Yeah, dont flash cash or electronics at the bus station, be discreet. Also, the areas around most bus stations in Mexico are sketchy, so avoid if you can, or if you are not familiar with the area.

Mexican bus lines have a monopoly over the routes, so that drives prices up, since they have to pay a fee to the federal government for the license, and a fee to the municipal bus station, that belongs to the city. Primera Plus are great, but sometimes just a tad cheaper than taking a plane. Most cities, (except for Mexico City, which has 4) have only one bus station, that has all the "certified" bus lines in one place, Sometimes you will find that there is only one of those lines going to a particular city. Or, in certain cities, that the local bus station has only one line operating all routes in and out.

There are, of course, uncertified "chartered tourist buses" that operate outside the bus stations, and are way cheaper, but they are rarely comfortable or on time.

The ones ive used from Monterrey to DF are $350 pesos either way, but is uncomfortable as hell, since they are primarily used by people that buy cheap clothes and contraband in Mexico City and take it back to Monterrey to sell in the street markets. So on the way back they literally pack the bus floor to ceiling with their loot, and you have to crawl to your seat. Even so, its a great experience talking to them, they are natural born hustlers. The other one ive used from Guadalajara to DF is $400 pesos round trip, and the bus is clean and comfortable, so its highly recomended. Perhaps i should write a data sheet.

Ill be in Monterrey for New Years, ring me up.

Quote: (12-14-2013 05:38 PM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  

Texas made, are you referring to when you say "spotters?" Are they looking out for potential heists?

Exactly. In the Army we call them spotters. Lookouts. Same shit. The are the little men on the totem pole. The get a walkie and some times a car. I was talking to one in Reynosa one drunken night.

I dont know how common it is for them to snatch cars from the highway though. 08-11 you would hear alot of stories. Not so much now. Probably look for rivals only now.

Crazy side note about spotters. In Iraq we use to kill spotters for a while. It was in our SOPs to take them out. Sometimes the spotters would be as young as 8. Still those little assholes would signal, video tape, or set the IEDs off. Those were some crazy years. I was deployed at the end when we were winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqis though.

Quote: (12-14-2013 06:18 PM)germanico Wrote:  

The ones ive used from Monterrey to DF are $350 pesos either way, but is uncomfortable as hell, since they are primarily used by people that buy cheap clothes and contraband in Mexico City and take it back to Monterrey to sell in the street markets. So on the way back they literally pack the bus floor to ceiling with their loot, and you have to crawl to your seat.

Like this?





   

Thanks guys. I really appreciate all the insight. Very useful stuff. I was actually in the Monterrey bus station back in 09. I remember getting off the bus when it landed in Monterrey. As soon as I received my bags, no more than like 3 guys came at me trying to snatch my bags yelling "boleto pagado" "boleto pagado" within seconds of getting my bags from the bus. I held mightily on to those bags, and yelled "Get off me" in English haha to see if they left me alone which they did. They got my buddy though and they took his bags and demanded he pay them 50 pesos while my buddy wanted to give them 5 haha. Good story. Ill be on my guard when I get down there for sure.

Quote: (12-14-2013 04:52 PM)TexasMade Wrote:  

Quote: (12-14-2013 03:25 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

Quote: (12-13-2013 02:32 PM)MidWest Wrote:  

Quote: (07-19-2013 05:25 PM)TexasMade Wrote:  

Taking the bus to Monterrey tonight. Driving to mcallen now. The buses leave for Monterrey every 90 minutes. About a five hour trip so if I catch the 800 should be there around one. Probably stay at some cheap spot or at a buddys spot.

Wondering if I can hit the bars tonight or just wait till tomorrow. I fucked up by leaving so late. O well.

And its raining there.

Viva Mexico.

Hey TexasMade. Do you have any information on which bus lines or express buses to take to Mexico?. Ill be in McAllen next week and staying there for a week. Then my plan is to go to Mexico (Zacatecas) by bus and taking one from McAllen. Any idea on how to go about getting a bus down there or which bus stations to go to or bus lines to take? Thanks in Advance.

Take a bus to monterrey then one to zacatecas, i don't think there are many buses that have a McAllen-Zaca route, and the ones that do are shitty and expensive. Take a McAllen-Monterrey bus, then switch to Monterrey-Zacatecas (people call it Zacatuercas).

Normal bus lines (2-2 seat config, more buses, cheaper):

Futura, Primera plus, Transportes del Norte, Chihuahuenses, estrella blanca, Onmibus de Mexico, Omnibuses Mexicanos (in the US)

Luxury bus lines (wifi, reclining seats, 2-1* seat configuration coffee/water on-board, make no stops, 10-22% more expensive):

Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales (ETN), Turistar, Omnibus de Mexico Plus

By seat configuration, the regular buses have two seats on each side of the aisle. Luxury buses have an aisle, two huge seats to the left and one single seat to the right.

