AZ to Costa Rica

[azsarge]

I realize this is a LLOONNGG shot, especially given the recent cartel activity and swine flu, but ...

Heading from AZ to Costa Rica beginning in mid- to late-June. Entering at Tecate, down through Baja, then car ferry to Mazatlan and down the coast to Guatemala and onward. Anyone else planning trips in or around these parts during this time, or even just Baja?

Yes, I have my kevlar-reinforced hazmat suit.

[10fore]

I would love to do a trip like that.
I retire in 3 years.
I will have to wait at least that long.
Have a great trip.

[Kosmo]

You my friend are either nuts or severly confident. Either way, I salute you. Have fun.

[esnx99]

my friend was gonna go from Corpus Christi, TX to Costa Rica soon in his trail teams...that ferry ride from Baja to Mazatlan is a looooonnnggg trip. Have you thought about going in thru Texas (Columbia or Laredo) and then go to Monterry to Gaudalajara to Tecoman then take the PanAmerican Hwy to CR. OR Monterry to Mexico City then to the PanAmerican Hwy. Either way Ive been driving in deep pacific coast Mexico and Costa Rica, all I can say is you will have alot of fun and adventure good luck!

[1leglance]

You should go over to expeditionportal.com and check out the forums. A group from there just went from Prescott to the Darien Gap in Panama and returned. Great trip and everyone was fine.

If you are new to multi-country overland travel if might be worth your while to look into Overland Training: North Americas Premier Expedition Institute great group of folks who have all traveled around the world in 4wd's

[azsarge]

Kosmo previously said:

You my friend are either nuts or severly confident. Either way, I salute you. Have fun.

Can a person be both?!

[azsarge]

esnx99 previously said:

my friend was gonna go from Corpus Christi, TX to Costa Rica soon in his trail teams...that ferry ride from Baja to Mazatlan is a looooonnnggg trip. Have you thought about going in thru Texas (Columbia or Laredo) and then go to Monterry to Gaudalajara to Tecoman then take the PanAmerican Hwy to CR. OR Monterry to Mexico City then to the PanAmerican Hwy. Either way Ive been driving in deep pacific coast Mexico and Costa Rica, all I can say is you will have alot of fun and adventure good luck!

Yeah, you're correct there - I think the ferry ride is almost 17 hours or so. However, I'm betting that after Tectate, Ensenada, Cabo and La Paz, I'll need the rest! Plus, I'll need to rest up for Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Ixtapa/Z, Acapulco ... man, the list goes on.

I'm actually taking the route I am due to concerns about the violence in Monterrey, Culiacan, DF (Mex City), etc. I suspect that if I hug the coast and stay in the touristy resort towns, I'll be safer than otherwise.

1leglance - thanks for the tip. I'll check out the other forum while I'm prepping my things.

10fore - don't be overly jealous. Your turn will come! This is more of a 'forced vacation' as I'm out of a job here in Asia, and have renter's living in my house in AZ! So, it's off to see the Central American countries and live in my CR condo for a while. Could be worse, for sure, but it's certainly not as good as retirement!

Thanks all for the encouragement and tips.