I entered Mexico in Juarez. I was glad that I had been through the crossing for the dental work the previous 2 days, so I knew what to expect. Leaving the USA is super easy compared to coming back at a border crossing in a vehicle.
Unlike Canada, there is a zone about 30 km from the Mexican border before you get to their immigration. I have been reading reports of other riders, who have made this trip, for years. That is why I want to do it, and their experiences are going to be helpful for me.
So, after following, losing, following, losing the Hwy, roads aren't well marked here, I got to the immigration building outside of town. I had stopped at an OXXO store, which is like 7-11 and found everywhere, to use the ATM. Asked for an ATM and I got blank stares. They call it bancomer. Anyway, first one was out of order, and the next 3 OXXO's didn't have ATM's. Finally saw a Soriana's, which is a very big variety store like Walmart, and found 3 working ATM's. I was familiar with Soriana's from my previous trips to Chiapas. They are clean, modern, and for Mexico, efficient.
At the immigration building, there isn't any sign, but you are supposed to know to go around to the back of the building and conduct business. Even having read and known about this, I still missed the drive. There isn't anyone manning the booths in the front of the building, but I knew better than to go on without purchasing the proper paperwork. But you could be an illegal in Mexico pretty easy! Just sayin...
There was what I assume were a couple Federales hanging out front as cars went through the lanes, so I asked an older gentleman how to get to the back of the building, and he just told me to turn around and go back and around until I came to the entrance. So that's what I did. I rode my little bike back through the oneway lanes the wrong way until I found the unmarked entrance.
The immigration officer is friendly and speaks a bit of English. He asks me where in Mexico I am going and I tell him straight through. He asks, to Guatemala? And I tell him Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, down to Argentina. He asks, Argentina? Yes, I say, that is the plan. He shakes his head incredulously.
To import your vehicle, you need a temporary permit, a TVIP. They check registration, title, drivers license, passport and insurance and make a copy of everything. That cost $1. The visa fee was around $27, and the TVIP is paid to a different agency, Banjercito. They want $390. If you present the vehicle at a border in the specified time, that part is refunded.
I'm officially a tourist in Mexico! I gather my papers and I'm off to Chihuahua.
As I ride, I notice the desert terrain of the El Paso/Juarez area slowly change to a greener, less harsh environment. Now and then there are big farms. Tree farms, alfafa, corn. The mountains too, start to have vegetation on them. It is a vast scene not unlike parts of the West in the USA. The closer I get to Chihuahua, I notice standing water in places, even some streams coming down from the mountains. I can tell that I will be out of the desert before too many days.
Secure parking for my motorcycle will be a priority for me on this trip. In another ride report that I read, the name of a hotel was mentioned with gated parking. So I put the name in Google Maps and try to head there. Driving in Mexico is shall we say, different than driving in the USA. Lane striping exists for the most part, but it appears to be just a recommendation. Lane ownership? Forget it. If you can fit your vehicle past another, go for it. So, it adds another element to looking for an address while playing road defense. So, just like in Juarez, I got mixed up on the "well marked" roads and went back to a familiar place and tried again.
A guy on a motorcycle pulls alongside at a stoplight and in English asks, " you rode this here from Colorado?" Apparently he had seen me going one direction, and then the other, and asked if I needed help. David had lived in Hastings, NE for awhile and was very helpful in getting me back on track. I know he is following this blog. Thanks, brother!
So I found a hotel with secure parking and I'm updating the blog. Here are a few pictures from today. I will try to stop more when things are scenic.
Unlike Canada, there is a zone about 30 km from the Mexican border before you get to their immigration. I have been reading reports of other riders, who have made this trip, for years. That is why I want to do it, and their experiences are going to be helpful for me.
So, after following, losing, following, losing the Hwy, roads aren't well marked here, I got to the immigration building outside of town. I had stopped at an OXXO store, which is like 7-11 and found everywhere, to use the ATM. Asked for an ATM and I got blank stares. They call it bancomer. Anyway, first one was out of order, and the next 3 OXXO's didn't have ATM's. Finally saw a Soriana's, which is a very big variety store like Walmart, and found 3 working ATM's. I was familiar with Soriana's from my previous trips to Chiapas. They are clean, modern, and for Mexico, efficient.
At the immigration building, there isn't any sign, but you are supposed to know to go around to the back of the building and conduct business. Even having read and known about this, I still missed the drive. There isn't anyone manning the booths in the front of the building, but I knew better than to go on without purchasing the proper paperwork. But you could be an illegal in Mexico pretty easy! Just sayin...
There was what I assume were a couple Federales hanging out front as cars went through the lanes, so I asked an older gentleman how to get to the back of the building, and he just told me to turn around and go back and around until I came to the entrance. So that's what I did. I rode my little bike back through the oneway lanes the wrong way until I found the unmarked entrance.
The immigration officer is friendly and speaks a bit of English. He asks me where in Mexico I am going and I tell him straight through. He asks, to Guatemala? And I tell him Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, down to Argentina. He asks, Argentina? Yes, I say, that is the plan. He shakes his head incredulously.
To import your vehicle, you need a temporary permit, a TVIP. They check registration, title, drivers license, passport and insurance and make a copy of everything. That cost $1. The visa fee was around $27, and the TVIP is paid to a different agency, Banjercito. They want $390. If you present the vehicle at a border in the specified time, that part is refunded.
I'm officially a tourist in Mexico! I gather my papers and I'm off to Chihuahua.
As I ride, I notice the desert terrain of the El Paso/Juarez area slowly change to a greener, less harsh environment. Now and then there are big farms. Tree farms, alfafa, corn. The mountains too, start to have vegetation on them. It is a vast scene not unlike parts of the West in the USA. The closer I get to Chihuahua, I notice standing water in places, even some streams coming down from the mountains. I can tell that I will be out of the desert before too many days.
Secure parking for my motorcycle will be a priority for me on this trip. In another ride report that I read, the name of a hotel was mentioned with gated parking. So I put the name in Google Maps and try to head there. Driving in Mexico is shall we say, different than driving in the USA. Lane striping exists for the most part, but it appears to be just a recommendation. Lane ownership? Forget it. If you can fit your vehicle past another, go for it. So, it adds another element to looking for an address while playing road defense. So, just like in Juarez, I got mixed up on the "well marked" roads and went back to a familiar place and tried again.
A guy on a motorcycle pulls alongside at a stoplight and in English asks, " you rode this here from Colorado?" Apparently he had seen me going one direction, and then the other, and asked if I needed help. David had lived in Hastings, NE for awhile and was very helpful in getting me back on track. I know he is following this blog. Thanks, brother!
So I found a hotel with secure parking and I'm updating the blog. Here are a few pictures from today. I will try to stop more when things are scenic.
Thanks for the post. Your info, story and details are great. I look forwaord to following your adventure. Good luck! ~ DJ
ReplyDeleteForeing vehicles?? Lol that's not even spanglish!
ReplyDelete