My preference goes for luxury buses as there are less people, they got wifi, and some now got power outlets. My vice is to take pictures while on the road. Don't take a bus to zacatecas from the US, they are mostly small companies with sketchy buses that breakdown. Mexican bus companies have the most efficient fleet in the world (time-wise).

^^Straight money^^

Other than that, McAllen has one Bus terminal. As soon as you enter, you will be able to figure out which line to use. I use PanAmericanias??? or something to that effect. Its $26 to Monterrey. Once you hit Monterrey, get another bus from there. There are literally 30 different lines at the Monterrey terminal. Remember do not get off the first stop.

Also, I wouldn't walk around the bus terminal area at night. They rob people in that area. Knifepoint though so it's not too bad. Either way you want to keep your phone and money.

Remember to hit Cigar Bar up in McAllen. Good luck and smash some ass. I may hit Monterrey for the New Year. Let me know if you are in the area.

Thanks TexasMade. What do you mean by not getting off in the first stop? Do they have two stops or something?

Ill remember to check that Cigar Bar in McAllen. Coming from the MidWest im very excited to explore south Texas. I might even head to Reynosa as well. A friend of mying keeps mentioning this place in Reynosa called "boystown" But im not too excited about p4p. A friend of mying keeps raving about it though.

Quote: (12-14-2013 06:18 PM)germanico Wrote:  

The ones ive used from Monterrey to DF are $350 pesos either way, but is uncomfortable as hell, since they are primarily used by people that buy cheap clothes and contraband in Mexico City and take it back to Monterrey to sell in the street markets. So on the way back they literally pack the bus floor to ceiling with their loot, and you have to crawl to your seat. Even so, its a great experience talking to them, they are natural born hustlers. The other one ive used from Guadalajara to DF is $400 pesos round trip, and the bus is clean and comfortable, so its highly recomended. Perhaps i should write a data sheet.

Can you give more information about where to find those buses? i could not find anything on the internet

Quote: (12-14-2013 03:25 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

Quote: (12-13-2013 02:32 PM)MidWest Wrote:  

Quote: (07-19-2013 05:25 PM)TexasMade Wrote:  

Taking the bus to Monterrey tonight. Driving to mcallen now. The buses leave for Monterrey every 90 minutes. About a five hour trip so if I catch the 800 should be there around one. Probably stay at some cheap spot or at a buddys spot.

Wondering if I can hit the bars tonight or just wait till tomorrow. I fucked up by leaving so late. O well.

And its raining there.

Viva Mexico.

Hey TexasMade. Do you have any information on which bus lines or express buses to take to Mexico?. Ill be in McAllen next week and staying there for a week. Then my plan is to go to Mexico (Zacatecas) by bus and taking one from McAllen. Any idea on how to go about getting a bus down there or which bus stations to go to or bus lines to take? Thanks in Advance.

Take a bus to monterrey then one to zacatecas, i don't think there are many buses that have a McAllen-Zaca route, and the ones that do are shitty and expensive. Take a McAllen-Monterrey bus, then switch to Monterrey-Zacatecas (people call it Zacatuercas).

Normal bus lines (2-2 seat config, more buses, cheaper):

Futura, Primera plus, Transportes del Norte, Chihuahuenses, estrella blanca, Onmibus de Mexico, Omnibuses Mexicanos (in the US)

Luxury bus lines (wifi, reclining seats, 2-1* seat configuration coffee/water on-board, make no stops, 10-22% more expensive):

Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales (ETN), Turistar, Omnibus de Mexico Plus

By seat configuration, the regular buses have two seats on each side of the aisle. Luxury buses have an aisle, two huge seats to the left and one single seat to the right.

My preference goes for luxury buses as there are less people, they got wifi, and some now got power outlets. My vice is to take pictures while on the road. Don't take a bus to zacatecas from the US, they are mostly small companies with sketchy buses that breakdown. Mexican bus companies have the most efficient fleet in the world (time-wise).

I would guess that there would be more possibility to pick up nice looking girls on the luxury buses as compared with the ones that are either more merchant oriented or the chicken buses or the ones that look like the Ali-b bus.

I have never taken a long ride bus in Mexico, do you guys meet girls on any of these buses? or in line with the question theme of this thread are buses in Mexico too "dangerous" for the meeting of girls?

King, I dont think they are even on the phonebook. Ill give it its own post.

I have only used lines from Monterrey -Mexico City, Aguascalientes - Mexico City, and Aguascalientes - Guadalajara -Mexico City, PM me if you are travelling to/from any of those.

JayJuan, I have never done it, but a friend once picked up a girl in one and banged her in the bathroom in the back, so it can be done.

