Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

macmember

Nov 6, 2010, 3:29 PM

Post #1 of 18 (3856 views)

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Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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My girlfriend and her dog are headed to Lake Catemaco in a week or so. Since Matamoras and Reynosa are such hot spots right now, what would you suggest to her for a good crossing? What about Los Indios? Then what route would you suggest from there on?

Also she has heard about the Police being so bad in Tampico now. Do you have any input that might help her on her trip?

Things change day to day, I would like for her to avoid the worst of the worst especially since she does not speak Spanish and has never driven in Mexico.

thanks

Reefhound

Nov 6, 2010, 4:50 PM

Post #2 of 18 (3843 views)

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Re: [macmember] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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The thing about hot spots is you never know from day to day. Matamoros had a bunch of shootouts yesterday but next week it could be Nvo Laredo. As bad as things sound, the reality is that if you follow basic precautions (drive in daytime, minimize stops, don't be flashy or confrontational) the odds are extremely low that you will have any issues with violence. Of course, it really sucks if you do.

I've never been to Catemaco or even Tampico, but there are two basic routes you can take with several variations of each.

Route #1, cross into Nvo Laredo or Piedras Negras, take Mx57 down through the interior of the country past San Luis Potosi and Queretaro almost to D.F., then cross over to Puebla to Veracruz. This is a longer route in miles but much better road based on all I've seen and heard.

Route #2, cross into Matamoros or Reynosa (or several locations in between), take Mx180 down the coast past Tampico to Veracruz. I've only been this way as far as Cd Victoria so I don't know the best way to avoid the Tampico transitos.

Speaking Spanish, even if very basic, is very helpful and in some cases very important. She should at least take a spanish-english dictionary and learn some basic conversational Spanish. And she needs to learn to recognize the most common road signs in order to be a safe driver.

Altahabana

Nov 6, 2010, 5:17 PM

Post #3 of 18 (3838 views)

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Re: [macmember] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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The security problems don't end at the Reynosa and Matamoros city limits. The interior of Tamaulipas is far less secure than the border cities. You should consider the route that Reefhound suggested.

macmember

Nov 6, 2010, 6:47 PM

Post #4 of 18 (3815 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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Thanks to Reefhound

Altahabana....Which route, #1 or #2 are you suggesting?

It is far too late to consider Spanish lessons but I am sure she would carry a dictionary.

What are some things that she should specifically watch out for?

Thanks

(This post was edited by macmember on Nov 6, 2010, 6:48 PM)

dongringo_catemaco

Nov 6, 2010, 7:09 PM

Post #5 of 18 (3806 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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Depending on where they are coming from in presumably southern Texas, I suggest to cross wherever they like, preferably Matamoros or Reynosa, at any crossing. The differences are minimal and what may be great one day is time consuming or has a nasty agent on another day. Just avoid rush hours.

Then find your way to drive up via Mexico 180.

At last report, probably a few thousand cars take that route every day, and probably only the few expecting to be killed, drove armored vehicles. I am told that even a few gringos were among the thousands that passed through the area without problems.

Now if you asked me whether I wanted my daughter to drive up and visit me, I would probably suggest to meet her in Hawaii. If it were my son, (I have none) I would probably suggest to bring all of his friends along.

Here is the fastest road you should take to Catemaco:
http://www.catemaco.info/0/info/matamoros.jpg as per "traza tu ruta".
If you leave very early in the morning, you should make it to Catemaco by nighfall. Do not drive after dark, not because of crime, but because the roads were designed and are maintained by stupids.

Bring lots of money to pay tolls, and please learn how to say "how much" in Spanish if inadvertently you miss the bypasses of Tampico or Poza Rica and meet the friendly local traffic police.
Visit Catemaco News

(This post was edited by dongringo_catemaco on Nov 6, 2010, 7:46 PM)

Reefhound

Nov 6, 2010, 7:34 PM

Post #6 of 18 (3796 views)

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Re: [macmember] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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Well dongringo lives in catemaco so who am I to challenge his suggestion? All I know is I've been on Mx180 as far as Cd Victoria and Mx57 down to D.F. and I feel that Mx57 is much easier and safer to drive. 101 is a two lane highway (1 each way) that is desolate for stretches while 57 is mostly a 4 lane divided highway with many Pemex stations and other facilities along it. 101 has been the scene of many violent acts including the 72 migrants, a governor candidate assassination, and lots of bodies dumped in the road. I've never heard of anything along 57 once past the border area.

