careyeroslib
Jul 28, 2011, 5:03 PM
Post #6 of 7
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Re: [markherron@me.com] Sayulita to NL/Laredo Crossing....
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We have made the trip from Puerto Vallarta, as well as from Punta Negra/Careyeros (near you) , to Texas area border crossings 9 times in the last 3 years, most recently last week. We have travelled virtually all the main routes and keep trying something new each time. We keep trip logs.
On the way north, we usually stay in either Zacetecas or Saltillo. Since I don’t know any convenient pet-friendly hotels in and around Zacetecas I won’t refer to Zacetecas. Also, since the trip to the Texas area crossings from Puerto Vallarta is between 15.5 and 18 hours at least, planning on two stops is a good idea if you’re travelling with young children as you are.
It’s 4.5 to 5 hours from the turnoff to Sayulita on Highway 200 to the Tlaquepaque toll booth (start of the toll road) as a minimum. It could be more if there is an accident on Highway 200 or you have problems going through Guadalajara. If that happens, stay at Quinta Don Jose in Tlaquepaque which is minutes from the start of the toll road. Advantages are: walled compound, swimming pool, restaurant onsite, and very cozy.
It’s another 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours to Lagos Moreno. Nice place, by reputation and appearances, is Casa Grande. Pet friendly and restaurant onsite.
Matehuala is app. 6 hours from Quinta Don Jose on toll roads. San Luis Potosi is closer. Sorry, have no notes on that as we bypassed it and forgot to note the time. Pet friendly hotels in both places.
Saltillo is 3 hours past Matehuala. We usually stay in the north end at a non pet-friendly Hampton Inn, but, in the same area, there is a pet friendly hotel called the American Business Airport Hotel which gets good reviews. Going north this is the best area to stay in Saltillo as you are well poised to head for the border the next morning on open roads.
Between Saltillo and the border are beautiful highways but not many places to stay right on the highway. The only one we have found, currently closed for renovation, is El Rancho Express (recommended when open). 1.5 hours from Saltillo and 1.5 hours to the border, close to the end of the toll road.
In general, it is 3 to 4 hours to the border from Saltillo. Make sure you get gas on the outskirts of Saltillo (northern). There are two Pemex stations one right close to the other.
We have never crossed at Piedras Niegras, for no particular reason. We liked Bridge II in Nuevo Laredo last week except for the speed bumps on the US side.
My one personal recommendation is that we feel more comfortable crossing the border during normal business hours, when people are working, going to work or coming from work. Lots of hustle and bustle and normal activity. Last Monday morning we crossed at Bridge II in Nuevo Laredo at noon, and yes, we had to wait a bit (only half an hour or so) but it was ok. I personally would rather wait in line in a group of citizens than be all alone at a border crossing that isn't frequented by locals, and where there is no one else around. Hope they fix those speed bumps.
(This post was edited by careyeroslib on Jul 28, 2011, 5:10 PM)
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