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tashby

Mar 10, 2008, 8:20 PM

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Entering by car through Sonoyta versus Nogales

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Two people with FM3s. One dog. An old, overpacked car. All supporting documents necessary (fingers crossed). Originals plus copies of everything.

Any advantages one versus the other? Heading to Chapala area. Have scavenged the dog-friendly accomodations off this board in Navajoa and Mazatlan (thanks!). Imagine Sonoyta is quieter, perhaps more efficient. Then again Nogales is a straight shot down MEX 15, which we'll be driving. Looks like it's east enough to get from Sonoyta over to MEX 15 though, based on the map. We'll be driving all the way from Seattle so one is as convenient as the other as far as drive time, etc.

Probably be driving down toward the end of the month. Know enough to avoid Maz during Semana Santa....it's OVER pretty much right after Easter on the 23rd, right?

Any other tips?

¡Mil Gracias!

esperanza

Mar 10, 2008, 9:16 PM

Post #2 of 10 (1741 views)

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Re: [tashby] Entering by car through Sonoyta versus Nogales

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Mexico's Easter vacation period begins on the Friday before Palm Sunday (this year, that Friday is March 14) and lasts for two weeks, or sometimes a little longer. It includes both Semana Santa and Semana de Pascuas. I wouldn't drive across the border till at least April 1, if not April 8, in order to avoid the hordes.

If you want to make your first highway drive in Mexico both easier and shorter, stay in the States all the way to Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras and cross there, heading south to Lake Chapala. You'll be on highways you know, with gasoline and restaurants and motels you recognize at every exit. You won't have to figure out the dollar/peso exchange. And your trip from Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras to Lake Chapala is only about 700 miles, give or take a few.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

tashby

Mar 10, 2008, 10:10 PM

Post #3 of 10 (1733 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Entering by car through Sonoyta versus Nogales

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Thanks so much for the timing info. Hmmmm. After everything we've gotten done lately, I was looking forward to crossing prior to early April. Have to think about that. Don't the crowds at least begin to thin out a little after Easter Sunday?

Re: Eagle Pass / Piedras Negras as an alternative. Not sure I see the advantage, other than shorter distance within Mexico? Having traveled, and yes even driven, in Mexico since the late 1970's, I'm perfectly comfortable navigating hotels and restaurants I don't know, and exchange rate I do. I also don't much savor the idea of killing time in South Texas. On the other hand, I can easily see us lingering our way along the Western edge of the US Rockies, Southwest Utah, and NW Arizona, during springtime no less, on our way to the Arizona/Sonora border. That wouldn't suck!

Thanks.

(This post was edited by tashby on Mar 10, 2008, 10:15 PM)

esperanza

Mar 11, 2008, 7:15 AM

Post #4 of 10 (1718 views)

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Re: [tashby] Entering by car through Sonoyta versus Nogales

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The crowds are actually worse right after Easter. Many people vacation during Semana Santa and return home immediately after Easter. Others--MANY others--vacation starting right before Easter and go home at the end of the week after Easter. Tashby, traveling can be a real nightmare at this time of year. The Red Cross and the police set up special booths along all the highways, the borders are glutted with travelers going both directions, etc.

OK, now that I know you're an old Mexico hand and an experienced traveler, I know you're not nervous about driving in Mexico. Enjoy your trip, whichever way you come into the country. Sonoyta is a good choice.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

(This post was edited by esperanza on Mar 11, 2008, 7:16 AM)

RickS

Mar 11, 2008, 9:26 AM

Post #5 of 10 (1704 views)

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Re: [tashby] Entering by car through Sonoyta versus Nogales

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Ahh, Springtime in the Rockies....

Coming from one who lives "in the Rockies", don't over-estimate the word Spring.... even in the 'desert'. In Colorado where I live, March is our snowiest month!

The areas you mentioned (SW Utah & NW Arizona) are truly drop-dead beautiful.... Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks and of course the Grand Canyon (not to mention Capital Reef, Canyonlands, Glen Canyon and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and that's just in Utah!).

But don't count on getting spring-like weather in your time-frame. It could be nice or it could be cold. Right now it's leaning more toward the cold-ish side... nights between 28-35 and days 45-60s. We always wait until well into April to visit those areas for hiking and camping (as we will be doing in late April this year).

But come to think of it, you will just be 'passing through'... looking at the scenery.... heading for your new home. Just keep a look-out on the weather forecast. http://www.wunderground.com/US/UT/Zion_National_Park/KBCE.html

tashby

Mar 11, 2008, 9:43 AM

Post #6 of 10 (1699 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Entering by car through Sonoyta versus Nogales

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Thanks so much! Not surprisingly, Mexconnected has proven helpful in ways I didn't expect. We'll definitely have some kind of plan to help us avoid all the traffic, which lasts longer than I expected. Maybe we'll spend some extra time in Southern Utah and Arizona. Then maybe, if we cross in earlyish April, head over to little Alamos for a few days. Or, ooooh, I've been trying to get to Zacatecas for years....hmmmmm. Too many good choices. Then, after the roads clear up, push south.

And RickS, yes. I used to live in Colorado, so am familiar with the variable conditions. As I write this, people are packing the house! I'm finally getting far enough along to feel excited instead of stressed out of my mind.

Thanks!

Ed and Fran

Mar 11, 2008, 10:30 AM

Post #7 of 10 (1686 views)

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Re: [tashby] Entering by car through Sonoyta versus Nogales

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I don't know about the west coast, but on the Gulf Coast the problem during the two weeks of Semana Santa isn't so much the traffic (although that is heavier) as it is finding a hotel. The interior of the country seems to head for the nearest beach. I know it's difficult finding a hotel room here in Tuxpan or along the Costa Esmeralda during that period. Maybe not impossible, but certainly much more difficult than at normal times. maybe the west coast is different.

Regards

Ed

esperanza

Mar 11, 2008, 7:09 PM

Post #8 of 10 (1654 views)

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Re: [Ed and Fran] Entering by car through Sonoyta versus Nogales

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The west coast is exactly the same as Ed describes during Semana Santa and the week (or more) after Easter: no hotel rooms available anywhere near the beach.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

drmike

Mar 19, 2008, 1:14 PM

Post #9 of 10 (1593 views)

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Re: [tashby] Entering by car through Sonoyta versus Nogales

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We crossed last Friday (March 15th) at Mariposa (Nogales). It took us 9 hours to clear aduana. 5 hours at the custom agent awaiting approval from the Aduana to come across and then 2 hours to drive the 4 km to the aduana and then 2 more hours being told to go to one place or another before the aduana finally said "go ahead".

It sucked big time!

Sonoita is probably a better bet but as has been said, this is an extremely busy time of the year on Mexican highways.
Dr. Mike

http://www.smarthealthchoices.blogspot.com

There are hundreds of paths up the mountain,
all leading in the same direction,
so it doesn't matter which path you take.
The only one wasting time is the one
who runs around and around the mountain,
telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.

Hindu teaching

(This post was edited by drmike on Mar 20, 2008, 9:24 AM)

tashby

Mar 19, 2008, 2:15 PM

Post #10 of 10 (1584 views)

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Re: [drmike] Entering by car through Sonoyta versus Nogales

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Thanks for the warning! We are only - Finally! - getting in the car tomorrow and heading out of Seattle. We will definitely linger on the way down. I'm really looking forward to seeing Southern Utah, so we'll spend a fair chunk of time there. Hopefully, the traffic will have cleared up by the time we head down. We'll be using Esperanza's suggested timeline, cross no sooner that April 1, and even later if it's convenient/works.