From Nogales to Includes Sublogs: Lukeville to Santa Ana Navojoa to Álamos San Blas to Las Varas

Cover Photo Puerto Vallarta - Bill Bell 2

"Valuable, up-to-date information that saves headaches on the road and makes sense to drivers and their navigators. Great work." Welcome - Bienvenidos Ken Stokes Thank you for purchasing our Road Logs and Driving Guides. We are confident that it will "This is the second year we have make your driving experience just that much used Bill and Dots 'On the Road In" better and easier. Mexican logs for travel on the coast Regardless of whether you are driving an RV or a and interior of Mexico. suburban, a bike or a pick-up, the Mexico Road They are easy to use, save a lot of Logs and Driving Guides will assist your journey. indecision and more than a lot of Even 20 year veterans of the route have benefited arguments as to where one should from the information. turn or where there is a Pemex large The KM markings are the markings that you will enough for a large rig with a tow. see as you drive. It doesn't matter if your vehicle We appreciate all the work they have reads in miles or kilometers. You just read the done to make traveling in Mexico a signs on the road to get your bearings. great and easy adventure." Sometimes one highway combines with another Bill and Char Wilkerson and old kilometer signs are left up. Not to worry, just continue to read the guide. "We were thrilled to be able to Some of the best navigation points are the Pemex contemplate our next stops and fill- Station numbers clearly marked on all gas station ups along the way. It was like we signs. Topes (Mexican speed bumps) are marked in were driving with experienced guides the in the guide just to remind you to go slow. every step of the way." We have included Military and Agriculture check "Bravo" points even though we know these can change Pat and John Briar frequently. (Generally they are on one side of the border or another between the Mexican states.) Warning & Disclosure This is the fourth edition. We hope to continually The authors have done their best to improve the guides to ensure road conditions are ensure the accuracy of the well noted before you hit the border. Conditions information provided in the Mexico change, new roads are built, construction starts, Road Logs and Driving Guides at the ends and old "landmarks" are torn down. time of publishing. They do not Please write us at [email protected] if you assume and thereby disclaim any have found some new information or problems liability to any party for any loss or with the log. damages caused by omissions or Adios and Happy Trails, errors. Please contact the authors with any oversights or mistakes. Contact: [email protected] 3

Cover Photo - Puerto Vallarta Photo by Bill Bell Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (Church) Dominating downtown archetecture, the Parish Church, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is a city icon. It is one of the favorite symbols and landmarks of the city. The foundations of the church were contructed in 1903 and slowly the church was completed in 1987. 4 Pacific Coast to Puerto Vallarta Table of Contents Page How to use the Pacific Coast Road Log 5 Distance Chart Kilometers 6 Distance Chart Miles 7 Documents Required 8 Highway and Traffic Signs 9

The Journey Begins Nogales 14 Magdalena, Santa Ana 15 Hermosillo 17 San Carlos & Guaymas 19 Ciudad Obregon 20 Navojoa 21 Los Mochis 23 Culiacán 26 Mazatlán 28 32 Las Varas 34 Puerto Vallarta 36

Sublogs Lukeville to Santa Anna 38 Navojoa to Alamos 42 HWY 15 to San Blas, Las Varas 44 HWY 15 Tepic Libermiento 47 Jala to Compostela 49 Notes Nogales Immigration / Border 52 Other Border Crossings 52 Tourist Cards (FMM) 54 Mexico Vehicle Import Permit 54 Documentation for Pets 55

How to Use the Pacific Coast Road Log 5 How to Use the Pacific Coast Road Log READ THE RED INSTRUCTIONS Pedestrian Overpass on this side if you Indicates 4 lane highway with lateral lanes are driving SOUTH Indicates 4 lanes with shoulder

Mexican KM Markers Indicates 2 lanes with shoulder KM 175 Gas Station with ID Number Indicates 2 lanes PEMEX 5083 State Border S O N O R A S I N A L O A

Speed Bump ~~Topes~~

Various Warnings MILITARY NOTE: Military and Agriculture checkpoints can change often HWY 15 Indicates a local road

▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Tualac

GPS: N20*43.733 Toll Toll. Get out your wallet! Note the latest fee and GPS W088*34.995 Car 124 Pesos Highway Sign and Number. "D" indicates a Toll or "Cuota" Highway Bridge Puente Cibuta Indicates town or city

TURN LEFT TO XCOB AFTER TURN

TURN TO BELLVILLE (RED Instructions means a critical direction)

Overpass 6 7 Documents Required 8 Nogales Border and Immigration - Mariposa Truck Route Open 6am to 10pm. only. The Migration and Banjercito (Army Bank) offices are open 24 hours between KM 258 and 259 on Highway 15. Parking is usually easy in non-rush hour periods and very clearly marked just before the Migration buildings. Enter the most northerly building (Migration) and get your tourist Cards. Proceed to the copy booth just Enter the most northerly building (Migration) and get your tourist Cards. Proceed to the copy booth just outside the Migration exit. Walk south and look to your right. The Banjercito offices will then process your vehicle documentation papers. You pay here. The vehicle permit return office is easy to return your documents - at a hut of the same location on the Northbound lanes.

TOURIST CARDS Canadians and US Citizens going into Mexico for more than 72 hours or travelers going beyond the border area MUST get a Tourist card. This requires a passport. The cards are usually issued for up to 180 days (check to make sure they haven’t given you less) and are payable at a bank. One member of the family can process the total family by themselves. The cost is approximately $30USD per person – (fees increase annually) payable at a Bank. You may get checked for the permit when stopped at Military checkpoints so pay for it as soon as possible. The Tourist Cards technically are supposed to be turned in when you make your final exit from Mexico.

VEHICLE PERMITS Vehicle Permits are required if you travel to the mainland. (Motorcycles under 500 CC’s are exempt) Vehicle must be registered in the name of the driver and the driver must have a valid Canadian or American driver’s license. You are also required to have a passport, driver’s license, vehicle registration and/or title. You must have an official letter from the lien holder if your vehicle is leased. It should be as formal letter as possible indicating permission AND for a specific period of time. You must pay the fee with a credit card in registered owners name issued by a Canadian Bank or US Bank. You are now ALSO required to pay a vehicle deposit payable in cash or credit card. The deposit is returned to you when your vehicle is returned. The cost of the deposit is $200 - $400 depending on the age of your car. Motor homes can now get a 10 year vehicle permit for approximately $45 USD. 1 person can bring 1 motor home and a tow car into Mexico but 1 person cannot import 2 cars YOU MUST TURN THE PERMIT IN WHEN YOU LEAVE MEXICO so keep the permit, packaging etc. in a safe place. The permit return office is located at migration offices at the border where one would normally pick up papers.

VEHICLE INSURANCE Your American or Canadian vehicle insurance is not recognized in Mexico. Get your insurance over the internet before you leave home. On the Road In offers the best coverage available in the marketplace and carry GMAC Finance and other Lender approved insurance policies. Low priced policies are available. Be represented by the most financially secure insurance companies in the world. Each company, or their parent company, carries an A- or better rating from AM Best. Search www.ontheroadin.com

FISHING LICENSES Fishing licenses are required if you have tackle onboard. They are available at “Pesca” Offices in large port cities. The easiest way to obtain one is by faxing the office in San Diego California Oficina de Pesca, 2550 Fifth Ave., Ste. 101, San Diego, CA 92103 Telephone 619-233-6956; Fax 619-233-0344 and they will fax you a confirmation. The cost continues to change but is under $25 per week or $60 annually.

PET DOCUMENTS While often not enforced, you are required to have a Health Certificate from your vet stating that your cat or dog is in good health and shots are up to date. It is likely that you will NOT be asked for this when you are entering Mexico. HIGHWAY ROAD SIGNS 9 HIGHWAY ROAD SIGNS 10 HIGHWAY ROAD SIGNS 11 SPANISH ENGLISH ACOTAMIENTO Soft Shoulders ALTO Stop AREA DE DESCANSO Rest Area ASCENSO Y DESCENSO DE PEAJE A 250 m Toll Booth Barrier Ahead in 250 M CALLE SIN SALIDA Dead End CAMELLON CENTRAL Center Divider CAMINO CERRADO Road Closed CAMINO SINUOSO Winding Road CARRIL IZQUIERDO SOLO PARA REBASAR Left lane Only for Passing CARRIL LATERAL SOLO POR Laterals Only for Light Vehicles VEHICULOS LIGROS CASETA DE COBRO Toll Booth CEDA EL PASO AL PEATON Give Way to Pedestrians CICLOPISTA Bicycle Path CON LLUVIA DISMINUYA SU VELOCIDAD In Rain Reduce Your Speed CON NEBLINA ENCIENDA SUS LUCES In Fog Turn on Lights CONCEDA CAMBIO DE CIERRE SU ESCAPE Close Muffler By-Pass CONCEDA CAMBIO DE LUCES Dim Your Lights Approaching Traffic CONSERVE LIMPIO BCS Keep Clean CONSERVE SU DISTANCIA Keep Your Distance CONSERVE SU DERECHA Keep to Your Right CRUCE DE ESCOLARES School Crossing CRUCE DE PEATONES Pedestrian Crossing CUANDO TOME NO MANEJE When You Drink Don’t Drive CUIDADO CON EL TREN Careful Rail Road Crossing CURVA PELIGROSO Dangerous Curve DESPACIO Slow DEPOSITOS DE BASURA EN Deposit Trash at the Telephone Booth CASETAS TELEFONICAS DESVIACION A 500 MTS Detour in 500 Meters DISMINUYA SU VELOCIDAD Slow Down DISMINUYA SU VELOCIDAD Reduce Your Speed Toll Booth in 1KM CASETA DE COBRO A 1KM ELIJA SU CARRIL OPORTUNAMENTE Select Your Lane At Earliest Opportunity EN B.C.S ES OBLIGATORIO In Baja California South Seatbelts Are Mandatory EL CINTURON DE SEGURIDAD ENTRADA Entrance ENTRADA Y SALIDA DE CAMIONES Trucks Entering and Exiting ENTRONQUE PROXIMO Intersection Near ENTRONQUE PELIGROSO Dangerous Intersection ESTA CARRETERA NO ES DE ALTA VELOCIDAD This is Not a High Speed Road ESTACIONAMIENTO SOLO PARA EMERGENCIAS Emergency Parking Only ESTE CAMINO NO ES DE ALTA VELOCIDAD Not a High-Speed Road EVITE ACCIDENTES Avoid Accidents EVITE LA INSTALLACION DE TOPES Avoid the Installation of Speed Bumps FELIZ VIAJE REBASE CON PRECAUCION Have a Good Trip Pass with Caution GRACIAS POR USAR EL CINTURON Thanks For Using Your Seatbelt HIGHWAY ROAD SIGNS 12

