Getting around

Most RVers learn to use local transit in Mexico.  We don't have a tow car and using the RV to go sightseeing in villages and towns is impractical and often physically impossible.  Even those who have a truck or car with them often choose to use buses for urban travel.

Our trip from Patzcuaro to Morelia is a good example of what is available in public transit.  The distance involved is 50 km.  We caught the 2nd Class bus by walking to the lakeshore highway (just down the street) and handing our money to a young guy with a clipboard.  The medium-size bus took us on a quick ride north, discharging us at the southern edge of the city.  Then we caught a combi (mini-bus) to the Centro.

Bus cost for two: 50 pesos ($4.00 Cdn)   Combi: 12 pesos ($1.00)

The 2nd Class buses usually do relatively short trips between towns.  They are smaller than the city buses we have in Canada, generally holding about 30-40 passengers.  While some are modern and well appointed, others look old and battered but they always seem to get you there.  And they are very cheap.  

Combis or collectivos operate within cities and towns.  They seem to be everywhere and can move in swarms.  Sometimes they use designated bus stops but usually they are quite flexible about where they do pick-ups and drop-offs.  The standard price in this area is 6 pesos, less than 50 cents Cdn.

The combis look like minivans.  Inside there are bench seats in various configurations providing space for 12-14 people if you count the front seat.  Passengers bring a surprising amount of baggage along with them and nobody seems to mind.

Combis display the major stops on their route by signs in their windows.  You just wave down one that is heading to your destination.  In some cities, the combis seem to be organized into clearly delineated routes and companies; in others it looks like a free-for-all.

Some cities use mid-sized buses similar to the 2nd class highway buses for urban transit. You have to wonder why Canadian municipalities don't use a variety of bus sizes instead of 50+ passenger behemoths that ride almost empty for much of the day.

On our return trip from Morelia to Patzcuaro we were too clever for our own good.  We did not take careful note of where the bus dropped us when we arrived in Morelia.  We hopped off and got straight into a combi to go downtown.  So . . . at the tourist bureau we asked directions to the central bus terminal (thinking that must be where we had entered) and when we were ready to go home we took a combi to go there.  I eventually realized we were going in the wrong direction based on the position of the sun, but couldn't figure out why it was wrong or what to do about it.

The terminal was a large impressive building resembling an airport terminal.  It had ticket counters with staff in smart uniforms and computers to handle ticket sales.  We found the right desk and were told a bus was leaving for Patzcuaro in 4 minutes.  Jim gave our names and did the seat selection.  The charge was a shocking 96 pesos -- about $8 for two, twice the price of the morning bus.  We took our boarding passes and ran for the gate.  There was a security check for parcels, though not a very thorough one.

Outside the door, large modern coaches were lined up with attendants in front of each.  We presented our passes and were given a cold drink and a snack for the trip.  The seats were the size of airline business class.  They reclined and had full leg rests.  The air conditioning was set at 24 C.  A movie started as we left the station.  We were so comfortable we slept much of the way.

First Class Bus (but not the one we took)