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From ACAPULCO, GUERRERO

By Free Road

»	OPTION: FREE ROAD (only option)
	Highway MEX-200 Acapulco-Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Free road, 2 lanes, 256 Kms. / 156 Miles, 3.5 hrs.
»	WARNING BY MOTORISTS: --Many areas with road and bridge works due to expansion of highway to make it wider (effective until further notice)
	Just before you get to Tecpan you will have the option to use the Toll Cut-Off to avoid entering the town. Depending on time of day, using it may save you from 10 to 20 min. drive. The cut-off is only 4 Kms (2.5 miles) long and toll is $22.00 pesos. (Expensive for such a short distance) Drive it with precautions, there are approx. 30 Speed Ramps or Bumps on the route, mainly at the entrance and exit of towns. Some are not announced in advance with the yellow sign. Be alert !!! On this roadway you may have to pass check-points. There are general inspection points set by the Mexican Armed Forces with random locations, days and hours of operation. Check-points help in the security of our roadways. Inspections apply for all types of vehicles and you should not have major inconveniences.

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From MORELIA/URUAPAN, MICHOACAN

By Toll-Way By Free Road

»	OPTION: TOLL-WAY
	Highway MEX-14 Morelia-SIGLO XXI connection or Uruapan-SIGLO XXI connection From Morelia: Toll-way, 4 lanes / 2 lanes, 107 Kms. / 65 Miles, 1.5 hrs. From Uruapan: Free road (no toll on this part), 2 lanes, 6 Kms. / 4.5 Miles, 5 min. Note: This portion (MEX-14) has been already explained if you are coming from Mexico City via Morelia.
	Then, highway "Autopista SIGLO XXI" (MEX-37D) to MEX-200 connection (Feliciano Toll Booth) Toll-way, 2 lanes, 320 Kms. / 200 Miles. From Morelia: 3.0 hrs.; From Uruapan: 2.0 hrs.; times in previous road MEX-14 are included. For toll-way fares see bottom of this page.
	After, take highway MEX-200 to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Free road, 2 lanes, 63 Kms. / 39 Miles, 35 min. For info on portion MEX-200 from Feliciano Toll Booth to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, see below From Feliciano Toll Booth
»	WARNING BY MOTORISTS: --(None reported)  For warnings and tips on MEX-200, see below "From Feliciano Toll Booth".
	There are NO GAS STATIONS from Morelia or Uruapan to "La Unión" (on MEX-200). Be sure to fill up your gas tank!!! A Gas Station is being built on tollway at "Nueva Italia" exit; no information on opening date yet. Also other gas stations are under construction. When coming from Morelia or Uruapan (on MEX-14), to connect with Toll-Way Siglo XXI you must take exit "Lazaro Cardenas / Zihuatanejo" If you are coming from Guadalajara area (Guadalajara-Mexico Toll-way) and want to save on tolls, consider using the route "Purepero-Uruapan" (MEX-37) to connect with "Autopista Siglo XXI"; this is a free road with two lanes, mostly in good condition and fairly good road signaling. From "Purepero Exit" to "Uruapan" 113 kms. (71 miles), 1.3 hrs. Towns on the way: Purepero, Carapan, Cheran, Aranza, Paracho and Capacuaro. If coming from "Purepero-Capacuaro" (MEX-37, previous suggestion) when you arrive to Uruapan follow signs to "Morelia - Zihuatanejo" to connect with MEX-14 and avoid entering the downtown area. If you'll drive Autopista Siglo XXI around noon during the summer months in a car without air conditioner, it is wise to take along drinking water; it could get very hot, specially around "Infiernillo Dam" area.

»	OPTION: FREE ROAD
	Highway MEX-37 Uruapan-Lazaro Cardenas Free road, 2 lanes, 290 Kms. / 181 Miles, 5.0 hrs. For info on portion Lazaro Cardenas to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, see below From Lazaro Cardenas
»	WARNING BY MOTORISTS: --(None reported)
	It is heavily used by trailers. Recommended only if you do not want to pay tolls.

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From LAZARO CARDENAS, MICHOACAN

By Toll-Way (up to Feliciano Toll Booth) By Free Road

»	OPTION: TOLL-WAY (up to Feliciano Toll Booth)
	Highway "SIGLO XXI" (MEX-37D) to Feliciano Toll Booth Toll-way, 2 lanes, 38 Kms. / 24 Miles, 20 min. Note: To take toll-way follow signs indicating to "Morelia por Autopista" (Morelia by Expressway).
	Exit on "Feliciano Toll Booth" and then take highway MEX-200 to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Free road, 2 lanes, 63 Kms. / 39 Miles, 35 min. For info on portion Feliciano Toll Booth to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, see below From Feliciano Toll Booth
»	WARNING BY MOTORISTS: --(None reported)  For warnings and tips on MEX-200, see below "From Feliciano Toll Booth".
	Recommended if you want to save some time by using part of the toll-way.

