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Luke

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Driving To Puerto Vallarta

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My wife and I are planning on driving to Puerto Vallarta in a month or less from Hamilton Ontario Canada. We have a friend in Puerto Vallarta who is helping us. He has suggested 3 possible routes and I'm looking for comments on the different routes. He is concerned about us getting there and suggests that we should travel in a convoy if possible. He doesn't like a certain part of the route and I can't remember what part of Mexico he is talking about as I write this. He is a Mexican citizen and this is the routes he suggested. Here is what he said.

"That reminds me that i am not sure where do you star your journey from Canada. I have already 3 possible routes to PVR. Let me know where do you plan to cross the USA. See that: Coming to Laredo lets you hit Monterrey fisrt (Monterrey México, not Monterey California), and then come to Saltillo, Zacatecas, Guadalajara and then Vallarta. From Monterrey to Guadalajara (you MUST visit Guadalajara, this is the city i was born and i love her) you may need to drive 2 days, and is a nice road. The second option is by California, so you can arrival to Tijuana or Mexicali, from there, drive thru Baja California to los Cabos, guy, believe that you will see one of the most beautiful lanscapes in the world. In rosarito you can see the Titanic (over there the movie was filmed). From Los Cabos, take a ferry (along with your truck) to Mazatlán, and then drive to Tepic and to Vallarta. The whole road trhu Baja takes 2 days, one night to cross the Golfo de Cortés on the Ferry, and maybe ona or 2 days to arrival to PVR. Moreover, you can visit the Van Halen's Cabo Wabo. The third option: From Mexicali, take the Pacific Highway, thru Sonora and Sinaloa. This is very hard and i don't reccommend it unless you like dessert, sand and adventure. It takes 3 days."We will be driving as stupid useless vehicle (SUV). Should I be concerned that a SUV would be an attractive vehicle. My friend seems really concerned about our safety in one part of Mexico. Any thoughts are appreciated and what route would you take if you were doing this.Thanks Luke

matt

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #2 of 8 (758 views)

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Driving To Puerto Vallarta

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The road from Saltillo to Zacatecas is really the "pits". Plenty of rough, two-lane blacktop with lots of pot-holes in places. The road from Saltillo to San Luis Potosi is much nicer, although parts are toll. The distance is probably greater, but the better road will compensate by allowing you to travel faster. Good luck!

mexicodan

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #3 of 8 (767 views)

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www.maps-of-mexico.com nmsg

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: My wife and I are planning on driving to Puerto Vallarta in a month or less from Hamilton Ontario Canada. We have a friend in Puerto Vallarta who is helping us. He has suggested 3 possible routes and I'm looking for comments on the different routes. He is concerned about us getting there and suggests that we should travel in a convoy if possible. He doesn't like a certain part of the route and I can't remember what part of Mexico he is talking about as I write this. He is a Mexican citizen and this is the routes he suggested. Here is what he said.
:
: "That reminds me that i am not sure where do you star your journey from Canada. I have already 3 possible routes to PVR. Let me know where do you plan to cross the USA. See that: Coming to Laredo lets you hit Monterrey fisrt (Monterrey México, not Monterey California), and then come to Saltillo, Zacatecas, Guadalajara and then Vallarta. From Monterrey to Guadalajara (you MUST visit Guadalajara, this is the city i was born and i love her) you may need to drive 2 days, and is a nice road. : The second option is by California, so you can arrival to Tijuana or Mexicali, from there, drive thru Baja California to los Cabos, guy, believe that you will see one of the most beautiful lanscapes in the world. In rosarito you can see the Titanic (over there the movie was filmed). From Los Cabos, take a ferry (along with your truck) to Mazatlán, and then drive to Tepic and to Vallarta. The whole road trhu Baja takes 2 days, one night to cross the Golfo de Cortés on the Ferry, and maybe ona or 2 days to arrival to PVR. Moreover, you can visit the Van Halen's Cabo Wabo. : The third option: From Mexicali, take the Pacific Highway, thru Sonora and Sinaloa. This is very hard and i don't reccommend it unless you like dessert, sand and adventure. It takes 3 days.": We will be driving as stupid useless vehicle (SUV). Should I be concerned that a SUV would be an attractive vehicle. My friend seems really concerned about our safety in one part of Mexico. : Any thoughts are appreciated and what route would you take if you were doing this.: Thanks Luke

Jose

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #4 of 8 (760 views)

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Driving To Puerto Vallarta

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I'd recommend crossing in Nogales and taking the 15 all the way. The drive from Mexicali to the mainland is long & boring. Besides, you can visit the Grand Canyon and Los Vegas on your way down.I did this drive about a year ago and loved it. There are plenty of cities to see on the way down (Hermosillo, Guaymas, Los Mochis, Culican, Mazatalan, Tequila, etc...). I had no problems; always felt safe and welcome.The people are great and the scenary along the coast is incredible. It's awesome to watch how the landscape changes from desert to tropics as you drive south.If you have time, check out a city called "Alamos"; it's about 45 minutes off the 15 east of Navojoa. It's a small, former mining village that's been maintained (mainly for tourists) in the old colonial style. You'll feel like you've gone back in time 100 years.That's my 2-pesos, enjoy!

Ernie Gorrie

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #5 of 8 (758 views)

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Driving To Puerto Vallarta

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The route he didn't mention was crossing the Mexican border at Nogales, Arizona. The drive from Nogales to PV is straight forward. I've done it a couple of times from Vancouver.Take a look at the link below for some Mexican driving logs and a few articles, mostly by frequenters of this site, including an article I wrote about my first drive from Vancouver to Troncones.