Quote: (12-15-2013 12:10 PM)JayJuanGee Wrote:  

I would guess that there would be more possibility to pick up nice looking girls on the luxury buses as compared with the ones that are either more merchant oriented or the chicken buses or the ones that look like the Ali-b bus.

I have never taken a long ride bus in Mexico, do you guys meet girls on any of these buses? or in line with the question theme of this thread are buses in Mexico too "dangerous" for the meeting of girls?

It depends. Remember, you're stuck in the bus for 4-12 hours. So if you fail, you'll be stuck there for a long ass time. Not to mention, sometimes families are scattered throughout the bus so you might unknowingly talk to someone's wife or daughter.

I've unknowingly made approaches just by making small chat to kill time (talk about traffic, then why are they going to X city, what they do) and gotten good results. Just don't think about it as game but rather "small chat".....then move to a instadate or number close 30 minutes before the trip ends.

Thanks guys. I ended up finding a First class bus ticket from McAllen to Zacatecas in Senda (Turimex Internacional) for 70 bucks. Well worth it. Had a blast. Saw many soldiers in Zacatecas and saw a narcomanta on a bridge in Fresnillo reminding me the situation that still goes on in the state. Overall it was a good trip.

Quote: (01-12-2014 11:09 PM)MidWest Wrote:  

Thanks guys. I ended up finding a First class bus ticket from McAllen to Zacatecas in Senda (Turimex Internacional) for 70 bucks. Well worth it. Had a blast. Saw many soldiers in Zacatecas and saw a narcomanta on a bridge in Fresnillo reminding me the situation that still goes on in the state. Overall it was a good trip.

That place is blasting with narcos right now. but, great place to mess around and find good looking light-brown mestiza girls who are pure.

Quote: (01-13-2014 09:52 PM)Hispanic_Reasoning Wrote:  

Quote: (01-12-2014 11:09 PM)MidWest Wrote:  

Thanks guys. I ended up finding a First class bus ticket from McAllen to Zacatecas in Senda (Turimex Internacional) for 70 bucks. Well worth it. Had a blast. Saw many soldiers in Zacatecas and saw a narcomanta on a bridge in Fresnillo reminding me the situation that still goes on in the state. Overall it was a good trip.

That place is blasting with narcos right now. but, great place to mess around and find good looking light-brown mestiza girls who are pure.

Yeah like I said, when I was arriving to the Fresnillo bus station, our bus passed by the bridge next to the station and I saw a group of police taking pictures of a (narcomanta) or narco banner while they were taking it down. Aside from that I was in Zacatecas and in Fresnillo at night without any problems walking and drinking. Im generally undeterred when it comes to cartels.

Quote: (01-13-2014 10:19 PM)MidWest Wrote:  

Quote: (01-13-2014 09:52 PM)Hispanic_Reasoning Wrote:  

Quote: (01-12-2014 11:09 PM)MidWest Wrote:  

Thanks guys. I ended up finding a First class bus ticket from McAllen to Zacatecas in Senda (Turimex Internacional) for 70 bucks. Well worth it. Had a blast. Saw many soldiers in Zacatecas and saw a narcomanta on a bridge in Fresnillo reminding me the situation that still goes on in the state. Overall it was a good trip.

That place is blasting with narcos right now. but, great place to mess around and find good looking light-brown mestiza girls who are pure.

Yeah like I said, when I was arriving to the Fresnillo bus station, our bus passed by the bridge next to the station and I saw a group of police taking pictures of a (narcomanta) or narco banner while they were taking it down. Aside from that I was in Zacatecas and in Fresnillo at night without any problems walking and drinking. Im generally undeterred when it comes to cartels.

man, ill rather walk around at night in zacatecas any time over cities like Oakland, LA, chicago, and New Orelans. not only do i fit in zacatecas, i dont have to constantly worry about some street gang fuckers trying to jump over some initiation shit, or simply they can. i have already had fuckers in my own suburb town (i live in the bay area) trying to start shit with me whenever I go on my joggs. i dont have that shit happening to me in Mexico, unless I am asking for it, which is not my type of thing to do.

and oh yeah, i forgot to mention. zacatecas is not full of desperate pussy whipped americans/middle eastern/southern euro guys who hit on anything that has a vagina, which is A GREAT PLUS.

CBC has an interactive map - http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/mex...-warnings/ - basically only a tiny part of Mexico is dangerous.

Quote: (01-15-2014 12:41 AM)beach91 Wrote:  

CBC has an interactive map - http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/mex...-warnings/ - basically only a tiny part of Mexico is dangerous.

