luke7777

Hey everyone,

I'm just getting started planning my first solo vacation (I'm a college student) and I'm looking for some advice. I haven't decided on Mexico for sure, but I'm definitely leaning that way. Given that I'm a college student, one of my primary concerns is money, and to that extent I'm trying to determine whether it is feasible and/or practical to get to Mexico by flying into a place close to the border in the US and then taking a bus into Mexico, rather than paying ~$200 more for a plane into Mexico. This is for an approximately 7-8 day trip over spring break. The reason I'm thinking about doing this is (aside from the cheaper flight) because I don't yet have a passport, and at this point I'd have to pay the fee for an expedited passport if I fly into Mexico, which I'm not looking forward to doing. I've browsed the US-Mexico bus tables, and it looks like a bus trip from the US-Mexico City takes around 24 hours, which is a very long time for a trip that's only 7-8 days total, so that wouldn't be an option, but I know there are a lot of destinations closer to the border than Mexico City.

So my second question is directly related to my first: if it IS practical to bus into Mexico, it would obviously have to be to a place closer to the border than Mexico City. I have no doubt that I could get to Tijuana or a place like that really quickly, but I'm not looking for a "touristy" destination like Tijuana, which I've heard is filled with Americans and kind of shady to travel to. I'd like to go somewhere that's more like "authentic" Mexico - not totally commercialized, nice sightseeing, the ability to experience a different culture. Alternatively, I'd love to go to one of those sparsely populated beaches that you always read about where you can rent a cabin for $15 and just kind of chill out and take in small-town Mexico (ok, I admit that I'm being pretty vague, but I'll beg inexperience).

Through my reading so far, I've come across Guanajuato as a place that fits my first description of an ideal destination, but that's in Central Mexico, not near the border. So my question is, are there "authentic", culturally significant destinations nearer to the border, that are accessible and doable for a first-time traveler? I'm looking for somewhere I can get to without spending my whole vacation on a bus from the US to Mexico.

Alternatively, if you'll suggest NOT starting out in the US and instead flying directly into Mexico, can you suggest a destination that fits my description, again that would be accessible for a first-time traveler who feels a little apprehensive about going abroad by himself?

Finally, another, different question. Like I said, I'm traveling on a budget. If you'll suggest flying straight to Mexico, I think I can find tickets for around $450 RT. I can find tickets to Nicaragua, Peru, or Bolivia, all countries that I'm very interested in traveling to, for about $575-600 RT. I've read that Nicaragua and Bolivia are two of the cheapest destinations in Central America (once you get there), and that Mexico has been getting more expensive. How much cheaper are these countries than Mexico - assuming that I travel fairly cheaply but not totally bare-bones...meaning that I will be staying in hostels or budget places, but would like to have my own room, I'll be eating out but not at expensive places, etc. Is there a site that lists an approximate "cost of traveling" for various countries? I figure it would have to be about $20 cheaper/day to make up the difference in plane ticket prices.

Wow - sorry about the length of this post - I kind of rambled. Thanks so much for any advice - as you can tell, my plans (and thoughts) are still pretty unorganized.

Luke

Stewbear

Luke you do not say where you are coming from to start, 1. You can no longer fly into Mexico (or anywhere Else) with out a paaport. Great spots to drive/bus to if you are in California are Loreto or Santa Rosalia about half way down the Baja Coast. Check it out. A bit further is La Paz. All inexpensive or expensive depending on where you stay & what you do. There are bargin places if you are not too fuzzy that are clean with private baths. Especially La Paz.

mikemo

Sb,
I'm not allowed to give medical advice, but seems like our young friend needs to trash the cm... or get help for the bp.
M

suze

You need a passport, start with that. And I don't think its practical to bus around on a short 1 week trip, from the US border into Mexido. Distances are big.

Flying into Puerto Vallarta -for example- you can find basic hotel rooms for $25USD per night. And then kick around exploring the coast north and south on a bus for cheap.

Or Ganuajuato, OK, but I'm guessing that is not a direct flight, so you'll spend some time getting to your destination.

Bill_H

<b>Or Ganuajuato, OK, but I'm guessing that is not a direct flight</b>

There are direct Continental flights from Houston to Leon, which is close to Guanajuato (~ 20 miles or so IIRC). We take this route when visiting San Miguel or Guanajuato.

