Abu Mahendra

well, this just shows your bias and level of actual knowledge. Why look at each country for what it is when you can entertain facile generalizations and stereotypes, right? Educate yourself.

willibrord

Five of the top 20 most dangerous places for bicycle tourists are in Latin America.

The World’s Most Dangerous Countries: are they safe to cycle?

chrisx

I do not see Nicaragua on the list, because it has less crime than California, or Seattle,

Which countries are safe for bicycle touring? - Worldbiking.info
I really would like to visit venezuela, but it seems like pre wwII germany



El salvador Honduras and Guatemala make 3, what are the other 2?

i noticed Nicaragua is not on this list either,
https://www.businessinsider.com/most...0-residents-42

willibrord

Columbia, Venezuela.
Nicaragua has had serious civil unrest this year. People have been killed in street demonstrations. A foreign cyclist would be un likely to be targeted, but you could find your self in the wrong place at the wrong time. Also it has volcanos.

djb

and also fresh water sharks.

Abu Mahendra

Thanks for the heads-up. Vital info for prospective bicycle tourers.

chrisx

<fresh water sharks¿

When I was 5 I spent the summers in Wyoming just east of Yellowstone Park.
My mother always tried to stop me from exploring the area, because of grizzlies.
I say now what I said than.
You have to go outside.
Those griz may look soft and friendly, they are not.

djb

de nada. But dont worry, I put the Lake Managua sharks up there with the danger level of the volcanoes in Nicaragua.
Have you ever travelled in Latin America mr abu?
or mr willi?
Fascinating countries, but sure yes, there are dangers. Comedic answers are just that, comedic answers.
One has to be cautious and use common sense at all times.

Abu Mahendra

I have done a lot more than that. I was born, grew up till age 11, learned Spanish as my first language, worked, and have family there.
.

.
I spent two months in Mexico and Guate last year. I've also been to Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Perú, and Bolivia.

djb

cool. I cant keep track of who is who here, not without faces anyway.

Is that photo that town in Mexico that is gringo central now, the church and cobble stoned road reminds of a place I was in this year biking on my Southern to mid Mexico trip. It was a shock being in places with tourists and so many viejito gringos after being only in totally non touristy places after starting in Oaxaca.
I cant recall name but will google it now, look at a map.....

just did, San Miguel de Allende?

Abu Mahendra

yes, San Miguel Allende has too many gringos, but god, is it a pretty town!

Here's a bicycle image...

chrisx

Tij Oax is an affordable flight. But, Is not San Miguel north from Oaxaca¿ I do not know of any bargin fares to Managua. I have paid 700 pesos from Tj to oaxaca, payed 350 pesos to get to Tuxtla, then 45, 55 , than 50 pesos to the border, then 20 quatzales to huehue, then 60q to pa Capital, then $25 to Managua.

Anyway to get to Nicaragua for less than $135?

willibrord

Lots of cool places in Latin America. Just that many of them are not safe for bicycle tourists. Be aware of your surroundings and choose wisely.

djb

Willi, I agree, but have you travelled in Latin America on your own, have you travelled in Latin America by bike?

and ps abu, Sn Miguel for me won the award "jounciest riding on cobbles" riding into and out of it.
Heck even walking was tricky sometimes and you really have to watch where you put your foot.

axolotl

I guess it's a Festivus miracle that I survived biking in the USA, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, Italy, and New Zealand, without there being a major political insurrection. But just to clarify, do I have to be concerned about political instability in all of the USA, or just in Hawaii, Alaska, & Washington?

willibrord

I've travelled to Mex, Chile, Ecuador (Galapagoes) but not by bicycle. I have cycled in Oz, USA, Netherlands.

willibrord

Okay< I phrased it really badly. Lets just say I was wrong and move on.

djb

I think its fair to say that bike travelling in some countries or situations isn't for everyone, and that's fine.

Heck, bike riding in some urban settings in good old safe Canada is not for everyone, as diff people have diff skill levels, diff reactions to situations, and diff experience and attitudes to things that may or may not be dangerous and that affects their perception and freaks them out.

and lets face it, political situations can change quickly and being very situationally aware of a given situation such as a demonstration or whatever is always going to be key.
Ive ridden through all kinds of demonstrations in diff countries, but there was never a feeling of "something bad going to happen", either in a vibe (primarily from observing and talking with individuals, cops, protesters, whatever) or any clear and present danger sort of thing, so all was good.

