Scenic Motorcycle Roads in Mexico
Planning a ride to Mexico? This vast and diverse country has plenty to offer – the roads, the scenery, and the local culture make for a perfect motorcycling destination. But Mexico is also huge, and unless you have three or fours months to roam about, it’s best to focus on just one region or state to get the best out of your Mexico experience.
Here’s a list of our favorite scenic motorcycle roads in Mexico:

Baja California
Known for its Baja 1000 races, Baja California is a land of sand dunes and coastal views. Whether you ride on or off the road, Baja feels like a motorcycling playground: there’s no shortage of amazing dirt trails crisscrossing the peninsula as well as plenty of tarmac roads offering big sweeping curves and fantastic views. Riding all the way from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas, you’ll cover over 1,600 kilometers across a sun-drenched sea of sand dunes, desert, and the Pacific Coast vistas.

At the very tip of Baja California, you can either turn back and explore the peninsula some more or jump on a ferry to mainland Mexico and carry on riding.

Copper Canyon
Should you choose the mainland option from Baja California, the next best motorcycling destination in Mexico is the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua. Situated in the very heart of the Sierra Madre mountains, the Copper Canyon system is larger and deeper than the world-famous Grand Canyon in the United States, and the motorcycling here is probably the best in the entire country. If you’re up for a little adventure, head to the small town of Batopilas at the bed of the canyon offering a series of dizzying hairpins and incredible views.

Batopilas is also famous for its Taharumara locals, an indigenous community that has chosen to close itself off from the modern world and still lives in the same way their ancestors did hundreds of years ago.

Guanajuato - Queretaro
Traveling further South, another fantastic region to explore is the Guanajuato-Queretaro state line. Offering plenty of stunning mountain roads, and suitable for both on road and off-road riding, Guanajuato-Queretaro is also home to San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato towns, both worthy of a visit. Famous for their colourful colonial Old Towns, curious heritage, and bohemian atmosphere, San Miguel and Guanajuato are must-visit locations.

Oaxaca
Another Mexican state perfect for motorcycling is Oaxaca boasting lots of back country roads and fun twisties. Almost always sunny and cheerful, Oaxaca is a great place to start or end your motorcycle tour in Mexico: it’s got a vibrant culture, great cuisine, and plenty of things to do and see within the town itself.

Yucatan Peninsula
The states of Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo in the Yucatan peninsula cannot compete with its more westerly neighbours in terms of mountains or curvy roads, but it has something unique to the entire world: cenotes. These underground caves filled with crystal clear water were created millions of years ago when the same asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs hit Yucatan shattering the ground and leaving a hollow sandstone surface that’s now dotted with otherworldly-looking swimming holes. In addition to cenotes, Yucatan offers a Caribbean experience: out here, you can ride sandy beach trails and enjoy the views of the Caribbean Sea from the saddle of your motorcycle.

Riding along the Mahahual beach, Yucatan Peninsula
So which Mexican region is the best to explore on two wheels? That depends on whether you prefer deserts, mountains, or Caribbean vibes, but one thing’s for sure – Mexico is a motorcycling El Dorado for those looking for adventure. If you’re planning to ride Baja California or Yucatan, beware of high temperatures during the summer months. Chihuahua, Guanajuato, and Oaxaca can generally be ridden year-round. And while most travellers are somewhat wary about safety while riding through Mexico, these regions are generally among the safest when it comes to tourism and motorcycle travel.

Eglé Gerulaityté is a motorcycle journalist and author. She works with calimoto's partner MOTOURISMO, the world's largest booking portal and online travel agency for motorcycle tours, training, and shipping. Curious to find your own Mexico ride? Check out the latest motorcycle tours and trips in Mexico on MOTOURISMO.