Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic
Posted by Michelle  on June 9, 2014, 11:41 am
Can anyone tell me what is the safest and easiest route to Ajijic from La Manzanilla? I looks like there are two ways. The route up highway 80 through Autlan, or down to Manzanillo and over and up on toll road 54D through Colima.
I am a single woman driving alone without a dog. Any tips anyone may have that has done this drive recently would really be appreciated.
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-----------------------------Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic
Posted by Arleen on June 9, 2014, 12:47 pm, in reply to "Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic"
187.146.128.81|
Take the cuota (toll road) through Colima. It will cost you $370p and is worth every centavo. Exit at a sign for Jilquipan go towards Jocotepec and either go through it or use the bypass which says Chapala. If you need any other information you can call us at 351-5346. Hope this helps.
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-----------------------------Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic
Posted by Michelle on June 9, 2014, 12:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic"
187.148.174.171|
Thanks, Arleen! That's the way I came down and I took a wrong turn and almost got really lost. I assume that the other way has some road dangers, or you would have suggested it. I'm hoping my GPS will help with this as well. I sure do appreciate your advice.
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-----------------------------Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic
Posted by sparks on June 9, 2014, 1:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic"
187.216.136.10
Only road dangers are that it's 2 lane with lots of curves. No major weather that has damaged roads.
Once on 80 you don't need GPS until in the Jocotepec area - maybe.
If you try 80 when you come to the highway 54 crossing (Colima route) ..... cross over to the far right lane immediately and turn off to the right under the bridge. (Jiquilpan sign)
Tolls may be closer to 450
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-----------------------------Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic
Posted by Michelle on June 9, 2014, 2:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic"
Sparks,
Thanks for your input. I don't think I understood the part about taking 80 and then connecting to 54D. Is that what you are referring to? Is it a combination of the two routes that bypasses Manzanillo and Colima and connects the two further north?
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-----------------------------Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic
Posted by sparks on June 9, 2014, 2:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic"
187.216.136.10|
When 80 connects with 54D yer basically in Guadalajara ... but actually west of Lake Chapala. If you cross 54D and continue east thu Jocotepec and along the lake to Ajijic .... you miss all of Guad
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-----------------------------Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic
Posted by Jo Anna on June 9, 2014, 3:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic"|
I'd suggest, if you're going to Ajijic and returning to LM, that you consider going one way and returning the other. The Autlan route is crazy windy and steep but stunningly beautiful. The cuota has a couple of flashes of beauty but is basically a way to get from point A to point B.
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-----------------------------Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic
Posted by Michelle on June 9, 2014, 3:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic"
Thanks Arleen, Sparks and Jo Anna!
Sounds like the cuota is the way to go for the easiest point A to point B route. How nice to have this message board and such a supportive group of people in this small town.
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-----------------------------Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic
Posted by jon pace on June 11, 2014, 12:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic"|
If you take Jo Anna's advice, Route 80 north keeps you on the inner, mountainside lane most of the way through the mountains. This is just as pretty as going south but you aren't looking straight over the edge of what seem like 1000 meter cliffs. Taking 80 south is especially stomach turning for anyone riding shotgun, according to my sidekick.
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-----------------------------Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic
Posted by jon pace on June 11, 2014, 12:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Seeking Driving Tips to Ajijic"|
We just made the trip and the three tolls come to $370 as Arleen said. That is up from about $270 just a few years ago. At the third and last toll, stay to the right since the turnoff for Jiquilpan is just around the first bend after the toll and can sneak up on you. Why they don't have a sign for Jocotepec or Chapala is anyone's guess, since most people have never heard of Jiquilpan. Route 80 is about 35 km shorter than taking the cuota...and about 90 minutes to two hours longer to drive (unless you get stuck behind several loaded dump trucks in the mountains instead of just the usual one).
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