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Cruiser
Posts: 51
Okotoks, Alberta | Since it is getting to be cold here I have been thinking about a good winter road trip. Curious if anyone has recently rode into Mexico. I am looking at trailering to Las Vegas just before Xmas and then ride down through Tijuana and be in Cabo San Lucas for New Years. Would appreciate any feedback regarding road conditions, services, etc. from anyone that has done this road recently. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Do a lot of homework. you know you need a passport, but you will also need a visa to go a certain amount of miles from the border. Also, it is not safe to travel in some areas because of bandidos. I went in through Neuvo Pregresso and over to Rio Bravo. I forget the number of miles in the crossing guard said I could go without a passport. But she also said not to be too venturous. Perhaps your plan work for the area you plan on traveling. The road I saw were okay, however at one spot I had to wait for a car to go by so I could get around a pothole the size of a compact car.
Coming back across the border you will get interigated... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 51
Okotoks, Alberta | Being a Canadian we do not need a tourist visa to go into Mexico. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 152
Litchfield Park, AZ | I travel into Mexico all the time on my Vision. In regards to you statement that you do not need a travel Visa due to being Canadian, I am almost certain you are incorrect. The travel Visa is a Mexican item and has nothing to do with being an American. If I am wrong, then no worries, but make sure you research this thoroughly. There is free zone observed by certain Mexican states and locations. To travel deeper into Mexico, you will need an FM-2 travel Visa. These can be acquired at the Port of Entry very easily and for very little cost.
As for your travels, I will only give you my advice. I travel into Sonora, MX and the Yuma sector is secured, but go east or west and there are cartel and crime issues. If I was going to travel down to Cabo San Lucas, What I would do is enter Mexico at either Sonoyta, MX, or San Luis Rio Colorado. From there I would travel down the Eastern side of Baja Norte (Baja California) at least through San Felipe. You will avoid the crap going on in Tijuana and Ensenada. I have not heard of any issues south of those locations and any time you get a chance to avoid these issues I would advise you take them. Besides, you can get some great views of the Sea of Cortez.
Las Vegas to Sonoyta to Puerto Penasco for the night, then back around the "Coastal Highway" through Gulfo De Santa Clara and on to San Felipe. From there you can work your way back to the western highway and on down to Cabo. Best of luck, and PLEASE, if you do this can you give us a write up with pictures and your thoughts on the trip. This is one of those trips that I very much want to make one of these days. |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | Wow. I'm envious. I live so close to the border, and travel frequently right up to it (Laredo), but there is no way I'm going to risk crossing over through anywhere in Texas. Call me a P**sy, but if you want to go with me, let me know. I'd love to do it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 51
Okotoks, Alberta | I may have to research this some more but I got this from a Govt of Canada website:
Visas for Mexico
Canadians travelling on regular Canadian passports do not require visas to enter Mexico if the purpose of their trip is tourism and the stay does not exceed 180 days
There is however a tourist card that is about $23
This must be the FM-2 you speak of Phoenix9 |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I would check with your insurance company to see if you will be covered and maybe up your police.
The vision is to pretty to loose but I wouldn't fight over it either |
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| I would add a spot tracker or some gps tracking device as well if your gonna do it. This way friends and family can keep tabs on you while you are down there. |
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Tourer
Posts: 394
Tucson, AZ | I'm sure you'll will have to buy Mexican insurance. The last time I was at Rocky Point, which was YEARS ago, it was rather inexpensive. |
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | I was thinking about riding to Cabo this last summer, but there are some hassles involved.
According to my insurance agent, I'm covered in Canada but not in Mexico.
I've heard that you must get Mexican insurance and I don't know what exactly that covers.
I would find out about theft insurance for sure before leaving town.
My nephew owns a house in Cabo and has driven down a couple of times from L.A.
He cautioned me to avoid driving at night, that gas could get sketchy, and shake-downs by local police do occur.
I do know that there is a Polaris/Victory dealership, Polaris Los Cabos down there. |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | I have no desire to travel to Mexico. I grew up in Tucson and would not even visit Nogales in this day and age, and I knew the town very well in the day. Call me chicken sh.. but if your not dark skinned you stick out. Now if I could have my choice of wepons, well then maybe but this part of the world is so corrupt that I would not risk it..... Just sayin!!!
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Cruiser
Posts: 152
Litchfield Park, AZ | .
Edited by phoenix9 2011-10-27 9:40 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 152
Litchfield Park, AZ | To answer a lot of questions above:
Insurance-Your insurance will NOT cover you in Mexico. You need a special Mexican insurance policy. They can be acquired through triple A, or at a number of locations near any Port of Entry. The price of insurance is based on the value of your vehicle, and is REQUIRED in Mexico. If you do not have insurance and you are stopped, the policia will confiscate your vehicle under Mexican law. You can pay by the day/week/month...whatever. I pay for an entire year at a time and it costs me about $200 for the year.
Safety-to the poster who lives in Texas, there is not a chance in hell that I would go anywhere near the Texas Mexican border. That would be asking for trouble.
Mexico is a country under crime and corruption issues in certain areas of the country, but to assume that is the case across the entire country would show our ignorance. As I said, Texas border: No way!, Tucson area: scetchy, but doable. Be smart and you should be fine....but with that being said, no reason to ever enter there when the Yuma sector is secured. The Yuma Sector is from the AZ/CA border over to the Lukeville Port of Entry (Sonoyta). Anyone who tell you this sector/entry is dangerous is a complete and total idiot. This route is safer than living in any City in America. Would I drive through Tijuana/Ensenda? Again, Why? It would be as scetchy as Tucson and why do it when there is a safe entry point close by that can serve the same destination.
