Viva la Mexico

[Kev95GS]

Feliz Navidad

Headin' to Chihauhau, Mexico on 1/6, to the Sierra Tarahumara and the Copper Canyon. :clap

Got the passport, insurance, registation, etc ...

Just thought I might see if anyone who's been down might have some suggestions on specific things to see, place to go, anything that might help.

Hope all have a great Christmas and New Years! Cheers! :buds

Kevin

[PHMarvin]

Hi, Kevin,
Take the TITLE with you. The registration may work; it worked for me for my car, but I WORK in Mexico and just canceled my last permit a few minutes earlier and had forgotten my title. I also speak Spanish. The title is better. Also take a VISA or MASTERCARD in YOUR NAME with you. AMEX may work, but I don't think Discover is accepted. If you don't present the credit card (about a $30 fee for the permit), you need a few hundred $ for a bond for the vehicle. Be prepared to pay cash for a bunch of stuff - gas, many restaurants, souvenirs, etc. Pesos are preferred; I get a better rate in the exchange houses in El Paso than I get at Mexican banks using an ATM card. You can usually always break a 500 or 1000 peso bill at a gas station, but don't expect to break one ANY other place except a bank. BTW, gas is about 6.5 pesos per litre or about $2.40 per gallon for regular; premium is around $2.75 per gallon. If you have any questions, e-mail me and I'll answer them. I'm traveling now and won't be home until the beginning of the year (but for only a couple of days. I go to Aguascalientes on 3 Jan.)
Ride Safe,

[dlearl476]

Um, I think I would suggest a copy of your title, your real registration, etc. Once you get your "tourista" sticker and paperwork, put your USA version in a safe place. Your hard copy title would be a pretty bad thing to lose, especially if your bike left with it.

One thing I would warn you about, from personal experience, is to make sure you have all your paper work on YOU, at all times. I had mine in my tank bag, decided to go for a quick jaunt and left said bag at hotel, thinking nothing of it, came to a check point and had to cough up a bribe to get home. Almost got the bikes impounded. Keep in mind that you'll come upon a military, federale, or some other sort of check point about every 50-100 km. You'll need your papers at each one, so keep 'em handy. The one where I came to grief was actually an agricultural check point, but papers is papers and rules is rules.

I would also suggest getting an international drivers license. Not a neccessity but in case of some unpleasantness, you'll still have your USA version in your pocket.

[PHMarvin]

Hi, David,
As I said, I work in Mexico. I am there virtually every week. In general, Mexico doesn't give a rat's a** if you have copies of title, birth certificate, etc. They are not (officially) acceptable. You may find a customs agent whose "coffee fund" is depleted, etc., but in general you need the originals. I HAVE used the registration once or twice, but in general they prefer the title. Also, in Texas, if the vehicle has a lien on it, you get a non-negotiable title until the lien is released. If this is what the visitor has, he must have a notarized letter from the lienholder giving permission to take the vehicle into Mexico.

[dlearl476]

Like I said, personally I would leave my title at home, in a safe place. Like I did. My registration, along with a letter from BMW Financial, worked just fine.

[Visian]

3 photocopies each of:

· Vehicle Registration
· Vehicle Title (or finance documents)
· Mexican Insurance documents
· Passport, if you have one
· Credit Card (to make sure you wouldn’t sell your bike)
· Birth Certificate

I didn’t need all of this, but when the border guys saw that I had my act together, they gave me far less grief.

Carrying this stuff was recommend by the company that I bought insurance from.

Kevin - if you didn't search the forum for mexico riding tips and adventures, I wrote a ride report (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1368) a few years ago.

Also, go to www.ADVrider.com and search on Copper Canyon. There are a few killer ride reports there.

Have fun.

Ian

[Kev95GS]

Gracias Amigos,

I have everything for the border crossings. I wasn't sure about the title though. I do have my registration and my title, which is clear.
I was going to put all my papers in a gallon zip lock bag (those things are great for riding) so everything would be together.

We really haven't decided where we will cross yet but I was wondering about where to exchange some money before entry. I've read it's better to go ahead and have some changed. I'm sure there will be a bank or exchange house once we are close.

I'm stoked!! We will probably base out of Creel and do some day rides out from there. On the way out we are going to meet up with some friends in Big Bend and spend a few days there.

I'll try to post some photos and a report once I get back.

Kevin

[dlearl476]

> I'm sure there will be a bank or exchange house once we are close.


