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Day:
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Destination: |
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Hrs:
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May 18
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Escárcega
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277
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4.5
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Today we'll cross into Mexico from Belize.
Turning west onto Highway 186, we'll stop for the night at the
crossroads town of Escárcega, about 3 hours away. This
town exists to serve the highway. We'll either stay in a hotel
or find a place to pop our tops for the night.
If we have an extra day, we may travel north to
the small village of Oxkutzcab ,
where Gonzalo Francisco (T(997) 5-02-25) has invited us to visit
him and his family.
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May 19
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Palenque
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215
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4
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Today we'll follow Highway 186 southwest about
165km to the intersection with Highway 199. We'll then turn south
on Highway 199 to the small town of Palenque. The town offers
groceries, restaurants, and fuel, but is mostly known for the
magnificent archeological site Santo Domingo de Palenque, often
shortened to simply Palenque.
We'll try to stay at the Mayabell Campground
(T(934) 5-07-67), popular with VW campers. Hammocks can be slung
under open-air grass huts, or you can occupy a full-service space.
Eat lots of garlic to fend off the ticks which live in the grass!
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May 20
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San Cristóbal de las Casas
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177
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4.5
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Today we'll continue south on Highway 199. About
57km from Palenque is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in
Mexico, Aqua Azul. Pale blue water flows across light-colored
rocks in a deep green jungle setting, and the swimming is perfect.
The falls are located 5km from the highway on a paved road, and
there is a small entry fee.
After a few hours of swimming, we'll continue on.
At Highway 190 we'll turn west again to San Cristóbal,
a city that has been designated a national historic monument.
This is a good place to shop for the crafts of Chiapas.
We'll stay at the Rancho San Nicolás
(T6780057), a little over a kilometer east of the Centro at the
end of C Francisco León. US$12 for a camper van with two
people. Laundry facilities are available.
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May 21
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San Domingo Tehuantepec
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386
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7
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Today we have a long drive west on highway 190,
passing through the city of Tuxtla Guitiérrez, capital
of Chiapas, and on towards Juchitán and finally Tehuantepec.
This town is mostly Zapotec, and the hammocks from this area are
considered the best in Mexico.
We'll try to stay at the Santa Teresa Trailer
Park (T(971) 50500), on the east side of town. Take the side
road at the Hotel Calli and follow the signs for about
8km. This used to be a sugar plantation, and the camp spots are
under large shade trees. There are cold showers, restrooms, a
restaurant, a frendly owner, and a mango grove. US$6.50 for a
car and two people.
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May 22-
May 24
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Oaxaca
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257
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5
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Turning north on Highway 190 we'll head towards
the beautiful city of Oaxaca. Along the way we'll stop to look
at the ruins of Mitla, a small but beautiful ruins 42km outside
of Oaxaca. We can also stop at Tule to see the world's largest
tree and at Teotitlán del Valle, a famous rug-weaving village
(though this latter might be better saved for one of the following
days!)
Oaxaca is a beautiful, relaxing city. Ron's uncle
lives here, and we'll stop here for two free days. There is plenty
to see. We'll stay at one of the hotels in town or at the Oaxaca
Trailer Park (T(951) 52796), north of town on the road to
Mitla at the sign marked 'Infonavit' (corner of C Pinos and C
Violetas.) US$6 for a van.
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May 25
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Puerto Escondido
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310
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7
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Today we'll follow Highway 175 over the coastal
range and drop down to the sea. When we hit Highway 200, we'll
turn northwest, and we'll shortly hit Puerto Escondido, a beautiful
beach resort town.
Tonight we'll stay at the Palmas de Cortes,
right on the beach in downtown Puerto Escondido. To find it, take
the first west of the Puente Regadillo. When you reach the barriers
marking the pedestrian street, turn left. You'll see the campground
sign down an alley to the right. US$10 for 2 people and a car.
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May 26
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Acapulco
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402
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7
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Today we continue north and west to the famous
resort town of Acapulco. We'll try to stay at the Playa Suave
(T(74) 82-11-63) in downtown at Costera Miguel Alemán #276.
We should call ahead for reservations. If we can't her in here,
there are many other campgrounds on the outskirts of town.
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May 27
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Playa Azul
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377
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7
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Continuing northwest along the coast, we'll come
to Playa Azul, described by the Mexico Handbook as a 'coconut
and hammock resort'. We'll stop at the Playa Azul Hotel
(T(753) 6-00-24), which has about 10 camping spots. If we can't
stay here, we'll take a chance on a beach north of town.
