The Drive to Nuevo Vallarta

Meeting friends in Nuevo Vallarta in a couple of weeks.

Any advice about the drive from Lakeside?

How long? Road conditions? Sites of interest along the way? Tolls? Other sage advice?

Thanks

SunFan

Easy drive that takes about 5 1/2 hours. You can take the toll roads most of the way. The last part (MX 200) is slow going. You could stop at Tequila or Magdalena on the way.

BTW.....you take the MEX15D to MEX68D to MEX200.

The toll road is excellent. You can drive 75 mph with ease and you'll have people passing at 90 + mph. The part Bob is talking about from Compostela on to Nuevo Vallarta. It is a two lane road thru the jungle, one lane each way, just drive carefully.

No tolls on highway 70 and it comes out just south of Nuevo. Typical 2 lane in Mexico but not as much traffic as highway 80. Talpa, Mascota and San Sebastian along the way



http://sparks-mexico.com/Assorted/jalisco/Mascota/index.html

sparks - And what about the curvy mountain roads the rest of the way from Mascota and time for entire journey?

Lots of curves for sure but safer in my opinion than the Compostela to Nuevo section. Might take a little longer ... but there are places you will want to stop

CanuckBob wrote:Easy drive that takes about 5 1/2 hours. You can take the toll roads most of the way. The last part (MX 200) is slow going. You could stop at Tequila or Magdalena on the way.

And don't panic if you have a humongous Scania or Volvo bus on your butt for much of MX 200.
Let them pass but the first time it is a little intimidating. They haul on the curves. Don't drive
MX200 at night also was the advice given me multiple times from multiple sources. Not a bad
road if you are use to curvy mountain roads. If you are not it is very doable but you won't like
it much but you will get there. Just pay attention and get out of the way of the locals and buses.

Z

Zedinmexico wrote:

CanuckBob wrote:Easy drive that takes about 5 1/2 hours. You can take the toll roads most of the way. The last part (MX 200) is slow going. You could stop at Tequila or Magdalena on the way.

And don't panic if you have a humongous Scania or Volvo bus on your butt for much of MX 200.
Let them pass but the first time it is a little intimidating. They haul on the curves. Don't drive
MX200 at night also was the advice given me multiple times from multiple sources. Not a bad
road if you are use to curvy mountain roads. If you are not it is very doable but you won't like
it much but you will get there. Just pay attention and get out of the way of the locals and buses.

Z

From Guad to Mx200 Exit.... it's like Nascar on the Toll Road... little bump, a little nudge, being passed at 100mph...
once yer off The Toll Road thru The Coastal Mountains... it's more like Le Mans... running up to 100mph and slowing down to 5mph for the Hair Pin Turns... The Buses make for a friendly distraction!!

Zed... Never been passed by a Bus in my Life....

Good Luck.... and Have Fun!!

sparks wrote:No tolls on highway 70 and it comes out just south of Nuevo. Typical 2 lane in Mexico but not as much traffic as highway 80. Talpa, Mascota and San Sebastian along the way



http://sparks-mexico.com/Assorted/jalisco/Mascota/index.html

I have driven this route too. It is actually shorter KM's but takes the exact same time because it is much slower going. This route is beautiful and scenic but not for those that just want to "peddle to the metal" all the way. You have to pay far more attention.......

Good grief, my opinion FWIW take an executive bus. It's not worth all the Xanax and Pepto Bismol you'll need to take after the drive. Another possible alternative, is to fly.
Number one son is visiting us in November then having a guy's only vacation in Mazatlán at a friend's condo. The flight from here to there 229 CAD.

E-raq wrote:Good grief, my opinion FWIW take an executive bus. It's not worth all the Xanax and Pepto Bismol you'll need to take after the drive. Another possible alternative, is to fly.
Number one son is visiting us in November then having a guy's only vacation in Mazatlán at a friend's condo. The flight from here to there 229 CAD.

We took executive buses for 8 years with travel agencies and finally we're going on our own, thank God. Fed up with buses. I drove there 10 years ago without a problem. Xanax and Pepto Bismol?? For what.

johninajijic wrote: I drove there 10 years ago without a problem. Xanax and Pepto Bismol?? For what.

For those who don't possess your nerves of steel.

P.S. You WILL be attending the swarm, won't you?

Hmmmmm, something smells fishy here.

quote JIA:


We took executive buses for 8 years with travel agencies and finally we're going on our own, thank God. Fed up with buses. I drove there 10 years ago without a problem. Xanax and Pepto Bismol?? For what.

johninajijic
Local Celebrity


Finally going on our own, and I drove there 10 years ago, do not compute.

E-raq wrote:Hmmmmm, something smells fishy here.

quote JIA:


We took executive buses for 8 years with travel agencies and finally we're going on our own, thank God. Fed up with buses. I drove there 10 years ago without a problem. Xanax and Pepto Bismol?? For what.

johninajijic
Local Celebrity


Finally going on our own, and I drove there 10 years ago, do not compute.

"Compute"??? Next thing, you'll want logic. Never satisfied.

After one car trip to Sayulita, we learned to appreciate a good Mexican bus. Sit back, read a book, sleep and arrive, ready for a good time.
However, that 5 l/2 hours to PV doesn't make a lot of sense when you can make it to a closer beach in much less time, on a bus or on your own. On your own is easier now, too, with the new toll roads.

gringal - What closer beach?

gringal wrote:

E-raq wrote:Hmmmmm, something smells fishy here.

quote JIA:


We took executive buses for 8 years with travel agencies and finally we're going on our own, thank God. Fed up with buses. I drove there 10 years ago without a problem. Xanax and Pepto Bismol?? For what.

johninajijic
Local Celebrity


Finally going on our own, and I drove there 10 years ago, do not compute.

