"Queen Regi" wrote in message
news:1142875721.468339.146820@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> We live in southern california quite near the border.. we go to los
> algodones at least 2 to 4 times a month as it is only a 45 min drive.
> The people there are so awesome to us and our children and we have made
> some great friends.. we have an invitation from a couple that are good
> friends to vacation with them at their home in acapulco this summer in
> july, where we would have a free place to stay and relatively free
> meals as well. We would just need to get there and then have the
> spending money we would want. Locals for a free guide would make an
> awesome way to experience acapulco i am sure and i am really hoping we
> can make this trip! I am looking for advice on the cheapest way to
> travel from southern california to acapulco.. we will have 4 children
> with us *ages 3 to 12*... at this point we are discussing just driving
> down, knowing it will be a 2 day drive. Any suggestions?
>
Realistically, a new driver in mexico shoud allow four days for the ride
from the border to Acapulco.That's going to work out to eight days on the
road and only six in Aca. Not worth the hassle. Take the first class bus. If
you had more time, the trip is very doable. I have driven some 80,000 miles
or more in both my California lisenced pickuo and my BMW motorcycles. Never
had a problem, paid more than a few mordidas (every one of which was EARNED)
and got sideswiped once on the Devil's backbone, the road from Mazatlan to
Durango.
Driving comfortably in mexico is a matter of learning local customs, and
that takes time. I've always found most Mexican drivers to be pretty much
like drivers here in California.Most are quite competent, and many give
signals when on the open road to help you pass, slow, or warn of an upcoming
hazard. Its true that you can go to jail in the case of an accident. But
insurance will likely guarantee that you will get out. The best roads are
the new toll roads, which have markedly increased the safety factor of
driving in Mexico, and at the same time have made in possible in many areas
to drive at night, which has long been a taboo in Mexico. Anyone who knows
will tell you never drive at night, but those who really know will tell you
that that is no longer the absolute it once was. BTW, every vehicle on the
tollroad is automatically insured when they pay their tolls, insuring that,
unless you are flagrantly violating the law, or driving impaired, no one
goes to jail for an accident on the tollroad. (WARNING: The tollroads are
outrageously expensive, but worth every penny in terms of safety.)
That said, I would recomend that you get on a first class bus and leave the
driving, day and night, to the pros, at least for this trip.The first class
busses are a lot like airplanes, very comfortable, quiet and well equipped
with onboard food, drinks, bathroom, and even movies. That will free you up
to enjoy the trip with the family, and spend more time with your friends in
Aca.
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