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Puerto Vallarta was fun and it was time to head to Mexico City, where I will be volunteering at a local kindergarten to teach English to kids in Mexico. I have collaborated with Worldpackers and was able to find a great opportunity for me to learn what it is like to be an English teacher in Mexico and work with young children here. I have extensive experience working with youth and adolescents, helping them learn English as a second language so I thought this would be a great match for me to learn what it is like to be in a public school classroom setting in Mexico City.
Worldpackers is an online website, where YOU as a traveler can connect with hosts worldwide, who need help in various tasks (i.e., teaching English, maintaining hostels, leading tours around the area, content creation & marketing, etc.) in exchange for accommodations. As a traveler, you not only gain valuable experiences by being immersed in new experiences while staying on a budget but also staying on a budget. It differs on each volunteer opportunity, but most of the time the hosts provide a place to stay, sometimes serve meals, and provide laundry. The website allows you to find opportunities in places you are traveling to, and you can send a request/application to the host with the dates you are interested in staying, along with some questions that the hosts have for you. Based on the availability, the host will respond and if both parties agree on the date and believe it's a good match, you will be volunteering with the host!
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I was so ready to hop on the bus. I was so tired, and I was ready to fall asleep first thing I get on the bus.
Puerto Vallarta to Mexico City is almost a 12-hour bus ride, so I decided to make two separate bus trips so it's less boring and I can get my legs stretched. Trip 1 was from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara (6-6.5 hours) and Trip 2 was from Guadalajara to Mexico City (6 hours) by bus. It was my very first time booking a bus ticket to travel within Mexico so I wanted to share some tips I wish I had known before using the bus system.
Some Tips/Facts about the Bus System in Mexico
1. It is okay to buy a bus ticket last minute.
I bought my bus ticket on Busbud a couple of weeks before my departure date because I wanted to secure my spot on the bus on a specific day I wanted to head to Guadalajara. I paid $671 MXN ($42.40) but you can buy cheaper on-site or booking directly on the bus. The only reason I bought on Busbud was because it was my first time buying a bus ticket and my Spanish is still improving so I wanted to purchase the right bus ticket (Everything is in Spanish when purchasing directly on the bus website). Many bus companies run I learned that it is okay to buy the ticket a day or two before my trip because there are plenty of seats and don't sell out immediately. A lot of people living in Guadalajara spend their weekend in Puerto Vallarta and head back on the weekdays so I thought the bus would be packed with people who've enjoyed their weekend getaway but the bus was pretty empty, and I realized I wouldn't have to stress too much about, "what if I can't get a ticket and can't make it to Guadalajara?"
My e-ticket I received via email. No need to receive a physical copy of the ticket when you are at the terminal. The bus terminal was really empty when I got there. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to make it to Guadalajara, but I am glad that the buses were operating.
2. The weight of the check-in bag doesn't matter.
Bag policies for the bus ride: For any bus company, the typical policy for the baggage is one personal bag, one carry-on bag, and one checked-in bag per person. No one is strict about the weight of your bag and they don't weigh any of your bags. Unless it is an extremely big bulky bag that you are checking-in, there is no need to worry about the weight of the bag.
Once you check in your bag, the driver gives you a ticket that confirms that you've checked in your ticket. Make sure to not lose this, because the driver will ask you to show you the ticket upon arrival.
3. Get an extra layer of clothes!
My bus departed Puerto Vallarta at 5 am, so I wasn't expecting the bus driver to have the AC on during the entire trip. I am glad I brought an extra layer of clothes. You can bring one carry-on bag and a personal bag on board, so make sure to pack your clothes so you don't freeze during your trip.
4. Do not let your bus driver or any staff at the bus terminal walk away with your ID.
You might think, "But why? Isn't it normal for staff to check your government-issued ID to make sure it's really you who is taking the bus, and not someone else?" but do not let anyone walk away with your ID. People might tell you that they will check if it's valid or to check "something" and will be right back and will walk away. It is most likely that they will misuse, scan, or make suspicious activities using your credit card (it is possible to collect your credit card information using only with your ID). I would say it is very uncommon for bus drivers to check your ID and even if they do request to show them your ID, do not let them walk away with it.
5. Expect delays and be flexible on arrival time.
I noticed that some early morning buses do depart on time but sometimes there are delays. I took a Futura bus from Guadalajara to Mexico City as well, and there was a 30-minute delay so I arrived late than scheduled time. Pacifico bus from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara departed on time, but with traffic, I ended up arriving late. I was flexible in bus arrival times since I was free the entire afternoon, but I do recommend not scheduling a tour or a meet-up on your day of arrival because there could be delays.
The bus ride from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara was a good experience for me to learn the local bus system. I highly recommend all travelers to try to see what it's like to be on a bus. The bus seats were comfy and even had a footrest, which made my entire roadtrip memorable. I did a review of the Pacifico bus on my Instagram so if you are interested, feel free to check it out!
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