Anyone on the board recently travelled Mx 200?

[cruiser_guy]

Has anyone travelled Mexico Highway 200 down the west coast recently? We'll be taking that for most of the way to Guatemala next month. I was down to Tepic, Nay. two years ago and had no issues (other than topes and a murderous potholey bypass around Cd. Obregon or Navojoa, can't remember which). I've heard less spectacular stories of Mx 200 south of Tepic but I take most of that as fear, if folks have not actually driven/travelled it personally.
Other advice for crossing the border at Tapachula, Mx to Guatemala would be appreciated for those who have done it. Is it similar to the Mexican/U.S. crossing?
Does anyone have info on insurance coverage for vehicles in Mexico/Central America? Sandborn's won't cover the '82 'cause it's too old! Does anyone else offer insurance coverage (theft, collision) for the older vehicles in Mexico/Guatemala?
I've read over the www.sandcruiser.com site as well.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Just arrived in Guatemala City yesterday and it is quite a drive. The stories regarding MX200 were just stories and while parts of the road are curvy and slow (especially behind trucks) it's not too bad. The pot holes around Cd. Obregon are all fixed (for now anyways). Signage leaving Acapulco going south is terrible (even by Mexican standards) and the bridge on the coast road is out (so take the inland route as soon as you leave Acapulco or you'll be detouring back (20-30 miles).

Crossing the border to Guatemala is not bad and there are plenty of folks willing to do the paperwork for a fee and though it is a little pricy it's likely worth the cost to avoid the hassles as we were waived through once they returned with the documents.

If you like STEEP hills, Guatemala is for you. We crossed the highest point on the Interamericana at over 3600 meters (that's more than 12,000 feet)!

For a different experience it's worth it and fuel costs are not as bad as stateside or Canada (at least for diesel) at about $1.25US/gallon in Guatemala.

I'd recommend the winter though as the humidity is pretty bad at this time of year.

 

[blupaddler]

wow!!!

Sounds like a fun trip.
What made you go down there in the first place?
How long will you be down?

You'll have to update us with details when you get back.

 

[blupaddler]

PM'D you

 

[Hltoppr]

Pictures!

-H-

 

[cruiser_guy]

Pic's will be coming once the computer down here is running and communicating with the digital camera. We'll be down here for a couple of years so we'll get some opportunity for exploration. As you might guess the standard or road varies widely and generally is worse than up in the USA/Canada. We've had one freeway on ramp that made a logging road look like the interstate! I've got a picture of that on the digicam.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Here's a couple of pictures to give an idea of how things are down here in Guatemala. The onramp is located about 20kM west of Guatemala City near Palin on CA-9. Notice the yield sign off to the right (as if you'd be accelerating down this ramp)!!

The other photo is in Antigua, Guatemala. Notice the Toyota van passing our 'Cruiser. That might have been a Nissan Patrol parked in front of me, I can't remember for sure.

The city streets are full of potholes and patches making for a very lumpy bumpy ride where ever you go.