Watch for topes (speedbumps). Some are mild and you can pass over at 30kph and some are like a concrete curb that you have to full stop and inch over. They are seldom painted to stand out. They may be marked with a sign or not, if they are it will be a yellow sign with black symbol of a few humps positioned immediately beside the tope (no advance warning).

Learn basic road signs. I can't recite them all here. No Rebasar is no passing, Reduzcar or Disminuye velocidad means slow down. Peatones means pedestrian crossing. Puesto is a checkpoint. Curva Peligrosa is dangerous curve. Many more. Do some research and tell her to make a list.

Just checked myself and here is a list of text signs. One important one I didn't see there is Ceda el paso - Yield.

You can images of the logo signs by googling "mexican road signs". Most are them are obvious.

Altahabana

Nov 7, 2010, 7:07 AM

Post #7 of 18 (3760 views)

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Re: [dongringo_catemaco] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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Of course most motorists will travel the roads of central and southern Tamaulipas without incident or seeing anything disturbing. That's because the activities that create the insecurity don't occur everyday. I have never subscribed though to the idea that if I don't know about something or don't see it, then it doesn't exist. That probably works for alot of people especially if the risk seems slight.

My advice---which is simply that---is based on what collegues/clients/friends who live and/or do business in Tamaulipas say about the current status of the conflict between the Zetas and the Gulf Cartel and the military's campaign to exterminate as many of both groups as they can find and how that affects travel on the roads. This is taking place 500-600 miles north of Catemaco and virtually none of it gets media attention. For example, the horrific display of the decapitated and emasculated bodies of the alleged Zeta halcones (lookouts) hasn't been reported anywhere other than Blog del Narco.

Central and southern Tamaulipas has laregly been under the control of the Zetas, but the Gulf has been increasing their presence over the past few months. The conflict will probably escalate as the Gulf cartel goes through a transition in leadership following Friday's events in Matamoros. There have been clashes between the groups in the vicinity of C. Mante, C. Victoria and San Fernando over the past two weeks which in turn has brought increased military presence.

I have no stake in what route this guy's girl friend takes, simply an opinion based on what he posted. I amadmittedly more cautious about the security issues because of where I live and what I have personally experienced. The biggest risk is being stopped in a narco retén (road block) and those have reportedly been occurring more frequently in the last few weeks. But if the possibility of that happening is not a real concern then go the interior route.

(This post was edited by Altahabana on Nov 7, 2010, 9:13 AM)

chinagringo

Nov 7, 2010, 11:26 AM

Post #8 of 18 (3726 views)

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Re: [macmember] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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To my way of thinking, a driver with no experience what-so-ever of driving in Mexico, would have zero basis to determine if a situation is normal or abnormal. Thus, they would not possess any type of defense mechanism generally acquired through experience.

I would personally never permit, encourage or otherwise agree with such a travel plan for anyone that I cared for in any way! She isn't going to be driving with Toto in Kansas!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

(This post was edited by chinagringo on Nov 7, 2010, 11:27 AM)

macmember

Nov 7, 2010, 1:26 PM

Post #9 of 18 (3708 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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I agree with Altahamana and Chinagringo.....she should not take the chance of driving alone with no Spanish language skills. She is going and I am only a friend ( "girl"/"woman").

Everytime I have tried to tell the Single Internet Friends I know, about the dangers of driving in Mexico, they get angry. Some consider me an alarmist. Being that I live right on the Border, I am bombarded with the news. I have given up trying to warn them. I just pray that she and her dog get there safely. She is not one that considers me an alarmist and does listen.

Thanks for all the info, I have forwarded it onto her and she has printed some of it off. She does have a Spanish English Dictionary.

We will be in contact with her for the next approx 2 weeks before she crosses over. If anyone has anymore info, I will pass it on.

