Mexico

Mexico Motorcycle Trip

BY battleface

Motorcycling in Mexico:
Best Tips to Enjoy Your Trip Motorcycling in Mexico can be one of the best ways to travel throughout the country. In this guide, we’ll be exploring the different areas we think you’ll enjoy the most. We’ll also be discussing the various barriers you may experience along the way. So if you’d like to discover more about the joys to be had when motorcycling in Mexico, read on!

Safety On the Bike & Off:
the Bike Safety when riding your motorcycle is always of the utmost importance. As a motorcyclist who became licensed, you’re probably aware of the “rules of the road” and we’re sure you’ll abide by these rules when you travel to Mexico as well. With this being said, there are certain aspects of motorcycling in Mexico one has to look out for in order to have the best time possible during their journey.

Additionally, if you apply common sense safety practices to your trip when you’re riding your motorcycle, you’ll be better suited for your travels. This means avoiding crime-ridden areas, riding your bike at night, and going with your gut. You’ll also want to be extra careful for large potholes which may seemingly come out of nowhere. Mexico has some great roads for riding, but they’re also known for their occasional large pothole.

Crossing the Border the Right Way

Crossing the border into Mexico is easy. Crossing the border to return home to the United States can prove to be a hassle sometimes, depending on the time of day and how many people are attempting to cross the border into the United States. Our best recommendation is to bring your passport, secure Mexico-specific motorcycle insurance, bring Mexican Pesos, and if you’re traveling outside of the Baja Peninsula via motorcycle, you’ll most likely need a special permit to do so.

Passport

Some people like to brag they’ve been able to cross into Mexico, as a U.S. citizen, without a passport in hand. While this may be true on a case-by-case basis, it’ll be a pain to return back to the U.S. without a valid passport. Be sure to bring your valid passport whenever you travel to a different country, especially Mexico, due to heightened border controls and a whole host of other reasons.

Mexico-Specific Motorcycle Insurance

Puerto Vallarta’s blue-green waters are simply irresistible, but it’s important to practice water safety when you’re swimming in the ocean. Most beaches don’t have lifeguards on duty, so it’s essential to pay attention to conditions and currents. Also, be sure to heed andy posted signs and flags, which warn would-be swimmers about large waves and rip currents. Keep an eye on younger swimmers, stay close to shore, and never swim under the influence.

Mexican Currency

It’s always a good idea to keep a few hundred dollars in cash equivalent to the local currency. In this case, it’s Mexican Pesos. Cash is still king in Mexico and it could save you when you need it most. Say for instance, you experience a flat tire and need to buy a new tire down the road from a local mom & pop repair shop. They’re most likely going to be cash-only and this is where that few hundred dollars equivalent in pesos could be of great assistance.

Outside of Baja? You’ll Most Likely Need a Permit If you’re planning on taking a journey throughout the entirety of Mexico, or even outside of the Baja Peninsula; you’ll most likely need a special permit known as a “temporary vehicle import permit” More information can be found here:

https://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/vehicle
So Where Should You Go? This is a great question! It’s completely up to you. Read below to learn more about some of our favorite motorcycling destinations throughout Mexico.

Rosarito
This area is quite close to Tijuana and full of cool restaurants, activities, and a scenic drive down the coast.

San Felipe
This ride is a great blend of both scenic coastline and dry desert. In addition to its contrasting scenery, it’s about 120 miles long from the border area in Mexicali. This is great for those who want to have a longer, relaxing ride into a sleepy beach town.

Puerto Nuevo
This town is known for its lobster and seafood across the board. If you’re a lover of fresh fish, you’ll certainly enjoy what Puerto Nuevo has to offer. It’s also a very nice drive.
Valle de Guadalupe & Ensenada
There are two major routes for this destination. You can either cut through the mountains from San Felipe, or you can do the coastal ride all the way from Tijuana.

Important Information to Remember Below are some additional, general reminders regarding traveling to Mexico via motorcycle.
Maintain an Appropriate Amount of Gas in Your Tank Depending on your motorcycle, you may have a larger tank, or a small tank. It’s best to know our bike’s gas mileage performance before partaking in an epic journey throughout Mexico. Always prepare for a lack of gas stations if you’re outside of major cities or tourist areas; epically if you’ve never been to the area you’re traveling through.

Toll Roads
It’s good to have some portion of your pesos be in smaller bills to pay for toll booths. Toll roads are generally just a dollar per motorcycle.

Military Checkpoints

There will be military checkpoints throughout Mexico if you travel far enough. Some are legitimate, others aren’t. If you have a weird feeling about the individuals at the checkpoint as you approach, it may be best to avoid said checkpoint and find an alternative route. Most often, the legitimate checkpoints will have full-scale military vehicles with officers dressed in full gear with weaponry. As for the fake checkpoints, they’ll most likely consist of plain-clothed individuals with weaponry and pickup trucks.

