Hansen - 2-23-2009 at 09:24 AM
I'm driving down to Loreto in March accompanied by a friend and we are trying to find an economical way to get him back home to Ca. One way airline
tickets out of Loreto are outrageous ($700) so I'm looking at San Jose del Cabo ($200) but I need some information on bus trips from Loreto to the
airport in Cabo. I believe the bus company is Aquila Transportes but I haven't been able to find a schedule or price. Anybody have any info? Muchas
gracias amigos
Mango - 2-23-2009 at 10:23 AM
Most(if not all) long distance buses picking up at Loreto will be del paso buses. Which means that they will most likely start their route
in TJ and finish in Cabo or La Paz. Del paso translates roughly to "in passing" It pulls in for a 10 minute stop and you jump on.
This happens at various stops along the way, some stops are longer than others. Often times these buses can arrive hours after their scheduled
arrival times due to traffic and road conditions. They have two, sometimes three drivers that take turns driving while the other(s) sleep.
So I wouldn't really worry too much about the schedule - it's Mexico. You don't want to cut it too close with the transfer at the airport. I'd think
planning on getting there the day before the flight leaves would be the safe bet, or arrive early and fly out late the same day if your feeling
dangerous. Fortunately, the buses are usually not that late.. but they can be.
Usually, I just stop at the bus station the day before I intend to leave and buy a ticket for the next day. Your friend will have to put his main
bags down below. Have him take a day pack to carry on the bus and put any valuables, snacks, ipod, water, TP, etc inside it and keep it near.
Don't forget a sweatshirt for the way too cold A/C that many buses tend to have.
I hope this helps some.. not too many particulars since I haven't taken the bus on that route; however, I've taken buses all over Mexico for years so
let me know if you have any other questions.
You might find this link helpful as it talks about buses in Mexico:
http://www.mexfish.com/baja/baja/af040227/af040227.htm
Diver - 2-23-2009 at 10:23 AM
I have never been able to find a website for Aguila.
ABC also does the Loreto - Cabo route;
http://mr.mardecortez.net:8124/home.html
Anyone have an Aquila website ?
LTO
djh - 2-23-2009 at 10:59 AM
Yes, buy your ticket a day or two before you travel. ~ at the station, which in near the large traffic Circle in Loreto (near the college, INM, etc.)
Busses stop in Constitution and La Paz for a little while, and just quick stops in Insurgentes, Todos Santos (for that route), etc.
Comfortable and reasonnable prices. I've done this myself severeal times ~ no problems.
dtbushpilot - 2-23-2009 at 11:13 AM
Seems to me that if I were going to take a bus ride for half of the peninsula I would head North and skip the plane ride....unless I'm missing
something.....dt
Bajahowodd - 2-23-2009 at 11:28 AM
dt makes perfect sense. Especially true if your friend plans to arrive in San Jose early for the flight. Bus will leave him in town, and he'll need to
take a cab to the airport. No accomodations at or near the airport. So, given the time frame, he could be at the border in as much or even less time
by taking a Northbound bus.
rhintransit - 2-23-2009 at 03:29 PM
agree with dt and bajahowodd. but TJ is a grueling 19 hr ride and if you have to ask about buses/schedules/etc you and your friend are probably not
ready acclimated enough to do it. yet.
Loreto to La Paz is 5 hrs. mas or menos. about 40US one way last time I bused, could be higher. there are schedules, they are roughly followed
but traffic, etc, means they are approximations.
bus to Cabo, count on about 3 plus. that means to Cabo. dp bus doesn't stop at the airport, you could get out and walk, I think it's about a mile
or so. no local buses, taxi union has that sewn up. you could do a middle of night bus and count on getting there in time for the plane the next
day. or spend the night in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo. plan to spend a fair amount on hotel and cab fare. plus bus. I'd opt to go to La Paz a day
or two early, get a reasonably priced room, enjoy the city, and bus down (much earlier than you would think) on day of flight. or check fares out
of La
La Paz.
IF Aeromexico is running a special...rare...you could puddle jump to Guaymas or Hermasillo (have blanked on name of local airline that makes the trip,
about 70US last year) and take Aeromexico to Phoenix. or ???
dtbushpilot - 2-23-2009 at 03:52 PM
Hansen, you didn't say where in CA your friend is going. If it's San Diego, catch an afternoon bus to TJ, read a book, go to sleep and wake up at the
bus station. Take a cab to the border and have a friend pick you up.
1 bus, 1 way, no worries about missing your flight. Nothing better than a real Baja adventure...
If it's not SD then your friend gets to take another bus ride but at least they will speak english.
Good luck.....dt
[Edited on 2-23-2009 by dtbushpilot]
Hansen - 2-23-2009 at 04:31 PM
Thanks for all the info fellow Nomads and I think I have made up my mind. I will probably make a road trip out of it and we will spend a night at the
Marina Hotel in La Paz and then deliver him to the airport the next day. It really isn't that far from Loreto to Cabo (300+ miles as opposed to 700+
miles to TJ) and the Marina Hotel is excellent. Plus I haven't been to the Cabo area for several years so it will be interesting to see how much more
touristicated it has become. Thanks again!!!
dtbushpilot - 2-23-2009 at 04:48 PM
Best idea yet Hansen, have a safe trip.....dt