A friend and I just came back from a trip to Cabo. We left Oceanside on February 2 and returned on February 12. The toll booths are now 16 pesos or $1.95US. Following is a brief update on the road conditions and check points.

Approximately 4 miles south of Maneadero is a permanent check point manned by the PJR. This trip they were only searching North bound traffic, South bound they are waving people through. From the check point on for about 10 miles the road is very rough in both directions. Watch for two large topes entering and leaving Santo Tomas. From there the road is good all the way to KM 101. From KM 101 on to south of Camalu the road is rough and breaking up.

Check point 6 KM north of El Rosario is still manned by the Army. They are checking both directions. More thorough search than last fall. They are looking in vehicles and checking in luggage, ice chests and other containers. From El Rosario to Laguna Chapala the road is in fair condition with some occasional potholes. The Army checkpoint 1 KM south of Cataviña is back. They are searching vehicles in both directions.

From Laguna Chapala to Punta Prieta the road is degrading fast. There are many potholes and the road is rough. From Punta Prieta to Rosarito the road has pot holes but is in fair condition. From Rosarito on to Guerrero Negro the road is in good shape.

The check point at the Monument didn't stop us south bound, but did do a thorough check on our north bound trip. However, we talked to several travelers who were stopped at the Monument on their south bound trip and were asked to show their Tourist Cards. We also heard folks are being turned back if they do not have them. The Agriculture check point just south of the Monument waved us through both ways.

We found another good place to eat in Guerrero Negro, it is Mario's in front of the El Morro motel. They have a small bar and the restaurant is nice and clean. We had abalone (which was excellent) for 135 pesos, a combo plate of abalone, shrimp and lobster tails also 135 pesos, and a New York strip steak for 45 pesos. The steak was very good. They brought the meat out for me to see before I ordered. One of the owners, Oscar Aviles Lucero, was a very gracious host. They also do tours for whale watching.

From Guerrero Negro on to Cabo the road is still in excellent condition. 5 KM north of San Ignacio is the permanent Army check point. They are checking North bound only. At the Agriculture check point just north of La Paz they are checking north and south bound.

The bridge is still washed out at the 35 KM marker on Highway 19, north of Todo Santos. Temporary gravel road (approx. 1/4 mile) detour through vado. They are still working on the bridge.

Gasoline - there are two grades of gasoline at the new stations. One is a green pump which is 87 octane and one is a red pump which is premium (supposed to be 92 octane). Gas at the green pump is 3.3 pesos per liter (about $1.56 gal) and at the red pump 3.63 pesos per liter (about $1.71 gal.). In my El Camino I had pinging problems when I used the green pump, so I switched to the red and had no problems. Some of the new stations are self-service, pay before you pump, so it's best if you have pesos for gas as the exchange rate for dollars can be very low at these stations. This trip gas was available at the La Pinta hotel in Cataviña - green pump only.

From El Rosario to San Ignacio they have had a lot of rain recently and the desert flowers are starting to open. It should be a spectacular sight in the next four to six weeks. I will be making the trip again in late March with my wife. We will be taking a leisurely drive so if you would like us to check on anything along the route let us know.