SPANISH ENGLISH GRAVA SUELTA Loose Gravel GUARDE SU DISTANCIA Keep Your Distance HOMBRES TRABAJANDO Men at Work LO MEJOR TUS VACACIONES The Best of Your Vacation is a Good Return Home UN BUEN REGRESO A CASA LUCES Dim Your Lights MANEJE CON PRECAUCION Drive with Caution MANEJE CON PRECAUCION Drive with Caution Your Family Waits For You SU FAMILIA LE ESPERA MAQUINA TRABAJANDO Heavy Machines at Work MIRADOR DE MOLINERO View Point Of Mill NO CIRCULAR POR EL ACOTAMIENTO No Driving On the Shoulders NO DE FRENTE No Entry NO DEJE PIEDRAS EL ACOTAMIENTO No Driving On the Shoulder NO DOBLE RODADO No Trucks with Duals NO ESTACIONARSE EN ACOTAMIENTO No Parking On Shoulders NO FRENE CON MOTOR No Engine Brakes NO MALTRATE LAS SENALES Don’t Disregard the Signs NO MANEJE Don’t Drive Tired NO REBASE CON RAYA CONTINUA No Passing on a Continuous Line NO REBASE POR EL ACONTAMIENTO No Passing on Shoulders NO REBASE No Passing NO TIRE BASURA Don’t Throw Trash NO TRANSITE POR FRANJAS LATERALES Do Not Drive on Shoulders NO UTILIZAR FRENO CON MOTOR No Engine Brakes OBEDEZCA LAS SENALES Obey the Signs PARA VUELTA IZQUIERDA ESPERE SU LUZ Turning Left on Light PARADERO Bus Stop PEREMENTO DERRAPANTE AL ESTAR HUMEDO Pavement Slick When Wet PERMITA REBASAR UNTILICE SU Allow Passing Use Extreme Right EXTREMA DERECHA PLAZA DE COBRO Toll Booth POBLADO PROXIMO Town Near POR TU SEGURIDAD REPETE LAS SENALES For your Safety Respect The Signs PELIGROSO Dangerous PRECUACION CRUCE DE PEATONES Caution Pedestrian Crossing PRECAUCION ZONA ESCOLAR Caution School Zone PRECAUCION ZONA DE GUANDO Caution Livestock Zone PRECAUCION ZONA DE TOLVANERAS Precaution Wind Zone PRINCIPIA TRAMO EN REPARACION Main Highway Under Repair PRINCIPIA ZONA DE DERRUMBES Begin Rockslide Area PRINCIPIA ZONA DE VADOS Begin Area of Dips PROHIBIDO ESTACIONARSE No Parking PROHIBIDO TIRAR BASURA Throwing Thrash Prohibited PROHIBIDO TIRAR BASURA MULTA O CARCEL Throwing Trash Prohibited by Fine or Jail PUENTE ANGOSTO Narrow Bridge HIGHWAY ROAD SIGNS 13

SPANISH ENGLISH RADAR EN OPERACION Radar in Operation REDUCCION DE ACOTAMIENTOSA Reduction of Shoulders REDUCCION A DOS CARRILES Reduction to Two Lanes REDUCTOR DE VELOCIDAD Speed Bumps RESPETE LIMITE DE VELOCIDAD Obey the Speed Limit RETURNO A 2KM CARRIL IZQUIERDO U-Turn In 2KM Left Lane RUTA DE CAMIONES Truck Route SALIDA Exit SALIDA A 150 MTS RAMPA DE Exit in 150 MTS for Vehicles without Brakes SEGURIDAD VEHULOS SIN FRENOS SEAMFORO EN OPERACION Stop Light In Operation SE USARA GRUA Tow-Away Zone SI TOMA NO MANEJE Don’t Drink and Drive TERMINA AMPLIACION End of Shoulders TERMINA ZONA DE DERRUMBES End Rockslide Area TOPES Speed Bumps TRAFFICO PESADO Heavy Traffic Go Right TRAMO EN REPARACION Road Repairs TRANSITO LENTO CARRIL DERECHO Slow Traffic Keep Right TRANSITO PESADO POR LIBRAMIENTO Heavy Traffic by Libramiento or Circle Route TROPICO DE CANCER Tropic of Cancer UN SOLO CARRIL Single Lane VADO PELIGROSO Dangerous Dip VEHICULOS LIGEROS Light Vehicles VEHICULOS PESADO Heavy Vehicles ZONA DE FALLAS Landslide Area ZONA DE GANADO Cattle Area ZONA URBANA Urban Zone Slow Down

Visit www.ontheroadin.com for Mexico travel by vehicle and subscribe to www.mexicoheadline.com for News About Mexico READ THE RED 14 INSTRUCTIONS MARIPOSA ROAD on this side if you Nogales are driving SOUTH Arizona USA

U S A M E X I C O DO NOT turn right. Stay US Customs Inspection Straight. KEEP IN RIGHT LANE as the Height Restrictions are extremely low as you pass the Puente Ensueño Nogales Customs Inspection Booths. Overpass Sonora KM 10 Overpass Mexico Overpass Puente El Carpentero KM 5 Overpass Open 6-10 Check Mexican Border Prepare for Inspection Car 47 pesos Toll KM 4 Proceed Straight to ~~Topes~~ Go to Frontera USA Immigration and Nogales III

TURN TOWARDS KM 263 TRUCK CROSSING Nogales Go Straight to Frontera USA “Black Walnut Trees” RD to Nogales Airport▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Nogales Airport Located 60 KMs south of Tucson. MILITARY Inspection Europeans visited the area in the PEMEX 6305 OXXO mid-1600, Father Kino put down PEMEX 7438 roots through establishing a chain KM 258 of missions in both Sonora and PEMEX 3771 Arizona. Nogales was officially ~~Topes~~ founded in 1882, after the establish- MEXICAN Immigration ment of a US/Mexico rail line. Nogales is one of the fastest HWY 15 growing border cities in Mexico. Mexicans flock to the area to secure Get Tourist Card & work through the maquiladora; Vehicle Permits Here programs which allow the import of L Car Permit Returns Here material and equipment duty free. KM 255 Nogales current population hovers at Puente Cibuta 194,000, up from 160,000 in 2000. PEMEX 8316 Housing and social services have ~~Topes~~ not kept up with the rapid increase KM 242 in population. Flashing Light OXXO PEMEX 10747 Cibuta KM 236 15 N Puente Cazador Puente Puente La Atascoca RD Unites RD Divides N30*55.520 W110*51.444 Puente El Perdón S ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to La Mesa de Romero KM 222 El Cumeral Puente El Cumeral Puente Los Janos Los Janos OXXO PEMEX 2319 ~~Topes~~ ▬▬▬▬▬▬HWY 2 to Agua Prieta ~~Series of Topes~~ Virgin Shrine Virgin Picture KM 208 Puente Babasoc Copper Pot Sales OXXO ~~Topes~~ Pottery Sales ~~Topes~~ KM 207 ~~Topes~~ Imuris Prison Small Curves & Hills RD to Magdalena (RV▬▬▬▬▬▬ Park) PEMEX 8234 Toll GPS: N30*37.840 W110*56.910 Magdalena Car 27 pesos KM 185 RD to Magdalena (RV▬▬▬▬▬▬ Park) Keep to Cuota PEMEX 6634 ~~Topes~~ Kino LP Gas Jesus Statue in Center Lane Magdalena de Kino KM 168 ~~Topes~~ Formally named "Santa María ~~Tope~~ Magdalena de Buquivaba", when in PEMEX 2311 (Large) Pedestrian Overpass 1966: it changed to Magdalena de TURN TO HERMOSILLO AFTER TURN Kino after Padre Kino who TURN RIGHT established missions in Sonora and PEMEX 2312 to Magdalena & Nogales Arizona. The territory was OXXO ~~Topes~~ OXXO historically populated by Pimas and Punta Vista RV Park Santa Ana Papagos Indians. Pedestrian Overpass Furniture Sales A pleasant small city (approx. Welcome / Adios to Santa Ana 25,000) people whose main industry Mi Casa RV PARK is agriculture. Magdalena has a Puente charming plaza, temple of Santa Puente Las Chivas María Magdalena, Museum and Puente Calicatre crypt for Father Kino’s remains. Puente Cajon de Aqua Magdalena was also the birthplace Puente La Banco ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Rancho of Donald Colosio, the presidential PEMEX 3811 KM 160 RADAR candidate who was assassinated. N Puente La Chupadero 16 Puente la Vete de Agua Puente Los Aves Puente Los Arbolitos Puente El estinal Puente El Botilla S Puente El Pozo Puente Fatima Cemetery † † † † Puente El Coyote Pedestrian Overpass PEMEX 3364 Puente Giresol Mine Tailings KM 145 Puente Muir Puente La Mina Puente Casa Blanca Bush KM 137 Bush Puente Puente El Pilon Puente La Noria Local▬▬▬▬▬▬ RD Hotel, Clinic PEMEX 2314 (Large) Benjamin Hill OXXO KM 121 Porcelantile Plant KM 112 MILITARY Check Northbound Long Lineups. Major Truck Check HWY 15 60 KMH ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Querobabi

Bush & Trees Bush & Trees RADAR KM 98 100 KMH

KM 76 MILITARY Check Southbound Santa Ana OXXO PEMEX 6006 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Carbo The Pimas occupied the area and KM 69 when the Jesuits came, the native population was attracted to the KM 57 settlement mission. Then called Puente El Pinto Upper Pimas until 1883 when the ▬▬▬▬▬▬Vineyards Sonora Railway began construction KM 42 and Diego Moreno name it Santa Bush Grass & Cacti SOS ) Ana Viejo. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Pesqueira With a population of approximately Bumps PEMEX 4561 15,000 people, the primary KM 31 industries are ranching (for beef 100 KMH export), light industry and KM 24 RADAR SOS ) commerce. Located on the Flat & Straight Shrine crossroad of Highway 15 (North - Selling Copper Dishes South) and Highway 2 (East – West) GPS: N29*13.220 PEMEX 8760 OXXO 17 W110*55.600 Toll WI-FI Here RD to Bahia Kino▬▬▬▬▬▬ Car 84 pesos PEMEX 9956 Statue PEMEX 3556 No Diesel N Lobos KM 9 Overpass TCM ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Moctezuma University KM 6 Orange Trees S RV Park PEMEX 6820 L ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to La Victoria PEMEX 10042 PEMEX 3784 EXTRA OXXO Cafino L PEMEX 7765 EXTRA KM 1 OXXO Hermosillo Mercedes Benz Kino LP Gas Hermosillo is the capital and largest Salon de Eventos city in Sonora. Formerly named L Santísima Trinidad del Pitivc and Pedestrian Overpass later renamed Hermosillo after José Get into Left Lane L María González de Hermosillo who Hotel Premiere (Good Stay!) OXXO fought in the War of Independence in Blue/Cream Art Deco 1810. The city was declared the TURN LEFT to Guaymas AFTER TURN capital of the country (5 months) at light during the Mexican Revolution. Tire Store TURN RIGHT to Santa Ana Hermosillo has a population of & Nogales approximately 650,000 people. It is Hermosillo the fifth fastest growing city in Motel L Mexico (behind Playa del Carmen, PEMEX 8761 OXXO Cancun, Reynosa and San Juan del OXXO Rio) largely due to the manufacturing L Follow Signs to Nogales and automobile industry. RD Divides Pedestrian Overpass RDs Join Hermosillo offers the visitor a L RD Curves number of attractions. Head for the ~~Topes~~ beautiful Plaza and gardens of TURN LEFT when you ~~Topes~~ Zaragoza and see the Cathedral of reach a T in the road the Assumption (1877). It has a neo- HERMISILLO PERIFERICO classical façade, towers and dome. Go straight The Governor's Palace is worth RD to Centro▬▬▬▬▬▬ L PEMEX 1646 visiting for the murals depicting historic events. L Other sites are the ecological center Keep right to Nogales and zoo, Bubble Museum for Kids, Rail Bridge and Regional Museums. PEMEX 11164 PEMEX 9344 OXXO As the Capital and largest city in the OXXO PEMEX 9400 Flashing Lights Kino LP Gas state, Hermosillo of course offers a Prison L fun nightlife. L 18 Get in Right Lane OXXO PEMEX 5864 Bodega Pedestrian Overpass Woolworths & Soriana TURN TO GUAYMAS AFTER TURN

