Drive from Texas to Lake Chapala area

[deerbaylakehouse]

Help please! I'm planning on driving from Ontario to the Lake Chapala area next winter, but am having trouble finding any discussions and info. Our prime concern, as this is our first driving trip in Mexico, is safety. I'm hoping that those nasty rumours about trouble on the roads, are just that -- rumours.

Can anyone give me advice about road conditions, safety, etc?

Thanks so much.

[greenie]

We've driven from N.Laredo to Sinaloa 6 times since 1998, having just returned last month.
Many of the stories you hear should be taken with a pound of salt. We drive alone, at night, early in the morining before the sun comes up and have not had any problems with bandits or police, or anyone for that matter.
This last time we drove into and back from Mexico was in a 230K mile pick-up truck. If we would have had mechanical problems someone could have fixed it as many mechanics in Mexico can do incredibile work with what they have on hand.
Signs might be confusing or missing, but for the most part it's not too difficult to find your way. Mexican drivers are faster, as a rule than American drivers.
We've been stopped by the police 3 times, and each time the officer explained what we did wrong and then let us go with no morbida or intimidation. Compare that with US speeding tickets that approach $400.
Mexico is great, the people we encounter are honest and friendly.
Mexico City and the border towns might be the exception; there I'd be careful.

[BajaGringo]

In spite of all the horror stories that abound, I have had very little if any problems at all in my years of driving in Mexico. I always say that I would rather be stopped by the Mexican police than in the US. They are generally much more polite and more inclined to just let you off with a warning. Even if they do insist on writing a ticket the fines are considerably less than in the US and do not affect your insurance rates in Mexico.

I never cease to be amazed with the skill and ingenuity of some of the mechanics I have come across in Mexico. I have friends who actually bring their cars down from the US to have their repairs done in Mexico...

[RVGRINGO]

I'll add my two peso's worth: We live in Chapala and have travelled back and forth a few times by different routes; never any trouble. We also enjoy travelling by car in Mexico and exploring new places. Folks are helpful, friendly, warm and inviting (border area and DF excepted, sometimes) to travellers. Should you break down, someone will stop and probably use their cell phone to call for help; maybe the local mechanic or possibly the 'Green Angels'. The latter are fleets of repair trucks with two bilingual mechanics aboard, courtesy of the Ministry of Tourism. They will try to get you repaired or, if necessary, tow you to a mechanic at no charge beyond parts for their service. They carry fuel and commonly needed parts. Their old trucks are green and white and the new ones are white with green trim. Don't you wish the US had such kind service for travellers? Oh, by the way, when you pay that expensive toll on the 'cuotas', it includes full coverage insurance even above your Mexican insurance policy. Nice touch? Sure, especially for those who are driving without insurance. Just use the big green signs and know where you are going to, through, past and around; actual route number signs aren't frequent, are often inaccurate and don't indicate direction at intersections. Have a great trip and don't rush it. Use hotels in 'centro' at the towns you visit along the way and enjoy the convenience of nearby restaurants and a chance to stretch your legs. You may even run into concerts on the plaza or just want to enjoy the evening 'people watching' while you eat a taco or an ice cream cone.

[BajaGringo]

Great points RV. I have had so many friends come down to Mexico with preconceived ideas about what to expect and I love to see the attitude change once they spend some time. One friend would come down and was totally in love with Baja but could not get his wife to come down. She had listened to all of her friends talk in the salon about Mexico and was convinced that she would never step foot in Mexico.

Well he finally talked her into coming down for a long weekend and would you believe that before they left she wanted to go out and look at property? They bought a lot last year and just finished building a beautiful home. He is arranging to be transferred to San Diego and she is making plans to take an early retirement so she can come down and live in her beautiful dream home...

Of course the only problem with that story is that it is repeated every day which is why the property values are going up so quickly...

[RVGRINGO]

Baja, I know you and others live so close to the California border that we often wonder if you are really in Mexico at all. We're 720 miles from the nearest US border and like it that way. Of course we also brag about having the world's most perfect climate; and National Geographic confirms it.
However, you are right; folks are flocking to Mexico and driving up prices. Maybe we should stop participating on these webs; quit helping folks and answering their questions. Let them believe that we live in cactus heaven surrounded by banditos and are unable to find any 'civilized' products. Oh yes, we have to ride burros and eat burritos, avoid water and fresh vegetables (especially lettuce) and cook over open fires on clay utensils. Yup, life down here sure is hell, but somebody has to do it, ¿verdad? We're not bothered by Costco, Sam's, WalMart, Tony Roma's, Sears, Radio Shack, Starbucks, Burger King, MacDonalds, Liverpool or all those US and Japanese car manufacturers, computer manufacturers, Sony repair shops, etc, etc. After all, they are far, far away.....almost 25-35 miles away in distant Guadalajara; twice as far as the International Airport at Tlojumulco. Yeah, we had better keep it all a secret and stick to the list of fine local restaurants, fresh vegetables and seafood........Oh hell, somebody shoot me.....please!

[BajaGringo]

Some people have mentioned that we don't live in the "real" Mexico and there is probably some truth in that. One major difference that stands out to me as I have driven through Mexico is that the farther south you go you will find more colonial architecture. That and fewer gringo tourists! hahaha

It really is a relaltive thing and based on each person's tastes, needs and circumstances. Who knows? As my own circumstances chage in time I may be looking further south too!

[AtomAnt]

Hey RV I hope you know that us that are planning to invade your space really do enjoy and need everybodys advice!! Every time I get online I'm excited about all the info all you good folks provide!! It's also very intertaining
Thank You

[lacowboy]

It will probably be more dangerous driving through the U.S. than Mexico.

[deerbaylakehouse]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

I'll add my two peso's worth: We live in Chapala and have travelled back and forth a few times by different routes; never any trouble. We also enjoy travelling by car in Mexico and exploring new places. Folks are helpful, friendly, warm and inviting (border area and DF excepted, sometimes) to travellers. Should you break down, someone will stop and probably use their cell phone to call for help; maybe the local mechanic or possibly the 'Green Angels'. The latter are fleets of repair trucks with two bilingual mechanics aboard, courtesy of the Ministry of Tourism. They will try to get you repaired or, if necessary, tow you to a mechanic at no charge beyond parts for their service. They carry fuel and commonly needed parts. Their old trucks are green and white and the new ones are white with green trim. Don't you wish the US had such kind service for travellers? Oh, by the way, when you pay that expensive toll on the 'cuotas', it includes full coverage insurance even above your Mexican insurance policy. Nice touch? Sure, especially for those who are driving without insurance. Just use the big green signs and know where you are going to, through, past and around; actual route number signs aren't frequent, are often inaccurate and don't indicate direction at intersections. Have a great trip and don't rush it. Use hotels in 'centro' at the towns you visit along the way and enjoy the convenience of nearby restaurants and a chance to stretch your legs. You may even run into concerts on the plaza or just want to enjoy the evening 'people watching' while you eat a taco or an ice cream cone.

Thanks to you all for your very helpful replies. I feel much more comfortable now about independent travel in Mexico.

RV Gringo: You mention big green signs . . . I assume these are only on the toll roads?

I have searched local bookstores for a comprehensive road map of Mexico. (Years ago we traveled in France with a 'Michelin' map, which was wonderful) but can only find large atlases, which contain only ONE PAGE for all of Mexico, no help at all! We like to explore local areas but would feel much more comfortable with a detailed map. Does anyone have a good one to recommend? And perhaps where it is available?

Thanks.