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LUGGAGE & BIKING IN MEXICO
Mexico Connect Forum Discussion Threads
Posted by Brandie on August 10, 1999
I'm planning a trip of indefinite length starting in November, and I had planned to drive but my car is not doing so well. If I take a Greyhound bus to the border, I can bring my bicycle and several pieces of luggage. Will I have a problem putting these items on a Mexican bus on the other side? Thanks for any input.
Posted by wow on August 10, 1999
I don't think you'll have a problem with being allowed to check that amount of luggage on Mexican buses, if that's what you're worried about. You'll want to keep an eye on things when you transfer, but you should be ok as far as things not disappearing on first class buses (strongly recommended for inter-city travel). You say you are going on a trip, though, not going to a specific destination, so here's something to think about. A trip to me means a lot of travelling about, and the more luggage you have, the more hassles it creates for you and the less flexibility you have. If you are rethinking your trip because you're going by bus, not car, why not skip the bike and most of the rest of your stuff, and just go with a backpack? I've found that the longer I go, the less stuff I need because I do laundry and replenish along the way. If you are travelling on buses, it's very important to be able to carry all of your stuff by yourself. As for a bike, Mexico has cheap and frequent public transport that goes virtually everywhere. Riding a bike doesn't strike me as very safe there, and in all my travels I've never wanted a bike along. Post again if you're interested in this type of rethinking and I'd be happy to give pointers.
Posted by Brandie on August 10, 1999
Thanks for the advice. Actually, I don't have a specific destination in mind, but I'll start looking in the Puerto Vallarta area. I hope to get a long-term rental pretty soon after I arrive, so lugging my stuff around won't be a problem. I'd hate to leave my bike behind, as it is a source of comfort to me, strange though it may seem. I am a woman travelling alone, and I feel more confident riding my bike than walking. I'd like to hear why you think it's unsafe. As for the other stuff, I'm really not a heavy packer, but I'll be taking some supplies for my business, including a sewing machine (I make quilts and sell them, and I plan to continue to make them down there and ship them back to the states to be sold). So I have one whole trunk just for that stuff, which I suppose I could have shipped to me, but I figured it would be pretty expensive to ship a 60-pound trunk. I'll be happy to hear any more pointers if you have them!
Posted by wow on August 10, 1999
That all makes sense to me, especially bringing your trunk of quilt stuff with you. You probably have figured out that it is more expensive to rent a 'base' and then pay for accommodation again when you leave it to visit other places, but then you have a home. PV is nice, especially the old part, south of the river. I have never had a bike in Mexico, although I do like to bike in the states. It seems dangerous to me because the streets are narrow and have really rough cobblestones, the drivers are maniacs (ok, not all of them, but none are used to sharing the road with bikes), the residential parts of PV are super hilly, and PV and Mexico in general is set up for people to walk and use buses. Mexicans don't bike much. I can understand needing to bring things that will help you feel safe, but think about this ... If you're walking past shops every day and say hello each time you pass, you are doing as the locals do, and you'll start to feel connected. If you're on a bike, that may not happen. By the way, there are places in PV that rent mountain bikes for guided excursions up the river, so you can rent a bike, or maybe buy a used one from them. Their trips were a little too expensive for me. You could also post a question on biking in Mexico, and maybe you'll hear otherwise from folks who have actually done it. A good site for a younger set of travellers is lonelyplanet.com (Thorn Tree Central America branch). Hope that helps, and do post again.
Posted by wen on August 10, 1999
Brandie,
Please look down the board to see my suggestion for searching for a long-term rental.
I spent some time last winter staying in Puerto Vallarta with two of my kids. We had a marvellous time and I was pleasantly surprised to feel very safe the whole time I was there. The main drawbacks that I see about riding a bike rather than walking are:
Narrow cobblestone streets in Old Vallarta.
Many fast moving local buses and heavy pedestrian traffic.
Local buses go almost anywhere a bike would go including all of the out of the way communities in the area.
Maybe the biggest deterring fact, I predict would be always to have to lock the bike up and even then not knowing if it would still be there. I love biking at home and always wonder about taking a bike with me to Mexico and always end up leaving it home as one more unnecessary item. Buena suerte! wen
Posted by John Cummings on August 10, 1999
The Greyhound bus will take you right from San Diego to the bus terminal in Tijuana. You do NOT need to get off at the border. My wife travels frequently on the bus from San Diego to her hometown of Culiacán, Sinaloa. She gets the Greyhound bus in downtown San Diego which takes her directly to the connecting bus into the interior of Meixoc at the main bus terminal in Tijuana. Make sure that you specify which bus terminal. You do NOT want the terminal in downtown Tijuana. There are several bus trips per day to/from SD to TJ. The cost is about $6.00 each way.
Posted by Roger on August 10, 1999
Brandie,
You've received lots of good info to think about. It may or may not suit your needs and preferences. I've done buses in Mexico; Juarez to CHIH and back; Irapuato to CHIH and back; etc. Lots of luggage to handle on a bus can be a big hassle. Affluent Mexicans do not bike much. Poor Mexicans do; as well as use every other means of conveyance. Cobblestones could be a problem. Have fun. RB
Posted by geri on August 11, 1999
While it may not be the easiest trip you've ever made, it is the Mexican way to bring many boxes when traveling by bus. I have met families who are moving from one place to another with just about all their household goods. (yes, on first class buses). There are usually plenty of eager luggage handlers around so have plenty of cambio available.