Would you go to Mexico as a tourist today?

Quote: Nareed

I have to ask: in any foreign trips you've taken, how many times have you stood trial?



You can say whatever you want in Mexico, without drawing judicial notice from the authorities. Notice from somewhere else, though, is another matter.

Thankfully, I have never stood trial. I did get a warning ticket once in BC because I was fishing illegally and was using my lure "out of the package" (it had to do with single barbless rather than a treble barbed hook).

Yeah I've seen the bodies of people calling for action against the cartels with notes saying exactly who did it next to them. It's not like I'm going to call for public marches against them or anything, but I just wouldn't feel safe... anywhere down there except staying in a mega resort 24/7. If I were to do that, I'd rather go somewhere I did feel safe (most of those countries listed).

Lastly, so you guys don't have "hate speech" laws down there? Like how Michael Savage is banned from the UK, Brigitte Bardot has been fined numerous times in France and Canada also fines (the only situation I remember was a University president threatening Ann Coulter before she did a speech up there). I know there's a limit in the US too, but it's rarely enforced and only used against groups that call for bodily harm (and have actually followed through?) like the KKK did in some states. I'm not a lawyer, but I know there is some kind of limit.

Chile and Argentina are alternatives. Both countries have strong economies. My daughter sent back pictures from San Pedro te Atacama that are stunning.

Quote: Nareed

I have to ask: in any foreign trips you've taken, how many times have you stood trial?

A better question would be about interacting with the police and other law enforcement agencies and how much that might cost (in all its meanings).

Quote: Nareed

Mex City to Guanajuato is about 350 kilometers, which I've been able to cover in under 4 hours by car. The bus should take 4.5 hours at elast, more likely 5, and no buses to Guanajuato depart from the Mex City airport. You'd have to take a cab to the North bus terminal first, braving city traffic all the way.

From the Mexico city airport bus terminal there are only two northern cities you can go to. The small town of San Juan del Rio, and the larger city of Querétaro (25 buses per day, 269 pesos per person one way, 140 miles one way).

From Querétaro bus station to San Miguel De Allende it is 66 miles, and it is 85 miles to Guanajuato. While a second class bus is the cheapest way to go this final distance, you can usually negotiate a taxi for 400 or 500 pesos.

Alternatives including flying to Bajio Airport (BJX) which I mentioned earlier. There are flights nonstop from several American cities. It is a very short taxi ride to Guanajuato (37 miles) , and you can take a shuttle to San Miguel (85 miles). You can pre-arrange the shuttle, but I get the feeling they meet all of the flights from the USA just in case.

Another alternative is to take a taxi from Mexico City airport to the bus terminal with the acronym TAPO (Terminal de Autobuses de Pasajeros de Oriente ). Write the aconym on a piece of paper or make sure you say autobus, so people know what you are saying. It is less than 2 miles from the Mexico City airport. From there you can get a bus to many places. If you have never been to a massive Mexico bus terminal, they can be intimidating. Think JFK without the electronic signs. Buses are a competitive business in Mexico, and the companies don't post everything. It's not like the USA where Greyhound controls almost everything and most bus terminals are a single room. TAPO probably has limited service to Guanajuato, and you may have to go to Terminal Central Norte for more frequent service. Generally I wouldn't recommend negotiating city bus terminals unless you have someone who can speak passable Spanish. I would make it a last choice.

TAPO bus terminal


Keep in mind that TAPO is only one of four major bus terminals in Mexico city.


Possibly one of the biggest cultural events in Mexico is during October in Guanajuato at the Festival Internacional Cervantino. I would have reservations if you are going during this time.

Quote: pacomartin

From the Mexico city airport bus terminal there are only two northern cities you can go to. The small town of San Juan del Rio, and the larger city of Querétaro (25 buses per day, 269 pesos per person one way, 140 miles one way).

That's not so bad. Do you know what bus line it is?

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Another alternative is to take a taxi from Mexico City airport to the bus terminal with the acronym TAPO (Terminal de Autobuses de Pasajeros de Oriente ).

