AnnaMossity

Touring in Mexico. Where to find some peace and quiet? Tired of having cars whizzing by inches from me.

axolotl

What time of year? Now? I've only toured in 2 regions of Mexico, the Yucatan, and in the states of Michoacan & Jalisco. Well, also some riding in Chiapas, but I wasn't really touring there. I've also traveled a fair bit in Mexico by bus. You can find some tranquility in parts of the Yucatan (the interior, but not along the coast), but I would not go there in the summer due to high humidity, excessive heat, and tons of bugs. It's great in the winter, however, which is when I was there. In fact, nearly all of Mexico is great in the winter. If you've got a mountain bike, there are some trails in the mountains of Oaxaca state near Oaxaca city which sound fantastic. The city of Oaxaca is wonderful.

I really liked the tour I did in Michoacan/Jalisco. Some parts were on very quiet roads, others had moderate traffic. I've read a few disturbing reports of drug-related problems in Michoacan recently. My trip there was about 5 years ago, and my friend & I had no problems whatsoever.

I haven't been to Baja, but it sounds like central Baja is pretty quiet. I think most of northern Mexico is quite hot in the summer, but at least you won't have humidity like the Yucatan's got.

arctos

If you have off pavement capabilities and interest Baja has some diverse and quiet routes in the Sierra De Juarez Mountains in the North in Fall, Winter and Spring. Find La Rumarosa on the US-AAA Baja California map two thirds of the way way between Tecate and Mexicali on Hwy 2 and turn South toward the Parque Nacional Constitucion de 1856 where Laguna Hanson is located. The route can be soft and sandy so wider tires are needed. You have to do some route finding at times due to lack of signage. Bring a GPS or compass.

From the NP head S. toward Valle De Trinidad and follow Hwy 3 there heading toward San Felipe on the Sea of Cortez taking the main route or the old road along the coast to Puertecitos continuing on to Bahia Gonzaga and points South. Check the US-AAA map for options.

An alternative route instead of San Felipe heads to the Parque Nacional de San Pedro Martir where the national observatory is located at close to 10000 feet. At higher elevations you can be trapped in winter by heavy snow. It felt like Yosemite near Tuolumne Meadows with the exfoliating granite. Just a long climb from sea level to near 10K. No traffic. Great views to the Pacific Ocean and East to mainland Mexico on a clear day.

I had water bottles freeze in late December in the Sierra de Juarez at 6000 feet and warm but not too warm weather the rest of the way South. You have to come self contained with supplies and water availability sketchy but doable with planning. The traffic was minimal except near San Felipe.

pathebikeguy

I've toured there quite a few times.....staying away from the coast is good advice.....traffic gets heavy near towns but it really isn't bad....hwy 200 down the pacific coast has some real nice stretches....the Gulf coast of the Yucatan was very quiet and pleasant.......the caribbean coast however is pretty dull and busy....if you like mountains go to OAXACA amazing scenery, quiet roads....check out this webpage to see my routes, maps, pics of the places i've been in Mexico
https://www.geocities.com/pathebikeguy/

AnnaMossity

Sounds like I'm hooped for now as far as Mexico's concerned then :S Ah well. Maybe hwy 50/6 then in the US.

Gotta get a proper off road touring setup :|

Thanks for the info guys.