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May 28
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Melaque
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362
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7
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Continuing north, we'll pass through Manzanillo,
where we'll pick up any necessary supplies. Then we'll continue
64km north to Melaque, one of the most beautiful mexican bays
on the Pacific. We'll try to stay at the Trailer Park La Playa
(T70065) on San Patricio. US$13 for a car and two people.
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May 29
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Sayulita
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218
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5
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Finally a reasonable day of driving! Today we'll
bypass Puerto Vallarta for the quieter village of Sayulita just
to the north. We'll stay at the Sayulita Trailer Park (T(327)
5-02-02), located next to a beautiful beach. There are hot showers
and there are good restaurants in Sayulita. There are also bungalows
available. Take a paved road at km marker 123. Go 1.5km to the
village, and then turn right following the campground signs.
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May 30
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Tepic
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169
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3
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Today we'll drive Highway 200 north to Las Varas,
then Highway 68 inland until we hit Highway 15. We'll then follow
highway 15 north to Tepic. A small city of around 200,000, the
area around Tepic is home to Huichol and Cora indians.
We'll try to stay at the Hotel Sierra de Alicia
(T120322), which offers nice rooms and secure parking for under
US$20 a night. It's located near the Plaza Principal at Av. México
180 Norte.
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May 31
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Mazatlán
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278
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6
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Today we'll continue north on Highway 15 to Mazatlán,
a resort town which will be our departure point for Baja. We'll
try to stay at one of the many RV parks here. The Mar Rosa
(T(69) 13-61-87) is on the beach 2.6km north of Camarón
Circle on the left just past the Holiday Inn, but is supposed
to be fairly expensive. The Las Palmas Trailer Park (T(69)
13-53-11) is older and away from the beach, but is well-located
in the Zona Dorada. It's located 1km north of Camarón Circle.
The entrance is marked by a yellow sign on a telephone pole, and
it's right across from the Guadalajara Café.
We should purchase our ferry tickets today after
arriving.
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June 1-
June 2
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Cabo San Lucas
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ferry
+
181
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4
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Today we take the Sematur
ferry
at 3pm to La Paz on Baja (the ferry runs Friday -> Wednesday,
and June 1 is a Friday.) The ferry all night and arrives at 9am
the next morning 18km ourtside of La Paz. The cost per vehicle
is about US$300 and per cabin US$50-100.
We'll drive south to the tip of Baja and spend
the day at the party town of Cabo San Lucas. We'll try to stay
in the El Arco RV Park, at Km 5.5 on Highway 1.
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June 3
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La Paz
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236
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4
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Returning to La Paz on our way north, we'll try
to stay at the Aguamarina RV Park (T(112) 2-37-61), on
the water at Nayarit Street #10.
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June 4
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Bahía Concepcíon
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470
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8
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This bay on the inside of Baja is a popular RV
destination. After a long drive, we'll stop at El Requesón.
The entrance is near the Km 93 marker and is signed. Primitive
camping, but there are pit toilets available.
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June 5
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Guererro Negro
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300
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5.5
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Continuing north towards home, we'll stop at this
salt-mining town. We'll try to stay at the Malarrimo RV Park (T(115)
7-01-00) which features hot showers and a fairly good restaurant.
The campground is almost immediately after entering town from
the east, on the right.
Guerrerro Negro is the the halfway point between
the border and La Paz.
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June 6
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Bahía de Los Angeles
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198
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3.5
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Continuing north, we'll cut across the peninsula
to this small city on the Gulf of California. Known as one of
the beauty spots of Baja, this fishing village is protected from
harsh storms. We'll try to stay at Camp Gecko. You get
there by following a gravel road south past the Diaz RV Park.
After 6.5km, take the sandy road left towards the beach. Flush
toilets and hot water showers available.
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June 7
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San Quintín
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358
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7
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Returning to the Pacific and driving northwards,
we'll come to this small farming town, sheltered from the ocean
by a series of 7 small volcanos. We'll stay at the Old Mill
Trailer Park (T800-995-8482, 619-479-3467), located on Mexico
Rt. 1 south of Col. Lázaro Cárdenas. A wide dirt
road leads west for 5.3km to a sign pointing left for the restaurant
and RV park.
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June 8
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Ensenada
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190
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3
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A short day's drive north brings us within a fugurative
stone's throw of the border. We'll try to stay at the Campo
Playa RV Park (T(617) 6-29-18), on Blvd. Las Dunas & Delante
St.
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June 9
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San Diego
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128
to border
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2
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Crossing the border today, we'll stop in the San
Diego area.
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June 10-11
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San Francisco
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|
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Two moderate day's drives bring us back to our
starting point.
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Total kilometers:
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5489
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A lock indicates that this date and portion of the itinerary