What are the risks of taking my motorcycle and riding all around central then South America?

Question

Would I get beaten up or shot by drug lords and federales or eaten by an anaconda?

Answer 1

All of those things. But hey you might pick up a totally hot Brazilian chick.  Or you might be made in to a man slave picking bananas forever. You never know.

Answer 2

when you cross Panama to Colombia

please Don't cross the Darian Gap because of the guerrillas there and anacondas and other illness bugs

Go in a Boat with your Motorcycle to Cartagena and there you can return to the road safely.

Cartagena-- Medellin--Bogota-- Caracas... or

Cartagena-- medellin--Bogota--Quito--Lima--Santiago.... like the movie MOTORCYCLE DIARIES but with complete path

Answer 3

Not much chance of any problems with snakes. But there's a good chance of being shot by bandits.

Answer 4

Many countries prohibit the import of used vehicles.  

Answer 5

Lots of people tour Central and South America by Motorcycle.  

While the occasional shake down is still possible, the governments of all of these countries have become tourist conscious and you will in most cases get more help than hassle from the "federales".

Most of the countries will issue a permit to bring your vehicle in for a limited number of days.  Import is not the same as a tourist permit. You need to do a bit of fore planning.  If you plan your route to stay on main ways, travel during the day, spend each night in a secure area (town or city), and try to anticipate and avoid breakdowns, you will have no trouble.  Or, better yet, travel with a buddy.  You will have to take a boat ride from Panama to Colombia since there is a road less stretch between called the Darian Gap.  This area has been crossed by motorcycle before but there is where you would have to worry about bad guys and snakes.

Check out www.hobobiker.com