Bill

fuzzylogic

Hi,

Can't really offer much practical advice - just wanted to say that it was a great post. Long, but it outlined exactly the sort of mental somersaults those of us go through who want to travel with a small budget, and want to squeeze the max out of it.

For what it's worth - if you only have 7-8 days and you want to go overseas (I guess I mean abroad, given that the US is not an island!!) - if you want to go to a foreign country - and it's your first trip - then Mexico is a good bet. No way would I go to Bolivia for 7 days.

Pay to get the passport - and put the extra cost down to a cock up - should have done it before, and didn't. Move on.

No shortage of flights to Mexico ex USA though you don't say where you will be leaving from.

suze

Luke- If you choose to go by bus, La Paz and Todos Santos both at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula could work. Though even that is a long bus ride. $15 won't get you a cabin on the beach, but say $30USD or so will find you a simple hotel room in La Paz.

Next time you read about a $15 cabin on the beach, you'll want to make a note of it, because they are pretty rare these days!!

If you get a passport and fly, I suggest Puerto Vallarta and stay in El Centro/Old Town. While it is a tourist destination (which can be a plus since more local people speak English) there is still plenty that is authentic about the place. And I know for fact there are $25USD hotel rooms.

Bill- If he flew Houston to Leon, how does he cover that last 20 miles to get to Guanajuato? A bus?

Dude

As above, not sure where you want to depart from. Anyway, there are lots of places. E.g. a few years back I rode Greyhound from Litle Rock Arkansas to Nuevo Laredo, then via the Mexican bus system on to Matehuala, to Real de Catorce. Had a good time and spent very little. The downside was the 18 hours in a bus in the U.S. Mexican bus travel is a lot easier and more comfortable. If you are in the central U.S. a visit to Saltillo, maybe Parras de La Fuente, maybe Real de Catorce, and Zacatecas (one of the least visited Colonial Cities) would be pretty easy. You could see Monterrey too if you want a big city. You have lots of options, where do you want to start from?

luke7777

Hi, thanks for all the responses so far - keep them coming! To clarify, I will be leaving from Raleigh/Durham, NC, so bussing all the way to Mexico is not practical for me. It sounds like flying in is going to be my best option. If I may ask, fuzzylogic, why would you not go to Bolivia if only traveling for a week? Because of the longer plane ride, or some other reason? I've actually been reading about Bolivia and am somewhat fascinated by it. How about one of the closer destinations vs. Mexico - like Nicaragua, or even Honduras?

Thanks again,
Luke

fuzzylogic

Luke - the main reason is that I don't see the point of spending all that money for, maybe, 6 full days.

Where would you be able to to in 6 days?

Look, I confess I haven't been there yet - YET - WHY? because when I go I want to have lots of time, and I would want to combine it with other countries in the area.

Maybe I work to a different paradigm - short on time - go somewhere close. Want to go somewhere distant - forget one week - make it 3 or 4 or 6 - or months if you can manage it.

And in case you are wondering - that is exactly what I do/have done.

The other reason is that this is your first trip overseas - have you done any reading on how to get around in Bolivia? How confident are you? Are you ready to busk it? Do you speak Spanish?

If you really want to go - then go - tell us how you got on.
Geez why not....

But without wanting to sound like your gran .. if you were the real travelling type (been poring over those maps since childhood?) then you would have a passport already.

You don't - so suggest you learn to walk before you run.

The thing about Mexico is, if you want somewhere that is not inundated with Americans (that was on your wish list?) then you need to avoid the beach, and places like MA.

Here's a suggestion- fly into DF - spend a day or two - look at going to Veracruz where there is a beach of sorts and stop in Xalapa on the way back.

That'll give you a good grounding for your next trip - Bolivia,

All the best.

suze

I would not suggest Bolivia, Honduras, or Nicaragua because: 1) you have never traveled before and have zero experience with rough travel, 2) you don't speak the language, 3) you only have 6 days.

Most people who choose the lesser developed countries have traveled before. Each trip you take in your life, if you're doing it right you develop new skills along the way. Also most people doing these countries would do so as part of a longer trip (i.e., at least a month).

Luke, you gotta crawl before you walk before you run!!

I mean this most kindly and wish you only the best. That's why I recommend Mexico for a first trip. Believe me it will be plenty of a shock to your system!