FM-2: Yes this is the tourist visa, and as I said, it is very reasonable. If you venture more than a couple hundred miles from a port of entry and you are stopped, they may ask for this document. For $23, it's worth getting it.
Policia-The Policia is not like what we think of when we think police in the States. The Police is almost always unarmed. Bribery is their main source of income as they area bout the lowest paid employees in Mexico. If you feel uneasy, tell them you want to talk to the superiors. Alot of times they will back down quickly and give you and "easy out fine", or let you go all together.
The Federalis are ARMED and are mainly under the task of protecting the roadways from the cartels....it is not a bad thing to see the Federal military out and about. I have found that when I go through check points, the policia and federalis will only stop and search Mexicans, and let the Americans go through with a quick wave. They understand that their community's income survival is dependent on the Americanos and are directed by their superiors to welcome us.
Edited by phoenix9 2011-10-27 9:39 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | We often vacation in Mexico and have no fear in the tourist areas.
Walking at 3:00am in total darkness back to our hotel in Cabo is no more life threatening than in any city of the USA.
Just be "aware" of your surroundings.
If you are a stumbling drunk, or if you've been obnoxious and rude all night long (ugly American), then all bets are off.
You just put a huge target on your back. (Then you should take a pedi-cab)
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | Well, it's just a damn shame though. Touring in Mexico would be fantastic if it weren't for the very real problems going on there now. There are some beautiful places in that country, your dollar can go a long way, and by and large, the people are friendly. I'm sad for Mexico and her people, particularly along the border region. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | cchristo - 2011-10-29 10:57 AM
Well, it's just a damn shame though. Touring in Mexico would be fantastic if it weren't for the very real problems going on there now. There are some beautiful places in that country, your dollar can go a long way, and by and large, the people are friendly. I'm sad for Mexico and her people, particularly along the border region.
I could not agree more. I would love to ride to Mazatlan, Mexico. It is only 855 miles to the Pacific Ocean in Mazatlan from my house but I doubt it will be safe to ride in my lifetime.
Riding past Topo Chico and over the mountains of Monterrey to Saltillo.....Then to Torreon across the barren terrain to Durango. Finally, I would pull into Mazatlan and enjoy a fine meal at Shrimp Factory in the Zona Dorada.
It breaks my heart to think how bad that country is screwed up.
Back in the 1980's I drove with family to Monterrey and last year I took a cruise to Mazatlan. It would be nice to close the gap between them.
Ride Safe
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 32
| john frey - 2011-10-26 11:22 AM
I would check with your insurance company to see if you will be covered and maybe up your police.
hahahaha... now THAT'S a Freudian slip, John  ..... and probably a very good option |
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Cruiser
Posts: 110
| Farlz I travel to Mexico 2 times a month. I spend on average 8 days a month down there you are allowed to go 160mi. into mexico before you get a Visa. I have gone farther and not had an issue by not having one buy why risk it. Contrary to popular belief you do not need a passport. A drivers license with photo and a Certified Birth certificate will get you thru the border. (Passport does make it faster) You will need Mexican insurance give Rosie a call http://www.proalliance.com.mx/ all the girls in the office speak english and you can print your proof of insurance right on the computer. A nice ride is to come thru W. Phx cruise down 85 into Sonoyta cruise the 60 miles to Puerto Penasco Spend the night. I will be there and we can party up then head farther south over to San Carlos. In the years I have been going down we have never had an issue just remember NO Meat can be brought across the border. What ever you need you can always purchase in Mexico.. If you want to go to Cabo you can always go to Penasco and take the new Coastal Highway (toll road cost a few bucks) over to Baja Mexico. if you need any info pm me If you trailer to Phx you could leave truck and trailer in our side yard more than enough room.. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | my son lives in Texas close to the Mexican border. I think the neighboring states are okay without a passport, I'll need to do some checking before I go back again, as my passport is expired. As a residence outside a neighboring state may, and I emphasize, may need the passport. I know when I was there to the required passport days they checked me harder because I did not reside in Texas. But I recall when they changed the requirements I realized then I needed a passport as it is not getting in, it is coming back in to the USA would be problem. Anymore discussion is appreciated, I like the idea of going S. of the border when I visit my son. |
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Tourer
Posts: 329
scotts valley, California | It is a shame that the cartels have made such a mess of such a beautiful place. I used to do seasonal work in Northern California and spend my winters in Mexico. Even back then we figured that we were not in Mexico until we were at least 50 miles south of the border. I had a house near SanQuintin that we used like a base camp. Many, many times my wife and I camped in the desert on back roads. The people are/were nice for the most part, but even the banditos, who thought they were so tough, softened up when offered a beer or a cup of coffee. We even picked up hitchhikers for crying out loud. Most of them were shocked to get a ride from a gringo, but grateful and courteous. A little friendliness and not showing any fear goes a long way.
Good luck and enjoy the ride. Look out for pot holes. You can get lost in some of them. Relative to food and water, my policy was "if it looks good, eat it." Most towns have good well water. Life is good. |
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travel in mexico