"Compute"??? Next thing, you'll want logic. Never satisfied.

After one car trip to Sayulita, we learned to appreciate a good Mexican bus. Sit back, read a book, sleep and arrive, ready for a good time.
However, that 5 l/2 hours to PV doesn't make a lot of sense when you can make it to a closer beach in much less time, on a bus or on your own. On your own is easier now, too, with the new toll roads.

Bingo. Barra de Navidad, Manzanillo, Cuyatlan, and more, great roads and 3.5 hours on a good day.

Besides that, there are some interesting stops you can make along the way, should you be so inclined. There used to be the endless backup near the bridge, but I hear that's finished now, so it should be less than 4 hours, going like a bat out of hades.

Ah, Cuyatlan...the ugliest beach I have ever seen in my entire life. Black, superfine sand , trash everywhere and just a whole lot of ugly in general.
If you google Cuyitlan you will undoubtably see something about the famous "green wave". If you ask a local about the "ola Verde" they will have no idea what you are talking about.
But if you want a real Mexican experience, go for it. And if you forget your swimsuit, no problemo...when we were there everyone was aswimin in their underwear.

Amazing to me how much one certain person has to say about this drive without having made the drive himself in 10 years. But there is hope on the horizon since he will be a current expert after this year's drive.

gringal wrote:Besides that, there are some interesting stops you can make along the way, should you be so inclined. There used to be the endless backup near the bridge, but I hear that's finished now, so it should be less than 4 hours, going like a bat out of hades.

Sadly due to the heat and a couple of other issues, our plans to travel up from Manzanillo to Barra, Melaque etc, were thwarted, however, I did manage to stop off at one of the little fruit stands and pick up three humongous bags of Flor de Sal, the ultimate in salt, at 90 pesos a bag. A serious bargoon in anyone's lingo. Check out fleur de sel, same thing, in any gourmet shop.

Also apparently Ciudad Guzman has a really interesting plaza, that's about all, but nice for a quick stop. Apparently the volcanic action destroyed many cathedrals, so they just kept on building more. I'd love to see it.

E-raq wrote:
Bingo. Barra de Navidad, Manzanillo, Cuyatlan, and more, great roads and 3.5 hours on a good day.

Ms Thang wrote:Ah, Cuyatlan...the ugliest beach I have ever seen in my entire life. Black, superfine sand , trash everywhere and just a whole lot of ugly in general.
If you google Cuyitlan you will undoubtably see something about the famous "green wave". If you ask a local about the "ola Verde" they will have no idea what you are talking about.
But if you want a real Mexican experience, go for it. And if you forget your swimsuit, no problemo...when we were there everyone was aswimin in their underwear.

Cuyutlán, ladies.

Ms.Thang wrote:Ah, Cuyatlan...the ugliest beach I have ever seen in my entire life. Black, superfine sand , trash everywhere and just a whole lot of ugly in general.
If you google Cuyitlan you will undoubtably see something about the famous "green wave". If you ask a local about the "ola Verde" they will have no idea what you are talking about.
But if you want a real Mexican experience, go for it. And if you forget your swimsuit, no problemo...when we were there everyone was aswimin in their underwear.

That Cayutlan beach has black rocks so hot most of the time that it's good practice for "firewalkers".
Doesn't look like a good place for swimmin' with or without suit, either. But: those are awesome waves, and I love the sight and sound. Just hoping we don't have a tsunami, redux, while we're there.

seisdedos wrote:

E-raq wrote:
Bingo. Barra de Navidad, Manzanillo, Cuyatlan, and more, great roads and 3.5 hours on a good day.

Ms Thang wrote:Ah, Cuyatlan...the ugliest beach I have ever seen in my entire life. Black, superfine sand , trash everywhere and just a whole lot of ugly in general.
If you google Cuyitlan you will undoubtably see something about the famous "green wave". If you ask a local about the "ola Verde" they will have no idea what you are talking about.
But if you want a real Mexican experience, go for it. And if you forget your swimsuit, no problemo...when we were there everyone was aswimin in their underwear.

Cuyutlán, ladies.

Yeah dude we know, just being lazy today, and haven't got on those high test cheaters. The 3.75 ones.

Here ya go, Cuyatlán. Happy now?

E-raq wrote:

seisdedos wrote:

E-raq wrote:
Bingo. Barra de Navidad, Manzanillo, Cuyatlan, and more, great roads and 3.5 hours on a good day.

Ms Thang wrote:Ah, Cuyatlan...the ugliest beach I have ever seen in my entire life. Black, superfine sand , trash everywhere and just a whole lot of ugly in general.
If you google Cuyitlan you will undoubtably see something about the famous "green wave". If you ask a local about the "ola Verde" they will have no idea what you are talking about.
But if you want a real Mexican experience, go for it. And if you forget your swimsuit, no problemo...when we were there everyone was aswimin in their underwear.

Cuyutlán, ladies.

Yeah dude we know, just being lazy today, and haven't got on those high test cheaters. The 3.75 ones.

Here ya go, Cuyatlán. Happy now?

Yeah, right. Blame it on your goggles.

I'm always happy, sweet cheeks.