Mx 200 Michoacan coast recently ?

[Canadian_Rainbi]

We'll soon be leaving Zihuatanejo 😞 for Puerto Vallarta and points north. Anyone have recent first hand road condition reports? Has the damage from Manuel been repaired?

Thanks.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Those ROADBLOCKS should be learned to refer to them in Spanish as well. RETEN for the SSP (Policia Federal, dark blue trucks) PUESTO de CONTROL for Army and Marines, Army has olive drab camo's and vehicles, Marinas have sand colored vehicles and camo's.

When someone says "Roadblock" I visualize two stolen pickups parked across the highway and a group standing behind them brandishing everything from AK47's to .25 Saturday night specials. Roadblock implies a surprisingly expensive toll is going to be imposed 🙂

[RonYVickie]

Rainbirds - we came down that coast 2 weeks ago and it seemed to be pretty much the same as every other year. There was a roadblock (info only) set up not long after we entered the mountains south of Tecoman, but there was no delay. I guess we can have your spot when we come north from Zipolite ? Have a safe trip. We plan to arrive back in PV about the middle of March. RYV

[Canadian_Rainbi]

Hi MexW; we'll try to drop in on you next season, perhaps on the way south in November. PM if you would like our e-mail address, we could mule a few smaller items. I always bring a few 30A RV outlets for my friend here.

Hope your surgery is a complete success with a fast recovery.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

The @#$%^&! "Ripple Effect" All of Michoacan has it's roots in tourism. When tourism is down, locals get laid off from jobs at bottling plants, service oriented businesses, restaurants, you name it. Then none of them can afford to go to the beach. I will not get into the and I mean ONE ROOT of why this problem is happening all over Mexico. Please do not respond to this blurt, out of frustration I just had to let off steam.

Sadly the hotel and campground are for all intents and purposes CLOSED. The Canadian owner "decided" it was making so much money she installed a local girl and her husband to operate the place and they do not speak English. The Canucka took half the money for herself and the place literally disintegrated. No water, no power most of the time. I was using the income for maintenance plus supporting it with half my pension. It was growing. People loved the place, the area, and the people. Nothing like having an RV'er run an RV Park. After I get my spine operated on I am heading back. I will be operating an RV electrical (only) repair facility, begging pardon that getting parts is no simple deal but through the right connections getting parts through DHL (whew the cost) without paying duty will be possible.

Jesus, Brenda and the Nietas operate ENRAMADA BETY down on the beach. It is an extrememly short stroll from the village (Absolutely safe to park and lock up). Walk down to the concrete parking area (once again impossible to get lost) across the parking area to the steep ramp down to the beach and go to the LAST palm frond restaurant in the row of them. Brenda is if you will remember, a fabulous chef, and Jesús is a licensed lobster and oyster fisherman. The food is outrageous, and the prices are a bargain. PS Brenda is addicted to any spare bottles of perfume an RV'er may offer.

Give a hug to my grandkids, Plilar 13, Dalia 9, and little Hermelinda 4. Mention "dah-VEED" and all will become instantly clear. Ask Jesús if there is a place to boondock CAMPING? for the night. It would be free, and bet your butt, safe. Free showers at the enramada.

[JerBear]

Travelled to Maruata a few weeks ago and the road was very good. All the road construction has been completed. One HUGE pothole several miles outside Tecoman. Can't remember exactly where it was but it is before you start to climb up to the higher elevations. Keep your eyes open for it. The road was very quiet the day we went with very little traffic. The family we stay with at the beach in Maruata tell us very few tourists this year....even the Mexicans are not going. The bad news has really scared people from travelling in Michoacán.

[Canadian_Rainbi]

MW: I second the Tallys' question. Would love to have a visit, and it would make a good stop enroute to PV.

We do the coast road almost every year. We have done it one direction or another probably 10 times.

[Talleyho69]

Fabulous response. We aren't heading up 200 this year, but going inland.
Next year, we'll contact you before we head north on 200. We stayed with you many years ago, your first season. Do you still have parking for a rig or two?

[MEXICOWANDERER]

From Zihuatanejo to Lazaro is a Siglo Dos mil route. Ultra high priority to keep it first class for tourism.

From Lazaro northward Mex 200 is an ultra-high priority because of the tremendous steel output of the Las Truchas mill in Lazaro. The SCT does not screw-around with maintenance on this highway.

BEWARE OF UNSIGNED TOPES made in the shade of trees north of Caleta de Campos. For forty miles there are short but sharp speed bumps. WHEN YOU SEE HOUSES ON BOTH SIDE OF THE ROAD slow down! Usually a pair for each settlement.

When you get to the out-out skirts of TECOMAN, gas up at the gasolinera on your left. MAKE A RIGHT TURN at the glorietta MONUMENT in the center of the highway. The street goes straight a few miles when you see the FAIRGROUNDS on your left, prepare to make a left at the intersection, unsigned. Then you rejoin 200 at an even huger glorietta intersection with signs. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to get lost on this bypass, and if you ignore taking the bypass you may ending up ruing the day your were born. TECOMAN has no signage and is confusing as hell. The gasolinera on the other side of TECOMAN seems to have 40 cars waiting in line every time I go by it.

ON THAT BYPASS, slow down and caution for bachis, potholes. Bachis or not the bypass is worth its weight in gold.

On the curvy stretch of Mex 200 between Caleta and CERRO de ORTEGA beware of steel laden trucks cutting blind curves. It is only hazardous if you do not know about the trucks. There is a serious but fast and courteous 24/7 Puesto de Control de MARINAS north of MARUATA.

SICARTSA the owners of the LAS TRUCHAS steel mill and commercial trucking do not put up with tom-foolery on Mex 200. It is common to see the SSP traveling in Convoy, the Ejercito and Marinas, likewise traveling in convoy.

This stretch of Mex 200 IMHO is one of the most beautiful in Mexico.

Wave when you pass through tiny, three marked topes Las Peñas 🙂

[Wm_Elliot]

We were on it a year ago from Manzanillo to Acapulco, the pavement was good - no problems then.