Overpass TURN to Nogales Sharp Bodega After Overpass N L OXXO PEMEX 3461 HermosilloAutoZone L Truck Parking Do not go on overpass L PEMEX 6757 Good Year Tire Get in Left Lanes PEMEX 1648 S TURN LEFT TO GUAYMAS AFTER TURN TURN Right to Nogales L San Sebastian Hotel PEMEX 7834 OXXO PEMEX 5913 Stay in Right Lanes L OXXO L ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Frac Altars KM 248 Overpass PEMEX 3802 PEMEX OXXO Big Pullout Bahía Kino KM 232 Puente Refuge Bahía Kino is a small fishing village, KM 221 come tourist spot named after Padre San Francisco Kino, the Priest who founded Puente Arboleda missions throughout Sonora and KM 206 Arizona. "Kino" was founded in 1920 La Pintada as a fishing camp and is now a PEMEX 4522 growing community of over 7,000 KM 188 people. Curvy Stretch There are two distinct towns; Kino Puente El Rincon Viejo 'Old Kino' a Mexican fishing KM 177 town and Kino Nuevo 'New Kino’ a Puente Ocelote low key tourist strip which is Puente La Iguana dominated by RV Parks, bungalows, RD to Bahia▬▬▬▬▬▬ Kino restaurants and winter homes for OXXO PEMEX 3521 Americans. Puente Paravada There are no harbors, only 2 boat Puente Arrieros ramps. There is a driving range, KM 160 social club and a Museo de los Puente Los Areneros Series which displays examples of KM 148 the Seri Indian ironwood and handi- Some Cacti Puente El Tigre Some Cacti craft work. Puente Camillo Future plans include three marinas, Puente La Ranas a 100-acre golf course, and Puente La Libertu eventually, a series of hotels with Puente El Pony 50,000 rooms. WIFI Sometimes Here PEMEX 3531 GPS: N29*02.239 W110*57.460 19 TURN LEFT to CD Obregon & Los Mochis HWY 15D MERGE with Southbound Traffic AFTER TURN to Hermosillo KM 20 San Carlos Car 35 pesos Toll GPS: N22*00.215 W110*55.160 HWY 15 D ▬▬▬▬▬▬Dirt RD to Campo Isario Cacti & Bush Guaymas KM 10 Puente Over Railroad Tracks ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Maytorena San Carlos KM 3 San Carlos is a beachside OXXO PEMEX 3750 municipality of Guaymas and has a AFTER TURN population of 7000. Merge Historically San Carlos was known TURN on Guaymas Bypass as Baviso de Navarro, a large cattle KM 106 HWY 15D to Hermosillo ranch. In the 1980's it was declared Sonora Indian Statue Get in Left Lane a tourist zone. Cemetery † † † † There are numerous RV Parks, Sonora Only Passes KM 98 Pollo Felix hotels, condos and private homes. Vehicle Permits The Sea of Cortez has blessed San RD to Guásimas▬▬▬▬▬▬ Carlos with shallow bays and Agriculture Inspection spectacular clear waters – perfect for KM 89 the many divers and water RADAR enthusiasts located here. Cacti Fields Cacti Fields San Carlos has two marinas with KM 80 paved launch ramps, dry storage, McDonalds Sign marine repair and maintenance, fuel KM 67 Straight docks and slip rentals. RD to Potam▬▬▬▬▬▬ ENJOY Estación Oroz 100 KMH Guaymas KM 49 The Spanish explorers arrived in the ~~ 3 Topes~~ area in 1535 and named it Guaime PEMEX 1638 OXXO after the local Seri tribe. In the early RD to ▬▬▬▬▬▬Vicam Pedestrian Overpass 1700’s, Father Kino founded the ~~Lots of Topes~~ mission station of San José de Vicam Guaymas near the harbor and (Overnight Parking) ~~Lots of Topes~~ Selling Birds established the town in 1769. OXXO PEMEX 4779 A natural port, Guaymas was often ~~Lots of Topes~~ attacked by pirates, adventurers, RD to Torin▬▬▬▬▬▬ Indians and foreign counties. In KM 28 1847-48 the US occupied Guaymas; RD to Bácum▬▬▬▬▬▬ 100 KMH they fended off an attack by a KM 18 Watch for Cattle French count in 1854 and in 1865 Pedestrian Overpass were occupied by French troops. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to EST Corral Guaymas has a ferry service to Puente Rio Yaqui Trees & Bush Santa Rosalia on the Baja. GPS: N27*36.177 PEMEX 4433 Banamex 20 N W109*56.297 Toll Car 84 pesos KM 10 2 Puentes PEMEX 1261 No Diesel L ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Tesopaco Yecora Motel Kali RV Park MILITARY Camp RD to Villa ▬▬▬▬▬▬Bonita L KM 5 S L PEMEX 5579 Puente Riviera LP Gas KM 2 Overpass Prison L hElectric Substation WALMART & SAM's PEMEX 6787 Stop Sign TURN Left to Navojoa, Culiacan Keep Straight to Guaymas CD Obregon AFTER TURN

One Way Southbound L OXXO PEMEX 1251 ~~Tope~~ PEMEX 1250 No Diesel PEMEX 8720 OXXO L Jeep, Dodge Kenworth PEMEX 7587 Train Station L AV No Reeleccion PEMEX 5755 ~~Tope~~ TURN Left to Navojoa, Culiacan L One Way Northbound AFTER TURN President Obregon CD Obregon OXXO TURN Right to Guaymas Cuota Ciudad Obregón has a population of Ley Walmart 340,000 people and is the second L largest city in Sonora after PEMEX 6116 L Hermosillo. PEMEX 10058 L Originally called Cajeme after a Overpass Yaqui leader, it was re-named Pacifico & Purina Obregón after Álvaro Obregón, a KM 217 N Retorno O Mexican revolutionary and later, Overnight Parking KM 210 President of the country. Big PEMEX 3539 OXXO ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to La Cabana Obregon developed the agricultural RD to Airport revolution to the Yaqui Valley and it Interesting Hills is now one of the most prosperous EJ El Enequin areas in the country. KM 200 The Yaqui Museum is a goo visit PEMEX 1262 OXXO with information and PEMEX Riviera LP Gas Virgin on the Hill displays about the history and RD to Benito Juarez▬▬▬▬▬▬ NRetornoO culture of this founding people. ~~Topes~~ There is ample accommodation in KM 197 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Quiriego CD Obregon in a range of prices. ~~Topes~~ 21 GPS: N27*19.233 Toll Car 84 W109*42.211 ~~Topes~~ KM 195 Free RD Detour Around Toll▬▬▬▬▬▬ EJ Gabriel Leyva Texaco Sign KM 186 Bush & Cacti hElectric Substation Bush & Cacti Bush & Cacti Fields KM 174 Watch for Cattle RD to Bacame▬▬▬▬▬▬ ~~Topes~~ RD CD▬▬▬▬▬▬ Obregon Libre & Benito Juarez ~~Topes~~ Navojoa ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Rosales “Cactus House” PEMEX 4143 L The Mayo Indians inhabited the area 80 KMH KM 160 before the arrival of the Spanish and Puente Navojoa named the city. Many Mayo geo- Navojoa RV Park glyphs can be found along the Mayo Best Western River. Soria Hotel In 1536 Guzman, the Spanish Con- PEMEX 2136 ATM quistador arrived and 78 years later OXXO the missionaries came to settle and Movie Theatre Good Year convert the Indians in the area. L Álvaro Obregón, revolutionary and OXXO PEMEX 7301 No Diesel L President of Mexico, created the ATM Scotiabank Agricultural Revolution and RD to San Ignacio▬▬▬▬▬▬ L Los Comales (Good Restaurant) modernized farming techniques of OXXO the area. L PEMEX 8809 Navojoa has a population of 145,000 Electra people and the main industry is OXXO L McDonalds agriculture. Shrimp farming is an AutoZone Bodega emergent industry. RD to Huatabampo▬▬▬▬▬▬ L ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Álamos Visitors to Navojoa travel directly PEMEX 2134 through the city via Highway 15. It is L RR also the turning point for those who L ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Álamos are traveling to Alamos or to the KM 155 L coastal communities. Soriana Supermarket ~~Topes~~ PEMEX 8869 OXXO hElectric Substation L OXXO PEMEX 3449 ~~Topes~~ Tecate Plant KM 149 L ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Airport RD to Huatabampo▬▬▬▬▬▬ ~~Topes~~ Sonora KM 130 Coat of Arms N26*51.000 W109*22.400 Toll Car 84 Pesos 22 RD to Huatabampo▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Masiaca KM 117 RD to Bocas▬▬▬▬▬▬ Cacti Fields KM 101 Huebampo S KM 94 SOS ) ~~Topes~~ PEMEX 3560 Estación Luis HWY 15 D LP Gas EJ Lucio Blanco KM 84 ~~Topes~~ EJ Manual Caldillo RADAR KM 71 ~~Topes~~ Cemetery † † † † 80 KMH Agriculture Inspection Northbound N26*22.800 S O N O R A W109.00.700 S I N A L O A hElectric Substation Agriculture Inspection Southbound EJ Emidgo Ruiz Puente El Estero 2 KM 66 Puente MILITARY Check Northbound Cemetery † † † † ~~Topes~~ Checks Under Bottom of Vehicle El Fuerte Delores Hidalgo “The Fortress” RD to Estación ▬▬▬▬▬▬Francisco Founded by Spanish Conquistador Puente Dren Carrizata Francisco de Ibarra in 1563 and NRetornoO Corn was named San Juan Bautista de Corn KM 58 Carapoa. Later in 1610 a fort was PEMEX 8025 built in 1610 to deter the Indian NRetornoO PEMEX 2931 invasions. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to El Fuerte El Fuerte was a trading post and HWY 15 D Corn Granary gateway to Sonora, Arizona and El Carrizo California. In 1834 it became the Poblado 5 Fields capital of the then combined state of OXXO Sonora y . Puente Today El Fuerte is a small tourist N Cacti Puente Rio Fuerte town for both hunting and fishing PEMEX 1755 enthusiasts and as a major gateway San Miguel Zapotitlán to the Copper Canyon via the "Jesus Te Ama" on Hill Railway. Riviera LP Gas MILITARY Battalion S KM 10 Seri LP Gas OXXO PEMEX 7855 23 KM 0 ~~Topes~~ PEMEX 2540 Overpass Los RD to Los▬▬▬▬▬▬ Mochis ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to El Fuerte Overpass PEMEX 7027 (HUGE) Mochis KM 203 PEMEX 1737 ATM Hotel Beletron RD to Topolobampo▬▬▬▬▬▬ Overpass Keep left over overpass VW PEMEX 7407 (Huge!) KM 199 (Showers & ATM) Los Mochis ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Quimagro Los Mochis is a relatively new city, Often Tractors on HWY having no colonial or Pre-Hispanic KM 195 roots. However it does have an Industrial Zone NRetornoO Industrial Zone interesting history. In 1872 Albert Monasano Plant HWY 15 D Owen came to the area to develop a OXXO PEMEX 4925 utopian society. He also envisioned Puente Sarh and sold shares to colonists and RD to Concheros▬▬▬▬▬▬ others to develop the railway. After Crop Dusters years of hard work developing Puente El Estero 1 irrigation canals and infrastructure, Yonke La Palma most colonists returned to their KM 187 home country. The railway was Pedestrian Overpass Condole completed by Mexico. PEMEX 1741 ~~Topes~~ Los Mochis is an important RD to Juan José▬▬▬▬▬▬ Rios Interesting Hill transportation hub, carrying cargo KM 182 and tourists along the rail lines. It is RD to▬▬▬▬▬▬ Bachoco Puente Guayparima also home to the La Paz ferry on the NRetornoO ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Cerro Cabazon Baja. Fields Fields Barranca del Cobre OXXO Copper Canyon PEMEX 3717 6 distinct canyons form the Copper OXXO PEMEX 9094 Pedestrian Overpass Canyon. Longer, narrower and deeper RD to EJ California KM 172 than the Grand Canyon, the Copper Puente Sarh ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Ruiz Cortines Canyon is lush and green. This green RD to Corerepe▬▬▬▬▬▬ copper color is where the Copper ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to EJ Figueroa name originates. Puente Batamote The canyon was formed by 6 rivers KM 166 which merge into the Rio Fuerte and Pedestrian Overpass then drain into the Sea of Cortez. ~~Topes~~ ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Gabriel Leyva The Copper Canyon Railway began ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Bamote as a transportation route to the PEMEX 5516 Pacific by Texas farmers. After giving Riviera Gas PEMEX 7495 up the “impossible task,” Mexicans RD Playa Las▬▬▬▬▬▬ Glorias restarted the project and the line was KM 161 La Costeña Plant finally finished. The cost was over Farmers Fields KM 158 NRetornoO $100 million. Selling Oranges N Watch for Cattle! ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Estación Naranjo 24 Tractors Allowed KM 155 70 KMH RD to Aguas Blanca▬▬▬▬▬▬ Guasave Modelo Sports Stadium KM 148 Yaqui Leche (Good Prices) LEY S ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Guasave & Sinaloa Puente Guasave Guasave Puente Sinaloa Overpass ▬▬▬▬▬▬Las Glorias, Guasavito ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Bamoa OXXO PEMEX 8647 Guasave RD to San ▬▬▬▬▬▬Pedro ~~Topes~~ "Inheritance in the Water" RD to El Burrión▬▬▬▬▬▬ Guasave is considered the northern OXXO border of Mesoamerica. The Indians PEMEX 1744 & ATM of the area were the Cahita’s who RD to SJ la Brecha▬▬▬▬▬▬ practiced agriculture - mainly corn KM 134 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Palos Blanco and beans. They fished the rivers for N25*30.808 W108*20.914 Toll Car 74 Pesos mullet, catfish and bream, and hunted deer, wild boar and rabbits. Puente San Rafael After the arrival of the Spanish, ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Las Cuchillas Jesuit missionaries built temples in ~~Topes~~ Nio and in Old Guasave. Both can be Agriculture Inspection Northbound viewed today. HWY 15 D ~~Topes~~ Agriculture and commerce continues ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Palmareto to be the main industry of the city. It Puente Brisas 2 has become the supply center for Puente Brisas 1 the area. PEMEX 4999 Sports are an important part of Overpass Guasave life. There are 4 stadiums – ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Guamúchil & 2 for Football (soccer), 1 for basket- SOS ) Puente Braziles Culiacán Libre ball and one for baseball. KM 122 SOS ) Playa Las Glorias SOS ) Overpass Playa las Glorias is a small beach- Fields SOS ) side community with an RV Park, KM 114 some smaller hotels and an SOS ) Overpass agricultural / farming community. Puente El Morico MR. Moro RV Park and Motel is a PEMEX 6059 fun spot to stay. Toll Car 61 pesos PEMEX Vibradores GPS: N25*30.760 W108*20.850 Overpass ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD Guamúchil & Angostura KM 103 Puente Tesito Cemetery † † † † Sinaloa SOS ) Coat of Arms Overpass 25 SOS ) SOS ) SOS ) Overpass Puente El Playón Interesting Hill KM 84 SOS ) SOS ) SOS) PEMEX 3979 SOS ) SOS ) KM 69 Overpass Cemetery † † † † SOS ) RD to Zapotillo & La Reforma Seat Belts SOS ) ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Zapotillo & La Reforma Most Mexican SOS ) states require that SOS ) KM 56 Interesting Hills you use seat belts. SOS ) Many folks from Interesting Hills SOS North of the border will get stopped SOS ) by the police and asked for a "on- PEMEX 7474 Mini Super the-spot fine" if they are not wearing Overpass them. SOS ) ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Caimanero Avoid "the bite" and be concerned Puente Chico Ruiz for you safety. Always wear seat Puente Pericos belts. Overpass Also called Turista Bush KM 41 SOS ) Montezuma's revenge is the name Puente Campana jokingly given to tourists who suffer SOS ) diarrhea while visiting Mexico. Corn SOS ) Montezuma (1466-1520) was the Puente El Doblado Aztec King who was defeated by RD to Vitaruto▬▬▬▬▬▬ & Hernán Cortez and Spanish La Palma KM 30 Conquistadores. Puente Papachal Travelers diarrhea is common SOS ) throughout the world and can be Overpass Corn caused by a number of different ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Vitaruto & La Palma reasons. SOS ) * contaminated water, ice OXXO * contaminated food Centrifugo PEMEX 4156 * too much rich food & alcohol SOS ) * excessive sun Overpass * over exertion at high altitudes SOS KM) 21 The key here is hydration with SOS ) purified water! (No not cerveza or Puente Rio Culiacan soda) There are familiar over the RD▬▬▬▬▬▬ to San Puente Navolato counter remedies at pharmacies. Pedro & La Curva Overpass Most instances clear up after a few KEEP RIGHT to days. If it doesn't or you have blood Mazaltaln Cuota in your stool, seek medical help. N Toll 61 pesos 26 Puente ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Culliacan Cuota KM 204 Puente Puente Bebelama Puente Moreon y Melon Puente Balbueno S Overpass Puente Alimito Overpass Puente Morelos Puente San Valintin KM 197 Toll Car 32 Pesos Overpass Puente Camenero Puente Azucenez Tomatoes & Beans Puente San Fransisco Puente El Diez Overpass Puente Puente Espagetti KM 191 Puente Soquete y Flora

