Guadalajara Travel Forum

Hi guys!
I am going to Puerto Vallarta following my college graduation in May 2005. I am planning on flying from Philadelphia, although flights are very expensive to Puerto Vallarta. I have read somewhere that people choose to fly from Philadelphia to Guadalajara and then take ETN buses to Puerto Vallarta. This bus ride is approx 4.5-5 hours long, but it would be nice to see more of Mexico and to save money on airfare. The only thing I worry about is returning to Philadelphia. You see, we would have to leave Puerto Vallarta and take a bus back to Guadalajara in order to fly home. Do you think this is possible? I am nervous that the bus would leave late, etc. and we would miss our flight. I don't speak Spanish so this is another worry of mine. Any suggestions for a new traveler in Mexico? Thanks for your help!

Jen :)

Between major centers like that I am sure that there would be buses going very frequently. My experience on Mexican buses is that they run on time and generally have no problems. Just give yourself plenty of time to ensure any delays will not cost you your flight. If you factor in the cost of the bus taxis from the airport to the bus station and any additional expenses you may incur is it worth doing???

Yes about a 5 hour trip on any of several bus lines that leave from a big "airport style" terminal located quite a aways out of the downtown and served by shuttle buses. You would want to figure out your return route when you are there, where to take shuttles from, etc. You should be able to go from airport directly to bus station by shuttle, just ask on arrival. There should be departures hourly or better.

The scenery is not exactly spectacular on most of the drive...rocky, blank soil a lot of it with stone-fenced agave fields for making Tequila. You will pass through the town of Tequila, by the way. There is some scenery as you drop down from Tepic to the coast, after that just typical third world countryside.

As far as returning, I would strongly suggest you head back to Guadalajara the day before your flight...or two, Guadalajara is an extremely interesting city and fun to hang around...lot's of great artwork in the public buildings. Orozco murals, stuff you see in textbooks. Great eating. This will solve your plane problems, hopefully. If you just come in for a single night and don't go for the super cheap places, I would recommend the Hotel San Franciso Park...walk to the Cathedral, theater, main square and Plaza Tapatio, a nice place and good connection for limos, etc. to airport. Or you could look for a hotel near airport...but what a waste.

Try to pick up the basic Spanish you can. Make a list of stuff like "How do I get to the airport" "One ticket to Vallarta" "Why are you robbing me?" (Just kidding) and have somebody write the Spanish out for you so you can just point to a line when you need to.

If you're on the East Coast, have you considered going to the Yucatan instead? Cheaper, more history, beautiful water. Isla Mujeres, Tulum are great places and might be a lot more fun for you than Vallarta, especially if you like the water...in which case DO bring a mask and snorkle.