Get some changed because like P&H said, you'll get a better rate. But don't worry about it. ATM's are plentiful and they spit out pesos with no problem. You might want to check with your bank about the fees charged. My BofA is pretty good, just the normal $1.50 and they give you the best exchange rate in a 24 hour period. I've heard some banks charge an additional "exchange fee" on top of that. In which case it might be better to go into a bank, which are plentiful as well, and exchange your dollars.

[charleshickman]

Basaseachi is a Mexican National Park in the Copper Canyon area and there is a nice visitor area at the falls. The restaurant there serves good food. (no one got sick)

Do you plan on leaving the pavement? If so Batopilas is a must see. It is about 90 miles from Creel, 50 paved and 40 dirt. Amazing views. We stayed at the Hotel Real de Minas. The hotel is very comfortable and clean. It has a nice interior courtyard for sitting and listening to the birds sing.

Also off pavement is Cerocahui. 35 miles paved and 30 dirt. Justin Lopez of Rosen's Rides has a small (six rooms) hotel there, if he does not have a tour in residence, I would recommend it. You also go by the Divisadero, which is a must see. If Justin is not with a tour group, I would recommend him as a guide, if your looking for one.

I took the Rosen's Rides Basic Copper Canyon tour last May and it was a great experience. Great food, nice people and no problems.

Have fun.

:wave

The road to Batopilas and Cerocahui are a handfull for a GS. One guy rode one on our tour and said he would have a smaller bike next time.

[Kev95GS]

Gracias Charles,
Since my last post we may have changed our plan, of course that happens during the ride as well (nothing set in concrete).

We may try to stay Batopilas since Creel so high it will be cold. I think all the places you listed are in the mix and not sure if we will stay in one place and spoke out or stay in different area every day or so. I think a different area may be the best bet, get a better feel for it all.

One week and counting down!!

Kevin

[motorman587]

Feliz Navidad

Headin' to Chihauhau, Mexico on 1/6, to the Sierra Tarahumara and the Copper Canyon. :clap

Got the passport, insurance, registation, etc ...

Just thought I might see if anyone who's been down might have some suggestions on specific things to see, place to go, anything that might help.

Hope all have a great Christmas and New Years! Cheers! :buds

Kevin

Who did you get insurance through? Me and the other 1/2 are going in March. How much does it cost?

[Kev95GS]

Hi Motorman,
I got my insurance through ACE Seguros. It was $70 for 8 days and includes liability and some coverage on my bike as well. I also took the travel assistance which gets you out of the country if you have a medical emergency, accident, etc...

I found it through a link on Horizons Unlimited, here:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/country/mexico/entry.php

There is a link about mid way down the page.
There is also a lot of good info on entering the country etc...
Have fun, I'm certainly excited.

3 DAYS & COUNTING DOWN!!!!

Woo Hoo, Muy Excelente!!

Hasta Luego

[kbasa]

I sure hope we see some photos here. :stick :ha

[motorman587]

Hi Motorman,
I got my insurance through ACE Seguros. It was $70 for 8 days and includes liability and some coverage on my bike as well. I also took the travel assistance which gets you out of the country if you have a medical emergency, accident, etc...

I found it through a link on Horizons Unlimited, here:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/country/mexico/entry.php

There is a link about mid way down the page.
There is also a lot of good info on entering the country etc...
Have fun, I'm certainly excited.

3 DAYS & COUNTING DOWN!!!!

Woo Hoo, Muy Excelente!!

Hasta Luego

Have fun, we are going through MotorDiscovery. And they have been very helpful.

[Kev95GS]

:stick

I have a few... photos and a lot of experiences from a wonderful trip.

All I can say it that it exceeded my expectations in a way I never expected.

Here are a few pics to wet your appetites and I will try to post as I get time.

http://kev95gs.smugmug.com/photos/53172583-L.jpg


This was the road from Creel to Batopilas, the asphalt part which was about 50 miles.

http://kev95gs.smugmug.com/photos/53172585-M.jpg

Part of the gravel section, which was about 40 miles, from the top of the Canyon and you could see to the bottom and the bridge across the river.

http://kev95gs.smugmug.com/photos/53172587-M.jpg

My friend Jimmy below me on one of many switch backs down the Canyon. :rocker

http://kev95gs.smugmug.com/photos/53172590-M.jpg

The entrance to the town of Batopilas after coming down and through the Canyon and crossing the River again.

WOW, what a trip, GO! :clap :jose

[RandallIsland]

:stick


All I can say it that it exceeded my expectations in a way I never expected.



No doubt, brother.
That looks like it was one fun time.

That link was real nice to read through also, preparing for the trip.
I look forward to the rest of the pics.
Cheers!!

[Kev95GS]

I started a new thread to do the ride report on.

!Viva La Mexico! The Ride