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Laredo to Mazatlan



 
 
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  #1  
Old September 22nd, 2003, 01:29 AM
Raoul Duke
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Default Laredo to Mazatlan

I am considering a surf trip from Laredo to Mazatlan by car. Does anyone
have any experiences driving from Laredo (or Piedras Negras) to Mazatlan?
Any suggestions, tips, etc?

Thanks,

RD


  #2  
Old September 22nd, 2003, 02:29 AM
Richard Ferguson
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Default Laredo to Mazatlan

I have a few general comments.

Figure 16 hours driving or so. Not sure about the price of the toll
roads, Mexican toll road prices vary from extremely expensive to
moderate, you should try to find out the price before you get on.

You probably know this, but everybody who knows Mexico will tell you not
to drive at night, so that would be a two day trip, one way.

Richard

--------------------------------------------------

Raoul Duke wrote:

I am considering a surf trip from Laredo to Mazatlan by car. Does anyone
have any experiences driving from Laredo (or Piedras Negras) to Mazatlan?
Any suggestions, tips, etc?

Thanks,

RD

  #3  
Old September 22nd, 2003, 02:45 PM
Bob F.
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Default Laredo to Mazatlan

Yes, here's a tip. Be sure to purchase insurance for Mexico, the price will
probably $10 to $15 per day. You automatically are covered by insurance if
you travel the Mexican toll roads, but only if you have your own insurance
to begin with. Be aware the signage in Mexico generally sucks, so you need
to watch carefully to keep going on your intended route. If you don't have
one already, purchase a "Guia Roja" atlas with maps of all the regions in
Mexico.


"Richard Ferguson" wrote in message
...
I have a few general comments.

Figure 16 hours driving or so. Not sure about the price of the toll
roads, Mexican toll road prices vary from extremely expensive to
moderate, you should try to find out the price before you get on.

You probably know this, but everybody who knows Mexico will tell you not
to drive at night, so that would be a two day trip, one way.

Richard

--------------------------------------------------

Raoul Duke wrote:

I am considering a surf trip from Laredo to Mazatlan by car. Does

anyone
have any experiences driving from Laredo (or Piedras Negras) to

Mazatlan?
Any suggestions, tips, etc?

Thanks,

RD



  #4  
Old September 22nd, 2003, 03:44 PM
Duncan McNiven
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Default Laredo to Mazatlan

On Mon, 22 Sep 2003 08:45:35 -0500, "Bob F." wrote:

Yes, here's a tip. Be sure to purchase insurance for Mexico, the price will
probably $10 to $15 per day.


You mean normal travel insurance, or something else?

Be aware the signage in Mexico generally sucks, so you need
to watch carefully to keep going on your intended route. If you don't have
one already, purchase a "Guia Roja" atlas with maps of all the regions in
Mexico.


What scale is that atlas?
If I hire a car at the airport as soon as I arrive in Mexico City by air, where is the
best place to buy a copy? Can I buy one at the airport?

--
Duncan

  #5  
Old September 22nd, 2003, 03:45 PM
Duncan McNiven
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Default Laredo to Mazatlan

On Mon, 22 Sep 2003 01:29:26 GMT, Richard Ferguson wrote:

You probably know this, but everybody who knows Mexico will tell you not
to drive at night,


Does that advice apply to the whole of Mexico?
If not, which areas?

--
Duncan
  #6  
Old September 22nd, 2003, 04:39 PM
Bob F.
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Default Laredo to Mazatlan

Automobile insurance, to cover you in case you have an accident or run over
somebody. "Liability insurance". In Laredo, TX the company is called
"Sanborn's" but there are competitors whose prices might be less. Sanborn's
just seems to have their act together, but thankfully I've never had to make
a claim. I thought the orginal poster was driving their own car from Laredo
to Mazatlan, but this still applies if you are getting a rental car. The
atlas that I recommended shows the major and minor highways throughout
Mexico, plus streets plans for the major cities. The highway maps are very
detailed with information about service stations and rest areas. I never
checked the stores in the Mexico City airport, but its large with a lot of
stores and I would expected that there is a bookstore or a magazine kiosk
within.

If you are going to Mazatlan you probably could also go from Mex. City by
bus much more cheaply and with a lot less stress, but its up to you

"Duncan McNiven" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 22 Sep 2003 08:45:35 -0500, "Bob F." wrote:

Yes, here's a tip. Be sure to purchase insurance for Mexico, the price

will
probably $10 to $15 per day.


