Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

Daniel Gonzalez

Sep 11, 2002, 12:56 PM

Post #1 of 3 (365 views)

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Young newbie roadtrippers need your help!

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Hola!I am currently trying to organize a roadtrip with a
friend from San Francisco CA, into Guadalajara
and the surrounding area. I have travelled there
through airline and bus to the Guadalajara area. My
grandparents live in a small town about four hours
away in Zacatecas called El Teul de Gonzalez Ortega.
My friend is from Germany and told him many wonderful
stories of this small town. He seems resolute on going
there and visiting some of the local towns and maybe
even driving to Mexico City. Spanish is my native
tongue and I speak English fluently. However, we have heard alot of horror stories of
driving there in Mexico (including from my parents who
are very much from Mexico).We're not sure if we have enough money for this trip
between the both of us to go or not. I think between
us we have about $3,000 to spend a month on the road
of which a week we would be spending with abuelita in
El Teul. Were tring to calculate as best we can food and
lodging, museum fees, cuotas, etc. It's been difficult
trying to gauge costs since neither has any experience
of being on the road for that long.I was wondering if there is a guide or a site that you
direct us to or anything. We really want to plan this
trip thoroughly and be as safe as possible when we go
there. We would be travelling through Mexico's west coast
into Puerto Vallarta and then through Guadalajara and
into El Teul. Other destinations probably include,
Zacatecas, Leon Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, etc.
We would probably be going sometime in December,
possibly the first or second week so we could be in El
Teul for the Posadas and Christmas celebration.Thanks for any help you could give us! -Danny

jose

Sep 11, 2002, 1:41 PM

Post #2 of 3 (354 views)

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Young newbie roadtrippers need your help!

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Well hello Danny or should I say "paisano" I am also orginally from Zacatecas close to where you are mentioning. I was born in Cuxpala, Zacatecas and am familiar with the area you are speaking of. My family and myself have made our yearly pilgrimage to Zacatecas more or less every year for almost 25 years. First of all, let me congratulate you on attempting to go to Mexico by car. You will hear many horror stories from people who knew other people and their best friend favorite uncle's cousin got raped, stabbed and lynched along the way to Mexico. Not that these stories are ill founded, I will be the first to say that there have been actual acounts of these stories. Driving to Mexico is NOW no more dangerous than lets say driving cross country. It has never been easier or safer (personal opinion)to go to Mexico. I have personally driven all over Mexico. Well actually as far south as Playa Azul, Michiacan. Have driven serval different cars and think that is the best way to enjoy the country. I live in Visalia, California and make the trek to Juchipila, which is just opposite of the mountain range every year exept last year. On the last trip, I made 32 Hours drive time from Visalia to Guadalajara, Jalisco (My suegro lives there, and I have to go there first a fuerzas) It is not as difficult as you might expect. I suggest going through Juarez if your destination is Zacatecas first. As far as money is concered, that is a relavant question. What are your spending habits? I tell you what, I've been to Mexico on a much tighter budget than that and had an excellent time and I've been to Mexico whith more and had an equal excellent time. But before you go I would do as much research as possible and don't hesitate to ask any question. I can answer any question you ask. Buena Suerte.

Pernel

Sep 12, 2002, 11:43 AM

Post #3 of 3 (355 views)

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The $$ seems about right....

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Hi,Your funds seem about right, I suggest you split it four ways and install it in plastic baggies under some inner soles in your boots!If you are new to driving in Mexico, I would look for the 'Hotels de Paso' on the outskirts of larger towns. There your car will be in a protected, curtained garage and the prices are reasonable for fairly high quality rooms.Never leave your car unattended for any period of time, use parking lots (guarded of course) and TIP any local traffic cops near your car with a "Echca un ojo a mi coche, por favor'Don't let down your gaurd when you get to the Abuellas house, the locals will soon know ALL about you.Have FUN!Pernel