More than 1,000 migrants in a second caravan that forced its way across the river from Guatemala have now reached the southern Mexico city of Tapachula on their long journey to the US.

The first contingents began arriving to camp out in Tapachula's main plaza on Tuesday.

Gerbert Hinestrosa, 54, of Santa Barbara in Honduras, is traveling with his wife and teenage son. He said he realizes how hard it will be to make it to the US border.