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Rhager
  8/26/2015 12:16 EST

Ok so I am wanting to do something sorta adventures.
Has anyone ever taken the bus from the U.S. To Nicaragua. Or is it just way to much trouble. I never been to Mexico or the part. Was thinking that this would be a lil more budget friendly what do u guys think ??

iguanalover
  8/26/2015 12:37 EST

I have been riding buses all over Central America for decades. It isn't necessarily cheaper at all. You generally don't ride at night and you have to get hotels and meals. When you add that into the cost, it is usually equal to or more than airfare. If you want to stop and look around on the way, buses can take you to great places. We have had some incredible bus rides.

Good buses aren't cheap and an inexperienced bus rider might not like the cheap buses. Assume that the buses will be very noisy, we carry industrial strength ear protectors, and the expensive buses can be meat locker temps with the air conditioning.

I would fly into one country and then get some experience on the ground before I attempt a long overland bus trip. I would also be able to converse in Spanish.
www.thebusschedule.com can give you good information about in-country buses and is generally accurate. International buses usually have their own web sites.

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Rhager
  8/26/2015 12:42 EST

iguanalover
You make a good point. I think I can find a pretty decent deal on airfare

KeyWestPirate
  8/26/2015 13:00 EST

There IS a direct bus from Tapachula (guatemala border) to Nogales, 3 days, $99. My understanding is, it just keeps trucking except for meal breaks.

I dealt with an agency in Huitxla, which is between Tapachula and Arriaga. I have not actually been on the bus.



Now, you would have a better selection of buses to Mex City, and you could then pick up a bus to either the border or to Oaxaca. Oaxaca is five hours by bus from Mex City.

There is a LOT to see in Mexico.

Mexico is ONLINE big time, unlike Nicaragua, so I suspect that you will find much of what you need on the internet.


I would assume there would also be a direct bus to other major border points like Ciudad Juarez.

From Nicaragua I don't know of a direct to the border bus. You have to do Nica or Tica BUS (or SOL, lower end but cheaper) to Guate City and get a bus to the border.

novato1953
  8/26/2015 13:11 EST

Don't get on the Panama City-bound Greyhound and wake up in Florida, even though the fare will be cheaper.

elduendegrande
  8/26/2015 15:27 EST

One of my pipe dreams was to do my annual trip to the US by bus and stop and smell the roses on the way. It got shot down real quick, first by cost and then by time, and then the ultimate kick in the teeth is the US bus service from the border to home, although if you are going to one of the main cities like L.A. you can tough it out on one of the Latino express bus lines that go from the border. try 'border limo' on the net.

There are still places I would like to see in Mexico, but if you plan on a semi-pleasant trip you are looking at 10 days or more, depending on your stops. If you try to push it to save time, its the sardine experience. rt flights from many locations to MGA can be had usually in the 500-800 range and you just can't beat them by land.

The last time a took a good international bus from esteli to guate it was like 80 usd, so getting all the way to the US with reasonable stops for comfort would add up quick to more than the cost of the plane.

ONe trip I still would like to do, which would not pan out money wise but would be fun , would be to fly to DF and then leisurely bus the way back to Nic. and see the sights.

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tommyhawk
  8/26/2015 17:57 EST

Spirit the next couple months have many flights to Houston for $100-150 and even cheaper from San Jose, CR. These prices border on unbelievable.

michaelbrazell
  8/26/2015 18:22 EST

if you can get to mexico city, tica bus goes all the way to panama but only stops in one city in each country for overnight except Honduras where it does not stop. I realize you want to go to nica. so take the tica bus all the way to managua

michaelbrazell
  8/26/2015 18:26 EST

one thing about spirit airlines, don't miss your flight because they won't let you reschedule. you miss you flight and you buy another ticket but at the prices now being so low it doesn't matter

KeyWestPirate
  8/26/2015 19:13 EST

Does Tica Bus go all the way to Mex City? Didn't know that. . .

Handy.

What's the fare from MGA?

Buses seem to be more competitive in Mexico, and quality of the bus is good too.

michaelbrazell
  8/27/2015 06:16 EST

4 years ago I used tica bus for a round trip from guatemala to panama. don't remember the fare but I think it was less than $200. first stop was el savador ( bus didn't stop in Honduras ) where there was a hotel at the bus stop. I stayed 2 nights there, I think if you wanted too you could have continued the ride, not sure. next stop was manaqua. rather than telling about the whole trip I wanted tell about the conditions on the bus. it was like a greyhound bus in the USA. so bus was nice but you felt caged in. the was a closed door in the front aisle and curtains up so you could not see forward. the worst thing is the airconditioning which apparently had no thermostat. it was nice and comfortable in the daytime but you froze at night. they handed out blankets the size of a beach towel and not thick enough to be of must use. wear a thick coat. if you don't have one buy one, it will be worth the price for the comfort

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KeyWestPirate
  8/27/2015 08:31 EST

I've heard AC on Tica was cold, even by day, and this has been the case in all the NIcaBuses I have taken as well.

I agree, bring a jacket. NicaBus hands out the little blankets, and they do help.

I didn't know that TicaBus goes all the way to Mex City. The southern part of Mexico is very scenic.

I've driven a lot in Mexico without any hint of problem. Roads are very good.

elduendegrande
  8/27/2015 10:42 EST

The international buses go to Honduras, some to SPS and some to tegus, You switch buses somewhere near the salvador border. Same deal going to Nic==some buses go thru leon and others thru esteli--see their website to figure it out.

the last time I was stuck in sps trying to get back to esteli I figured the cost and time for the international buses and the chain of local buses was about the same, but the international buses have the edge on comfort and safety. It can take up to 5 local buses to get from tegus to esteli thru las manos.

novato1953
  8/27/2015 11:17 EST

For a rookie traveler to Latin America who speaks no Spanish only one thing is certain. That trip will loom very large in your psychic memory. Could actually change your life, for good or for ill. Any back problems now? On the other hand, flying costs fewer dollars and it will be easier. Not on Spirit Air, of course, where the weak are killed and eaten, but otherwise.

michaelbrazell
  8/28/2015 09:16 EST

don't know if tica bus goes to mexico city was told that it did so I accepted the info. never had the urge to go there so never checked on it. I think you can go on line and get the info. for new gringos wanting to travel on other buses through out the country you are in you can't believe the bus attendants and drivers as to where the bus is going. happened to me in Guatemala and costa rica. in Guatemala if it hadn't been for a helpful local man I would have gone out of my way for a whole day trip and the cost of. in costa rica it was a small delay. I ask the driver if the bus was going to Alajuela and he said " si, directo ' it didn't, it went to san jose where I had to back track. only 1 hour in all. so be aware. all said and done you may never have the same problem, cheers

elduendegrande
  8/28/2015 11:39 EST

One thing I have seen in Nic is that the bus drivers and attendants bend over backwards to be helpful, not so much so in the other countries. In the whole region, it always pays to double check on bus info because there are often multiple buses or multiple routes going from the same stop.

In Nic, always double check on buses, even if there is a sign posted and watch out for lines that don't run on Sundays. Buses are individually owned and occasionally are quirky. If the bus or the driver isn't ready, it doesn't run.

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