Not sure how or why the bribe stories are so abundant, But we have traveled Mexico since 2003 no bribes paid and a few times trying to offer a tip at a border for having received help with paper work and has always been refused. Having traveled Central America down to Panama in our motor home by ourselves in 2008 and 2009 we had no problems crossing borders did not pay bribes. The crossing from Costa Rica to Panama a very busy crossing we elected to hire a facilitator to guide us through and the price being very reasonable would not consider it bribe money. It took about an hour was it a bribe I don't think so , just money well spent.
