El Salvador, CA1 or CA2?
 

I plan to leave for TDF in October and will hook up with Bob Forsee another HU member in McAllen, TX. We plan to ride to Panama and fly to Bogota. I have a Nelles map of CA and it shows two routes across El Salvador, CA1 being more inland and going through San Salvador. Then there's CA2 following closer to the coast and hooking up with CA1 just before entering Honduras. Which of these would be the preferred route?

Harold

You cn also bypass ES.

Lone Rider,
Can you furnish more info, like routes, and towns to pass through? With the map I have I'll be able to trace it.

Thanks,
Harold

bypass El Salvador
 

In 05 I traveled south and by passed El Salvador, and then on my return trip north I traveled through El Salvador on CA1. CA1 through El Salvador was a good road. Maybe too good. It certainly was not the most interesting road I traveled in Central America.

Unless it is important to you to travel through El Salvador, my recommendation would be to by pass El Salvador. Cross from Guatemala at Copan Honduras. Copan is an interesting town to spend the night, and you are sure to meet lots of travelers. This might or might not involve a few extra hours of travel, but for sure you are going to save a few hours with one less border to cross. The route through Copan is all paved to Nicaragua. Copan to HWY 5 near San Pedro Sula and then HWY 5 all the way to Nicaragua. The highway pretty well bypasses Tecucigalpa

Hope to see and you at the HU meeting in Viedma, or maybe in Ushuaia at Xmas.. My wife and I are flying our bike into Santiago Chile and then driving it back to Canada.

Lend,
Checked your suggested route on the map, looks very appealing. I'll run this by Bob and get his thoughts. Maybe we'll see you at the bottom.

Thanks,
Harold

Route thru Guat.
 

Harold, that is the route I planned for my trip thru Guat. I crosssed at the Copan Ruins border in 2003 and it was a piece of cake so planned to use it again. Very easy and laid back. Make sure they know you aren't coming right back after visiting the ruins. They have a temp exit "thingie" for a ruins visit then return to that border. Not what we are doing this time. Not far out of the way at all.
Rick

CA1 or CA 2???
 

OMG.....there is no question ...use CA#2.....it is fantastic for motorcycles, lots of twisties and fantastic views. I have done it twice and am going for my third time on a sport bike. You will love it.....LISTEN TO ME CARRETERA #2 IS THE WAY TO GO!!!! fOR THE VIEWS ALONE.....IT IS A PERFECTLY PAVED ROAD. For a treat...stay at Casa de Mar in Libertad....playa Sunzal!

Lizanne

Lizannalot@aol.com if you have questions

CA2, baby
 

Gotta agree with that - CA2 is an absolute saucy belter of a road, especially from the Guatemala border to La Libertad. Coils of bends, deserted surfer beaches, amazing views of mad waves crashing into black sand. Pity it only lasts a couple of hours.

Ca2
 

And I'll go along with CA2, too. El Zonte Surf Camp, around 60k's West of la Libertad gets my vote for a great little stopover, too. Especially if you surf.

Ca-2
 

I agree with CA-2 by the way I spoke with Bob before I left Miss. I had hoped we might hook up.
I am currently in San Jose Costa Rica. I decided to study spanish before going on to TDF. If you pass through San Jose I am at the Cacts Hotel, Bareo Mexico, San Jose.
Ride Smart don't miss Antigua, Guatamala or Granada, Nic.
Pappy:scooter:

Managua!!!!!!!!
 

Did you say Managua???? Dan?........the great Lizanne is in Leon!!! cha cha cha!!

CA-2 of course.... brand new pavement, twisties by the cliffs, tunnels, and little traffic. You can bypass ES as they suggested before, but it's a long way.

Although, the good thing about bypassing ES through Honduras is that you save yourself one border crossing.