the ZOCALO and on a quiet street of stores, offices and other
hotels in the Centro Historico and tourist district with regular police surveillance.
Quite safe area to go walking about . Visit the upper deck of the Torre Latino for a
great view
(if you already booked in at a snooty $$$$. hotel just see how much you
overpaid..... then get a refund and move to my favorite hotel ��)

OK so its not that cheap; I've walked by that place on Calle Uruguay on the way to Danubio and I'll have to try it.

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by Sjoerd Bakker

What IS the big deal about getting crap over the internet?

Fast and reliable.

Choose whatever method floats your boat, but I've had nothing but complete success with TVIPs ordered online, and will continue to get them that way.

As to the other comment above about possibly wrecking your bike when you've already obtained your TVIP online, well, people who sit there and worry about that kind of thing aren't going to head for the border anyway.

[tricepilot]

To the comments about always finding the cheap accommodations at every turn: its fun and noble to be able to travel on the cheap, but sometimes a nice place is worth the expense.

Jimmex suggested the Hotel Santa Fe in Puerto Escondido and I'm glad he did. We could have found any number of cheaper places but that locale was a true treat and IMHO worth the money.

Yes, absolutely there is a way to travel Mexico and leave your tent at home and make virtually every night's stay safe, comfortable and serviceable. It is nice to spend some extra cash IMHO only now and then to crank it up a few notches. The good thing is that there are usually always choices from A to Z and its up to you how you want to travel.

[Turkeycreek]

Ok Trice, It works for you and many others but maybe not everyone. I just used the previous examples because my friend rolled his truck just north of the border on the way down last year and had a wonderful paper chase experience lasting 6 months to get it clear. So other possibilities, if you boss cancels your vacation, you get sick, you significant other needs you at home or your gerbil needs a hysterectomy: You can't go. But now you still have to get the bike to the border to clear the permit. The Banjercito folks have to see it and get a photo of the VIN. I don't know about DCstrom but if you are not a man of leisure and fully in control of your time like me, , this could be a real hassle. Sh*t happens to all of us and even if bikes don't get wrecked, sometimes plans do.

[tricepilot]

If one wanted to begin to imagine all the things that could go wrong, might as well get several bottles of merlot, get with friends who think the same way, and make a party out of it.

[BobLoblaw]

Originally Posted by Turkeycreek

Ok Trice, It works for you and many others but maybe not everyone. I just used the previous examples because my friend rolled his truck just north of the border on the way down last year and had a wonderful paper chase experience lasting 6 months to get it clear. So other possibilities, if you boss cancels your vacation, you get sick, you significant other needs you at home or your gerbil needs a hysterectomy: You can't go. But now you still have to get the bike to the border to clear the permit. The Banjercito folks have to see it and get a photo of the VIN. I don't know about DCstrom but if you are not a man of leisure and fully in control of your time like me, , this could be a real hassle. Sh*t happens to all of us and even if bikes don't get wrecked, sometimes plans do.

Shit does happen. Last year at Allende I had a major seniors moment and failed to get my credit card PIN correct three times in a row. Lock out

Fortunately I had $400US cash or else I would have been delayed for some time. The year before I got my TVIP online. Took three days from Mexico City to Canada


PS I'll take and some memory lessons and continue getting my TVIP at the border

[Turkeycreek]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

If one wanted to begin to imagine all the things that could go wrong, might as well get several bottles of merlot, get with friends who think the same way, and make a party out of it.

That's certainly not the point Trice. I feel that people need to be aware of the possibility because it could bite them. We talk on this thread about mitigating risk by knowing the facts about Mexico. I doubt many people realize that this anomaly in the TVIP process exists. But I'm always up for a good bottle of Merlot or better, some of the local home brew Bacanora. When you're in Sonora, it's on me.

[acejones]

If I recall correctly; you have 180 days to clear the TVIP. I will agree that shit can happen, but you might be able to make it unhappen is six months.

[Turkeycreek]

Ok all of you are right, there is nothing that can cause a problem and ruin a trip and having this bit of info is not important. But just to be provocative, how many of you knew this quirk in the system even existed. I didn't until 6 months ago. If you want to argue about something else now, fell free.

But If you want to help me provide arguments to the Governor of Sonora and our Senators to make all of Sonora TVIP free, PM me.

[tricepilot]

Sonora Governor Guillermo Padrés Elias was at one time the biggest Bancanora aficionado around

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by Sjoerd Bakker

Forget about any Holiday Inn as being cheap !
Go to. 69 Avenida Republica de Uruguay. There just ride your bike in through the huge
front portal of Hotel Montecarlo . You will get a nice room for $25 or less
Secure parking garage just after you ride past the reception desk.
You will be only 2 blocks SW of the ZOCALO and on a quiet street of stores, offices and other
hotels in the Centro Historico and tourist district with regular police surveillance.
Quite safe area to go walking about . Visit the upper deck of the Torre Latino for a
great view
(if you already booked in at a snooty $$$$. hotel just see how much you
overpaid..... then get a refund and move to my favorite hotel ��)

A hotel that I can strongly recommend just off the Zocalo is the Hotel Catedral (www.hotelcatedral.com). Been using this one going back 10 years and have never regretted it. Rooms start at $54 and there's secure underground parking. Restaurant is really good and concierge services are useful for getting tix to the Ballet Folkorico, etc. Located on Donceles immediately north of the Catedral Nacional it's an excellent location for walking El Centro. Get either the King Suite or double twin room on the top floor (7th?) south side so you can enjoy the rooftop balcony and view of the catedral. And no bed bugs like the Montecarlo.

[SchizzMan]

If you want a real deal on a luxury hotel on the Zocalo then check out the Gran Hotel just south of the Holiday Inn (http://www.granhoteldelaciudaddemexico.com.mx). They're running some specials right now from $115 USD/night. Stayed here in '74 and it's been completely restored since. A very special place.

[TRAVELGUY]

Having ridden 20K miles in Central America during the past seven years I have always felt safe but have had some questions arise from a friend and my riding buddy about a up coming trip to western Mexico. Planning on crossing the border at Presidio and going thru Chihuahua on our way to Creel and then on down to the ferry at Los Nochis for a boat ride to La Paz. Seems most people ride Baja south and then ferry to Matalzan but I have not read anything, cost/duration/etc about the Los Nochis to La Paz ferry. Any information about that ferry will be appreciated. I have traveled a lot of miles in eastern Mexico but haven't been in the western half at all so any information about the Chihuahua/Creel/Los Nochis areas will be appreciated. Looking forward to see Copper Canyon and how Baja has changed in the forty years since I have been there.

Thanks;

TravelGuy

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by TRAVELGUY

I have not read anything, cost/duration/etc about the Los Nochis to La Paz ferry. Any information about that ferry will be appreciated.

Topolobampo (Los Mochis) to La Paz

Your answer here Here