Not a good idea. Buses elaving from TAPO take the Mex-Puebla highway, or head towards Texcoco to go around the city before heading north. This easilya dds one hour to the trip. it might from the airport, too, at that.

The best way to leave Mex City to Queretaro and Guanajuato is by the Central de Norte, which you did note later. Getting there early in the morning is fast. Me, i take the highway a mile from my house and head towards Cuautitlan to the Mex-Queretaro highway. It's really fast.

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If you have never been to a massive Mexico bus terminal, they can be intimidating.

they can be intimidating if you've been there before, too... Another thing you should know is that there's scant signage, and none at all as to which bus you should take. It gets called on the PA, sometimes, but it's best to head out to the bus loading area and see which bus has your destination on its display, then ask the attendant if that one corresponds to your ticket. While you're at it, make sure they load your bags in the same bus.

Quote: Nareed

Quote: pacomartin

From the Mexico city airport bus terminal there are only two northern cities you can go to. The small town of San Juan del Rio, and the larger city of Querétaro (25 buses per day, 269 pesos per person one way, 140 miles one way).

That's not so bad. Do you know what bus line it is?

It's a reasonable price to get out of the airport. At your destination you can rent a car, take another bus, or get within range of an affordable taxi.

From Mexico City Airport
Querétaro $ 269 Primera Plus
San Juan del Rio $168 Flecha Roja
Cuernavaca $150 Pullman
Pachuca $150 Estrella Blanca
Puebla $200 Estrella Roja
Toluca $135 Caminante
Córdoba $420 ADO
Orizaba $375 ADO
* Rates in Mexican pesos ( US$1 > MX$13 )

So for 3 people it's about US$20 per person for the bus ride to Queretero for 140 miles, and then probably $10-$15 per person to split a taxi to San Miguel. If the taxi runs his meter it will be even less.

Compare that to US$250 for a car (for up to 3 people) to come and pick you up and drive you to your hotel.
Transportation to San Miguel

If you want real budget
At Queretaro, you need to cross the street to the second class bus terminal and take either a Flecha Amarilla or Herradura de Plata bus to San Miguel de Allende. The Flecha Amarilla leaves for San Miguel every 40 minutes, and the Herradura de Plata runs every 30 minutes, 5:00 a.m. to 10:20 p.m. Travel time is 1 hour.

However, if you are on that kind of budget, you are much better off going to Guanajuato which doesn't have nearly as many foreigners as San Miguel de Allende.

Mexican colonial cities have beautiful little boutique hotels, frequently with fewer than 30 rooms.

Quote: pacomartin

Why not go to Peru instead?

I've been! It's great. Would go again.

Quote: pacomartin

From Mexico City Airport
Querétaro $ 269 Primera Plus

That's a reasonable rate and a good line. Not as good as ETN, though, as their seating is 4 accross rather than 3.

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Toluca $135 Caminante

And that literally is highway robbery. Caminante charges just $45 from the West terminal to Toluca.

Quote: Nareed

And that literally is highway robbery. Caminante charges just $45 from the West terminal to Toluca.

Yes, but the West Terminal is 10 miles across the city and a transfer ride on the subway. I always believed that businessmen don't ride the subway in Mexico city.
As airport transportation goes, an uptick from $45 to $135 seems reasonable to avoid negotiating city transportation.

Do you ride the subway?

Quote: pacomartin

Yes, but the West Terminal is 10 miles across the city and a transfer ride on the subway.

The West terminal isn't so far from the airport. Given the overpriced airport taxis, though, it might cost you more than 100 pesos to make the trip there.

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I always believed that businessmen don't ride the subway in Mexico city.

I suppose that depends on your definition of businessman.

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As airport transportation goes, an uptick from $45 to $135 seems reasonable to avoid negotiating city transportation.

300+%? I'm certain you can get cheaper transportation from TAPO, which is a stone's throw away.

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Do you ride the subway?

Not habitually, but I've riden it from time to time. It's not unsafe at peak use times, but it's very crowded and hot down there. Most times it's pretty fast. And it's dirt cheap.