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karfest

Jan 21, 2007, 2:58 PM

Post #1 of 13 (1810 views)

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Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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My husband and I will be spending 3 weeks in Manzanillo and would like to take an overnight trip to Guadalajara. I would really like to take the bus, hubby wants to rent a car. We speak little to no Spanish and have never driven in Mexico. I have only taken the local bus in Manzanillo and would also like some info on the bus system to Guad,
Please give me some ideas, suggestions, advice about this side trip.
How should we get there, where should we stay, what should we see?
Thanks in advance.
Karen
Follow my blog: http://vivalavida-karen.blogspot.com/

Bloviator

Jan 22, 2007, 4:15 AM

Post #2 of 13 (1784 views)

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Re: [karfest] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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It's a simple five hour or slightly less drive up a good cuota (toll road). Unfortunately, the part around Colima is only two lanes and can get quite conjested. As Manzanillo is the main port of Pacific coast Mexico, there are often quite a few trucks along the way.

If you aren't in too much of a hurry, Colima is a nice stop along the way - check out the extensive discussion of Colima on the forum - as Is Ciudad Guzman - a pretty much unknown gem. Of course Lakeside is also along the way, though about 15 miles off the direct road from Manzanillo to Guad - Jocotepec (Ajijic is another 10 miles east).

wendy devlin

Jan 22, 2007, 8:45 AM

Post #3 of 13 (1768 views)

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Re: [dlyman6500] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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The cuota highway as mentioned above between Manzanillo and Guadalajara is quite manageable for a new driver in Mexico.

What might not be so manageable is driving in Guadalajara itself, especially while searching for hotels, and sites of interests.

Aggressive drivers, congested thoroughfares, difficulty finding parking, security of your vehicle etc. etc. And should you have an serious accident or even a fender-bender, be prepared for a 'cultural' experience that could mar the memory of your holiday. In my opinion, not worth renting a car for an overnight side-trip.

Luxurious long distance buses leave Manzanillo frequently. At the long distance bus station, it's easy to take a cab or bus downtown or to Tonala or Talquepaque for shopping or sight-seeing.

Or stay near centro, and stroll the long pedesterian mall with its many churches, museums, markets etc. Enjoy the street performers, the musicians etc. who perform along this bustling promenade.

Guadalajara's attractions can barely be glimpsed during an overnight stay. It's a big city so suggest select picking a hotel close to whatever 'action' you choose and exploring that area. Although it's not difficult to take the local buses or the tren ligero(underground subway) if you're really keen to get around the city.

Bubba

Jan 22, 2007, 9:28 AM

Post #4 of 13 (1758 views)

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Re: [karfest] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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You say overnight trip. You will hardly scrape the surface in Guadalajara in an overnight trip. Two nights is better. Those of us who´ve lived here a while find Guadalajara easy to negotiate in a car but Wendy is right, signage is poor, the street layout can be confusing and people are not always polite to strangers . I would take the luxury bus direct to Guadalajara and take taxis or hire a driver/tour guide while there. They also have tourist buses in the center of the city. The ride up the autopista can be quite beautiful around Colima and you can enjoy it more from a bus.

Colima, Comala and surroundings are beautiful but I think that is a separate day trip. You can take the short bus ride from Manzanillo to Colima and rent a car for the drive to Comala, the volcanos and so forth. The area around Colima is much more driver friendly for the starnger in town touring around.

Dlyman would disagree but I say skip Lake Chapala and concentrate on Colima, Guadalajara and, perhaps, Tequila which is in a stunning setting and the Tequila tours can be fun.

(This post was edited by Bubba on Jan 22, 2007, 9:30 AM)

Bloviator

Jan 22, 2007, 12:29 PM

Post #5 of 13 (1739 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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I was just mentioning what is available along the way from Manzanillo to Guad. I agree with those who say that a one day trip is too little - but who am I to say, I drove to Barra de Navidad for lunch the other day.

For a one day trip, I think the bus would be better to include an organized tour in Guad.

Any of the suggested stops really require a whole day minimum.

wendy devlin

Jan 22, 2007, 1:57 PM

Post #6 of 13 (1733 views)

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Re: [dlyman6500] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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dlyman,

Must admit. Was a tad impressed by your driving to Barra de Navidad from Lakeside and coming back in a day. That's a lot of driving.

about the Costa Alegre, might be able to help.
Although sparks and shoe live there and can perhaps give more up-to-date info.

do you ever visit the tomzap website? or spark's melaque forum?

