Mexico City to Jalpan de Serra
Replies: 11 - Last Post: Apr 26, 2012 4:28 PM Last Post By: keithmur
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Mexico City to Jalpan de Serra
Looking for the quickest bus route from Mexico City to Jalpan. I've considered getting to Queretaro first, then changing buses. I'm under the impression that there's a bus line that stops in Jalpan on the way to Guanajuato leaving from the Norte station. The online references I've seen don't provide the details on such a small town. Suggestions?1
Jalpan is definitely NOT on the way to Guanajuato! Quickest bus route is probably direct bus from Terminal del Norte to Tequisquiapan (ETN, Flecha Roja or Coordinados) and bus from there (Coordinados) to Jalpan. ETN schedules are online but the rest aren't. When are you going? I can pop into the bus station and get schedules Tequis to Jalpan if you like but they are quite frequent.3
I drove Querétaro to Jalpan in under 3 hours and it's a bit quicker from Tequis (quicker still from Bernal). The road is much improved. Bus from Tequis to Jalpan maybe 5 hours because it will stop and go the slow way. I will check next time I am near the bus station here.4
Thank you, Queretaro. I will check the online bus schedules to Tequis.I'm curious how difficult it would be to find your way around the Sierra Gorda region (Sotano del Barro, Rio Ayutla, Sotano de las Golondrinas) with a rental car out of Queretaro. My impression is that I'd be better off just getting to Jalpan and hiring a guide.
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I drove all round there a couple of years ago and it was very easy. There aren't that many roads in Mexico so it's tough to get lost!7
The last two summers have been very dry so I can't imagine anywhere being "washed out". But you never know. Of course if you can't reach somewhere by car you're unlikely to be able to reach it by bus either so I'm not sure why that would influence your decision to rent a car or not! What has been so "discouraging" about car rental?8
During our trip, we saw few 4WD jeeps from some Adventure Tourism company in Jalpan and again in Xilitla. I did not write the name down but there was a relatively recent (this or last month) thread on this Forum about adventure travel in the bordering SLP - it concentrated, sadly, on safety but I think some posters there may point you to an adventure company that can provide a guide with a 4WD if you prefer that option.If you decide to rent a car, renting a round-trip from D.F. airport is much cheaper than a round-trip from Queretaro. Driving around D.F. airport is no fun but you are fine as soon as you hit major highway going North. Note the going off paved road is probably officially prohibited by car rental agreement. Also, if you need to, there has been several recent discussions on insurance options with rental cars - may come useful if you drive harsh roads.
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Thank you, alterigor.I'm weighing the pros and cons of renting a car. Some reliable references to the specific towns I've mentioned suggest it's best to have a 4WD vehicle in late June/early July. I'm not terribly concerned about insurance or safety in the area. Comparing costs and convenience too - traveling alone, not in a rush, so I might appreciate the social interaction of taking the buses and renting a guide.
Thanks again, both of you.
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Just to follow up my initial suggestion as to the quickest bus route Mexico City-Jalpan:ETN dep Terminal Norte 7:15 am, arr Tequisquiapan 10:10 am, cost = 220 pesos
Coordinados dep Tequisquiapan 11:00 am, arr Jalpan 3:00 pm, cost = 173 pesos
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Do not drive the road up to Jalpan if you do not like heights, curves, switchbacks, and up- and down-slopes.Otherwise, the road itself is good, but it is only two lanes wide (one lane each way), so it's annoying if you get behind someone slow, or someone fast gets behind you.
You can "drive" it on the street view of Google Maps most or probably all the way.
I say all this because some people's tolerance of such conditions is different - I myself have a bit of a vertigo problem, and the terrain took me somewhat by surprise.
In fact, had the wife drive the way up, but I drove all the way down. Patted myself on the back for that.