Puente San Jose y San Luis Culiacán Puente Santa Fe "Place where Roads Turn" Puente Argentina Culiacán is the capital city of the Puente Dren 4 State of Sonora. Located almost equal distance between Los Mochis KM 185 Puente Cariaga and Mazatlan along Highway 15, it is Overpass the largest city with over 745,000 Puente Jamonito people. It is also located on a rail Puente Capomitos junction. 2 Overpasses Go Straight Through In the 1950’s the agriculture industry PEMEX 4006 grew partially due to the dams built ~~Topes~~ Car 137 Pesos by the Mexican government. N24*34.210 W107*25.810 Toll Note Camping Sign Culiacan’s main produce is tomatoes KM 178 and you can see the fields as you Corn Overpass Corn drive Highway 15. Overpass Culiacán is also known for the illegal KM 171 drugs trade and is the home of the Overpass Sinaloa Cartel. NRetornoO Photo Tip 2 Overpasses Shoot photos early in the KM 159 morning and late in the afternoon. Overpass Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the sun Corn Overpass Corn is overhead and the light is flat. RD to Quila, El Dorado▬▬▬▬▬▬ Overpass SOS ) 27 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Quila, El Dorado Puente San Lorenzo N Overpass SOS ) KM 149 SOS )

Overpass SOS )

Overpass S Corn Fields Overpass Corn Fields KM 133 Overpass SOS ) Puente Venadito Corn Fields Corn Fields KM 127 RD to ▬▬▬▬▬▬Jacula PEMEX 6129 (Closed) & OXXO Overpass Llantera We use OXXO stores as a guiding ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Jacula beacon for our readers simply Corn KM 122 Corn because the signs are easily visible Overpass from the highway and too, because Puente Canachi they contain refreshment and drinks NRetornoO SOS ) and refreshments for the traveler. SOS ) Fields KM 113 SOS ) Green Angeles Bachoco Plant If you have an Overpass emergency while SOS ) KM 108 driving call the Overpass Ministry of Tourism's Hotline or Corn SOS ) (55) 5250-8221, extension 130/297, Overpass to obtain help from the “Green Puente Higueras Los Lopez Fields Angels,” a fleet of radio dispatched SOS ) trucks with (sometimes) bilingual Intense Farming 2 Overpass Intense Farming crews. SOS ) Services include protection, medical Overpass first aid, mechanical aid for your car Intense Farming Overpass Intense Farming and basic supplies. You will not be SOS ) KM 91 charged for services, only for parts, Overpass PEMEX 9810 OXXO gas and oil. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to La Cruz & Playa The Green Angels patrol daily, from Ceuta (Gas Off the Highway) dawn until sunset. If you are unable Beach Access Sign to call them, pull off the road and lift Puente Rio Elota the hood of your car; chances are Overpass good they will find you. Railway Puente FFCC del Pacifico The Green Angels patrol daily, from SOS ) dawn until sunset. If you are unable Farming Overpass to call them, pull off the road and lift SOS ) Farming the hood of your car; chances are Overpass good they will find you. RV ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Celestino KM 78 SOS ) 28 N Overpass SOS ) Watch for Potholes Ocean Views SOS ) SOS ) KM 70 Overpass SOS ) Purple Flowers (October) Puente Rio Piaxtla S Potholes After Overpass Rainy Season KM 62 Overpass Overpass SOS )

Overpass SOS ) Puente Chilacota SOS ) KM 51 NRetornoO Tropic of Cancer Puente De La Vinata SOS ) SOS ) Straight With Rolling Hills Named when the sun was in the KM 41 SOS ) direction of the constellation of SOS ) Cancer (Latin for Crab) at the June Ocean Views Puente La Higuerita Solstice. SOS ) If it were named today it would be Overpass called the Tropic of Taurus… Overpass The Tropic of Cancer touches on KM 30 the Mexican states of Baja Bush & Grasses Overpass SOS ) California Sur, Sinaloa, , SOS ) 110 KMH Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Nuevo ~~Topes~~ N23*28.214 W106.34.111 León, and Tamaulipas. In the US it 125 Pesos Toll crosses the Hawaiian Islands. ~~Topes~~ Overpass DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Costa Azul Never drive at night. There are too Puente Rio Quelite many animals on the roads. There TROPIC OF CANCER are no lights and too many hazards. Overpass There are few lights. Too many Overpass drunk drivers. No Farm Vehicles KM 17 Agave Fields If you think we are joking take a SOS ) good look the next time you see a Overpass horse or a cow beside a road. Take Overpass a look at the fence. Does it appear SOS ) sturdy? Does the animal have a Mazatlan▬▬▬▬▬▬ Playas 110 KMH ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Maz Playas Norte tether? How will you see the Overpass North Mazatlán Junction unmarked topes? How about a breakdown? Overpass Nope. The best and safest advice is KM 6 to drive in the morning when you GO Left to Tepic Cuota ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Mazatlan Playas and others can see hazards and are AFTER TURN awake and alert to handle problems. Mazatlan Libremento 29 RD to Mazatlan▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Mazatlan Dorado KM266 RD to Mazatlan▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Mazatlan Overpass ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Culliacan Libre RD to Mazatlan▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬ RD to Maz 15 D Overpass KM 261 Overpass Overpass KM 255 Overpass Cacti Mazatlan Puente Balutrate Presido KM 248 Overpass Toll Car 44 pesos Overpass Overpass Mazatlán Corn Fields Corn Fields "Place of the deer. KM245 Mazatlán is a fun Mexican resort city of approximately 360,000 people Overpass situated in the tropics on the Pacific Puente Rio Presido Coast of Mexico. Overlooking Olas Overpass Altas Bay on the Sea of Cortez, it is KM 242 Puente Presido 2 Mexico's largest Pacific Ocean port. Overpass It is also the Eastern Ferry Link with RD to Villa▬▬▬▬▬▬ Union Mazaelan Libremento La Paz and the Baja Peninsula. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD To Durango Via Union MazatlanUntil the early 19th century, Overpass Mazatlán was a tiny fishing collective PEMEX 13456 but grew though trading vessels to HWY 40 to Durango▬▬▬▬▬▬ PEMEX 12087 4-500 people in 1840. Overpass ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Villa Union One story has it that German and KM 240 Polish immigrants who arrived in Overpass Mexico influenced Mazatlán’s beer Corn Fields Corn Fields (Pacifico) which is similar to a 2 Overpasses German Lager and that they brought Puente Arroyo Hondo Bavarian folk music which heavily Puente Boca Los Arroyos influenced Banda. KM 232 Left Turns on a Light Overpass If you are turning left at a light Overpass and there is no oncoming traffic Puente Guajolote you …...DON'T GO! Overpass You cannot turn if the light has a KM 220 green arrow to indicate a turn is Agave Overpass possible. Overpass Bush Overpass KM 212 30 N Puente Negrito Puente Las Higueras Overpass Overpass Puente Los Otates No Farm Vehicles KM 205 Overpass S Car 115 Pesos Toll 22*59.104 W105*52.708 Overpass ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Rosario KM 198 Puente Ibarra Puente Balurate Overpass Mangos Overpass Puente Ponce 1&2 Overpass Puente Rincon del Verde KM 187 Overpass Puente Bejuco Mangos Puente El Caiman Puente Buniga

