Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

sioux4noff

Jan 2, 2011, 6:42 PM

Post #1 of 8 (5466 views)

Shortcut

Tapalpa

Can't Post | Private Reply

We may have occasion to travel to Tapalpa at the end of the month. I'm aware this isn't the best time of year to travel from the coast to the mountains, but the end of January is when we would need to go.
I'd appreciate any advice on places to stay in Tapalpa and other recommendations for restaurants, sight-seeing, etc.
We'd be traveling from Puerto Vallarta, also any siggestions on the best route to get there.
It might be combined with a trip to Guadalajara, and we know how to get there.

RickS

Jan 2, 2011, 7:22 PM

Post #2 of 8 (5442 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sioux4noff] Tapalpa

Can't Post | Private Reply

Directions: I recall you saying you like to drive the 'Mascota route' from your neck of the woods. Keep on going about 15-20 km east of Ameca; turn right/south at Buenavista (this will be a secondary road) and go another 15-20km to Hiway 80 a bit west of Villa Corona. Continue thru Villa Corona another few km's and take either the free road 54 or cuota 54D south towards Colima.

If you take the free road south (decent road) about 50km, just past Amacueca, will be the turn (right) up to Tapalpa, about another 30km. If you take the cuota, there will be one or two exits off (right) to get over to the free road.

If you are coming from Guad, just take the Colima cuota 54D (Lopez Mateos) off the Periferico Sur (or from Lazaro Cardenas if you are further into town).

Can't help you with hotels or restaurants....

Anonimo

Jan 3, 2011, 2:49 AM

Post #3 of 8 (5408 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sioux4noff] Tapalpa

Can't Post | Private Reply

Cookj5 has been there and describes it in his blog.
http://tinyurl.com/33y67de
The hotel in which they stayed, La Casa de Maty, looks very attractive.
Maybe Jim can tell us more here.

Saludos,
Anonimo

tonyburton

Jan 3, 2011, 8:37 AM

Post #4 of 8 (5366 views)

Shortcut

Re: [RickS] Tapalpa

Can't Post | Private Reply

"Keep on going about 15-20 km east of Ameca; turn right/south at Buenavista (this will be a secondary road) and go another 15-20km to Hiway 80 a bit west of Villa Corona. Continue thru Villa Corona another few km's and take either the free road 54 or cuota 54D south towards Colima."

When you reach Hwy 80 on this route, you turn left for Villa Corona etc. This route is fine, and easy to follow, but....

A shorter and enjoyable (my preferred) alternative is to turn off the Ameca-Guadalajara road well before Buenavista, taking the well-signed road (to the right) for San Martín de Hidalgo. This road emerges on Hwy 80, where you turn right and continue south on 80 (for about 30km) until you see the turn for Tamazulita. This road continues beyond Tamazulita, climbing the mountains before it enters Tapalpa from the northwest.

Whichever route you take, please report back after the adventure!! Enjoy!!

RickS

Jan 3, 2011, 12:53 PM

Post #5 of 8 (5329 views)

Shortcut

Re: [tonyburton] Tapalpa

Can't Post | Private Reply

Ah, Tony, what a great idea. I did not recommend that routing because I have never gone south on 80 to Tamazulita and then up to Tapalpa. I did, last week, go on the road from Ameca down thru San Martín de Hidalgo and on to 80. IMO, that road has deteriorated over the years (duh!) so I suggested the shorter version down to 80 from Buenavista. I went thru San Martin on what must have been a market day as it was bumper to bumper in first gear for 20 minutes. It is also a bit tricky to get from one side of town to the other due to no signage but so what is new in Mexico. And also, 80 from there EAST is all under construction to the Cuota. I don't know what they might find SOUTH on 80, but in any respect it would be shorter.... and new territory to explore!

tashby

Jan 3, 2011, 2:05 PM

Post #6 of 8 (5321 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sioux4noff] Tapalpa

Can't Post | Private Reply

The only hotel I've ever stayed at in Tapalpa is Casona de Manzano. (We have friends who have a cabin there now, so no need for a hotel....)

Casona de Manzano is really nice, and only a block away from the main plaza. It is a bit spendy though. You don't mention budget so I won't go any further. There are several very nice places to stay in town.

http://www.casonademanzano.com/

Wherever you stay, you want to make certain that there is a fireplace, or other heating source, in the room. And bring slippers, and warm sleepwear, and warm outerwear, and....

There's a really good campestre-style restaurant out of town, I think it's called Mescalero's (or something like that), but it's only open on weekends, I think.

Have fun.

(This post was edited by tashby on Jan 3, 2011, 2:07 PM)

bournemouth

Jan 3, 2011, 2:19 PM

Post #7 of 8 (5314 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sioux4noff] Tapalpa

Can't Post | Private Reply

While you are in Tapalpa, track down Citac - the funky folk art from the school is always a hit at the annual Feria Maestros del Arte in Chapala:

http://www.mexicoartshow.com/tapalpa.html

sioux4noff

Jan 30, 2011, 2:22 PM

Post #8 of 8 (4935 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bournemouth] Tapalpa

Can't Post | Private Reply

Thank you all for the help.We ended upnot taking the trip after all.