Traveling from Miguel Hidalgo Airport to Mazamitla

Hello all,

I'm an experienced traveler in Mexico but will be making my first trip to Jalisco in the coming weeks. I have an early flight into Miguel Hidalgo airport and upon arrival, I'm planning on driving to Mazamitla for lunch. Not being familiar with the area, is there anything about the drive I should know about before? Any safety issues? Googlemaps estimates the trip to take about 2 hours and 20 minutes -- is that accurate? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

- Pedro

Parts of Hwy. 16 - the Hwy. on the south side of the lake is under construction. I'd add a half hour onto your Google Maps estimate.

What route are you planning on using?

Judging by google maps I would take the 80 to the 15 to the 405. Unless someone has a better route they'd be willing to share.

The airport is on 44, so 44 to 15 to 405. There is supposed to be construction but there are alternative roads.
Airport to Chapala to Jocotepec to south shore to Tuxcueca to Mazamitla. I'd say about 3 hrs.

First of all, Welcome!  The worst/most fun, depending on your perspective, is the road through Ajijic, then on the south side, congestion through San Luis Soyatlan.  The only road through Ajijic is narrow and congested with many topes.  Take the by-pass around Jocotepec (just before Joco, exit right at the overhead sign marked Guadalajara, just past the new hospital, there is a big tree blocking much of the sign), the view from the giant flag-pole up there is wonderful.  Once on the 15, the road is much improved passing Jocotepec and through to San Luis Soyatlan.  In SLS note the local icon, Oscars vampiro stand, that largely is the cause of the congestion through town, especially on weekends.  Construction starts east of SLS and extends to Tuxcueca.  The highway to Mazamitla is good.  The views from up there are wonderful. No safety issues.

Do you know someone there? It's about a 3 hour drive. Kinda far for just lunch?