BUT I'm not naive enough though to not consider that a given situation could become dangerous, but bottom line is that my radar has always been on high alert in any social situation, just as it has been walking around on my own in Managua, or Tegucigalpa or Guatemala City or San Jose (or Montreal or New York for that matter.....)

chrisx

Nicaragua has the lowest crimw rate in Central America.
As I considered buying a ticket, I clicked, and discovered political problems.
I started a thread and asked,
Anyone been to Nicaragua in the last couple of months¿
Sounds like the answer is, no.

The mountains in the northwest of Nicaragua have eternal spring like weather, and gentle rolling hills.
or
You could pedal north to Puerto Cabezas. For some reason I mounted 1.9 inch nobby tires that do well in the mud on my 26er. All dressed up and no place to go,.

willibrord

According to the Oz govt smartraveller website (the only gov travel advice I trust)

chrisx

Protests may continue for some days past may 31 2018 says the oz gov.

Only trust the oz? Why? Because the state department makes Dublin Ireland sound just as bad as Bagdad in war time?

Thanks for the link now I will have something to read for a while.


May I have permission to Visit leticia?
Oh no;
https://smartraveller.gov.au/Countri...ages/peru.aspx
if I go to Cajamarca I might get blown up by a land mine. I think it is a trick to stop me from finding the lost city of Eldarado.

oh oh no no
https://smartraveller.gov.au/Countri...venezuela.aspx
say it is not so.

Good advice

• Don't tempt thieves – avoid wearing or displaying expensive watches, jewellery, cameras, phones or tablets/laptops.

https://smartraveller.gov.au/countri...y_and_security
Bus driver is the most dangerous job in Guatemala. They killed 91 bus drivers in one year.

very important says oz

• Don't hail taxis from the street.

Says me, stay away from taxi bandidos, repeat taxi bandidos

willibrord

chrisx. I am trying to help you out the best I can.
If you have made up your mind to go no matter what, then go, and enjoy yourself, but be safe.
People were getting killed in the streets by the government last spring. AS a foreigner on a bicycle I doubt you would be in any trouble, but when there is that kind of violence happening, you never know what can happen. A lot of tourist facilities have shut down because of the violence and uncertainty.
I suppose on the plus side, it wont be packed with tourists.

chrisx

I bought a different ticket.
Your link seems to think I am in greater danger than I would be in Nicaragua.

My bicycle still has tires good for the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region of Nicaragua mounted and needing to be reinflated.
Must be a reason for that. Any idea to prepare for the mud shoud it rain up there?




https://www.visitnicaragua.us/see-do/regions/

chrisx

Willi, help yourself out by getting yourself a ticket someplace.

Plenty of places you can go for less money than staying at home.

$10 is a lot for a hotel room in Guatemala or Nicaragua. You can get a $10 hotel room in Colombia, but for your own safety pay $15. You can get a $5 hotel room in the mountains of Peru and pay $1.75 for your lunch. Yes there are dangers and things you need to know lying money changers and taxi bandidos who want to cheat you. Dont put all your eggs in one basket.

Do:

Go to Baja, do go to Nicaragua, do go to Guatemala. Someplace. Someplace nice.

https://www.interjet.com/es-mx

https://www.volaris.com/?culture=es-MX

https://www.spirit.com/

I have flown from Tijuana to Lima Peru for $121 each way, The rainy season aint no joke down there.

You could fly from Miami to Medellin for under $200 return. Air fare goes up and down check back until you see a price you can afford to pay.

I payed $350 return from Tijuana to Colombia, someone else payed $700 each way from San Francisco to Colombia. We both set in the same park on the same steps drinking the same coffee.


You are allowed to travel without your bicycle if you like. They have a sting of 14ers in Colorado, but a string of 19ers in Peru if you have that much energy. The bus and the hotel could be quite affordable.


Willi, take some Spanish lessons and get yourself a ticket. Ask at your local library, you might find free language classes if you look.


How is that for trying to help.

willibrord

chrisx

I appreciate your advice.

Be safe out there. Let us know how it goes.

Good luck.

W.~