»	OPTION: FREE ROAD
	Highway MEX-200 Lazaro Cardenas-Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Free road, 2 lanes, 115 Kms. / 72 Miles, 1.5 hrs.
»	WARNING BY MOTORISTS: --(None reported on portion Lazaro Cardenas-Feliciano)  For warnings and tips on portion Feliciano-Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, see below.

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From FELICIANO TOLL BOOTH (Siglo XXI)

By Free Road

»	OPTION: FREE ROAD (only option)
	Highway MEX-200 from Feliciano to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Free road, 2 lanes, 63 Kms. / 39 Miles, 40 min.
»	WARNING BY MOTORISTS: --Be alert for "Y" junctions (that separates the old roadway from the new one), slow down and follow signaling to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo (In effect until further notice) --Some areas that have been repaved do not have the traffic lanes painted yet; if driving at night be extra careful (In effect until further notice)
	Drive it with precautions, there are approx. 10 Speed Ramps or Bumps on the route, mainly at the entrance and exit of towns. Some are not announced in advance with the yellow sign. Be alert !!! On this roadway you may have to pass check-points. There are general inspection points set by the Mexican Armed Forces with random locations, days and hours of operations. Check-points help in the security of our roadways. Inspections apply for all types of vehicles and you should not have major inconveniences.

Additional Information

Roadway numbers are generally the same for free roads and toll roads heading to the same final destination; adding the letter "D" for the last ones. Example: MEX-37 (means free road), MEX-37D (means toll road). Some signaling does not have the letter "D" even thou it is a toll-way. On highway signaling: CUOTA means toll-way; LIBRE means free road.

Speed Ramps and Bumps:

For "Speed Ramps" reduce speed to 15-20 KPH (10-15 MPH) and for "Speed Bumps" make a full stop to prevent damage to your car. Speed Bumps and Speed Ramps are announced with the same yellow sign.

Types of Gasoline:

Be sure to check that pump meter is put in "zero" before attendant begins to pour fuel. If your vehicle requires leaded gasoline, some stations sell additives with lead content to add to the unleaded gasoline.

Road Signaling (Basic):

The Speed Limit in Toll-ways with restricted access is 110 KPH (70 MPH); in Toll-ways with open access is 90 KPH (56 MPH) and in Federal Highways, usually 80 KPH (50 MPH). Most patrol cars in toll-ways have radars in operation. Watch for speed limit signs and avoid a traffic ticket.

Driving Restriction (Mexico City only):

As of July 5th, 2008 "Hoy No Circula / Day Without a Car" has been extended to Saturdays for D.F. (Mexico City) and Estado de México (State of Mexico). Also, since September 1st, 2008 a new additional restriction applies to all cars with license plates other than from D.F. (Mexico City) and Estado de México. Read below.

Restriction of "Hoy No Circula" ("Today it doesn't circulate" or "Day Without a Car" for the English equivalency) is enforced in Mexico City (D.F.) only and it's based on the LAST DIGIT of your vehicle license plate. It applies to all national and foreign units, that is, to every license plate regardless of nationality. The enforcement is from 5:00 a.m. 'till 10:00 p.m. There is not restriction on Sundays.

Warning: The "Hoy No Circula" for Saturdays also apply for the Estado de México (State of Mexico); not only for Mexico City (D.F.).

See also "Additional Driving Restriction" for all vehicles with license plates other than from D.F. and Estado de Mexico; including foreign plates (plates from other countries).

To avoid "Hoy No Circula" your vehicle must pass a verification test and get sticker "0" (cero) or "00" (double cero). The test has a charge and the sticker is valid for 6 months. All vehicles with domestic or foreign license plates may apply for this optional verification in any authorized center (VerifiCentro)

If you need to go through Mexico City check restrictions carefully to avoid a stiff fine and loss of time (approx. cost of fine US$100.00 plus impounding of your car for 24 hours).

Additional TIPS

In case of an emergency when using a Toll-Way route (accident, car break down, etc.) you will get help by calling 078 (New direct free number) or alternate toll-free phones 01+800+9903900 or 01+800+2278333. In service 24 hours all year. Toll includes basic liability insurance (damage to others, medical expenses, etc).

If this is your first trip to our destination, we suggest to buy a good up-to-date road map just in case. You can acquire them in many places, even at major supermarkets.

In most highways, please look for road signs referring to the City of "Zihuatanejo"; Ixtapa is not usually posted until you get into our State.

It's recommended that federal roadways (excluding toll-ways) be driven during the daylights hours only because there are no road help services at night,  some gas stations on the route might be closed or for possible loose livestock that may be hard to see (cows, donkeys, etc).

As with all Mexican roads and specially if you are not accustom to them, please drive very carefully and preferably during the daylight hours. If an oncoming car flashes its headlights very fast, it tries to warm you of a possible hazardous situation ahead of you; slow down and be alert.

As previously advised, the Angeles Verdes (Green Angels) offer FREE motorist assistance but only from 8:00 a.m. 'till 8:00 p.m. year around. Call 078 for service. Normal response time is usually between 45 and 60 minutes. We suggested a tip for the help received.

To obtain additional car travel information for Mexico, you may use these links...

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MEXICO	USA	CANADA
-Information in Spanish and English.  -Information in English and French.

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