
RickS
Nov 11, 2009, 8:58 PM
Post #3 of 26
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Re: [grox13] Denver to Guadalajara MX: Tacoma or VW Golf?
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That route will have you (mostly) coming down Hiway 15 which is a nice toll road. It does not, nor are there any continuous free roads that do, hug the coast. So to get to the Sea of Cortez, you will branch out from 15 at various spots. While I have not taken every road out to the beaches from 15, I agree with your wife that you will not need a four-wheel drive vehicle... anywhere. If mileage is the only factor, as opposed to comfort, room, etc., I'd take the Rabbit. But don't expect 30mpg with a roof-top carrier on it.... those things cause quite a bit of resistance and will definitely affect your mpg. Although I am a camper and RV'r and have not camped along all that route, I will offer this info..... The 'east coast of the Sea of Cortez' is not well known for beaches and camping until one gets close to Mazatlan. That doesn't mean there are no beaches.... there certainly are.... but just not well known or established for tourist travelers nor easily accessible. Probably the first place to get over to the Sea is west of Hermosillo at Bahio Kino. It's about 7 hours from Nogales and offers many campgrounds in the area. After that would probably be around San Carlos, just west of Guaymas and only 4 hours south of Bahio Kino. San Carlos is quite developed and is more known for 'sailing' than beaches but it is a worthwhile stopping place in my opinion. After that I don't know of any beach 'camping' areas until one approaches Mazatlan. The coast before then is more prone to be 'swampy' and quite frankly I would not venture off the toll road anywhere north or south of Culiacan as it is well known to be, lets say, not hospitable to outsiders or anyone who might look like they might be 'checking out the notorious and clandestine agricultural pursuits of the natives' if you get my drift. But just before Mazatlan and certainly within the Mazatlan area there are several campgrounds (some snowbird havens) on very nice beaches. South of Mazatlan the toll road will take you 'inland' again and probably the next beach areas will be just before you get to the small city of Tepic, Nayarit. About 20 miles before there, turn west towards the cool coastal town of San Blas with a feel of the tropics. While there don't fail to take an 'expedition' in a small boat out into the swamps to see all kinds of birds and crocs. The guides are fantastic and the sights worth writing home about! Continue south on that 2-lane coast road a few miles down to Santa Cruz and Platanitos, both small unassuming villages less about beaches and more about an unspoiled 'real' Mexican scene. Lastly continue to just past Las Vargas, turn west and go out to what used to be one of my most favorite 'hippie' beaches in that part of the country. It is (maybe I should say was) so cool and the setting is spectacular. I fear that it may have been developed since I was last there, but it is probably worth the short trip out there to see if not camp. From there, and assuming you really are going to Guadalajara! you'll have to head east inland towards Compostela and pick up the toll road to Guad. But if you have some time, continue south down Hiway 200 from Las Vargas and check out the more established beaches or Penita de Jaltemba, Rincon de Guayabitos, Lo de Marcos, San Francisco (San Pancho) and Sayulita.... all within a stretch of less than 50 miles. (see Mexconnect feature articles about this stretch of beaches on the home page). Then backtrack to Las Vargas and on over to Guadalajara. Have fun!
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