Many budget backpackers and travelers in general use buses as a mode of transportation over long distances. Buses are easily accessible and cheaper than flights most of the time. It’s also nice being able to check a bag for no extra charge, an option rarely available when flying.
Simple enough, right? Why would you need a guide?
I know you can manage perfectly fine by yourself, but I’ve decided to make a list of 10 things to acknowledge when traveling by bus in Latin America.
1. Delays are Almost Guaranteed
Many people from developed countries are accustomed to punctuality. We also tend to purchase tickets online. Most 3rd party websites that provide bus tickets will list the duration of your desired trip. The time they give is always less than the actual time it takes to reach your destination in real life. In my personal experience so far, Brazil has been the worst in terms of punctuality. It was pretty bad actually. General speaking though, latin American countries have a habit of being behind schedule. Expect potential delays from traffic jams, multiple stops to pick up and drop off passengers, and the delivery of bulk items. I’ve even had to wait for a tire change. Your bus won’t always depart on time either.
2. Have a Sweater or Blanket
Sometimes the night buses are freezing from the air conditioning. Be prepared with something to keep you warm just in case.
3. Good WIFI is Not Common
During my travels, I found that WIFI was very hit or miss and varied for country to country and bus to bus. If it’s something essential for you, do some research beforehand to find a company with the most reliable WIFI connection. There’s a chance that you’ll be paying a premium for the quality of the bus and the company. There were plenty of times in the past when I would purchase a ticket online, showing that the bus has Wifi, only to find out it doesn’t work at all. Most of the time, the executive buses (semi cama or semi leito) have a better chance for good WIFI.
4. Phone Charging Ports
Most decent standard buses, and executive buses especially, will have ports to charge your phone, almost always the USB Type-A. Once in a while a newer bus will have the Type-C port. Unfortunately sometimes the port next to or above your specific seat won’t work. In that case maybe try to switch to a different seat if there’s enough space on the bus.
5. Buying Tickets in Person is Cheaper
In most cities or popular tourist destinations, purchasing your tickets directly at the bus station is cheaper than purchasing them online. At the station you can choose from multiple service providers without having to pay any commission fee that you would pay on 3rd party websites. Most of the time you won’t have to wait very long for the next bus either, and most companies that have a window there are reliable. Feel free to google them on the spot and check their ratings. Also, if the route you plan to take isn’t very common, maybe check the general bus times beforehand to see how frequently they depart.
6. Take the Window Seat
If you don’t plan on going to the bathroom every 5 minutes, always take the window seat for the comfort and the views.
7. If You Find a Good Company, Stick with It
When traveling in a country, certain bus companies will operate throughout. If you’ve had a good experience with a company previously, don’t hesitate to use them again. In my opinion, the difference is quality between operators can be huge. Some of them are just more professional than others.
8. Bathrooms
Bathrooms are pretty much standard for long distance travel of around 5 hours or longer (many times for urinating only). For shorter regional routes, the buses available may not have toilets. Keep that in mind. There will be stops along the way most likely for a bathroom break, though, and at some places you will have to pay to use the bathroom facilities.
9. Have a Plan for Your Ride
I think it can be useful to have a goal for your trip. The down time is a good opportunity to plan, relax, read, reflect, sleep, listen to music, etc. As long as you’re not mindlessly scrolling on social media, I think you’re doing a great job. It general feels good to make good use of your time on the bus. Have some type of goal.
10. Bring Snacks and Water or Have Cash for Vendors
During most trips lasting several hours or days, you will stop at some type of buffet for a meal. If you don’t want to spend the extra cash, bring your own snacks or prepared meal for yourself. Depending on the length of your trip, you might need to bring some snacks regardless. If you don’t bring anything, don’t worry. There will be random vendors along the way that will come on the bus selling a variety of foods, if you have some cash on you, buying something from them is an option.
