Undoubtedly, if you look anything less than Mexican, getting a taxi in Mexico is going to cost you a lot. Especially if you’re visiting the Riviera Maya coast. This bus guide to Mexico gives you all the information you need to see this country without breaking the bank.

Mexico is generally known as a pocket-friendly country, attracting many holidayers and visitors looking for a cheap escape. What many forget to mention though, is that prices can vary significantly for foreigners and locals, and what seems completely out-of-this-world in our home countries is perfectly normal here – like buying an apple that clearly has a sticker price of $2 but the cashier making it double just for you (:

It might be too much to say that Mexico doesn’t follow any laws, but it most surely feels that way in many situations. Having good negotiation skills and being able to hustle people down will save you a bucket of money here.

Safety

When it comes to travel, choosing a bus in Mexico can be your most pocket-friendly and hassle-free option to get from one place to another. And it can be quite comfortable too. But the one question I always get is:

Is it safe to travel around Mexico on a bus?

Bus travel in Mexico is considered a safe way of traveling within and between states (please check which states you are not advised to travel to and take extra care when planning your routes through them). There were a handful of incidents in the past where buses got caught up in the local protests or acts of rebellion against the government – it’s important to note that these are not targeted at tourists and were the cases of ‘being in the wrong place at the wrong time’.

Indigenous people in Mexico have been fighting for their rights for a very long time and I wouldn’t look at this any different than I would at protests and incidents in any other city or country. We travelled on many buses and crossed many states and never encountered any issues – neither did any of our many friends and acquaintances who did the same.

ADO is the biggest bus company in Mexico and the one we used on most of our travels – it offers short and long-distance routes and is most commonly used by foreigners traveling around Mexico.

Buying ADO tickets (in English!)

You can purchase your tickets at the main bus stations and through the ADO website or app. However, these options can be challenging if you don’t speak Spanish. Many workers at the stations don’t speak English, the web translations are not always the greatest and losing a night’s sleep not knowing if you’ve booked the right trip is no fun.

We don’t speak Spanish (yet!) and booked most of our online tickets through busbud. We found the tickets on busbud almost the same price as booking on the official ADO site, the booking process super simple and we got all of our tickets and booking confirmation instantly.

We later found another platform, bookaway, for booking tickets – it is also super easy and helpful.

ADO Bus Classes

All ADO buses are considered first-class, but some come with more amenities and comfort. Be aware that ADO buses come with toilets onboard, while many other companies (like AU) don’t have them, which can be a pain (literally) on longer journeys.

Here is a breakdown of the different ADO bus types and their features:

ADO Platino
(Platinum Class)
⋅ Choice of booking reclining seats
⋅ Seats with extra legroom
⋅ Access to a VIP lobby
⋅ WiFi and cafeteria onboard
⋅ Folding tables
⋅ Air-conditioning
⋅ Charging ports incl. USB
⋅ Personal screen with entertainment
⋅ Separate bathrooms (men/women)
⋅ Travel kit

ADO GL
(Great Luxury Class)
⋅ Choice of reclining seats
⋅ Entertainment screens playing movies
⋅ Air-conditioning
⋅ Charging ports incl. USB
⋅  Cafeteria onboard
⋅  Separate bathrooms (men/women)
⋅  Choice of beverage (water/coca-cola/juice)

ADO & OCC
(Regular First Class)
⋅ Choice of reclining seats
⋅ Entertainment screens playing movies
⋅ Charging ports incl. USB
⋅ Air-conditioning
⋅ Toilet onboard

Even with the most standard options, there’s always a way to make your journey more comfortable, you just got to be a little creative like Dan below😂

What to bring on-board

Either it’s a three-hour trip or a ten-hour journey, you should seriously consider taking these onboard with you:

⋅ Layers ⋅

How you dress is important. The A/C can be very cold, especially on those longer journeys, so layer up, you can always take things off. If you can, take a blanket and extra jumper to use as a pillow (tip: travel with a pillowcase and stuff it with your clothes whenever you need a pillow).

 ⋅ Ear plugs/noise-cancelling earbuds ⋅

Each bus holds on average 42 people plus numerous movie-displays – silence is not very common.

⋅ Eye mask ⋅

For extra darkness, comfort and to block out street lamps which can seem extra bright at night

⋅ Water ⋅

Nothing worse than waking up after a nap, realising your mouth opened half way through it and the A/C turned your throat into the Sahara desert.

⋅ Book, kindle, cards, crosswords ⋅

Whatever it is that entertains you, take it with you! We always have a mini sudoku, word search, books and cards with us.

⋅  Charger ⋅

Make sure to keep your charger with you and not in the big luggage that gets put underneath the bus!

⋅ Tissue and wipes/sanitizer ⋅

For when there’s no toilet paper or soap in the bathrooms

⋅  Food ⋅

It’s always handy to have some food with you. Consider how long you might be without a meal – Are you jumping from one bus onto another? What if this one arrives late and you don’t have time to grab anything between your trips? Be safe rather than sorry!

Trip Tips

Few tips to ensure a smooth and pleasurable journey on ADO buses:

⋅Tip 1 ⋅ 

If traveling by bus with a lot of luggage, check out where the bus stations are in the town you’re traveling to, and try looking for accommodation close to the bus station to avoid having to carry the bags across the city – the taxi from bus station to hotel in a small city can easily cost you the same or more as the bus ticket that got you there from another city!

⋅Tip 2 ⋅ 

When booking seats, opt for the middle of the bus. The back seats can mean inhaling the stinky bathroom scents throughout your journey, while the front, well, they should be reserved only for the very brave ones… let’s just say the driver’s precision on the narrow, windy, cliffside roads should be enough for an Oscar nomination.

⋅Tip 3 ⋅ 

Always have pesos with you (coins are best) – the use of a toilet at bus stations costs roughly $5MXN.

Local bus travel

Locals use colectivos, which are small minivans that usually travel along a straight route between two towns. There are no marked bus stops, they pull over at the sides of the road after being waved down and you pay a few pesos to the driver (price based on travel distance). Foreigners can also jump on these to get the local travel experience, but little warning, they can get pretty crowded. Make sure to tell the driver where you’re going to ensure he stops where you need him to, and always carry small change with you – some of the drivers don’t like to give change.

Do you enjoy traveling long-distances on buses, or do you find bus travel daunting and exhausting? Let me know in the comments below!

If you’re looking for a cost-effective, comfortable and safe way to travel around Mexico and are not put off by traveling on a bus, ADO buses are the way to go. If being on a schedule, purchasing tickets and dealing with bus travel sounds a little too much for you, maybe it’s a good idea to consider renting a car for your journey.

Not sure where to go?

Start by looking at Riviera Maya in Quintana Roo. This is where you’ll find the well-known Cancun, Tulum, Playa Del Carmen and Holbox and the lesser-known Mahahual, Bacalar and Akumal (all worth taking a look at). For a little more authentic and a little less touristy coastal places, look at the state of Oaxaca and the towns of Puerto Escondido, Mazunte and Puerto Angel. If you want a different Mexican experience away from the coast, Chiapas is the place to go. Base yourself in San Cristobal de las Casas or Palenque and set off to explore the natural wonders of this state. If you’re stopping in Mexico City on the way, don’t forget to wander the streets of this city too! And maybe instead of flying from there, you’ll fancy taking a bus? 😊

Make sure to read Things to know before traveling to Mexico for important information for your trip. Not sure what to pack? Check out our essential packing list to Mexico.

Travel on amigos!

Vicky