Puente El Jaguey KM 178 Overpass ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Escuinapa Teacapán RD to Escuinapa & Free RD from Mazatlán Joins Cancun Times Two Teacapán RV Camping Cuota on Right Construction has commenced for Teacapán, the newest area selected Santa Anita Military by the Mexican Government for a Puente Rl Grande mega beach resort. The resort will be ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to San Miguel twice as large as Cancun if all goes Overpass according to plans. President Felipe Tecualilla Calderon says the resort will boast Go Straight to Tepic Cuota 12 kilometers of beach, marina, golf Overpass Fiscal Inspection courses, hotels and condominiums - Pedestrian Overpass it is the most important development Topes Go to Mazatlan Cuota in 25 years. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Tepic Libre Teacapán remains a sleep coastal Puente Over Railroad Tracks village with RV Parks, a few clusters KM 159 of houses and a few small hotels. Overpass The area has abundant palm and Overpass mango groves, cattle ranches, and Puente Los Indios of course, miles upon mile of beach. Bum Rock Bird-watchers go to the lagoons, KM 147 where they can see herons, Overpass Fruit Veggie Inspection Canadian ducks, and countless other Overpass species of birds. S I N A L O A N A Y A R I T BUM ROCK Puente Canal de Rigo 1 & 2 N Puente aux 31 Puente Canas Principal Puente Higueras

Puente Camacate Overpass S N22*27.266 W105*25.511 Toll Car 225 Pesos Overpass ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to PEMEX 12069 Overpass KM 119 Overpass Soon PEMEX Both Sides Overpass Puente Acaponeta Overpass Overpass Overpass KM 112 Puente San Francisco Overpass Mexcaltitán Puente Guasima Mexcaltitán is a small island in the Overpass coastal mangrove just northeast of KM 100 San Blas. It is currently thought to Overpass be the original home of the Aztecs KM 85 “Azatlan” before they left on their Overpass journey to find the promise land. If Overpass you remember their promise land Overpass was to be marked by an eagle eating Overpass a snake atop a cactus – Mexico City. 3 Puentes There is some linguistic evidence to KM 75 support the theory. A stone carving RD to Rosamorada ▬▬▬▬▬▬Santiago housed in the museum reflects the Overpass eagle / snake legend. The swamp, ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Rosamorada, Santiago island setting of Mexcaltitán also Overpass reflects Mexico City's layout that the Overpass Railroad Guadalajara to Nogales Aztecs built many years ago. Overpass Today Mexcaltitán remains a tiny KM 67 shrimping village with a fish coop. In Overpass the rainy season, June - September, Overpass the streets become flooded. Dubbed Puente Mendez the Venice of Mexico one gets 2 Overpasses around on boats. There are two Puente Ruiz 3 restaurants on the island. KM 61 Codo Puente Ruiz 2 If someone rubs or lightly hits their Puente Ruiz 1 elbow while looking at you, it means Puente Canal El 80 they are accusing you of being Puente San Pedro cheap. Ditto if they call you CODO Overpass (literally elbow). N RD to Estación Ruiz, Overpass 32 El Venados▬▬▬▬▬▬ Car 110 Pesos Toll N21*57.127 W105*06.979 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Estación Ruiz, KM 54 El Venados Overpass S Overpass Puente Over Railway Tracks Mexico to Nogales Overpass KM 47 Puente Saucillo Overpass Overpass Puente Jarrados Puente Caimanero San Blas RD Santiago Yago RDOverpass Santiago Yago▬▬▬▬▬▬RD Santiago Yago San Blas is a low key tourist town in KM 40 Puente Canal Yago . San Blas was founded in Puente Santiago 1531 and in 1768, 116 families Puente El Guileno arrived on the orders of the Viceroy. The town grew to 30,000 people, The Overpass fort was built in response to piracy RD to Mazatlan Libre Overpass ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Mazatlan Libre and to defend trade with the PEMEX 13564 Philippines. RD to San Blas & You can visit the ruins today and the RV ▬▬▬▬▬▬Camping Overpass Can Turn to San Blas in Left Lane ruins of the Church of Our Lady of Curvy the Rosary. Built in 1769, the church RD to Tepic▬▬▬▬▬▬ Libre bells inspired Henry Wadsworth ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Tepic Libre Longfellow's poem, ‘The Bells of San Blas.’

KM 13 HWY 15D ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Benito Juarez KM 10 cars 65 Toll GPS: N21*32.980 W104*57.260 TURN TO Guadalajara ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to San Blas KM 1 TEPIC ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Mazatlan Free RD Tepic is the capital and largest city PEMEX 6748 FILL-UP With Gas of Nayarit with nearly 300,000 PEMEX 4055 Overpass No Gas for a long stretch people. Originally named ‘Santiago Pedestrian Overpass de Galicia de Compostela’ (capital city of Nueva Galicia) by Nuño Tepic Beltran Guzman until 1917 when University ▬▬▬▬▬▬Ave Insurgentes Nayarit became a state. KM 7 Tepic has the second largest KM 5 Overpass indigenous population in the state; TURN RIGHT TO PUERTO Huicholes, Coras, Purepechas and VALLARTA Hwy 200 Mazahuas live and work here and Southern Tepic Ring Road you can purchase their wares at the AFTER TURN market and plaza. If an RV or Truck TURN Left TO Join HWY 15 33 drive on Laterals (or Straight for Tepic Centro) L

N L PEMEX 6930 Pedestrian Overpass L Pedestrian Overpass S 2 Narrow Lanes One Way PEMEX 2800 Mexico – The Flag Road Divides AFTER TURN TURN Right One Way CURVE LEFT Stop Green is for hope and victory. White is for the purity of ideals. Xalisco Red is for the blood the national Stop heroes shed. Stop Compostela Narrow Streets "Field of Stars" ~~Topes~~ Founded 1535 Compostela was the first capital of Nueva Galicia (the area that would later be called PEMEX 7337 , Nayarit, as well as part of ~~Topes~~ many of the nearby states). In 1539 ~~Topes~~ of red volcanic stones and is one of University of Technology the oldest churches in the country. Sugar Cane Sugar Cane Compostela has a population of ~~Tope~~ approximately 16,000 inhabitants El Testerazo Flowers Sales and is the municipal seat of KM 13 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to La Curva government for the area. This Aquiles Serdan political control extends down the Lots of Curves mountains and to the coast to Lo de RD to Lopez▬▬▬▬▬▬ Mateos Slow & Curves Marcos. It includes Las Varas, La ~~Topes~~ Peñita, Rincon de Guayabitos and Curves Los Ayala. KM 27 Gear Down to Brake Puente ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to El Refilion ~~Topes~~ Lots of Trucks KM 33 Compostela Take the Right Fork ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Miravalles Pullouts ~~Topes~~ Compostela PEMEX 2380 Puente Rio Compostela NAYARIT JUNCTION ▬▬▬▬▬▬ RD to Guadalajara Toll Coat of Arms KM 40 MX 15D Highway & Bypass N Big Pullout 34 Small Pullouts Small Pullouts Very Curvy Section 2 Small Pullout 1 Big Pullout KM 46 1 Big Pullout No Passing S La Noriega▬▬▬▬▬▬ Very Curvy Section KM 52 Large RDside Shrine Small Pullout Small Pullout Mesillas Large Pullout KM 60 El Rojo Puente Parotas Puente Las Piedras Roadside Shrine PEMEX 6468 There are many roadside shrines Puente El Seco along the highways of Mexico from a L simple cross commemorating the death of a loved one on the highway RD to▬▬▬▬▬▬ San Blas L Las Varas to large sculptures and rooms for OXXO worship. L This particular shrine has been here PEMEX 2374 since we started driving here 20 years ago. The road is so curvy and dangerous that there is no wonder Puente El Camino that there is a place to ask for RD to ▬▬▬▬▬▬ Fruit Stands blessings and “Good Luck.” Global LP Gas KM 78 La Peñita RV Park ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to El Copomo We took free caravans of people ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Alta Vista here and lost a few folks. We started Puente Pt de Lima the road logs because we wanted Few Shoulders people to have fool-proof directions PEMEX 3547 KM 90 L so they wouldn't get lost. RD La Peñita▬▬▬▬▬▬ RV Park ▬▬▬▬▬▬Conalep This is one of the many great parks Puente La Peñita 1 in the area that snowbirds call home RD to La ▬▬▬▬▬▬Peñita L La Peñita for 6 months a year. RD to La ▬▬▬▬▬▬Peñita L Jaltemba Bay Puente La Peñita 2 The three communities of La Peñita, Puente La Peñita 3 Rincon de Guayabitos and Los 200 PEMEX 8489 Ayala are interwoven on Jaltemba RD to Rincon de Guayabitos▬▬▬▬▬▬ L Fruit Stands Bay. La Peñita acts as a service PEMEX town to the other tourist areas. RD to Rincon de Guayabitos▬▬▬▬▬▬ L Thousands of snowbirds, primarily RV Parks KM 95 Rincon de from Canada, flock to this area RD to Los▬▬▬▬▬▬ Ayala L annually because it is a wonderful Guayabitos low- key destination. Puente Monteón Guayabitos

Golf Course El Monteón 35 "Field of Dreams" KM 101 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to La Florida Chula Vista ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Villa Morelos Lo de Curves Puente Lo de Marcos Marcos Úrsulo Galván RD to Lo de Marcos OXXO ▬ PEMEX 8622 RV Parks KM 108 Curves Dense Bush & Jungle N Las Lomas Pullout KM 115 Puente Los Pericos Puente Los Izotes Puente San Francisco San Pancho S Puente San Francisco 2 San Pancho (San Francisco) is SanRD toPancho San Francisco another quaint village on the Riviera (San Pancho)▬▬▬▬▬▬ Nayarit. A close knit community with Tree canopy a number of American full time Curves residents. SayulitaRD to Sayulita Sayulita RV Parks PEMEX 11219 KM 124 Sayulita is know as the surfer beach San Ignacio and has a young surfer, international Guys chatting under tree School Zone feel to it. Great beaches! Few Passing Areas Curves ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to El Guamúchil Punta Mita ~~ Silver Warning Bumps~~ Punta Mita is a new development Curva Peligrosa that is considered an ultra-exclusive KM 135 resort area: Luxury homes, golf El Toro Shrine Slow courses, shopping precincts, medical centers and other local RD to Punta▬▬▬▬▬▬ Mita Overpass amenities. Jennifer Anniston and ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Punta Mita other celebs vacation here as they KM 139 can easily hide away with other rich RV Park Bucerias PEMEX 9806 folk. RV Park L Bucerias L Bucerias is a less touristy alternative Chinese Building on Corner L Bucerias Puerto Vallarta; less crowded Pedestrian Overpass beaches, less traffic and a more Puente El Indio authentic experience at lower prices. L Lots of accommodation from RV L Pie in the Sky Parks to all-inclusive hotels. Billy's Gym OXXO Mezcales PEMEX 4266 Mega The town of Mezcales is primarily a Flamingos Country Club Overpass Mexican supply and service town to RD to Flamingos Golf KM 146 various resort pueblos. 36

