Forums > General > Living, Working, Retiring

expatsinmexico

Feb 17, 2012, 7:50 AM

Post #1 of 11 (6409 views)

Shortcut

Anyone Heading South 1st Week of April?

Can't Post | Private Reply

We are retiring and heading for for Ajijic from Seattle the last week of March in our Jeep Wrangler. Will be making a border crossing the first week of April. Is anyone else going down at that time. Planning on crossing at Laredo (Columbia) or Piedras Negras. That is unless there is someone crossing at San Diego and heading for La Paz. We have entertained the idea of taking the ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan. Would love to hear from anyone heading across the border during that period. Also any information seasoned drivers may have on any of these routes.

tashby

Feb 17, 2012, 8:31 AM

Post #2 of 11 (6395 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bound4ajijic] Anyone Heading South 1st Week of April?

Can't Post | Private Reply

We moved here at exactly the same time of year in 2008, also driving from Seattle. At that time, a very wise member suggested that if possible we try to avoid driving through Mexico during Semana Santa/Semana Pasqua, the two week Easter Holidays. This year Easter is on April 8, so the weeks prior and following.

We were traveling without reservations and with a dog, so we plotted around the busy travel holidays. Worked out great. We drove down from Nogales, and the highways were not crowded. If you're crossing in early April, try to do it sooner rather than later.

RickS

Feb 17, 2012, 9:34 AM

Post #3 of 11 (6381 views)

Shortcut

Re: [tashby] Anyone Heading South 1st Week of April?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Uh-oh! I will be driving from SMA to the border on either Saturday or Sunday, Semana Santa. I have no choice to do it any other days.

I know enough to not try and go to/be at the beach during this 2-week holiday but had not thought about the possibility of it affecting 'inland' traffic. Has anyone had any experience driving the cuotas back to the border during the time I mentioned?

expatsinmexico

Feb 17, 2012, 11:11 AM

Post #4 of 11 (6362 views)

Shortcut

Re: [tashby] Anyone Heading South 1st Week of April?

Can't Post | Private Reply

We too don't really have a choice. Our rental is waiting for us the 1st of April. We retire the end of March and could cross the border as early as April 1st. The advice I am getting from "the other forum" is to not cross at Laredo and to cross at Nogales. Any opinions here on that. I love the idea of crossing in the West since we are coming from the Seattle area. We could make the Nogales border crossing in a couple of days in order to cross the first of April. Thank you for any suggestions.

(This post was edited by bound4ajijic on Feb 17, 2012, 11:44 AM)

Vichil

Feb 17, 2012, 12:58 PM

Post #5 of 11 (6342 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bound4ajijic] Anyone Heading South 1st Week of April?

Can't Post | Private Reply

We crossed at Nogales when we came down.

tashby

Feb 17, 2012, 3:08 PM

Post #6 of 11 (6319 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bound4ajijic] Anyone Heading South 1st Week of April?

Can't Post | Private Reply

Somebody with more experience can provide better information than I can. Hopefully they'll come along. Until then....

My guess would be that the very, very beginning of April wouldn't be too bad, especially since you're avoiding the weekends, and likely driving on Monday/Tuesday/maybe Wednesday. Don't know where you're planning on over-nighting during the drive, or whether or not the beaches will be packed to the rafters by then. Something to think about. Also, the recommendation of "staying on US roads" all the way to Laredo, then dropping down was suggested to us even back in 2008. I never considered it for a moment. The idea of voluntarily spending time in South Texas was just inconceivable to me.

P.S. It's going to be hotter than Hades driving through northern Mexico at that time of year. Make sure you a/c is up to the task.

RickS, you'll no doubt get better info from people in San Miguel de Allende. Don't think I envy your border-crossing that weekend, but maybe it won't be too backed up? You know that drill a lot better than I do.

(This post was edited by tashby on Feb 17, 2012, 3:12 PM)

mazbook1

Feb 17, 2012, 4:43 PM

Post #7 of 11 (6298 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bound4ajijic] Anyone Heading South 1st Week of April?

Can't Post | Private Reply

If your're driving from Seattle to Ajijic, definitely use the Nogales crossing. It's by far the better (albeit a bit boring) route. Plan your trip so that you overnight (twice?) at some inland city, as the beach cities will begin to get crowded after April 1st and REALLY crowded after April 3rd or 4th.

Traffic should be quite reasonable on that route at that time, as the heavy traffic will all be going the other direction, i.e., toward some beach.

twelveoaks

Feb 18, 2012, 8:05 AM

Post #8 of 11 (6230 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bound4ajijic] Anyone Heading South 1st Week of April?

Can't Post | Private Reply

My wife and I will be driving to Ajijic about the 28th of March from northern California. We have done a great deal of research as well as contacting resources in Ajijic and have determined that Lukeville, AZ is the best place to cross the border. Little or no wait as compared to Nogales.

If you don't mind us asking where are you renting in Ajijic and how did you obtain your rental ? We are in the process of doing that now.

Fred & Donna

tashby

Feb 18, 2012, 12:47 PM

Post #9 of 11 (6190 views)

Shortcut

Re: [twelveoaks] Anyone Heading South 1st Week of April?

Can't Post | Private Reply

I guess you're asking me about rentals? I think I'm the only one in this thread (so far) who lives here. Here's what we did:

We got here and had a reservation at a budget hotel for a week. During that week we looked for a rental. At that time, we were not committing long term to Ajijic. We rented several places over the course of 3-4 months. A few weeks here....a month there.....another couple of weeks at another place, etc. This gave us a great feel for the different neighborhoods and areas around town. All the rentals we auditioned were through the various property managers/rental agencies. At that point we left Ajijic to live in Morelia for three months. Then we returned to Ajijic -- before high season began -- and found a great place for long term. We've been in it for 3 1/2 years now. It's a nice house at a good price in a perfect location (for us).

As I said, you are coming at the exact time of year we did. At that time of year, YOU are in the driver's seat. A LOT of rentals are available with more becoming available every week. We took advantage of that to test drive several in different areas. Because it's the beginning of slow season, it's often possible to negotiate on price, length of term, etc. We certainly did.

If I were you, I wouldn't even look at anything til you're down here. (Unless you're already very familiar with the area.) Arranging a rental from far away works fine for a vacation. For long term, not so much. Good luck!

expatsinmexico

Feb 19, 2012, 3:21 PM

Post #10 of 11 (6104 views)

Shortcut

Re: [twelveoaks] Anyone Heading South 1st Week of April?

Can't Post | Private Reply

We have decided to go either the Lukeville or the Nogales route and cross the border on April 1st. Still looking for others making the trip to Ajijic at that time interested in driving together all or part of the way.

Camille

Feb 19, 2012, 6:46 PM

Post #11 of 11 (6074 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bound4ajijic] Anyone Heading South 1st Week of April?

Can't Post | Private Reply

My suggestion, for the safety of your dog, always have plenty of ice. You never know when you may be stuck for hours at the border or another checkpoint, and your best friend may need a cube to lick or perhaps a tummy rub. Friends saved their pug's life by dumping their groceries and putting the pug in the ice chest with the ice.
Best of luck, be prepared!