Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Travel in Michoacan Question

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In January 4 of us would like to travel by bus from Z to Morelia then on to San Miguelle de Allende then Guadalajara and eventually PV. Our friends who are seasoned travellers watched a documentary about Narco and Vigilante violence in Michoacan and now are questioning the wisdom of the trip. We chose to take the bus vs renting a car for the safer and less stressful means of travel. Any comments about this would be appreciated as I would prefer to stick to the plan rather then staying on the coast and doing a redo to Barra Navidad/Melaque.

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San Miguel is a beautiful town, as is the capital city of Guanajuato.

We drive from California to Zihuatanejo, and back. Even when times are a bit "shaky" if you are traveling on the major highways, most of which are toll roads on your way to San Miguel, you will be just as safe as if you were traveling in the US and Canada, especially if your travels are during daylight hours and on major bus lines. In other words, there is no reason that you won't be fine, and you won't be in Michoacan all that long.

You have made a great choice of where to go and see something a little different that what you have seen in Zihuatanejo and Melaque.

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Stick to your plan and enjoy your trip. Take day buses, when possible I suggest ETN. Enjoy. We have traveled approximately 10,000 miles per year in Mexico for the past 20 years and have had no problems on any of the routes you mentioned.

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Trust your instincts, travel in daylight.

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We travel by bus from San Antonio to Ixtapa just got here two weeks ago NO problem.

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In January 4 of us would like to travel by bus from Z to Morelia then on to San Miguelle de Allende then Guadalajara and eventually PV. Our friends who are seasoned travellers watched a documentary about Narco and Vigilante violence in Michoacan and now are questioning the wisdom of the trip. We chose to take the bus vs renting a car for the safer and less stressful means of travel. Any comments about this would be appreciated as I would prefer to stick to the plan rather then staying on the coast and doing a redo to Barra Navidad/Melaque.

With the recurring activities by the normalistas (students at public teaching schools) who frequently hijack buses and block roads I would pay attention to the local and regional news since when the students are acting up many buslines suspend their services and refuse to drive in the affected region. The students don't harm the passengers, whom they allow to leave the buses with their belongings, but they are a major nuisance. I believe some alleged former autodefensas were also protesting near Uruapan recently and blocking traffic.

My News page has links to regional news sources for Michoacán that you can check.

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We drove from San Diego to Zihuatanejo, used the toll roads and limited travel to daylight hours. Very enjoyable trip. I never felt concerned. I would be happy to do it again!

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Thank you for your replies and positive responses. The four of us drove from PV to Comala, Zamora, Morelia, Z and back to PV in the past and my wife and I have driven from Z up to Taxco, Cuernevaca and back as well as trips out from PV so yes I love the region and diversity and have never been in any kind of hassle. That said as Rob points out there are interuptions periodically in the bus routes due to protests so I guess if we decide to go inland and the bus is not going there we head up the coast.

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If they were protests and they were protestors it wouldn't be a problem

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On one of our drives to Patzcuaro, we stopped at one of the toll booths that was occupied by students. They were all very friendly, we paid the regular toll and continued on our way.

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While I have your attention I have another query about public transportation. We are thinking about a side trip out to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve leaving from Morelia anyone have any suggestions? I saw the last Monarch here a few weeks ago and I thought it would be nice to catch up to each other on Reserve. Of course it may not recognize me as I am sure most humans look the same to them. ;-)

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You want to go in the very late fall or Jan / Feb. We flew into Morelia a couple of years ago the last of Oct and the Reserve was closed. The butterflies were just arriving and were tired. We were very disappointed but our guide made up for it by taking us to the villages between Morelia and Patzquaro. We flew into Morelia the middle of January and did the tour. It was cold in the mountain and the butterflies stayed in the trees until the sun came out and started warming up. What a spectacle with millions of the butterflies in the trees. We rode horses from the entrance to a plateau and then walked up the road to where they were at. Kathie had never rode a horse before and the stirrups weren't adjusted up for her . She was really sore when we got back to the entrance- said she would never ride a horse again. The trip is a 1 Time Bucket List unless we do it again with friends who have never seen them. I thank there are a couple of reserves away from Morelia.

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For another interesting - and scary - horse ride, try a visit to the waterfalls at Tzararacua in Michoacán.

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Last time I was on a horse was at a riding stable near the airport in Z. Beautiful well kept horses that loved to gallop along the beach at waters edge. Although that was 8 years ago I think I still walk like John Wayne and havent been on one since, "Partner". I hear it is the best way to get up the mountain to see the butterflies.

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You had a choice of a long walk from the entrance or rid a horse up the mountain to the plateau. Our guide ran the walking trail and we rode the horses up with each horse having a handler. I enjoyed the ride up and down because I knew how to use the stirrups.

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About 10 years ago in late February, we went to another reserve to view the monarch butterflies on the outskirts of Valle de Bravo, in the State of Mexico. We rode horses (only 15 min.) to get closer. What a treat having the butterflies land all over you -- please walk VERY slowly so they are not harmed.

On the way back, we stopped in Chalma. There, it is considered very lucky to dance and all of your worries will disappear.

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When we went a few years ago, the reserve opened on Nov. 15 and closed on March 15. Perhaps you would want to call them to be sure they will be open during your date.

--
Linda from Canada
check out my books at www.livingthedreaminmexico.com AND please have a look at www.cookingwithclaudiainzihuatanejo.blogspot.com as well as www.albertoinzihuatanejo.blogspot.com

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Gee all those roads are good until you get to Compostela to PV. never felt unsafe or threatened. just terribly slow on the last part especially on a friday.

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