Shopping Plaza KM 147 PEMEXMezcales 4881 L Pedestrian Overpass Flashing Light KM 149 WALMART Pedestrian Overpass RD to Nuevo▬▬▬▬▬▬ Vallarta Zona Residencial Chedraui RD to Nuevo▬▬▬▬▬▬ Vallarta Overpass PEMEX 5881 N Overpass RD to Jarretadera▬▬▬▬▬▬ PEMEX N A Y A R I T ~~~~~~~~ Puente Rio Ameca ~~~~~~~~ J A L I S C O ~~Topes Southbound~~ S ~~Topes Southbound~~ PEMEX 7599 OXXO ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to U of Guadalajara OXXO Round About Motel del Sol (No-tell) Puerto Vallarta OXXO Puerto Vallarta is a destination resort PEMEX 5186 for thousands of visitors a year. The MILITARY Camp Corona Plant area was inhabited since 580 BC - ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Major PV Bus Station likely from the Aztatlán culture. Puerto L PEMEX 5635 Spanish missionaries and Pedestrian Overpass conquistadors had skirmishes with Vallarta L PEMEX 8193 the local people and in 1524 a battle RD▬▬▬▬▬▬ to Airport Gran Sol Motel (No-tell) ensued between Hernán Cortes and Pedestrian Overpass an army of 10,000 Indians. Cortés Overpass took control of the Ameca valley and PEMEX 3228 named it Banderas (flags) Bay after McDonalds L the colorful flags carried by the Commercial Mexicana Amerimed Hospital Indians. Comfort Inn Hotel Chrysler, Dodge Jeep Vallarta served as a small seaport, GM Dealership fishing and pearl diving village until Neptuno Plaza l the early part of the 20th Century. Naval Hospital L In 1918, the village was renamed ~~~~~~~~ Puente ~~~~~~~~ after former Jalisco Governor Ignacio Naval Base L Bullring Vallarta. Early transportation and OXXO infrastructure began in 1932; Harbor Views Electricity was installed, airplane Cruise Ship Terminal service began and a road link to L WALMART Compostela was built. SAMS Captain of the Port ▬▬▬▬▬▬ RV Park 37 PEMEX 4322 L Soriana Hacienda Hotel L Outback Ford Dealership Nissan Dealership L ~~~~~~~~ Puente ~~~~~~~~ Holiday Inn/ Gran Venetian L RD to Costco Friendly Fiesta Americana L Soriana PEMEX 9077 KFC L Hacienda de Vallarta L RD to PV Trailer Park N Get in Left Lane HSBC and prepare to turn L PEMEX 5185 No Diesel TURN LEFT Puerto Vallarta in Left hand lane AFTER TURN Continued from previous page N20*37.975 W105*13.757 In 1942 the first advertisement L TURN RIGHT appeared in a US paper for a Puerto S Vallarta vacation. L The 1950's saw Americans arrive L and populate" L Gringo Gulch." The 60’s introduced a Pedestrian Overpass new airport and PEMEX 4880 L package trips. Topes Puerto Vallarta launched from village Hotel Tunnel to tourist destination in the 60’s after Cemetery † † † † Hills the John Huston Movie “Night of the L Iguana” was filmed nearby. The star of the film, Richard Burton was Two Lanes Through Tunnel having an extramarital affair with Elizabeth Taylor and American news RD to Zona Centro▬▬▬▬▬▬ ~~Topes~~ Puerto media were introduced to the area ~~Series of Topes~~ via the paparazzi. ~~Vibrador Topes~~ Vallarta Today with a population of 177,830 ~~Topes~~ residents, tourism accounts for 50% Water Views L of all economic activity. Tourists ~~~~~~~~ Puente Rio Cuale ~~~~~~~~ originate mainly from the US and L Canadian West Coast. ~~~~~~~~ Puente Rio Cuale ~~~~~~~~ Jungle Hills ~~Topes~~ 4 Lanes Through Tunnel Road Divides 38 RD Twists into Old Puerto Vallarta Cobblestone Street ~~Tope~~ TURN to Barra de Navidad AFTER TURNL

KM 214 TURN RIGHT to Tunnels PEMEX 2385 L Hospital Med Assist Great Bay Views Jalisco Playas Conchas China Coat of Arms OXXO Conchas Chinas Playas Estacas Puente DREAMS Great Views Playas Los Venados KM 210 Playa Punta Negra Puente Playas Negra Puente Palo Maria

SUBLOGS LUKEVILLE / SONOYTA to SANTA ANA This sublog begins in Lukeville Arizona and meets Highway 15 at Santa Ana. It is the main border crossing when travelling from Arizona to Puerto Peñasco and is now being used more often by people who are traveling from California or the western states to destinations along the Mexican West Coast on Highway 15 or Highway 200. The US Lukeville entry is open Monday to Sunday to vehicles from 6 am to 12 pm / Commercial from 8 am to 4:30. Sonoyta is open for vehicles daily from 7 am to 12 am. Commercial vehicles Monday to Friday 8 am to 3 pm. Ensure you fill up your tanks. There are no Pemex Stations between Sonoyta and Caborca. There is an Immigration and Banjercito office just South East of Caborca for you to complete your visa and car permits. N Lukeville USA US Highway 85 Lukeville Mexico Aduana U S A US Customs Inspection Lukeville is a small community of 35 M E X I C O people located on the border. The border crossing was originally called S Tourist Info Gringo pass. OXXO The community is situated in Organ Buen Viaje Pipe Cactus National Park and offers Sonoyta Wendy's Mexican Food a gas station, auto insurance, motel, Melodrama bus terminus and RV park. Motel Subway PEMEX TURN to Caborca, Santa Ana AFTER TURN L TURN to US Border 39 PEMEX 1821 Alto Banamex OXXO RD to Puerto▬▬▬▬▬▬ Peñasco L ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Valle 4 Lanes & Shoulder Get Gas. No gas till Caborca OXXO PEMEX 1820

KM 246 Emergency 01 8008411801 Cactus, Bush and Scrub KM 235 Sonoyta Llantera The Tohono O'odham Indians RD to Valle ▬▬▬▬▬▬Verde originally populated the area. The San Emeterio Station San Emeterio Jesuit Missionaries arrived and KM 225 began the process of converting the Puente Los Toritos Indians to Christianity. Puente Arro El Vadao In 1693 Father Kino founded a Puente Quitovac mission called Nuestra Senora de RD to San Antonio▬▬▬▬▬▬ Loreto y San Marcelo de Sonoyta. Puente Arroyo Guadalupe The town is on the crossroads; the 2 Puentes US border crossing to Mexico. N KM 200 Sonoyta today boasts a population Rancho El Viet Nam of approximately 13,000 people. It Puente El Olival has a bank, Pemex Stations, motels, Puente El Invisible restaurants and many other services KM 188 available to travelers. Santa Candelaria PLANNING YOUR S Puente Arroyo Costa Rica ROADTRIP Cacti & Bush Plan your trip daily so that you know Puente how long you can comfortably drive. Puente El Arenal Some people say 4 hours max. We KM 178 drive for extended periods but spell Puente El Cuervo each other off. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to El Sonico Don't try to calculate your daily Puente Sin Nombre distance by comparing driving Puente El Maramona distances in the US or Canada. In Puente El Nogal Mexico you will be going much Puente Arroyo El Viejo slower. Think 200 - 300 KMs per day. Puente El Apache KNOW YOUR OWN SAFETY RD to EJ Obregon▬▬▬▬▬▬ Restaurant LIMITS. Pit stop every 2 – 4 hours. Puente Santa Elena Rest 10 minutes and proceed. Puente Lablancita Travel early in the morning - KM 159 preferably at the crack of dawn. If Puente Carricito your vehicle breaks down you can Puente Noche Bueno make arrangements before nightfall. Puente Puente La Noria 40 HWY 2 D Puente Bebelama Puente El Poche Puente San Pedrito KM 148 Puente Jabali Puente Iguana Puente Pocitos Puente Tajitos Puente KM 134 Puente El Rayon Puente REMEMBER Puente Hinospito Place all of your border documents Puente El Bordo (including the wrapper portion of your Puente vehicle document) in a safe dry place Puente as you MUST return them to Emergency 01 8008411801 immigration when leaving Mexico. Puente El Aguila This includes your vehicle permit and KM 120 your Visa or FMT. White Cross on Rock Puente El Descanso Puente El Terreno Tall Cacti & Bush Puente La Choya Puente El Escalon PEMEX 3887 Caborca KM 109 "Hill with Rocks and Boulders" RD to P Peñasco▬▬▬▬▬▬ L The Mogollon occupied the area RD to University of Sonora▬▬▬▬▬▬ Caborca from 600 BC to 1400AD. The AutoZone Hohokam Indians were also early OXXO inhabitants of the area (300BC to Cemetery 1400AD) as were the Azasazi (100 Alto ~~Tope~~ BC to 1450 AD) Railroad Tracks In 1688 the mission town was ~~Tope~~ Alto founded by Father Francisco RD ▬▬▬▬▬▬to Calle 8 Puente El Alto Eusebio Kino – the famous Jesuit Caborca Missionary and explorer on the spot OXXO PEMEX 9157 now called Caborca Viejo (Old Puente Caborca) The town was completed in PEMEX 11120 1692. 100 years later the town was Oasis Hotel ~~Tope~~ relocated to it’s current spot on the Puente El Viejo East bank of the Asunción River. Motel Toxo Caborca has a few interesting tourist Emergency 01 8008411801 attractions including petroglyphs, KM 96 Kino Mission Church, Guadalupe Motel Shrine, museum, water park and OXXO PEMEX 2324 Pitiquito charming city scapes. Pitiquito 41

▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Caborca

Get Vehicle Permits Here ~~Tope~~ Railroad Tracks ~~Tope~~ Puente RD to Llano Blanco▬▬▬▬▬▬ Farming Farming KM 84 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to EJ Sept 16 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Chantate PEMEX 6172 Mini Super Hotel Altar Inn BEWARE KM 74 Camouflage Gear About Those Altar OXXO Left Hand Turn Signals L ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD Ruta de las Misiones In Mexico you must be very careful when you see the driver in front of PEMEX 2313 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Santa Anna Libre you turn on his left hand signal. RD to Baseball▬▬▬▬▬▬ Stadium L North of the border means he is Alto Alto turning. Not so in Mexico. Church When you see the left hand signal it Banorte CAN mean that the coast is clear Puente Altar and that it is safe for you to pass. Think about this for a minute. Do you Puente Augusto want to put your life in the hands of PEMEX 9666 another driver who is tired of you KM 71 OXXO riding his bumper? N Llantera We suggest you think twice. Think Microwave Towers that the driver JUST MIGHT BE KM 61 TURNING LEFT! Rest Area So….if you try and pass him – after Respect the Flora & the Fauna all he said it was safe – but he really Puente Colmenar meant that he is turning….well you S Puente El Maestro get the point. CRASH! KM 49 It is dangerous out there! Rest Area Highway 2 HWY 2 Watch for Dirt Devils RD to Trincheras▬▬▬▬▬▬ This area is known for the mini- Puente El Papalote tornadoes known as Dirt Devils. Toll Cars 111 Pesos Puente La Vibora KM 37 Cactus and Bush Rancho MILITARY ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to El Sangre Puente El Ocuca Puente El Busani 42 Puente El Plano KM 27 Puente Maraton Puente El Chapulin Puente San Luisin KM 18 Puente Desviador Puente San Hector KM 10 Rest Area Rest Area Puente Palizada Cacti ROCKS ON ROAD Yunke Be cautious if you see rocks on the PEMEX 6922 pavement placed in a deliberate pile. Santa Ana KM 2 It usually indicates a road hazard or Puente that the road has crumbled beyond OXXO PEMEX 2310 the normal 3 inch shoulder. ~~Tope~~ Sometimes it means that someone Rail Track has broken down ahead. If you can't L see anything then it is likely that the ~~Tope~~ road obstruction has moved and that Supermarket the driver forgot to take the rocks Telcel Hotel away. To Hermosillo HIGHWAY 15 To Magdalena

SUBLOGS NAVOJOA to ALAMOS This sublog begins / ends in Navojoa Sonora and ends in Alamos Sonora. It is a very easy 53 KM drive on Sonora Highway 13 and worth at least an afternoon to explore the colonial city.

