On 2 January 2026, Paraguayan rider Steven Martínez, known as “Guarani Riders”, embarked on the ambitious adventure of crossing the Americas on a motorcycle. His goal? To travel solo from Paraguay to Alaska, navigating borders, hidden gems and diverse cultures, becoming one of the few who dare to take on such a continental challenge.
Leaving from the Heroes of Chaco Bridge, Martínez planned the journey in two stages: Paraguay to New York, and then New York to Alaska. On day 43, 13 February 2026, he reached New York, completing the first stage and covering 19,000 kilometres. Following a planned break, he resumes the journey’s second stage this July.
In an interview with The Asunción Times, Steven shared his experiences from the first stage of the trip, including memorable places and unexpected challenges. He fulfilled a lifelong dream by reaching New York after riding through more than ten countries, uniting his passion for motorcycles and travel.
A funny story about how it all started
Guarani Riders is Steven Martínez’ project to travel the world by motorcycle while documenting his adventure. In 2024, after buying his first bike, he began tackling long roads, determined to show how big the world is.
Unlike many experienced riders, Steven’s motorcycle journey started differently. This May 2026 will mark two years since he bought his BMW R 1250 GS and learned to ride.
“Not many people know this, but I bought this bike on a Saturday, and I learned how to ride the night before,” Steven laughed. “I remember practicing for about 30 minutes or an hour, and then the next day I went to buy this big bike. They asked me what motorcycle I had ridden before, and I said, ‘I just learned how to ride last night.’ It was funny, but I definitely had a passion for traveling and, apparently, a hidden passion for motorcycles. I combined those two things, and I have not stopped since.”
Planning the trip and preparing the bike
Since the goal of the journey was to cross the Americas, Alaska naturally became the final destination for Steven. Planning the route did not take long. Much of it involved connecting places he wanted to explore.
Preparing the motorcycle was just as important as planning the route. Steven carried essential emergency tools, including wheel equipment, tyre repair gear, brake tools, and a portable battery starter.
He also used a satellite antenna to stay connected to the internet, even in remote mountain regions. “I had signal everywhere, which is especially helpful when travelling alone. It is not just about communication; it is about safety.”
A 19,000 km adventure through 15 countries
During the first stage of the journey, Steven Martínez crossed 15 countries on his motorcycle: Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, and the United States.
One of the biggest logistical challenges came at the border between South and Central America. Because there is no road connecting the two continents through the Darién Gap, Steven was forced to put his motorcycle on a plane and fly from Bogotá to Panama.
Apart from that unavoidable detour, the trip consisted of long days on the road, crossing mountains, tropical regions, bustling cities, and remote highways.
The challenges that come with solo traveling
Solo travel brings challenges that companions might help manage. Steven noted that the farther he gets from home, the more he thinks about family. Beyond mental strain, solo journeys also carry real risks.
“A complicated situation on this trip happened to me in Peru,” Steven Martínez recalled. “I was at about 4,700 metres, tired, crossing a small stream. I needed to accelerate but could not, and on rocks and sand, I fell. I could not lift the motorcycle as I normally would; it was much harder. I tried three or four times, but it was no use, could not even breathe from the effort I had made.”
Realising little could be done, Steven waited an hour until someone helped him. “Imagine if this happens at night, in cold rain, with nothing to camp with, you could die there. That uncertainty is frightening; things can get complicated very quickly,” he explained.
Costa Rica and Guatemala as unforgettable stops
The road to New York offered breathtaking landscapes, from Argentina’s Great Salt Flat and Peru’s turquoise lagoons to Chile’s coastal routes and Mexico’s beaches like Tulum and Cancún.
For Steven, Costa Rica was unforgettable. “It was the first time I had seen a country where animals roam freely. Even in large cities, it seems humans have entered the animals’ habitat. Monkeys running around, iguanas in the streets, in restaurants, everywhere. It was very striking; I have never seen anything like it in any other country,” he shared.
Guatemala was another highlight. “Volcán de Fuego was spectacular. It erupts constantly, day and night. At night, you can see the red lava clearly. I stayed in a hotel across from the volcano and could hear the eruption all night. It was an incredible experience,” Steven said.
“I practically fulfilled a dream.”
Travelling from Paraguay all the way to New York on a motorcycle is not something many people accomplish. For someone who loves travelling and adventure as much as Steven Martínez does, completing this first stage was already a deeply fulfilling experience.
“This journey surpassed my expectations. It was simply a spectacular experience. I got to see places I never even imagined I would visit, including two world wonders: Chichén Itzá in Mexico and Machu Picchu in Peru. This trip is something I have wanted to do for a long time, so now it feels like I have practically fulfilled a dream.”
Looking forward to the second stage of the adventure
To reach Alaska, Steven still has around 30,000 kilometres ahead. With the first stage done, he estimates roughly 35% of the journey is complete. The second stage is planned for July.
“I will probably end up dividing this stage into two again because there are still a lot of kilometres left and I have work I need to finish, so I will see how it goes.”
He hopes to travel along historic U.S. Route 66 and plans to fly back to Paraguay for a break before returning to New York to resume.
“I have almost everything organised, but once I go back to Paraguay, I will revise some things,” Steven said.
Follow Guarani Riders on Instagram to see photos and updates from the journey.
