Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

Expat42451

Jun 12, 2012, 1:31 PM

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Hello to all. I am a new member to Mexconnect. There is lots of great information here, more timely I am finding out than some of the travel forums.

I lived in Veracruz for a number of years, returning to the USA in 2009. Restless again and want to come back through Mexico headed for Central America, crossing the Darien Gap either via air or boat, farther south to South America, backpacking.

Given the problems in Mexico I would anticipate the best route for this trip is down the autopista from someplace like Nuevo Laredo, from there through Mexico City, south to Oaxaca and from there south to either Guatemala or Belize. Having owned a car when I was living on a Pensionado visa in Mexico and having driven much of the country, I find that now I want to ride and look rather than drive and concentrate.

Any advice or comments would be deeply appreciated including anyones' experience with or recommendations for which bus line to use.

Warmest Regards and thanks very much for the excellent forum and website.

Expat42451

Altahabana

Jun 12, 2012, 4:28 PM

Post #2 of 15 (3899 views)

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Groupo SENDA has direct bus service from Houston, Dallas, and other major cites south on IH 35 to the interior as far south as the DF. Google it--I can't post a link just now.

Expat42451

Jun 12, 2012, 4:45 PM

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Many thanks for the interest and information. I will check this.

Regards

Expat

tashby

Jun 12, 2012, 6:54 PM

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First of all, welcome to Mexconnect.

In general, I think the bus line you choose depends mostly on your route. Many of the major bus companies within Mexico have different lines, so the class of service is the most important thing. Where I live (central/western Mexico), ETN is the most comfortable, but others are great, too. In Southern Mexico, I think Grupo ADO is the biggest player. Again though, I'm not entirely sure about that, and it may depend on the route you choose.

You can certainly have a look at their service here:

http://www.experienciasado.com.mx/

Expat42451

Jun 12, 2012, 7:08 PM

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tashby

Many thanks for the links and the welcome..... not entirely decided that I want to do this long a trip by bus yet. Money isn't so much the issue as wanting to see more of the country, things I have missed in my almost 10 years in Veracruz (Boca del Rio) with a vehicle, but driving means you don't get to look around as much.

I ve been on the inner city buses and a few chicken buses in Mexico and elsewhere and don't think I want to necessarily go that route so.....

Many thanks for the welcome, your interest and the links

Warmest Regards

Expat42451

La Isla

Jun 13, 2012, 12:41 PM

Post #6 of 15 (3811 views)

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In Reply To

I ve been on the inner city buses and a few chicken buses in Mexico and elsewhere and don't think I want to necessarily go that route so.....

Mexican city buses and "chicken buses" are a totally different species of vehicle from the luxurious top-ot-the-line long-distances buses that ply Mexican highways.

Expat42451

Jun 13, 2012, 5:17 PM

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La Isla

Thanks very much for that. We occasionally would load up boards and ride Estrella del Oro (I think) from Boca del Rio to Pto. Escondido or Barra de la Cruz to chase waves.

The top of the line buses there are great. Totally different class of service and different attitude about riding a bus in that culture.

Regards y gracias

Homesick for the tropics Expat42451

que isla??

La Isla

Jun 13, 2012, 5:59 PM

Post #8 of 15 (3765 views)

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You're welcome.

Quote

Isla

is the translation of my last name (in Russian) to Spanish. Using it as my nom de internet makes me feel more Mexican :-) .

Expat42451

Jun 13, 2012, 6:09 PM

Post #9 of 15 (3762 views)

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Re: [La Isla] New member to Mexconnect

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Ah... understand. I found that after many years in Mexico and other places, being somewhere is such a state of mind. I lived in Boca del Rio for almost 10 years and came back to the USA in 2009. Have been homesick and miserable since then...I miss the Latin culture and the tropics. Not for long tho....... :)

Que parte de Mexico amigo?

Expat

La Isla

Jun 13, 2012, 6:21 PM

Post #10 of 15 (3760 views)

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I live in Mexico City.

Expat42451

Jun 13, 2012, 6:47 PM

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Back before Boca del Rio I lived in Cuernavaca and was with a Mexicana whose parents lived in Observatorio. We used to go across the mountain to visit her parents and then take the subway to La Zona Rosa and go dance at La Victrola--many years ago..1998. What a great place ! I have not been to Mexico City since probably 2000 but the time I spent there I really liked. A very culture rich city. Have no idea what its like today but we used to stay out way too late and party way too much there.....

Expat

La Isla

Jun 13, 2012, 7:15 PM

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I spend most of my time in Mexico at the higher altitudes - I'm not very fond of hot tropical weather, except for brief vacations. I have visited Cuernavaca many times and lived there for a summer way back in the 1970s - it was a magical time for me. In many ways, Mexico City has become a better and better place to live, at least for an expat of modest financial means like me who is a culture fiend. I've never been much into partying at clubs and such, but if that's something you enjoy, you'll find lots of places to hang out in, though possibly not in the Zona Rosa, which has changed a lot (and not for the better, for my tastes) in the last ten years or so.

Expat42451

Jun 13, 2012, 7:45 PM

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Yep understand. I liked the culture very much including the music and dance...also Palacio de Bellas Artes, symphony, museums, UNAM and the people. Good to hear that DF is improving in some ways. La Zona Rosa was a great place to go hear music and watch the people dance.... sad its changed.

I probably an am iguana because I really enjoy the hot humid weather and being by the ocean for me is life.

Expat

La Isla

Jun 13, 2012, 7:49 PM

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There are still lots of places in the Zona Rosa to go dancing, especially if you're fond of music that makes your ears bleed :-).

jemssmith29

Jul 20, 2012, 11:37 PM

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Hello all,

I am jamessmith.I am new here in this form.

Try to help me.

Thanx