I was in Michoacan for a week. It's part of the red area and it has been pretty crazy over there, but I still think you really have to have bad luck to get killed if you aren't associated with drugs. Partying with Narcos you realize they are just dudes that want to make a decent living. It's only a small percent that are totally fucked up.

Quote: (01-15-2014 01:04 AM)20Nation Wrote:  

Quote: (01-15-2014 12:41 AM)beach91 Wrote:  

CBC has an interactive map - http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/mex...-warnings/ - basically only a tiny part of Mexico is dangerous.

I was in Michoacan for a week. It's part of the red area and it has been pretty crazy over there, but I still think you really have to have bad luck to get killed if you aren't associated with drugs. Partying with Narcos you realize they are just dudes that want to make a decent living. It's only a small percent that are totally fucked up.

^word.

The general rule with cartels is if you don't bother them they don't bother you. Unless they kill you in a case of mistaken identity or you are at the wrong place at the wrong time. However Los Zetas are some fucked up dudes so stay clear from the gulf area. I am pretty adverse to going to these countries like Mexico and Russia where organized crimes is a mainstream aspect of scoiety. besides you never know who's girl you're hitting on. If I really wanted to get a Mexican flag I could easily get one in the next town over.

Quote: (01-15-2014 09:39 PM)viklovin Wrote:  

If I really wanted to get a Mexican flag I could easily get one in the next town over.

Mexican flags? No, you really have to come down to Mexico, there are absolutely no mexican chicas in the US...

Then I read the part that says "If I really wanted". So Im going to guess you are one of those guys that could get laid any time they wanted to. But only if they REALLY wanted, its just that im not in the mood rigt now, and there arent any really hot chicks around, just like 8s and 9s. And I only fuck 10s you know?

Have you ever been to Mexico, or Russia? Or are you just "adverse" of going there?

Unrelated maybe,just venting I guess but I cant wait to get back down there.Been about 4 years.

Drinking in Matamoros right now. 200 meters from the border. A few MILFs singing right now. Catching the 2am bus to Monterrey. Deeper inside Matamoros I may be a bit nervous but I am good now. Probably the Coronas though haha

Already.

I am moving to Queretaro for a year for school. I live in San Diego and plan on making the 24 hour drive. Should I have a different route since below Tijuana, it seems dangerous? I have lived in TJ for a month and i do stand out more than Gringos since I'm Asian.

Quote: (01-17-2014 10:03 AM)Silq Wrote:  

I am moving to Queretaro for a year for school. I live in San Diego and plan on making the 24 hour drive. Should I have a different route since below Tijuana, it seems dangerous? I have lived in TJ for a month and i do stand out more than Gringos since I'm Asian.

No. I drove to Belize twice in the last three months. People say our border state is the most dangerous. The cab driver today said we were crazy for driving and he is from Monterrey. We were the only car for a good amount of time though.

Clear the border by 6am and you are straight to drive through. If you are nervous then dont drive after 11pm. Take somebody who is from Mexico with you if possible. Hopefully you drop some knowledge after your trip is done.

Quote: (01-17-2014 10:03 AM)Silq Wrote:  

I am moving to Queretaro for a year for school. I live in San Diego and plan on making the 24 hour drive. Should I have a different route since below Tijuana, it seems dangerous? I have lived in TJ for a month and i do stand out more than Gringos since I'm Asian.

Yeah what TexasMade said is spot on. Only drive during the day. 6am is usually the time where cartels end their "work" and go to sleep. Fill up on gas on the US side in San Diego and head out. Stick to the autopistas or federal highways and youll be fine. Lots of people drive in Mexico from the US on a daily basis without problems.

I studied in Mexico in 2009 right after the swine flu scare, and I loved it, wamt to go back, but I have to say that EVERYONE I know was robbed there.

On time a group of friends were on a regular bus to visit some other city, I forget which. At bus stops in Mex random people walk on selling drinks and snacks. This time a dude with a gun walked on and robbed the entire bus, taking his time to get every single person.

This wasnt a tourist bus or anything, the regular bus anyone would get to go city to city.

Walling around late at night, in geoups or alone, lots of orher people were robbed. Some had purses snatched, some got stuck up at knife point, etc.

This was in Cuernavaca, Morelos which is generally considered a safe city.

I'm not saying Mexico is terrible or avoid it, but at the very least you CERTAINLY run the risk of getting robbed even in "safe" areas.

At a party once there was this teenage kid there talking about how he and his parents worked for "El jefe de los jefes" and had killed people, sold coke, etc. I took it as a kid just b.s.ing. But then literally a week after I left cuernavaca, I read about this, so who knows: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=we...HZ6IuXjJRA

On the other hand, knowing dozens of people who were robbed, I didnt know anyone who suffered any violence at all. Robberies were strictly business, no one got beat up or stabbed or anything. Gentleman thieves, I suoppose.