Mexico Federal Highway 200
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Mexican Federal Highway 200 runs along much of the extension of the Pacific Mexico coastline and is the highway that connects Zihuatanejo to Acapulco, approximately 245 kilometers (152 miles) to the south. This stretch is what is called La Costa Grande (The Long or Great Coast) of Guerrero, and it takes the traveller through areas thick with low-lying lagoons, salt flats and coconut palm groves as well as curvy stretches where the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental come right down to the oceanside.
The major intervening waypoints and towns along the road between Zihuatanejo and Acapulco are: Petatlan, Papanoa, San Luis la Loma, Tecpan de Galeana, the turnoff to Atoyac de Alvarez, Coyuca de Benitez and Pie de la Cuesta which is just outside of Acapulco itself. Driving time is 2-1/2 to 3 hours by car, 3 1/2 to 4 hours by bus.
The route is a regular two-lane, paved highway, most of which does NOT have wide shoulders (if any) or passing lanes, and carries traffic of all sizes, from bicycles, motor scooters and farm vehicles to tourist buses and semis. Pemex (gas) stations can be found regularly along the whole route.
Beware of topes (traffic bumps or "sleeping policemen") - they will spring up in front of you often along the route and are usually very badly marked. Many towns, villages and even settlements of a few houses alongside the road can have topes in front of them.
Another thing to watch out for is untethered livestoc, which is often loose on the side of the road - burros, horses, pigs - and smaller wild animals such as possums, skunks, iguanas and armadillos are also common.
Generally, the state of the highway is good without too many potholes or interruptions other than the topes. Rains during the summer months can roughen up the road somewhat but unless heavy tropical storms or hurricanes hit the area, the bridges and general state of the blacktop remain in good repair.
Because of these factors, driving highway 200 requires caution and vigilance, and as with many of Mexico's highways, it's a good idea to stay off of it after nightfall.
If you happen to get stuck after dark along this coast between Zihuatanejo and Acapulco and are looking for a place to hole up for the night, there are a couple of small, basic hotels in Tecpan de Galeana; there is a roadside hotel with pool just outside of San Luis de La Loma, and a beachfront hotel at Papanoa (Hotel Club Papanoa).
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