Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Looking for trip info

If all goes well, I plan to start the road journey from Alaska to Zihua next week 10/18/16. I am planning on entering Mexico at Nogales and importing a vehicle( I know all the reasons why this is crazy, but it is about the journey ) .

The contact I had for a broker to assist in nationalizing the vehicle has not been responsive so I am looking for a reliable broker who can assist preferably in Arizona. Also want to obtain Mexican vehicle insurance after I cross into Mexico.

I am also looking for some trip suggestions such as motels near the toll roads to stay etc, down from Nogales, and probably after Cuidad Obergon. I plan to bypass Guadalajara and may head to Tepic and down towards Puerto Vallarta but also considering Morelia and then down to Lazaro en route to Zihua. Any motel/hotels names (preferably with enclosed parking and pet friendly)would be especially appreciated. Thanks

Post reply

2597 views

Go to woodalls.com and using the menu at the top right corner, choose RVing in Mexico and South America. EVERYTHING is there.
If you want to temporarily import your vehicle, TIP, get it on line before you leave. Insurance, Lewis and Lewis, http://www.mexicanauto insurance.com/ Pretty much the gold standard-great coverage, best prices.
We enter at Sonoyta, closer to Southern California, and much smaller, less intense.
Many hotels take pets, if they don't just offer to make a deposit. We have never been turned down, nor have had to pay an extra deposit.
Mazatlan-San Diego Hotel takes pets, has great prices, is across the street from McDonalds and the big Valentino's complex on the beach.
Patzcuaro, Villa Patzcuaro is very pet friendly and neat, with fireplaces in each room. Also an RV Park (that's us.)
Tepic is a lovely city, and now has a bypass, as does Morelia.
Guadalajara is a place we anticipate, but until the bypass opens next year, we just do it. Last year it took us 55 minutes from when we entered the ring road until we were completely clear of the city at the first toll booth south of the city. There are only 2 stop lights now, so it's just a matter of relaxing and driving it.
It's a lovely drive. We break it up into fairly small chunks, but we aren't in a hurry, have places we spend a couple of days, and make it easier on the dogs and us. Beaches along the way are important to us, as much as we are in a huge hurry to get to Zihuatanejo! We are leaving here about October 25th.

Post reply

2194 views

When you suggest the "ring road" around Guadalajara are you talking about Perifico Ote or Perifico Sid? Driving out in late August we took Perifico North - was pretty good except in one contested stretch where we hit, maybe, six lights.
We start our drive from Arizona on 24 October. Sounds like we will have a lot of company that time of year.

Post reply

1749 views

The Anillo is Periferico Oriente and Periferico Sur. We take Sur, because it how has only 2 lights. Oriente drags you through Tonala.

Post reply

1622 views

Test

Post reply

1625 views

Lewis and Lewis also sells insurance for Mexican plated vehicles.

You may be asked for paperwork showing proof of rabies, and freedom of external and internal parasites. Just use this form, and date it within 10 days of your crossing, and either sign it, or have it signed. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms/pdf/APHIS7001.pdf

Villa Patzcuaro has a website.

Our usual route is Sonoyta to Santa Ana, then straight to Morelia, turn right and down the mountain to Zihuatanejo. PV is always fun, but only moderately dog friendly.

More towns have bypass routes each year, including recently, Mazatlan, Tepic (just opened) and Morelia, also newly opened. Guadalajara is scheduled to open in 2017. We were just discussing the ring road in Guad while we were running the dogs on the beach-it's not bad, just mentally taxing. If you are in other than an RV, we'd probably just drive straight through town.