Alamos Old Square Narrow Colonial Streets RV Camping PEMEX Made for Horseback For an up-to-date Not RV's listing of RV Park locations go to Dolisa Hotel & RV Park Electra www.ontheroadin.com Motel Somar Bomberos (Fire Station) RD to Airport▬▬▬▬▬▬ PEMEX 8117 ~~Tope~~ Soccer Field / Basketball Parking ~~Tope~~ ▬▬▬▬▬▬RV Park Real de Alamos Founded in 1682 43 Welcome / Adios to Ruta Sierra Mar LP Gas ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Uvalama Puente Uvalama Welcome / Adios to ALAMOS Puente La Aduana RD to El Tab…..▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Aduana PEMEX 8135 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Casa de Aduana Misión de San Jose ~~Tope~~ KM 47 Bush Some Cactus KM 34 Rancho Maranantha RD Presa El Mosquit▬▬▬▬▬▬ EJ Francisco Villa KM 25 Puente Álamos Bush The charming silver city of Alamos Some Cactus KM 15 was founded in the 17th century Flat and Straight following silver discoveries nearby. hElectric Substation Today it is known for the colonial Puente buildings and the rebuilding and KM 5 refurbishing of many of Spanish Pigs mansions by Americans and Municipal Police Canadians. Some of the remarkable Yonke buildings to visit are the Plaza de Armas, the Church of La Purísima PEMEX 7935 Sonora Plaza OXXO Concepción, La Capilla and the Palacio Municipal. These buildings OXXO PEMEX 3534 reflect the wealth that was achieved ~~Tope~~ through the neighboring silver mining University Sonora Alto towns. Visitor attractions include a ~~Tope~~ tour of the restored mansion (the PEMEX 7797 fees go towards local education). Ley Supermarket TURN Immediately Navojoa After the Canal AFTER TURN

Stop Turn to Alamos Curves Around Separated by Canal Up and on Overpass AFTER TURN

L ▬▬▬▬▬▬TURN to Alamos KM 155 L 44 Soriana Supermarket ~~Topes~~ PEMEX 8869 OXXO hElectric Substation L Photo Tip OXXO PEMEX 3449 ~~Topes~~ Shoot lots of photos, edit and erase Tecate Plant at night. Digital space is cheap. HWY 15 Shoot in the highest resolution possible. You can always erase or make your image smaller later.

SUBLOGS HIGHWAY 15D to SAN BLAS to Las VARAS This sublog begins / ends on Highway 15D at approximately KM and ends in Las Varas Nayarit Highway 200. It is an approximately 100 KM drive on Highway 54 and is both curvy and filled with numerous topes. Some prefer this route as it avoids the curvy downhill section of Highway 200 between Tepic and Las Varas. However beware of this route in the early fall. The roads right after rainy season can become quite potholed. Additionally the bush at the side of the road sometimes needs to be trimmed back. RVers especially complain about scratches from the overgrowth after the rains. This Sublog has not been updated for a few years

HWY 200 to Tepic HWY 200 to Puerto Vallarta

Las TURN Right to Puerto Vallarta or Left to Tepic Las Varas ~~2 Topes~~ Las Varas in the state of Nayarit is Varas Soccer Field a service and supply center for the Tobacco Drying Sheds farming and agricultural communities Tobacco Drying Sheds to the south and west of the town. Balneario El Moro It is part of the municipal seat of Tobacco Fields Compostela to the North. ~~Lots of Tiny Topes After Bridge~~ The population of La Varas is Puente approximately 12,000. There is little ~~Lots of Tiny Topes Approaching Bridge~~ tourism other than their carnival KM 7 celebrations and drive by tourism ~~ 2 Topes~~ generated by it's location between Welcome / Adios to ZACUALPAN Guadalajara and Tepic and the PEMEX 2399 ~~ Tope~~ beaches. ~~ Tope~~ Playground KM 9 ~~ BIG Tope~~ ~~ BIG Tope~~ After Turn Zacualpan CHURCH U TURN to Puerto Vallarta & Las Varas Town Plaza 45 ~~ Tope~~ Sanpre Good Cheese ~~ Tope~~ Zacualpan ~~ Tope~~ Beat Up Little Bridge Corn Fields ~~ 2 Topes~~ Mango Trees San Isidro Narrow Lanes No Shoulder Alto AFTER TURN ~~ Tope~~ RD Curves Right

Puente Jazimines Ixtapa de la Concepcion Puente Jazimines KM 18 Zacualpan Bush Bush Zacualpan is a small town of 4500 Puente Arenoso people. The predominant industry RD to Otates▬▬▬▬▬▬ is agriculture and ranching. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Playa Los Tortugas There is a church and charming plaza in the center of town. Puente Los Otates Zacualpan also has some excellent Rancho Los Salazars cheese shops that offer a variety ~~~~River~~~~~~ of Mexican cheeses. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Platanitos ~~ 2 Topes~~ NICE TROPICAL DRIVE Dense Jungle Bush KM 29 This stretch of the road is an easy Curvy RD Drive Slowly and interesting stretch of pavement. Puente Tia Loa Unexpected Potholes There is farming and ranching as Puente Higeras Especially After Rainy well as tropical jungle areas. RD to El Espino▬▬▬▬▬▬ Season The jungle encroaches onto the road, Palm Trees often forming a canopy or jungle Curvy Slow Driving trellis over the asphalt. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Jolotemba In some of the towns along the water Puente Jalotemba they specialize in oysters. The ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Jalotemba fishermen swim to shore with inner- Palm Trees KM 37 Palm Trees tubes fitted with a net. The tube ▬▬▬▬▬▬Small Pull Out Mirador serves as a floating bucket as the Curvy Up Hills fishers bring the tasty shellfish to ~~ 2 Topes~~ the surface. Church You will see many fruit stands along ~~ 2 Topes~~ the way with fruits you have never School seen before. Ask the locals which ~~ Tope~~ fruit is good for your eyesight, what El Llano helps a bee sting and what can TURN to San Blas Puente El Llano enhance your libido. AFTER TURN TURN RIGHT to PV 46 TURN to San Blas AFTER TURN

TURN LEFT to PV Banana Banana KM 18 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Playa Mazanilla Ocean Views ~~ 2 Topes~~ Playas Los Cocos PEMEX Closed Playa Amor RV Park Drive Slowly ~~ Tope~~ Bush & Trees Can Aticama Scrape Your Vehicle ~~ 2 Topes~~ Lots of Restaurants ~~ 3 Topes~~ ~~ 11 Tiny Topes~~ RD to La Palma▬▬▬▬▬▬ Curvy Hurricane Kenna struck near Beach & Palapa Restaurants San Blas on October 25 2002 with KM 8 Beach winds of 225 km/h (140 mph) Nice Straightaway causing four direct deaths and over RD to Cocodrilarios▬▬▬▬▬▬ $100 million USD damages. Kenna Rough Patchy Surface was the second-most intense Pacific ~~ Tope~~ Hurricane to hit Mexico’s west coast Modelo Factory in recorded history. Restaurants Both sides Kenna began as a in Boat Launch Jungle Tours the Caribbean and on October 19 Mangrove and developed into a tropical KM 1 depression by October 22 off the TURN to Mazatlan AFTER TURN coast of Manzanillo. The National Hurricane Center predicted that the TURN LEFT to PV storm would strengthen into 70kmh KM 33 or go Straight to San Blas (45mph) winds before dissipating. Bush & Occasional Palm Bush & Occasional Palm However the depression – now a RD to Techetan▬▬▬▬▬▬ tropical storm- became stronger and Palillo intensified into a 135 km/h or 85 mph Puente Palillo storm. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Huaristema Kenna quickly became a hurricane KM 12 and on October 24 was classified as RD to Chiltera▬▬▬▬▬▬ a major hurricane. A day later just to Puente Navarrete the south of Puerto Vallarta, Kenna ~~ Tope~~ sustained 265 km/h or 165 mph ~~ Tope~~ winds and became a category 5 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Sauta storm. Navarrete Kenna made landfall in San Blas and Curvy Downhill quickly weakened by the time it hit Mangos Tepic the state capital. Slight Uphill 47 Puente ~~ 2 Topes~~ ~~ Tope~~ Cemetery Fruit Packing Plant Ejido 5 de Mayo Mangos N21*41.606 W105*03.014 Highway 200 to Tepic Highway 15 to Mazatlán AFTER TURN Photo Tip Don't be afraid to FLASH. Get in the habit of taking a few shots with your flash every time you shoot.

SUBLOGS Liberiemento Around Tepic This sublog begins / ends on Highway 15D. It is the new ring road around Tepic. We found this route easy to navigate and easy to drive. Highway 15D continues to Guadalajara.

KM 13 HWY 15D ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Benito Juarez KM 10 cars 65 Toll GPS: N21*32.980 W104*57.260 TURN TO Guadalajara RD to San Blas

AFTER TURN Overpass Overpass Overpass RD Joins / Separates Puente Tepic KM27 Balneario High Overpass A Balneario refers to a seaside resort in Latin America overall Overpass but in Mexico it can refer to a High Overpass place that simply is open to the Puente Rio Molola public and has a swimming pool. 2 Overpasses Balneario can be very elaborate Aquaduct to side Pipe Overpass entertainment centers. Often Overpass what we would call "Water Parks" Pedestrian Overpass in Gringoland, would be called RD to Tepic Bellavista▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Tepic a Balneario. KM 17 Overpass Overpass Overpass Puente 48 Toll Cars 55 KM 7 RD to Tepic▬▬▬▬▬▬ Overpass Overpass KM 4 2 Overpasses RD to Guadalajara▬▬▬▬▬▬ Libre Stay Right to Guadalaja Merge to Tepic Libramiento RD to▬▬▬▬▬▬ Tepic

Overpass ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Tepic Libra KM154 2 Overpasses Overpass RD to Santa Maria▬▬▬▬▬▬ de Oro N21*19.684 W104*39.888 Toll Cars 123 ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to St Maria del Oro Overpass Volcán Ceboruco Puente Galinda “Spongy Rocks” SOS) Volcán Ceboruco is a stratovolcano KM 141 Decline or complex volcano located on the Overpass North Western Mexican volcanic belt. Agua & SOS) 1542, 1567, and1870-1875. Pine Trees Pine Trees Sometimes affectionately called the Agua Black Giant, Ceboruco rises to a Agua & SOS) height of 2280 m or 7,480 ft. Zona de Niebla The volcanic crater or caldera is 4 Overpass KMs wide and was formed about RD to Chapalilla▬▬▬▬▬▬ & PV 1000 years ago. The Lava flows are KM 130 extensive and at KM125 you can RADAR clearly see where the flow ends….. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Chapalilla & PV Get out of your car and take a picture Overpass with some lava! Have fun. SOS) Battery Power Mirador La Joya MEX 15 D Volcanic Field Clearly Ends 110 KMH We have found that a power Agua & SOS) converter in our car is an invaluable KM 122 tool on the road. Forget to charge Volcano El Ceboruco those rechargeable batteries for your Volcanic Rock camera? No problema. SOS) Volcanic Rock Want the passenger to use your Volcano El Ceboruco KM 117 computer as you drive? It's a snap Area of Descano El Ceboruco Purchase one that is about double Big Power Towers Overpass the power you need. Starting a Agua & SOS) computer, for example, requires Agave Overpass more energy than normal run time. RD to Jala & 49 Ahuacatlán & Compostella▬▬▬▬▬▬ Puente Arroyo Jala RD to Puerto Vallarta Overpass ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Puerto Vallarta Overpass ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Jala Puente Jumulco

