Topic: Routes From Dallas, Texas To Yucatan, Mexico?

[campbmic]

Hello all, I'm planning a trip at the end of May from Dallas, Texas down to Yucatan Mexico. I have friends as far as Austin, Texas but don't really have anything planned after that. I'd like to ride along the coast as much as I can. Does anyone know of any great national parks, great beach spots, or points of interest going from Dallas to the Mexican boarder? I'm planning on camping the whole way and I'd like to find some good fishing spots to setup camp along the way.

I'm looking to end up in Yucatan and going by;

-Chichen Itza
-Tulum
-Cancun I'm meeting my girlfriend who is flying down for a weeding in June

Anyone who live in Mexico or has traveled this route can your offer suggestions on great highway routes along the coast, great villages, Mayan ruins? I'm really looking forward to seeing the Mayan ruins so any extra secret spots will be well worth my time!

Thanks and if anyone wants to tag along let me know 

-Michael

[kghost]

I live in Mcallen.

Bout 14 miles from Mexico....Reynosa is a good place to pick up the highway to Tampico.

I may be able to put you up depending on your dates.

[fastbroshi]

You also want to make sure the bike is running tip top, the gas down there can be questionable in places I hear.

[Tugboat]

Far as I know the gas in MX is leaded, meaning that you'll probably need some octane booster to stop the knocks and whatnot. I've been to the ruins at Chichen Itza and Tulum - both are beautiful and awesome.. not to be missed! Veracruz is a pretty cool town as well. Best of luck!!!!

[fastbroshi]

-Cancun I'm meeting my girlfriend who is flying down for a weeding in June

So how is the weed down there? 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Far as I know the gas in MX is leaded, meaning that you'll probably need some octane booster to stop the knocks and whatnot. I've been to the ruins at Chichen Itza and Tulum - both are beautiful and awesome.. not to be missed! Veracruz is a pretty cool town as well. Best of luck!!!!

?   Lead IS an octane booster and anti-knock

Definite second on the ruins. I understand that you can no longer scale the Chicken Itza ruins or go inside! That bites. We were down a few years back and got to do both. I was surprised they let tourists do it then. watch out for the pet goats and chickens roaming around. Oh yeah, dogs too.

[Stev-o]

I "third" the ruins, I've been to both and they are not to be missed. Climbing the pyramid at Chichen Itza is something I will never forget.
Doubt there are any good roads by the coast, but the road from Cancun to Tulum is nicely paved now [was there 2 years ago].
Good Luck and have a great time!

[BeSeeingYou]

Yeah you can't climb the temple at Chichen Itza anymore but don't let it stop you from going there.  There is a ruin site south of there called Coba and that one you can climb.  This site is still mostly covered in undergrowth but the main buildings have been cleared to a degree but have not been restored.  Tulum has a spectacular coastal setting with a beautiful beach so bring a towel if you want to go for a dip.

[Stev-o]

Is the trip still on?

[andy750]

Dont know how I missed this one...but if you are still going then good luck  - its a great ride. I rode around Mexico in 2001 on my CB750 and coming back went from the Yucutan to Texas. Lucky for me you could still climb the pyramids at Chichen Itza at the time - there are plenty of cheap accommodations near there as well - I ended up sleeping in a hammock as my tent had been stolen in San Cristobal de la Casas. Great way to spend the night - just wear some bug spray . If you have the time def. head over to Palenque - wonderful ruins there. Also Calakmul on the lower Yucutan is not to be missed - few tourists are there and you can climb to the top of the ruins - amazing stuff. If you had even more time Id suggest Yaxchillian - jungle Mayan ruins - but requires a full day - boat ride up and back.

The road from Chicken Itza down by the Gulf of Mexico - right by the coast is very good. Quiet. Go through Ciudad del Carmen. Keep off the toll roads and you will have a much better time. Watch out for animals on the road especially on blind corners.