Bob in Ajijic

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #6 of 8 (766 views)

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Driving To Puerto Vallarta

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Hi Luke,You were saying that your friend suggests that you should travel in a convoy if possible as he doesn't like a certain part of the route. That must be the Baja route he refers to as it is the only one I've not been on. For the rest of it, I surely wouldn't worry about having to convoy. For the rest of this, do put your atlas on your desktop ao you can follow easily!We have lived in Chapala / Ajijic, near Guadalajara, for the past four years. We have moved around pretty freely on all the highways in our area and loved it. We have driven from here to PV six times now. We have driven the route through Saltillo and Monterrey to Guadalajara four times. We have also driven the route from Mazatlan to PV once, just last February. I agree with your friend, a visit to Guadalajara is a must. The drive to PV is an easy and most pleasurable 5 1/2 hours. I've never had any problem. The 2/3 of it nearest Guadalajara is a beautiful four lane divided toll road. The coastal part is winding two lane and a few if you might get behind a truck for a ways but it really is no problem at all. You will reach the coast shortly after Rincon de Guayabitos (sp) and from there south to PV is a nice drive since they finished the new highway last year.I hear the road from Laredo to Monterrey is very good and from Monterrey to Zacatecas is mostly two lane blacktop, boring with the occasional pot holes, but no problem. The joshua tree forest is stunning. After Zacatecas you'll be on four lane divided toll road most of the time and after a leisurely start to the day you should get into Guadalajara by 5:00 pm with no problem. If you're coming from San Antonio TX or Laredo TX you'll probably want to overnight it in Zacatecas. There are some nice hotels along the bypass (highway) that takes you through the periphery of the city.I haven't driven the route from Mexicali thru Sonora and Sinaloa but from Mazatlan to PV is an easy 1/2 day drive through Tepic. Your SUV shouldn't be a problem either. We drive a Dodge Caravan, the minivan, but there are a lot of SUV's in the gringo community here at Lakeside. I suppose someone must have had a problem with banditos but I don't happen to know anyone. Hey, does this count? ...I lost my outside rear view mirrors to an independent entrepreneur in the parking lot at Costco when we first arrived. I had plastic shields installed and no problem since. On any of the routes I've described, my wife and I have never had any cause to fear for our safety. I don't travel at night in Mexico. Well, OK, I drive home from Guadalajara at night frequently after the theatre or an evening at a jazz club. Generally, avoiding night driving just makes good sense here as the country ...unless you're on the toll roads... is like driving in Montana or on a first nations reserve. They don't seem to have "range laws" in Mexico and the livestock can wander onto the road and surprise you. Faulty tail lights and brake lights are probably more common here than in Ontario. Hope this helps,
Bob

Lucy

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #7 of 8 (762 views)

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Driving To Puerto Vallarta

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I have driven to PV from Guadalajara several times. It is a wonderful drive. Your drive through the desert and mountains. Several nice villages. Depending on the season, the flowers are wonderful. No danger on this trip. Not sure where he considers dangerous. I have driven all over Mexico for the past few years and found it safe if you drive during the day and use common sense. plan your evening stops and stop early in the afternoon. Get lots of rest and bring snacks in case you are fussy about your food. Tapes and cds are good too. Don't forget a Spanish phrase book. A Spanish tape would be nice so you can learn while you ride. Enjoy your trip and your visit..: My wife and I are planning on driving to Puerto Vallarta in a month or less from Hamilton Ontario Canada. We have a friend in Puerto Vallarta who is helping us. He has suggested 3 possible routes and I'm looking for comments on the different routes. He is concerned about us getting there and suggests that we should travel in a convoy if possible. He doesn't like a certain part of the route and I can't remember what part of Mexico he is talking about as I write this. He is a Mexican citizen and this is the routes he suggested. Here is what he said.
:
: "That reminds me that i am not sure where do you star your journey from Canada. I have already 3 possible routes to PVR. Let me know where do you plan to cross the USA. See that: Coming to Laredo lets you hit Monterrey fisrt (Monterrey México, not Monterey California), and then come to Saltillo, Zacatecas, Guadalajara and then Vallarta. From Monterrey to Guadalajara (you MUST visit Guadalajara, this is the city i was born and i love her) you may need to drive 2 days, and is a nice road. : The second option is by California, so you can arrival to Tijuana or Mexicali, from there, drive thru Baja California to los Cabos, guy, believe that you will see one of the most beautiful lanscapes in the world. In rosarito you can see the Titanic (over there the movie was filmed). From Los Cabos, take a ferry (along with your truck) to Mazatlán, and then drive to Tepic and to Vallarta. The whole road trhu Baja takes 2 days, one night to cross the Golfo de Cortés on the Ferry, and maybe ona or 2 days to arrival to PVR. Moreover, you can visit the Van Halen's Cabo Wabo. : The third option: From Mexicali, take the Pacific Highway, thru Sonora and Sinaloa. This is very hard and i don't reccommend it unless you like dessert, sand and adventure. It takes 3 days.": We will be driving as stupid useless vehicle (SUV). Should I be concerned that a SUV would be an attractive vehicle. My friend seems really concerned about our safety in one part of Mexico. : Any thoughts are appreciated and what route would you take if you were doing this.: Thanks Luke

xochitl

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #8 of 8 (759 views)

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Driving To Puerto Vallarta

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: : Forget the Baja route. The ferry isn't running any more and it was a miserable disgusting trip when it was, Also would take you more than two days to travel down Mex one to Los Cabos (And ferry left from La Paz, anyway) However, this was not the dangerous part of the trip, no need to convoy here if you you have a good vehicle and don't drive at night.lots of cows burros and the occaisonal goat on the road but safer than most other parts of Mexico in regards to crime.
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