gdlerner

Hi folks
I am planning to cycle from Cancun to Mexico city.Is there anyone cycling at the moment in Mexico and can tell me about the security situation ?
Thanks

axolotl

Mexico is a big country made up of 31 states plus the federal district, and the security situation varies enormously from state to state. I've biked in the Yucatan peninsula and Chiapas, and they are generally quite safe. So are the states of Oaxaca and Puebla insofar as cartel problems are concerned. I traveled in both of those states 2 years ago, but not by bike. Among states near Mexico City, Guerrero and Morelos have significant security problems.

gdlerner

I also travelled by bike in Yucatan 9 years ago,but now the situation is different,I am thinking to get maybe to Puebla and from there.a.bus to Mexico city,but I know some.Mexicans in Germany and they told me.that is very dangerous at the moment so really.dont know.what to do maybe cancell everything

Davet

At the moment there's a bit of internal political unrest in Mexico but not directed at Gringos, but still it's unrest. Mexico City is the centre of this and it's also manifested in other areas at the moment. What little violence that has occurred has been towards the national political figures and some local (city/state) too. I can't speak to the cartel problem as that's extremely rare where I am.

While I don't feel uneasy living here, I'm not sure how I would feel if I were alone on a bicycle. Mexico is very large, the people very friendly and accommodating.

mobile_simon

There is a steady stream of touring cyclists going down through Mexico. They mostly go down the Baja, take the ferry, and head to Cancun. Stealth camping is a horrible idea in Mexico, people are everywhere and they will notice you.

I personally wouldn't attempt it, but many do it without a problem.

pataspen

Admittedly a small sample size, but last year I spent 6 days in Mexico pedaling from Tijuana to Colorado. Tijuana, Tecate and Mexicali along the border, then south to Puerto Penasco and north to Sonoyta before heading home.

I stayed in hotels along the border, but did stealth camp on the way to the Sea of Cortez. I had zero problems. As my wise Dad told me "the cartels aren't concerned with guys on bikes".

I played guitar with a Mariachi band in Tecate, got a tour of Mexicali by a local and was introduced to the cycling club in Mexicali. All in all an incredible experience. Maybe I was lucky, but I won't hesitate to ride in Mexico again.

rumrunn6

sounds like a great adventure, be careful

gdlerner

I will ride and I will avoid Oaxaca and Chiapas and probably will ride only until Puebla and from there a bus to DF

Cyclesafe

I live in San Diego. Nobody I know who lives here would EVER consider crossing the border to ride their bike.

Nevertheless, there is a constant stream of (usually European) cycle tourists southbound on Pacific Coast Highway who know better.

I think that if you have the "homeless on a bike" look, you'll fit in better with the locals down there who do not ride bikes just because they want too. Speaking Spanish would kinda help too. The typical bright colored spandex wearing middle aged cycle tourist might as well have a sign on their back saying (in espanol of course) "ROB ME".

axolotl

I presume that you've never toured in Mexico, and that would explain your utterly erroneous image of the country, its people, and what touring in Mexico is actually like.

Anytime somebody posts a query here about touring in Mexico, people who haven't actually toured in Mexico come out of the woodwork to express their own irrational fears. There is plenty of information available about which parts of Mexico are best avoided. Most of Mexico between the Yucatan and Mexico City is fairly safe or very safe.

jkruys

Amen to that. To the original poster, and anyone else, just go to crazyguyonabike.com and check out how many cyclists are touring there at any given time without issues. Obviously though, keep your ear to the ground about local potential dangers while you're there.

However this irrational fear is not limited to United Statesians about Mexico... just mention to any Mexican that you are riding to Guatemala, and you will hear similar advice not to go there. Or tell a Guatemalan that you're heading to El Salvador... and so on.

Chris Pringle

Take the advice above with a grain of salt. Actually, hundreds of Americans cross the border twice a year from the U.S. to Tijuana for the Rosarito-Ensenada bike ride. But there are always xenophobic people everywhere who will tell you a bunch of crap to scare you away.

No one is going to rob you in Mexico whether you wear spandex or not. People here are used to seeing cyclists even in the smallest of towns. I wear spandex every single time I bike. I have NEVER had a problem.

gdlerner: I am not familiar with biking from the Yucatan Peninsula to Mexico City. Your plan of stopping short of entering Mexico City is a good one, mainly due to the heavy traffic. I would reconsider not biking in Chiapas or Oaxaca. Everyone here tells me those are some the most interesting states in Mexico.

axolotl

I agree with Chris Pringle about reconsidering Oaxaca & Chiapas. I have biked in Chiapas. The highlands are indeed challenging and the roads there aren't always great, but it's an interesting region and is quite safe. As for Oaxaca, it's my favorite state in Mexico. Culturally, it's fascinating. It's also quite safe.

From a topographic and distance standpoint, I can understand why you might want to stay closer to the Gulf of Mexico and avoid Chiapas and Oaxaca. However, it's usually very easy to put your bike on Mexican buses, so you might want to consider using the bus network to get to and from more interesting parts of the country.

kpasa1

March - 2014 I rode from Cancun to Merida then around the Gulf to Veracruz. No problems to report. Good roads, good food, nice people.

mexipat

That sounds like a great trip. Mostly flat, too! I used to live in Merida and wonder if you had problems negotiating the traffic around the city.

Sullalto

That was literally a lifetime ago for me, lol.

I don't know very many people in Texas who would ride across the border, or near it. I'd have no qualms about Monterey though. That's the only interior place I've been. Just do your research. Check the Consulate, they'd probably be a good resource.

Doug64

Check crazyguyonabike:
crazyguyonabike.com: Bicycle Touring: The Philtrons Pedal South, by Jason Philtron and Daisy Philtron
This couple rode through Mexico N to S, and their journal is an interesting read.

kpasa1

Merida is a very small city. There are no traffic issues there.

axolotl

Merida isn't that small. It has over 800,000 people. Having said that, I didn't have any problems at all when I was biking there.

kpasa1

But 600,00 of them don't own a car. lol

Louis Le Tour

Check this out if you're planning to cycle in Mexico. Here's Where Tens Of Thousands Of People Are Disappearing In Mexico - Business Insider

gdlerner

I am already mental prepare so I donīread anymore ,I am flying next week and hope to start riding on the 26th I will publish a journal
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/15318

axolotl

The OP is well aware of which states of Mexico have serious problems and which do not. He is not going to either Michoacan or Guerrero, the states cited in the links posted by the 2 previous fearmongers. The OP's route will be in areas which are probably a lot safer than Modesto, California (near where Louis Le Tour lives), which has an especially high crime rate.

Folks who are afraid are often unable to understand that large countries typically have some places that are best avoided, and other areas which are quite safe. I suppose there are some irrational folks who just cancelled their trip to Sydney, Australia, and are staying home with their curtains closed.

fietsbob

Cuba is opening up soon. even for direct US connections ..

axolotl

The OP is riding from Cancun to Puebla, which is all south of Mexico City. None of the states he is riding through, NONE, have travel advisories from the US State Dept. FWIW, the OP also speaks fluent Spanish.

Irrational fears are.....irrational.