Riding in Mexico a good or bad idea?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 312
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver BC
My wife and I will be spending a week in Mexico this summer, specifically in the Playa del Carmen area on the Yucatan Peninsula. I am toying with the idea of renting a Harley (there are several places in Playa) for a day or two and exploring on the bike. Have any of you had experience doing that in that area? I've heard the Yucatan is safer for Americans than some other parts of Mexico. Is that true? I also just read something that says that US motorcycle insurance is not good down there and you need Mexican insurance?
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!
PS--My wife and I only speak a few words of Spanish.
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!
PS--My wife and I only speak a few words of Spanish.
On one of the days we looked at renting a Harley to go down the coast but we would've had to go to Cancun to get it. We were about 30 mins from there. It was too much anyway...around $175 per day I think.
Instead the 2 of us rented a cab, driver and all for the day. 8-5 pm. Total price $160.00 USD. He didnt speak much english and we didnt speak any Spanish but it still worked. AC was nice too. He was a pretty good guide.
We didnt want to go inland too far because of many of the reasons mentioned here. I think if you stay on the coast between Cancun and Tulum you'll be okay as it is mostly resorts dotted along the coastline and likely safer with many tourists.
We did Cancun, Playa de Carmen, the ruins at Tulum and some really cool cave exploration as well. This took the whole day.
If you choose to go the cab route, you should approach one of the cabs associated with a resort. They park outside of the resort gates until they're called. You can hire then directly and you can probably find one at any of the resorts. You will make their day if you hire them for the day day.
Good luck and have fun. Its a beautiful place.
http://www.virtualmex.com/mayan_riviera_map.htm
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 441
Likes: 1
From: Da Bronx
As avid divers, there's no nicer place than Cozumel, but it's not a party town. There's also not much tourist attractions unlike the mainland. A $15 ferry to mainland and a tour bus to Chichen Itza was a great getaway.
BTW, if you think you encounter a gangster, even if you don't know spanish, these will help you to communicate...
BTW, if you think you encounter a gangster, even if you don't know spanish, these will help you to communicate...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Was thinking about doing a quick ride into Mexico since we'll be right on the border on our AZ trip. I read the U.S. Advisory on travel, and will take a pass.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
I'm in Mexico right now (Isla Mujera) and tomorrow we are renting a....golf cart! Buzzing around on golf carts seems to be the thing to do here on this tiny island. This place is pretty awesome.
