A quick but interesting Mexico route?
 

Hi folks, I will shortly be arriving in Guate - and looking to head north through Mexico with an Arizona destination in mind.

I am running behind schedule, so can´t take much by way of detours - and I don´t mind paying the tolls either to make some progress - particularly if there are some interesting bits along the way too.?c?

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

(shame I don´t have more time - my own fault!):(

Thanks
Pat

Hey Pat, does that mean you won't be stopping through here in Veracruz?
Julio aka GuateRider came through a few months back and is now in Arizona.
Try contacting him and he can give you some suggestions.
Too bad you are going to miss out on most of what Mexico has to offer!
The magic of Mexico is far and removed from the cuota/toll roads.

Behind schedule ? pity.... what kind of schedule ,how much time DO you have.?
From Guatemala City the really scenic route would be the Panamerican west through the Mayan Highlands along Xela,Huehue' and to Mexico border at La Mesilla , then on through Comitan,S.Cristobal de las Casas. See the sights and from there if you are desperate you can hook into the toll routes to Tuxtla Gutierrez , north to Mex 180 near Coatzacoalcos and onward and onward -Ptoll to Puebla,DF, Guadalajara and Mex 15 up the coast to Arizona.
If time permits you could visti Sololoa, Chichicastenango and see about following the libre routes in Mexico , through the mountains of Chiapas at least, maybe even take Mex 190 through the spine of Oaxaca ,state and city.
But you gave no time span you have to play with. Schedules are a bitch....avoid if at all possible.

Good one!bier

I agree - and sorry I´ve been offline a bit. Recovering from a bug!

Now ready to move on, and will try for Mex tomorrow.

Thanks for the info SB. Looks like I´ll have only about a week to get to Arizona. Work has also crept up with me and I have to fly back to the UK for a few days from the US! (I have family in Pheonix with which I can dump stuff for a few days). Means losing another week from my original plans (though they are pretty much out of the window now doh ).

Mike - I think I still will be heading your way - taking the route SB suggests from Guate into Mex. I´ll toss a coin which route I take for the second half of Mex as I go - but it seems likely that it will be a few days on the motorway for me in that stretch. Real shame - but I have been dallying and having lots of fun in the south - so my own fault really1 :innocent:

I´ve got your mail and will drop you a line when I know which day I´ll be around your area.

Cheers
Pat

Pat, have a safe ride whichever way you go.
Watch out for the heavy rains we are expecting here, it's going to get real wet real fast in the south of the state for the next few days, that might also influence your coin toss!

MikeMike is right. Tropical storm Carlotta is hitting Chiapas with sustained 50mph winds and should be passing over towards Veracruz. Lots of rain and wind in the next couple days. Your raingear will get a workout!

With only a week to get to Phoenix you will likely be riding long days on freeways. Cheaper to ride freeways in the US heading north to Texas and west to AZ.

Just a thought.

Best,
John Downs

Carlotta is now a category 1 hurricane and strengthening. Projected storm track has it hitting the Pacific coast around Puerto Angel and arcing north and west so best bet would be to avoid the Pacific and central Oaxacan area. Maybe head from Tuxtla Gutierrez up towards Veracruz and the gulf coast north. As usual, mudslides and washouts may choose your route for you.

Or wait it out in Guat.

Best,
John Downs

John has the weather report, for sure.
Carlotta is going to make a mess with the rain, should be for a few days.
However, with her trajectory she'll be leaving a mark all over southern Mexico from the Pacific to the Gulf!
Usually it's just hot :Beach: with lots of these :palm: but it looks like:rain:

Thanks guys - I did try to post yesterday, but clearly the poor connection lost it.

I´ve pulled up for the night around 120kms south of Veracruz, using the suggested route. A really nice ride, and one which was to too wet (only a couple of short storms). Let´s hope that holds as i head north for the border.

I doubt I´ll be stopping off in VC Mike. I had hoped to today, but just run out of time. Take care and thanks for the info / advice etc.
Pat

No worries, Pat.
But you are in for a soaking! Very wet today here in the port and it looks like it won't be changing for you until well north up around Tampico or so.
The joys of the Mex #180 coast highway in the rain are all yours!
Be safe and we'll catch up next time you come to ride Mexico, there is lots here for you to enjoy!

My wife is always saying how lucky I am :innocent: but it must be true. I had a half day of bad rain yesterday morning, and it has been dry since. I even had a few nice roads to keep me cheerful! Now in Ciudad Victoria. I feel a bit down for not giving Mex more of a chance - what I´ve seen has been great - and so have the people. No security issues at all (thankfully). I would be very happy to come back - but it might be a while... :(
Pat

Traveling trhough Mexico.
 

I have to make a stop near Dallas and then head south. I am wondering which border is the best from which to enter from Texas. And which route is the best to head south.

Define "south". South, southeast, southwest. Where are you aiming for?
Also, try posting your question on the ADV riders forum in the "Is Mexico Safe" thread and you'll get the very latest solid info from the Texas guys who do this regularly.

Ron
You might find the Mexico pages of my blog of interest - you´ll have to wait a few more weeks for sight of the border crossing info though. Pat Around the Americas

Hope that helps
Pat