Guadalajara transportation

Agreed. Mexico City, for example, has four ¨central¨ bus stations, all very distant from one another (and the ¨centro,¨ for that matter).

But to answer your question directly, I was referring to the Central de Autobuses, also known as Central Vieja, one block east of Calz Independencia Sur, on Calle Estadio. A lot of second class services, including the carrier that serves Lake Chapala, use this station. A 20 min walk or 5 min taxi ride from the centro (or ¨downtown¨). This is not the same as the large first class station which is quite distant from the centro.

Of the OPs three destinations inquired about, I've only been to Ajijic. I believe Central Vieja station is the same as the Antigua Central Camionera (this is the name I know it by). This station fronts both Los Angeles and 5 de Febrero, with Estadio leading right into the station. Buses to Chapala leave frequently throughout the day. From Chapala there are frequent buses that go to many communities in the area, Ajijic being one of them. This is how I went to Chapala and Ajijic (within the last 12 months). This was an easy day trip from Guadalajara for me, but both Chapala and Ajijic looked like they would be nice for a longer stay as well.

Thanks everyone. I feel a lot more confident about getting around in Guad now! Great to have some experts helping!
One more thing! Do all the Primera Plus buses that come in go to Central Nueva, as in from Puerto Vallarta and to Guanajuato?

I think I can be of a little (not a lot of) help here. The short answer is yes, but I´ve also heard of at least one regional bus station (forget the carrier name) up in Zapopan. That might be used by buses going to or coming from Puerto Vallarta, but my guess is that these buses would start or end at Central Nueva also. If someone else knows more, they can correct me.

Thanks mclarjh! Think it is ETN that is out in Zapopan. Find it odd that all bus lines don't use the same terminals, so that was the reason for checking. Besides if we come into the same station as we leave from it will make life so much easier!

I don't know about Primera Plus. I've only reached Guadalajara via long distance bus twice thus far, and both times the run terminated at the new station without making any other stops in or around the city. I can't remember which companies I used for those two trips. The last time was a bus from Aguascalientes; I can't remember where the previous trip originated.

Both times I was at the new station, I took 'city' bus number 616 from the new station to the old station (Antigua Central Camionera). It took one hour both times in normal traffic. Though the 616 bus does go by the old station on 5 de Febrero, it is easy to miss the fact that you just passed the station, even for someone familiar with that old station and the area. The 616 bus continues on to the Centro (downtown).

I've flown into Guadalajara a number of times and always taken the local bus from the airport to the Antigua Central Camionera. This trip takes about 45 minutes and the bus terminates at the old station, so you don't have to worry about missing your stop.

From what I have gleaned so far, ETN uses Zapopan, which led to my fear of being dropped off on one side of the City and then having to find a station on the other side for our next departure. Our experience with Primera Plus has been excellent so far, and now I know they come closer to centro that is who we will use.
Looking forward to this visit - we arrive on the Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe - so hoping for a lively experience. Any tips about that?!

I don't have any tips for the Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but there are tourist information kiosks around the city and you could inquire at them. As well, I had good luck with them when asking about city buses to different points in the greater Guadalajara area, such as Zapopan, Tonala, and Tlaquepaque. I found the city bus trips to these areas from the Centro to be quicker than the bus from the new bus station into town. If need be, the taxis would be a way to speed things along, albeit at a higher cost.

I´ve been to Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe festivities in Mexico City and Oaxaca, but not Guadalajara. I see there are several parishes devoted to this saint, my suggestion is that you consider the Sanctuario de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe on Fray Antonio Alcalde, about ten blocks north of the catedral. Often these events are advertised by posters on the front of the church, and not by municipal authorities. Of course check with locals too once you arrive.

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