Potential Language Barrier
Download the Duolingo app a month or two prior to your motorcycle excursion to learn some basic Spanish words and phrases. It may help you out more than you think.

Choosing battleface for Your Motorcycle Trip’s Travel Insurance Motorcycling throughout Mexico, either individually, or with a group of friends can be a trip of a lifetime! With this being said, we want to help protect you and your friends with our excellent travel insurance policies. Feel free to request a quote using the form below and let us know if you have any questions along the way!

battleface

Protect your trip with
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FRAUD WARNING STATEMENT

FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL STATES OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED BELOW: Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss or benefit or knowingly presents false information in an application for insurance is guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in prison.

ALASKA: A person who knowingly and with intent to injure, defraud, or deceive an insurance company files a claim containing false, incomplete, or misleading information may be prosecuted under state law.

ARIZONA: For your protection Arizona law requires the following statement to appear on this form. Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

CALIFORNIA: For your protection California law requires the following to appear on this form: Any person who knowingly presents false or fraudulent information to obtain or amend insurance coverage or to make a claim for the payment of a loss is guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in state prison.

COLORADO: It is unlawful to knowingly provide false, incomplete, or misleading facts or information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding or attempting to defraud the company. Penalties may include imprisonment, fines, denial of insurance and civil damages. Any insurance company or agent of an insurance company who knowingly provides false, incomplete, or misleading facts or information to a policyholder or claimant for the purpose of defrauding or attempting to defraud the policyholder or claimant with regard to a settlement or award payable from insurance proceeds shall be reported to the Colorado division of insurance within the department of regulatory agencies.

DELAWARE: Any person who knowingly, and with intent to injure, defraud or deceive any insurer, files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete or misleading information is guilty of a felony.

FLORIDA: Any person who knowingly and with intent to injure, defraud, or deceive any insurer files a statement of claim or an application containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information is guilty of a felony of the third degree.

IDAHO: Any person who knowingly, and with intent to defraud or deceive any insurance company, files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information is guilty of a felony.

INDIANA: A person who knowingly and with intent to defraud an insurer files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information commits a felony.

KANSAS: A “fraudulent insurance act” means an act committed by any person who, knowingly and with intent to defraud, presents, causes to be presented or prepares with knowledge or belief that it will be presented to or by an insurer, purported insurer, broker or any agent thereof, any written, electronic, electronic impulse, facsimile, magnetic, oral, or telephonic communication or statement as part of, or in support of, an application for the issuance of, or the rating of an insurance policy for personal or commercial insurance, or a claim for payment or other benefit pursuant to an insurance policy for commercial or personal insurance which such person knows to contain materially false information concerning any fact material thereto; or conceals, for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto.

KENTUCKY:

Application: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance containing any materially false information or conceals, for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime.

Claim Form: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files a statement of claim containing any materially false information or conceals, for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime.

MAINE: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties may include imprisonment, fines or a denial of insurance benefits.

MARYLAND: Any person who knowingly or willfully presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss or benefit or who knowingly or willfully presents false information in an application for insurance is guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in prison.

MINNESOTA: A person who files a claim with intent to defraud or helps commit a fraud against an insurer is guilty of a crime.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Any person who, with a purpose to injure, defraud, or deceive any insurance company, files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information is subject to prosecution and punishment for insurance fraud, as provided in RSA 638:20.

NEW JERSEY:

Application: Any person who includes any false or misleading information on an application for an insurance policy is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

Claim Form: Any person who knowingly files a statement of claim containing any false or misleading information is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

PENNSYLVANIA: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance or statement of claim containing any materially false information or conceals for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime and subjects such person to criminal and civil penalties.

NEW MEXICO: ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY PRESENTS A FALSE OR FRAUDULENT CLAIM FOR PAYMENT OF A LOSS OR BENEFIT OR KNOWINGLY PRESENTS FALSE INFORMATION IN AN APPLICATION FOR INSURANCE IS GUILTY OF A CRIME AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CIVIL FINES AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

OHIO: Any person who, with intent to defraud or knowing that he is facilitating a fraud against an insurer, submits an application or files a claim containing a false or deceptive statement is guilty of insurance fraud.

OKLAHOMA: Any person who knowingly, and with intent to injure, defraud or deceive any insurer, makes any claim for the proceeds of an insurance policy containing any false, incomplete or misleading information is guilty of a felony.

OREGON: IMPORTANT NOTE: Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss or benefit or knowingly presents false information in an application for insurance may be guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in prison.

TENNESSEE: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties include imprisonment, fines and denial of insurance benefit.

TEXAS: Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss is guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in state prison.

VIRGINIA: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties include imprisonment, fines and denial of insurance benefits.

WASHINGTON: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties include imprisonment, fines and denial of insurance benefits.

NEW YORK*: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance or statement of claim containing any materially false information, or conceals for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto, commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime, and shall also be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars and the stated value of the claim for each such violation.