Looking for info on the route from the airport up to Punto Pescadero on the Mar de Cortez side (Gulf). I have never driven this road and wondering about the condition and time frame. On the map it looks like it is paved to Los Barriles, and about 12 miles dirt. I know that it is a sure thing to go down from La Paz, but it is close to twice the distance. Thanks
The paved road that goes up the coast form Los Barilles has some wash outs that would be hard to see at night. Small rocks mark the areas where the road is nonexistent. As for the dirt road that comes up from Los Barilles to Punta Pescadero, it is now passible. They were doing work clearing the various slides that have occurred, and they were almost to Punta Pescadero 2/9/08. The road is "Feo", but makeable in a small vehicle.
Road is in as good of shape as ever. A few river crossing are under construction so might be a few delays, and a few sections are faster then before around some turns, so watch your speed around the new aspalt. Still plenty of cows in between Mulege and Loreto that graze right along the road. I drove back 4/14/08 with no major problems. only one military stop outside of Loreto, but don't DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT!!! I heard of a recent fake military stop near Mulege staffed by Bandidtos, but only at night. No real proof, but we saw some of those burning oil can fire lights in a random spot up there. It looks like they had been used recently and abandoned.
I was shaken down in Ciudad Constitucion though, by the friendliest cop ever. He said that I did an illegal U turn $35 USD and for that was driving reclessly $35 USD. What I did was turned in a dirt lot going about 2 MPH, but he didn't even see me do it. He saw me driving through town and was going to get me either way. He had a big smile and was very nice as he robbed me for doing nothing wrong.
I was told that I should have pulled out $20 and told him that he should take it and not write me up. As it was, I paid him $700 pesos and he still didn't give me the ticket. It was Sunday and I was going to have to wait till monday for the office to open to get my receipt. Being on my way back to work, I was out of there minus $70 USD.
Good luck and have fun. I wish I could drive back down there!
