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Dan

Sep 27, 2001, 3:32 PM

Post #1 of 14 (2307 views)

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Mcallen to Playa Del Carmen

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I will be driving from McAllen to Playa del Carmin in late November. How are the roads? I do not plan to drive at night, how long should it take?
Is it possible to reach Tampico on the first day or is there a good place to stay along the way.Dan

DavidG

Sep 28, 2001, 12:14 AM

Post #2 of 14 (2307 views)

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Did That !

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We wound up crossing the border around 3-4 PM. Made our first stop at San Fernando at around 9 PM.Next day we made it to POZA RICA. If in doubt about whether you might be on the right road or not...keep following the signs to Poza Rica(best advise I got from another person who made the trip)Next day to Veracruz
Next day to Villahermosa
Next day to Chetumal
Next day Playa del CarmenWe started days late, around 11 AM and drove till after dark most days. Roads were mostly two lane in very good repair. Plenty of gas stations. I hate to drive, but I enjoyed this trip so much I am looking forward to doing it again. DG

Dan

Sep 28, 2001, 9:15 AM

Post #3 of 14 (2306 views)

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Did That !

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Thanks for the reply, your route sounds like what we had planned, How were the hotels along the way?
Any that you would recommend?
Any must see sights along the way?Dan: We wound up crossing the border around 3-4 PM. Made our first stop at San Fernando at around 9 PM.: Next day we made it to POZA RICA. If in doubt about whether you might be on the right road or not...keep following the signs to Poza Rica(best advise I got from another person who made the trip): Next day to Veracruz
: Next day to Villahermosa
: Next day to Chetumal
: Next day Playa del Carmen: We started days late, around 11 AM and drove till after dark most days. Roads were mostly two lane in very good repair. Plenty of gas stations. I hate to drive, but I enjoyed this trip so much I am looking forward to doing it again. : DG

Dan

Sep 28, 2001, 9:15 AM

Post #4 of 14 (2306 views)

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Did That !

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Karen

Sep 30, 2001, 8:53 AM

Post #5 of 14 (2309 views)

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The other route from Laredo to PDC

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: I will be driving from McAllen to Playa del Carmin in late November. How are the roads? I do not plan to drive at night, how long should it take?
: Is it possible to reach Tampico on the first day or is there a good place to stay along the way.: DanTook the other route: crossed the border at Laredo, spent the first night at the Holiday Inn in SLP (they allow dogs; just tip the doorman who will ignore the "kennel" the dog is supposed to be kept). Then, a B&B at Lake Chapala - shopped in Guadalajara and shipped to PDC. On to Taxco (Hacienda del Solar) - had to shop for silver - then to Pueblo for THE BEST dinner and pottery. Arrived at the Zona de Niebla - the zone of fog. You are greeted by a skull and crossbones before entering. Need I say more?
The worst road was the drive from Villahermosa to Escarcega - 186. Lots of trucks; hard driving. We spent the night at Palenque. Crossed the Yucatan Peninsula - this road (186) was washed out on our return trip because of Hurricane Chantal - then headed north. You MUST have enough gas to make that drive on 186 from Escarcega to pick up 307 heading north. Follow the signs to Felipe Carillo - gas up. Easy drive to PDC from that point.
I can't stress enough: Do not drive at night and keep your gas tank full. We used a 2000 edition of Guia Roji, Sanborn's, AAA, and every other scrap of information we could get our hands on. Always take the cuota. We estimated $177 USD for tolls. "David G." was especially helpful and encouraging. Jenniferose and her postings regarding traveling with pets also kept hope alive.
"Playa" - the wonder dog - had a great time. What an incredible country. Wouldn't have missed that trip for the world.
Karen, Tom, and Playa the Dog.

Ann

Oct 2, 2001, 11:30 PM

Post #6 of 14 (2305 views)

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Mcallen to Playa Del Carmen

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We've made that trip every year since 1988, let know if I can answer any questions.

Dan

Oct 3, 2001, 9:29 AM

Post #7 of 14 (2306 views)

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Mcallen to Playa Del Carmen

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: We've made that trip every year since 1988, let know if I can answer any questions.We are looking for the best route and places to stay along the way.Thanks
dan

Charles

Oct 5, 2001, 10:25 AM

Post #8 of 14 (2310 views)

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Mcallen to Playa Del Carmen

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I've been driving from Toronto to Progresso in the Yucatan every year for the past five years.
Never had a problem. But follow the proven rule.... Don't Drive at Night.
Not because of banditos but animals and trucks without lights.
As for your many suggested routes to Playa Del Carmen ...... instead of the soutern route via Chetumal ... I prefer the route which turns off at Villahermosa and takes you along the coast through Cd Del Carmen.
It's very pleasant and extremely scenic along the coast.
The maps don't show it .... but once you get to Champoton .... it is practically four lane all the way to Cancun .... and just before you get to Cancun .... you turn south on still another Autopista into PDC.

Charles

Charles

Oct 5, 2001, 10:30 AM

Post #9 of 14 (2306 views)

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Mcallen to Playa Del Carmen

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Here are a couple of places I have stayed overnight.
Hotel San Antonio in Tampico. Av.Hidalgo 3317.
Big courtyard for your car ... very secure and inexpensive.
Next day on to Acayucan where I stayed at the very comfortable Hotel Kinaku right in the centre of the town. Underground parking. 24 hour restaurant in the hotel.

Joe Nelson

Oct 6, 2001, 9:31 AM

Post #10 of 14 (2307 views)

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Mcallen to Playa Del Carmen

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Charles
First day from Brownsville to Tampico, second day from Tampico to Acayucan. Will be doing same trip in Feb 02,we will be coming from Detroin Mi area. Will be looking for rental in Progreso/Chicxulub for 03 winter, could you get back with me as I have some more question about drive time and border crossing thanks jgnels1@yahoo.com
: Here are a couple of places I have stayed overnight.
: Hotel San Antonio in Tampico. Av.Hidalgo 3317.
: Big courtyard for your car ... very secure and inexpensive.
: Next day on to Acayucan where I stayed at the very comfortable Hotel Kinaku right in the centre of the town. Underground parking. 24 hour restaurant in the hotel.

Franco

Oct 13, 2001, 7:43 PM

Post #11 of 14 (2306 views)

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Mcallen to Playa Del Carmen

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I too will be taking the same route for the first time but will drive from SFO Bay Area--MCalley---PdC. Will read all responses for tips. Thanks

Dan

Oct 14, 2001, 8:01 AM

Post #12 of 14 (2306 views)

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Mcallen to Playa Del Carmen

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Franco
When will you be travelling, I will be going in the beginning of December.
Dan
: I too will be taking the same route for the first time but will drive from SFO Bay Area--MCalley---PdC. Will read all responses for tips. Thanks

Franco

Oct 14, 2001, 6:12 PM

Post #13 of 14 (2306 views)

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Mcallen to Playa Del Carmen

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I wish I could do it in December. Which route will you take & are you driving solo & from where?
Franco: Franco
: When will you be travelling, I will be going in the beginning of December.
: Dan:
: : I too will be taking the same route for the first time but will drive from SFO Bay Area--MCalley---PdC. Will read all responses for tips. Thanks

Richard

Oct 31, 2001, 10:21 PM

Post #14 of 14 (2308 views)

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The shortest time I know of

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Was 29 hours ! This was done by Mike Gerus (Papa Hogs Dive shop Cozumel, and Jim McMains .
Raising the bar just a bit !!!
They where towing Mikes 2 man sub
behind Jims F 150 I done the trip R/T only once and Jim and Mike collectively close to 20 times.