Thanks

bfwpdx

Nov 7, 2010, 1:37 PM

Post #10 of 18 (3706 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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Please explain the risks involved in narco road blocks.....ie. is it car jacking? kidnapping? something else???

Reefhound

Nov 7, 2010, 2:34 PM

Post #11 of 18 (3692 views)

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Re: [bfwpdx] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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"Please explain the risks involved in narco road blocks.....ie. is it car jacking? kidnapping? something else??? "

Anything and everything. No telling the purpose of the block. Maybe they are just looking for rival gang members and aren't interested in your car or your money. Or maybe they need to replace vehicles and you have one they want. Or maybe they want all your money. Or maybe they think you can bring a good ransom. The problem is that if they want your car or your money and you don't move fast enough, they won't hesitate to just shoot you.

Altahabana

Nov 7, 2010, 2:45 PM

Post #12 of 18 (3690 views)

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Re: [bfwpdx] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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In Reply To

Please explain the risks involved in narco road blocks.....ie. is it car jacking? kidnapping? something else???

It depends on why they are blocking the road, but it is an unsettling experience even if you are allowed to pass without losing anything. The principal risk is robbery which would include all your valuables and your car. But being held at gunpoint by a coked up 20 something maton is something most people would like to avoid.

mlfoto

Nov 15, 2010, 6:56 PM

Post #13 of 18 (3477 views)

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Re: [macmember] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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Hope I reply in time. No question in my mind. I have driven both. Take the cuotas from Laredo, Monterrey, Saltillo (after 10 hours stay in San Miguel), next day continue past Queretero, toward DF, take bypass (new toll road) toward Puebla, continue on toward Cordoba/veracruz, stay the night in Fortin de las Flores (Posada de Loma), proceed on the next day. Cross at Laredo early in the morning with a full tank, change around $500 on the main road before the bridge (good rates), get the vehicle permit and drive like crazy away from Nuevo Laredo. I would not drive through Tamaulipas, for several reasons.

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dongringo_catemaco

Nov 15, 2010, 8:03 PM

Post #14 of 18 (3470 views)

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Re: [mlfoto] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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Please, stop listening to these aspholes.

The Mex 180 road, from Matamoros via San Fernando and Soto de Marina on the way to Tampico and south is the fastest way to get you to Catemaco.

Yup, yesterday there was a problem near Matamoros. Who knows on which road there may be a problem tomorrow.
It's sort of like tornadoes. Unpredictable and usually with no damage.

Enjoy your trip
Happy Trails.
Visit Catemaco News

norteño

Nov 20, 2010, 12:33 PM

Post #15 of 18 (3329 views)

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Re: [dongringo_catemaco] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/tamaulipas-119632-mexico-tips.html

Armed gunmen have recently committed several carjackings and robberies across Tamaulipas state, prompting the U.S. State Department to issue a new travel warning for American citizens.

The warning states that several U.S. citizens have reported their vehicles stolen along the federal highways that link Reynosa and Matamoros with San Fernando, about 90 miles to the south.

skier14

Nov 20, 2010, 1:05 PM

Post #16 of 18 (3321 views)

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Re: [norteño] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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Also my son-in-law, who works for a supply company driving a truck, just returned from Zacatecas Thurs. night. Reports seeing burned-out new pickups and SUVs and a ton of Federal and state police northeast of Guadalajara. He said he will not go that way again. He will go from Guadalajara to Augacalientes and then Zacatecas.

norteño

Nov 20, 2010, 1:28 PM

Post #17 of 18 (3314 views)

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Re: [skier14] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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In Reply To

That was probably from this battle between the military and presumed Zetas that reportedly left ten cartel gunmen dead and numerous vehicles burned.

http://www.milenio.com/node/580803

Altahabana

Nov 20, 2010, 1:52 PM

Post #18 of 18 (3308 views)

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Re: [dongringo_catemaco] Heading to Gulf Area, need crossing info please

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Time and distance were not factors in my advice to avoid southern/central Tamaulipas. While I agree trouble could pop up anywhere, it is popping up regularly along the highways in southern Tamaulipas because the two cartels are actively fighting.