You mean normal travel insurance, or something else?

Be aware the signage in Mexico generally sucks, so you need
to watch carefully to keep going on your intended route. If you don't

have
one already, purchase a "Guia Roja" atlas with maps of all the regions in
Mexico.


What scale is that atlas?
If I hire a car at the airport as soon as I arrive in Mexico City by air,

where is the
best place to buy a copy? Can I buy one at the airport?

--
Duncan



  #7  
Old September 22nd, 2003, 04:58 PM
Richard Ferguson
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Default Laredo to Mazatlan

The advice to not drive at night applies to all of Mexico, but applies
double in the south of Mexico, where I do not even recommend night bus
travel. Oaxaca, Guerrero, Chiapas, and Campeche have known problems.

The toll roads are probably safer at night than the regular highways, if
you had to drive at night.

Richard



Duncan McNiven wrote:

On Mon, 22 Sep 2003 01:29:26 GMT, Richard Ferguson wrote:

You probably know this, but everybody who knows Mexico will tell you not
to drive at night,


Does that advice apply to the whole of Mexico?
If not, which areas?

--
Duncan

  #8  
Old September 22nd, 2003, 06:30 PM
Duncan McNiven
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Posts: n/a
Default Laredo to Mazatlan

On Mon, 22 Sep 2003 10:39:25 -0500, "Bob F." wrote:

Automobile insurance, to cover you in case you have an accident or run over
somebody. "Liability insurance". In Laredo, TX the company is called
"Sanborn's" but there are competitors whose prices might be less. Sanborn's
just seems to have their act together, but thankfully I've never had to make
a claim. I thought the orginal poster was driving their own car from Laredo
to Mazatlan, but this still applies if you are getting a rental car.


OK, Thanks. I have now found Sanborn's web site and asked for a quote; not sure what the
reaction will be as the site says they provide cover to Americans, which we aren't.

If you are going to Mazatlan you probably could also go from Mex. City by
bus much more cheaply and with a lot less stress, but its up to you


We will be travelling all over the country. We will be using a mixture of our own car and
a hire car. The only part of our trip where we could use a bus would be from Mexico City
to Veracruz, but I think we will use a hire car.

--
Duncan
  #9  
Old September 22nd, 2003, 06:32 PM
Duncan McNiven
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Posts: n/a
Default Laredo to Mazatlan

On Mon, 22 Sep 2003 15:58:45 GMT, Richard Ferguson wrote:

The advice to not drive at night applies to all of Mexico, but applies
double in the south of Mexico, where I do not even recommend night bus
travel. Oaxaca, Guerrero, Chiapas, and Campeche have known problems.

The toll roads are probably safer at night than the regular highways, if
you had to drive at night.


OK. We were thinking of Morelia to Veracruz, wholly or partly at night. I take it you
suggest we think again? Why exactly? (Sorry if that is a dumb question but I have not been
to mexico before).

Oh, and by night do you simply mean "in darkness"?

--
Duncan

  #10  
Old September 22nd, 2003, 08:56 PM
Bob F.
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Posts: n/a
Default Laredo to Mazatlan


OK, Thanks. I have now found Sanborn's web site and asked for a quote; not

sure what the
reaction will be as the site says they provide cover to Americans, which

we aren't.

Yes, I'm not sure about that one. They always asked me for my driver's
license, but I don't remember if it was just to get a positive ID or if it
was required. I expect that they'll take your money whatever you
nationality as long as you are a licensed driver, but I guess you'll find
this out soon.


If you are going to Mazatlan you probably could also go from Mex. City by
bus much more cheaply and with a lot less stress, but its up to you


We will be travelling all over the country. We will be using a mixture of

our own car and
a hire car. The only part of our trip where we could use a bus would be

from Mexico City
to Veracruz, but I think we will use a hire car.


Mexico city to Veracruz is an easy drive, very beautiful scenery. The
mountains are fantastic and very steep in places. Whatever you do, don't
rush. Take some time to stop on the way. In Veracruz, I recommend getting
a seaside hotel/motel room just south of Veracruz in Boca del Rio. While in
Veracruz, if you like drinks, try a "Torito de Cacahuate" or something like
that. Its a rum drink that tastes like peanut-butter.


 




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