(This post was edited by wendy devlin on Jan 22, 2007, 5:47 PM)

sparks

Jan 23, 2007, 4:45 AM

Post #7 of 13 (1709 views)

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Re: [karfest] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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I suggest taking the bus and relaxing. There still is a lot of 2 lane on hyway 54 and the upper section is starting to fall apart. Tolls will be close to $30us each way. Very easy to get lost in Guadalajara and you might want to taxi around once you get there anyway.

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

karfest

Jan 23, 2007, 12:46 PM

Post #8 of 13 (1689 views)

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Re: [sparks] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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Thanks so much to all of you for the replies. I have been pretty much a lurker here and appreciate all the help! We're thinking we might try driving to Colima for a day, but taking the bus to Guadalajara for a longer stay. The buses look great- do you suggest getting tickets online ahead of time or can we just walk up and purchase?

We went against ALL conventional wisdom and purchased a house in Manzanillo without living there first. My husband hasn't even seen it- he trusted our daughter and me to find just the right thing! We aren't planning to move for a few years yet, but are going to spend some quality time in the area. I have been on ALL the websites but am always looking for more and more.

Again, thanks for all your help, I look forward to logging on each day to find out new stuff!
Karen
Follow my blog: http://vivalavida-karen.blogspot.com/

(This post was edited by karfest on Jan 23, 2007, 12:47 PM)

sparks

Jan 23, 2007, 3:48 PM

Post #9 of 13 (1674 views)

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Re: [karfest] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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As far as I know you can't buy tickets online ... just show up or buy tickets a few days ahead.

I hope you are from Florida or an area that has warm, humid summers ... because thats what you get in Manzanillo. Be prepared to pay those electric bills !!

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

karfest

Jan 24, 2007, 6:06 AM

Post #10 of 13 (1654 views)

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Re: [sparks] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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OK- Hold your hats-- we were both born and raised in Minnesota, but moved to the tropical climate in Green Bay, Wisconsin several years ago!!

It will be a huge change from the frozen tundra, but I vacationed there for two weeks this past August and LOVED it! I was never meant to be a cold weather gal.

Must be a mid-life crisis...
Karen
Follow my blog: http://vivalavida-karen.blogspot.com/

Septiembre

Jan 28, 2007, 2:05 PM

Post #11 of 13 (1602 views)

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Re: [karfest] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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We met a couple at a B&B in Ajijic who had taken the ETN bus up to Guad. and spent a few days down there before coming to Lakeside. They paid something like $80 each round trip, said it was far nicer than airplanes. They really liked it.

The toll road is in pretty poor condition past Colima, long stretch of two lane where the driving and drivers get hairy, many potholes, awful restrooms at the Cuota stations. A really crappy road for the high tolls. I've driven a lot of Autopista in Mexico, this one has to be one of the worse. Leave the driving to experts.

The two lane section has some really spectacular scenery too, you'll want to be looking at that instead of trying to pass some truck doing 10 mph on the two lane.

Just IMHO.

Bloviator

Jan 29, 2007, 6:07 AM

Post #12 of 13 (1575 views)

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Re: [Septiembre] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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North of Colima the toll road was so bad and conjested - only two lane - that I got off and took the free road through the outskirts of Sayula, Zocoalco, etc. It is a truly horrible road, with constant potholes. At least it was free and not crowded. I drive that road quite a bit and am used to the conditions.

Mac539

Feb 3, 2007, 10:38 PM

Post #13 of 13 (1520 views)

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Re: [karfest] Manzanillo to Guadalajara

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I would definitely take the bus. You pick them up at Central Camionera. The big bus station. Any cabbie will take you there. Not too far from the Soriana part of town. The buses are very nice. They show movies. I saw "The Two Garfields" the other day. It is much more relaxing than driving.

Not speaking Spanish is a handicap. Having car problems in say Almeria without knowing Spanish would be the nightmare. Try to get a city map ahead of time. Colima is nice, but once you get away from the coastal resorts, not much English is spoken. My wife doesn't speak Spanish and I won't let her go to these places sola. The people are very nice but it becomes a frustrating situation.

Bus drivers know zero English. Cab drivers away from the coast aren't much better. Garfield was in Spanish.

Tim

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