San Felipe South road construction...

[GorditoCanadian]

We came into San Felipe from the south a few years ago. Hwy 5, past Coco’s corner i think. There was construction happening which didnt bother our dual sports. Wondering if this construction was finished and pavement laid as my daughter and i intend on riding south on this route and her bike is better suited to blacktop. Thanks!

[Sjoerd Bakker]

The highway construction was nearing completion when a hurricane came through in 2018 ( or was it "17?) and did a lot of damage ,washing out parts of the new road and severe damage to the old Mex 5 along the coast south of SanFelipe .
Riders have reported getting through more recently with no big issues ,but be prepared for some rough sections and with loose dirt as part of the detours .

I travelled Mex 1 south down all of Baja in September and saw no problem as we passed Laguna Chapala , the start point of Mex 5 .
Farther east is where the major damage was , so it may be back to a condition like your first passage , better suited for a dual -sport bike . .

[mcwhirtj]

We rode 5 south from Sam Felipe to Hwy 1 back in February. My wife still hasn’t forgiven me, lol. My experience is almost a year old so conditions may have changed, but the hurricane really did a number on that stretch. Was 90% dirt, lots of construction, many many bridges washed out with bypasses down through dry river beds. If you enjoy dirt, you’ll be ok, but if you prefer tarmac and tolerate the occasional stretch of good, graded fire road, it will be a bit of a trial.


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[Mogy]

I was through there this year in Jan south to north and really enjoyed it. Plan to go back in Feb 2020.
The hurricane did a lot of damage to the road, about 20 washouts. You had to ride in the ditch around them.
The road is not completed yet.
This is what one resident of San Felipe reported on that road in the Facebook Group, San Felipe Talk. He poted this in Sept.
"Just came thru there yesterday. They are serious about getting that road in good shape. Much of the Rosa damage is repaired and the rest is under construction. Many detours for new culverts being installed and repaving is already started. The road construction by Cow Pattys is about 1/2 complete so dirt detour is only about 5 miles now. By Cocos, the dirt section is only about 6 miles now and another 4 miles looks about ready to open. Getting to Gonzaga or Chapala is easy now, compact cars could do it with no problem."

I remember those "dirt" areas more as "sand".
Even if you have to turn around it is a great road.

[GorditoCanadian]

Thank you very much for the replies, thats exactly what i needed to know. I guess we will take #1 south, her lil Ninja will be much happier

[mcwhirtj]

Originally Posted by GorditoCanadian

Thank you very much for the replies, thats exactly what i needed to know. I guess we will take #1 south, her lil Ninja will be much happier

Considering her ride is a Ninja, in my opinion, you have made the right decision. Buen viaje! I love Baja, and San Felipe in particular.


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[SeanF]

Mex 5 is now completely paved. Coco's Corner was bypassed by a few kms, so pragmatic Coco moved his corner to be closer to the new highway!

[GorditoCanadian]

Thanks for the update Sean

[ADVTRACKER]

Did San Filipe to Bahía de Los Angeles on a Goldwing in April. Zero problems.

[GorditoCanadian]

Thats good to hear! Now that the Can/Us boarder is opening, will start re-planning return trip to Baja.