Robin's Independent Travel Guide to Mexico

The Internet has made it easy to research vacation destinations online and this has opened up the world of independent international travel to tourists like my wife and I.

Package Holidays provide a wonderful opportunity to visit new destinations in a safe and controlled environment. However, for those of us who need to explore and experience the local culture this is not always enough.

In 2006 Pat and I flew into Puerto Vallarta to start what we expect to be a life long pursuit of independent travel. Our first experiences traveling in Mexico by bus were not without mistakes and this has lead us to publish our experiences so that you may avoid some of the same pitfalls.

The following pages have been designed to provide community information and images to wet your appetite and give you the confidence to consider this kind of vacation.

Local Bus Service
Upon leaving the airport we headed for the Central Bus Terminal which is located about 2km. away. Our first mistake was to take a taxi which cost 130 Peso. We learned on our return that we could make the trip by local bus for just 4 Peso each.

Inter-City Bus Service
Do not get on the first bus you see displaying your destination.
Some buses take a more direct route and others also stop less frequently.

There are two classes of bus service between many of the major communities and while the buses may all have air conditioning and clean comfortable seats the travel times can be very different. A trip from Puerto Vallarta - Malaque will take 4:30hrs on an express bus and 6:00hrs on the other. The "First Plus" Service will also have an onboard washroom which is an important consideration on so long a trip.