SIDE TRIP JALA TO PV This is a new connector RD from Jala to Compostela. Once this Highway is complete it will expand to Bucerias and have various feeder roads to coastal commnities along the current highway 200. We were hesitant to even include this portion of the highway as we are not sure when it will be complete and somewhat question the valu of the road as is. If you are going to North of Tepic from PV, Highway 70 is expnsive and longer than the current road to Tepic. Additionally you must still drive the worst part- Jala's Passion Play Las Varas to Compestela - with numerous curves and slow traffic. Jala If you are driving south from Guadalajara to PV the new Highway 70 cuts some Place with a lot of sand time and city traffic from your drive. Jala is a small agricultural center of If you are driving towards Guadalajara from PV, the new Highway 70 is also a 10,000 people. The main crops are time saver. corn, sorghum, sugarcane and The current Highway 200 from Tepic to Compostela is dangerous both day and peanuts. It also has small industrial night. There are numerous curves with steep grades, no shoulders, slow from a sugarcane mill, furniture trucks and busses. When the highway from Bucerias to Jala is complete, traffic factories and packing plants. will improve as well as saftey and ultimatly lives. The main tourist activity is visiting the local volcano Ceboruco whose last HWY 15D to Tepic Highway 15D to Guadalajara eruption was 1872. You can clearly Jala to Compostela Puente see the volcanic stone on Highway Overpass 15D. KM 1 Puente Ahuatualan If you are close to Jala during Semana Santa, (Easter Week) Jala Bush & Cacti Bush and Cacti is also known for its Passion Play or KM 6 reenactment of the events leading to Overpass and including Christ on the cross. Overpass Jala is now the terminus of Highway RD to ▬▬▬▬▬▬Tepic 70 D; a stretch of asphalt from & Guadalajara Puente Compostela to Highway 15D. ▬▬▬▬▬▬RD to Guadalajara Libre Puente Overpass KM 11 Overpass Overpass RR this side Overpass Viaducto Ahulan 3 Overpass KM 17 Overpass Bush Bush 50 Puente Colorado KM 22 Best Road Map Viaduct Titalin Hands Down Puente Teetitco The best road map to Arroyo el Guayabitos purchase for your Mexican Rock and Roll road trip is Guia Roji. Many folks KM 27 mistakenly think this translates to 2 Overpasses Red (roja) Guide. In fact the name is Highway 70 D derived from the authors last name. Toll Car 95 Pesos In 1928 the Roji brothers published KM 32 Overpass their first map and since then it has Overpass always had a red cover. Agave, Trees & Bush Strangely enough in Japanese Roji Overpass means a "path through which one Puente passes" on the way (home) Scatterred Cactus Scatterred Cactus You can purchase the maps on line 2 Overpasses at www.ontheroadin.com. 2 Overpasses Once in Mexico you can usually KM 42 purchase them at Wal-Mart (such as Downhill Overpass in CD Obregon) in the magazine Tiny Puente section. Besides highway maps Guia Puente Over RR Tracks Roji Atlas' also contain some city Puente maps. Small Villiage Overpass PEMEX Puente El Bunker NUMBERS Rock Slide Barrier KM 52 Every Pemex Gas Station has Rock Slide Barrier unique numbers which make it a 2 Lanes and Shoulders perfect meeting place or directional Overpass guide. Drive Right & Around After Turn We tell you if the Station does NOT carry Diesel. Joins HWY 200 to PV 2 Lanes and Shoulders TURN TO Guadalajara KM 40 HWY 200D HWY 70 D

KM 38 Tunnell Viaducto Antonio Rivas Fields this side Hills Zona Neibla Overpass N Cars 38 pesos Toll Washrooms RD to Compostella▬▬▬▬▬▬ PEMEX 2379 Overpass Red Cross Puente Cienga KM 35 Global TURN LEFT to PV Puente Rio Compostela AFTER TURN 51 TURN RIGHT TO OXXO JUNCTION Guadalajara Toll Cuota KM 40 MX 15D Highway & Bypass Small Pullouts Small Pullouts Very Curvy Section Falling Rock

Gracias - Thanks We want to thank you for using our Road Logs and we hope they added to some of your fun and exciting travels throughout this spectaculr country. We hope you love it just as much as we do. Please write and tell us how you did and what great adventures you had. Share a picture or two on our facebook page Mexico On the Road In and Friends of Riviera Nayarit. Adios and Happy Trails. Dot and Bill Bell 52

Nogales Immigration Procedure 1. Park 2. Go to Migration. Get FMM form and fill out the form. The official views your documents and stamps the form. 3. Step outside the Migration office and you will see a photocopy hut. They will need to copy your FMM, passport, vehicle registration, drivers license. Pay the copy fees. 4 You continue to walk south from the photocopy booth where you will see a line of tellers. This is the Banjercito or Army Bank. They will enter your information into the computer and charge you the appropriate fee and the vehicle return deposit. Pay for you FMM if you can. They will give you a sticker for you to place on your windshield. 5 Put the sticker on the windshield and place the sticker wrapper, any receipts and your FMM in a safe dry place as you will need to return your sticker and documents when you leave Mexico 6 Drive out of the parking lot and into the nothing to declare line if your goods are your own, you are not bringing in items for sale and the goods you are bringing for gifts fall below the customs limits. As you drive through the customs lane, your vehicle will activate a street light which randomly selects vehicles for a search. Generally speaking the officers may look at your paperwork and poke around your luggage. This is normal. See allowed customs limits here. Customs Limits 7. Drive south and have a great trip. If you haven't paid the fee for your FMM, go to any bank and pay for it there. When you leave Mexico you must have your sicker removed and your deposit processed. Do NOT omit this as you could loose your deposit and/or returning a vehicle to Mexico may be impossible.

Border Crossings California San Ysidro, California - Tijuana, Baja California Otay Mesa, California - Tijuana, Baja California Phone: (619) 639-7100 Phone: (619) 661-3249 Open: 24 hours Open: 6 A.M.-10 P.M

Tecate, California - Tecate, Baja California Calexico, California - Mexicali, Baja California Phone: (619) 478-5545 Phone: (619) 357-7310 Open: 6 A.M.-12 P.M Open: 24 hours

Andrade, California - Los Algodones, Baja California Phone: (619) 572-0089 Open: 6 A.M.-10 P.M. Arizona 53 San Luis, Arizona - San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora San Luis, Arizona - San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora Phone: (602) 627-8854 Phone: (602) 627-8854 Open: 24 hours Open: 24 hours

Lukeville, Arizona - Sonoyta, Sonora Sasabe, Arizona - Altar, Sonora Open: 7 A.M.-12 P.M. Phone: (520) 823-4231 Open: 8 A.M.-8 P.M.

Nogales, Arizona Mariposa - Nogales, Sonora Nogales, Arizona - Nogales, Sonora Open: 6 A.M.-10 P.M. Phone: (520) 287-1410 Open: 24 hours

Naco, Arizona - Naco, Sonora Douglas, Arizona - Agua Prieta, Sonora Phone: (520) 432-5349 Phone: (602) 364-8486 Open: 24 hours. Open: 24 hours

New Mexico Antelope Wells, New Mexico - El Berrendo, Chihuahua Columbus, New Mexico - Palomas, Chihuahua Phone: (505) 531-2686 Phone: (505) 531-2686 Open: 8 A.M.-4 P.M. Open: 24 hours

Santa Teresa, New Mexico - San Jerónimo, Chihuahua Fabens, Texas - Praxedis G. , Chihuahua Phone: (505) 589-9354 Phone: (915) 764-2359 Open: 6 A.M.-10 P.M. Open: 6 A.M.-10 P.M. Texas Presidio, Texas - Ojinaga, Chihuahua Del Rio, Texas - Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila Phone: (915) 229-3349 Phone: (830) 703-2012 Open: 24 hours Open: 24 hours

Eagle Pass, Texas - Piedras Negras, Coahuila Laredo, Texas - Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas Phone: (830) 773-9454 Phone: (956) 726-2360 Open: 24 hours Open: 24 hours

Laredo, Texas - Colombia, Nuevo Leon Roma, Texas - Ciudad Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas Phone: (956) 417-5141 Phone: (956) 849-1678 Open: 8 A.M.-12 A.M. Open: 24 hours

Rio Grande City, Texas - Ciudad Camargo, Tamaulipas Hidalgo, Texas - Reynosa, Tamaulipas Phone: (956) 487-3498 Phone: (956) 787-7556 Open: 7 A.M.-1 A.M. Open: 24 hours

Pharr, Texas - Reynosa, Tamaulipas Progresso Lakes, Tx - Nuevo Progresso, Tamaulipas Phone: (956) 787-7556 Phone: (956) 565-3140 Open: 6 A.M.-12 A.M. Open: 24 hours

Los Indios, Texas - Matamoros, Tamaulipas Brownsville, Texas - Matamoros, Tamaulipas Phone: (956) 361-0074 Phone: (956) 548-2762 Open: 6 A.M.-12 A.M. Open: 24 hours 54 Tourist Cards (FMM)

Requirements to obtain an FMM Mexico Tourist Visa: Must be present Valid Passport Visa fee - if entering by land - about $30.00 USD FMM's are the most common form required for non-resident tourists entering Mexico. Nationalities eligible for an FMM VISA include Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, *Hong Kong,* Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta Monaco, Norway New, Zealand, Poland Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Uruguay, United States of America. Chinese citizens with passports issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region* If you fly into Mexico, FMM's are distributed on the plane and the fees are included in the cost of the airfare. Keep the FMM's in a safe place as you must hand it in when you exit Mexico. There is currently a large fine if you cannot produce the document. While drive-in tourists can pick up the cards at official Mexican tourist offices before entry into Mexico, there is no real advantage in doing so. The cards must be stamped and processed at the border or airport The cost for a card is approximately 300 pesos (payable at banks throughout Mexico before you leave the country) and is usually good for 180 days. You can re-enter on the same tourist card. You should return your card on your final exit from the country.

Mexico Vehicle Import Permit If you plan to drive a vehicle beyond the Mexico "Free Zone" you will need to purchase a Mexico Vehicle Import Permit. The Mexico Free Zone, is an area located along the Mexican international land borders and which run inward up to the point at which the Mexican Customs authorities have their first "interior" check point (this is usually about 20 to 26 kilometers in from the border towns - exceptions are on the peninsula of Baja California and places like Puerto Peñasco where it runs to the ocean front along the main highways. YOU DO NOT NEED A VEHICLE IMPORT PERMIT FOR DRIVING IN ANY PART OF THE BAJA PENINSULA OR THE SONORA FREE ZONE (In Sonora, you are only required to obtain a permit if driving further than kilometer 98 of Mexican Federal Highway No. 15.) 55 NOTE: YOU CAN OBTAIN A "SONORA ONLY" VEHICLE IMPORT PERMIT IF YOU ONLY PLAN TO TRAVEL IN THE MEXICAN STATE OF SONORA. The temporary vehicle import permit can be obtained from Banjercito, the official Mexican issuing agency. It is valid for any type of vehicle, weighing less than three tons, for up to six months (180 days). The permit may be purchased online at the Banjercito website. Banjercito Website

Important Documents Needed to Apply for a Mexico Vehicle Import Permit 1. Evidence of Citizenship, i.e. A Government Issued Passport 2. If you are not a Mexican citizen, a Mexican immigration permit-such as a tourist, business or immigrant permit. 3. The Vehicle Title and registration certificate. A bill of sale is not valid proof. 4. A Valid Driver's License with photo. 5. Certificate of canceled import permit for any prior temporary import permits. 6. If the vehicle is financed, is a rental car, is leased, and/or a company car, a notarized letter of permission for importation of the vehicle into Mexico is required from the lien holder or lending institution. 7. An International Credit Card (American Express, MasterCard, Visa) in the name of the driver of the vehicle. 8. If the title of the vehicle is in the name of a spouse, child, or parents - a birth certificate must be presented or a marriage license. These documents are needed when you travel to Mexico whether or not you purchase your vehicle import permit online or not. Documents Required for Pets Entering Mexico

While the regulations requiring a Pet Certificate of Good Health have been on the books for quite some time, in practice they were not readily enforced. This is no longer true. To avoid a costly quarantine or to be sent back, it is a better strategy to have the permits in hand. Note that dogs and cats that are three months old or less may not legally enter Mexico. The Mexican Consulate website (Consulate's website) states that: Travelers wishing to travel to Mexico with their dogs or cats must obtain beforehand the following documents: 1. A Health Certificate issued by an official authority or by a licensed veterinarian provided that his signature is approved by a State Veterinarian, and 2. Proof of vaccines against rabies and distemper, administered at least 15 days before the arrival of the pet in Mexico. No consular certification is required. Other (Form 77-043) An International Certificate of Good Health is issued by a licensed veterinarian and the signature must be approved by the State Veterinarian who has examined your pet. Check before you leave the vet's office that the certificate: a) states your full name and address b) contains the actual vaccination dates c) describes your pet species, age and sex d) verifies your pet has been examined and has been found free of all contagious diseases. As with all of your important documents, ensure you have more than one copy. Mexican Consulate Website