Better yet - go down by the coast and come back via the Central Highlands - great mountain roads and will be a lot less hot.

good luck!
Andy

[campbmic]

Wow thanks for all of the tips so far! As far as the trip goes, the WEDDING is at the end of June I was planning on leaving around June 10th to make it there by the end of June.

My roommate dropped his GS425 off at the mechanic (after we were both unable to fix his carb issues) to get dyno tuned. My bike also seems to be in need of a tuning after the pods and 4-1. I've tried tuning it myself but have had issues with mercury going everywhere 

The previous posts have however installed a great amount of motivation in me. We will see what the next two weeks brings and hopefully I will be on my way to Mexico! If not it WILL happen soon.

[campbmic]

Bike still in same shape as before, not for sure if I will make it there or not. Worried my engine might be too lean. Quit job. Hopefully leaving tomorrow?

[andy750]

Just do it! I found the Mexicans very helpful and whenever I broke down (really due to punctures) I always got help. It was about $5/puncture back in 2001. More if you are near the border. Take the usual tools and spares and you will be fine. Probably best to pass by the border area fairly quickly and get into the real Mexico. Staying on the backroads means quietness although watch out for the donkeys, dogs, cows, goats etc....

Good luck!
Andy

[fastbroshi]

  Good luck Mike, enjoy the trip.

[campbmic]

adios guys!

[campbmic]

Made it to about100 miles out of Brownsville around 2am and pitched the tent. Hopefully will be across border
and way into Mexico by tonight. Most likely last time I will post till I get back!

[Really?]

I drove a cage from Dallas to Mexico City and back.  I will never do that again.

YOU GOT BALLLS!!!!!

On that trip I got pulled over a few times because of out of country plates and thier hands were out for money.

Almost lost the car to a Federali because I was driving the car.  The owner was in the passenger seat.  The only reason why he didn't take the car (he wanted it) was because she pulled out a pamphlet from the Mexican consolate her in Dallas that said as long as the owner is in the car, someone else can drive it.  She already had it underlined like she knew it would come up.  She has a family member that is a Federali and he told me if they like something, they generally take it ( and said he has done that too).

Got chased down by four mexicans in the car at 70 flashing cheaply made identification cards telling me to pull over.  I sped up but had to stop when that Federali above pulled me over shortly after.

Heavily armed guards at the toll booths.  She told me not to look at them as we passed through, I made sure I didn't.

Coming out of the mountains, closer to Texas I had out run someone else chasing me.

There other issues too just because I was from here.  The girl I was with was born and raised in Mexico and fought them all the way through.  Glad she was there and in my court otherwise I would have been majorly Focked from the get go.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your trip and make it back safe and sounds with all that you own.

[andy750]

He is going to Mexico not Afghanistan 

[Really?]

That was about 15 years ago.  But now with the other stuff going on, even worse.

The guy next to me is has some Mexican in him, he even said he would not do it, lol.

[fastbroshi]

Now where's the fun in that?   #$%*, he's only 22.  It'll be fun.

[andy750]

I rode round the whole country in 2001 for a month. Not once did I encounter any trouble and only had positive experiences with the Mexicans who I found were very very helpful. First day in Baja and I got a rear tire puncture - I was helped by the local drug dealer who sorted it out for me...that was just the start of the ride. I felt safer riding there than I did coming back through Texas. I even met a couple of local police and no money was asked for or given. All positive here.  But thats just my experience.

The point of riding somewhere different is to have an adventure .....

Cheers
Andy  

[Really?]

The point of riding somewhere different is to have an adventure .....

I get that!  If it were me, I would choose somewhere else after the stuff i went through.  That was an adventure I don't want to repeat.

I won't go to Mexico unless I fly in and out now.



I hope things go good for him and has a good time.

[Stev-o]

The point of riding somewhere different is to have an adventure .....

Cheers
Andy  

He'll have a great trip and stories to tell for the rest of his life!

[seaweb11]

Fu3k, Have At Er!!!

Waiting for posts on your adventure.

If it was easy every one would do it

[campbmic]

I am back! Only made it to Veracruz! Lots of interesting things! Will post details shortly, must find nice cushion for butt first!