28 replies to this topic

[Canookie]

With recent robberies on buses in Mexico I was wondering how people on this board handle bus travel. Do you put your valuables under the bus in checked luggage? What about cash, credit cards, passports? I know no one in their right minds would have jewellry but what about other valuables? Do you carry fake "stuff" - old passports, credit cards?? Would like any tips for what to do if confronted by a robbery on the bus. I've also heard it's best to sit at the front of the bus - perhaps because the robbers start at the back and work forward?? Thanks for your ideas.

[doberwoman]

I was told, that, not only by bus, but walking by the street, I allways have documents or money, hiden, but allways have on hand, a 100 peso bill or 2 $50 peso bill, and I would say, "this is all I have", other thing I do, but does not fit for all: I allways dress jeans, tennis and shirt, so they do not know if I am a worker or a patron...hehehehe

[manny]

if they rob a bus they may also go underneath as well. i would never put my papers separate from me. but it does seem more safe hidden in a suitcase. we dont know for sure if the robbers will open those cases, but they will take your wallet & handbag for sure. if robbery is a concern, dont travel by bus.

[Canookie]

I didn't say I was "concerned"...and I want to travel by bus. I am asking for "tips" on bus travel in Mexico. If I said I wanted information on making myself safer in my house in Chapala, would you say don't live here if you're concerned?? Sorry, but this seems to be a common answer - "if you don't like it, leave"...not at all what I was asking and not helpful.

[manny]

you are asking about tips "confronting robbers", & you want a detailed plan of how they navigate a robbery? correct? that IS very clear to me & the other commenter. ok heres another try: you asked if you should put the valuables underneath? (i answered that). again same answer- if you put your valuables in the checked suitcase, you may have 50% chance of keeping them. so you are already ahead. 2nd question: no i do not carry "fake" documents, or wear fake jewelry, & i have it all w/me. if i had these fears, i would have not have taken the ETN bus, 5 r/trips. my commonsense tells me that a bus robber knows to search your entire handbag & carryon. be nice to the robber as they are armed. smile, practice your spanish, & let them see what you got. as for the floor plan, i have not been part of a bus robbery, so i dont know how they will orchestrate it. maybe one guy works the front, the other the back. now you are @ your destination, no ID, no credit cards, no cash. but you have options, you CAN outsmart the bad guy! & still be nice, why get stressed? hide all that in your shoes. last tip: tape the passport & fm3 in your underwear w/ all the cash. wear 2 pairs of underwear, be creative. snug slacks & a big top. have 300 pesos to give them, so they wont be mad. those are my tips, i think i covered all angles. enjoy the vacation. never thought you were "concerned", what would give you that idea?

[Sandrita]

Personally I love traveling by bus in this country.

[manny]

sandrita, it was always ok for me. but some people want to cover the waterfront.

[Canookie]

As I am a woman who will be soon travelling alone on the bus, I need to "cover the waterfront". The more knowledge I can amass the stronger I feel while travelling alone. A couple of weeks ago there was a robbery on a bus from Mexico City to Queretero so this prompted my query. Thank you for your input.

[manny]

canookie, which bus line was this? last robbery on a private bus line was one year ago. where can i find the details? its been 2 yrs since i have used ETN. & for some reason these robberies are along a similar route.

[Puddles]

Have you any idea how many buses travel throughout this country on a daily basis? Yes one may have been robbed, but you have the same likelihood of being robbed in a McDonalds or on the street anywher in the world. There are literally thousands of buses en route here everyday, and whilst I understand you want to collect information, you did come over as a bit rude to the first people who tried to help you.
I would out it on the same level as worrying about flying as there was a plane crash last year somewhere.

[JayBearII]

We're getting off topic again: helpful hints for traveling safely. I see nothing at all wrong with planning this. I am like the poster and feel more confident if I have taken precautions. My suggestion is taking a copy of your papers and some money and wearing these in a money belt under your clothes. Around here, bras seem to be popular as money belts. I hate to picture me trying to get my money out of my panties and pull down 2 pair in order to pee in a stall with no toilet seat. Plus how embarrassed would you feel if you paid for something and the clerk started sniffing your money???

[Canookie]

This is from a CURRENT discussion on another web board...and I'm sorry if I was rude!

Re: Bus robbed

Hello all. I was on a bus that was robbed on July 4th this month. I had my two
daughters with me and was lucky enough not to have anything taken from me, but
it was quite traumatic for my daughters. I have remained in contact with a few
of the other passengers who had quite a bit stolen from them including laptops,
phones, cash and credit cards. One of them was a man from Queretaro who was
beaten by the thieves right in the seat beside me. Again, very traumatic for my
young daughters as the theives also threatened to kill my 6 year old daughter.
I did not go to the police station to file a report, it was too late and I
wanted to get my daughters to our destination. I do not think Primera Plus
hired cabs for everyone. They finally got a cab for me only because I was very
angry with them for offering us a "free bus ride" to San Miguel after the
incident. I refused to get back on the bus and insisted I was getting a cab
weather they paid for it or not. It was only after much haggling that they
resentfully paid for my cab.
This is not an isolated incident as some suggest. The other passengers I am in
contact with (including the man from Queretaro who was beaten) are working on a
campaign to pressure Primera Plus to do something about this situation. I do
not know if the thieves were apprehended but I do not think so. I will post it
when I get more information from these people.

Michelle Angelique

[bmh]

Jaybear Are you a little dramatic, do you think the thieves are going to go for your pesos in your bra?. Get serious have enough money in a purse that can be taken and keep a debit card well hidden.

I travel on the bus a lot and most of the long distance trips i take are at night as there is no choice of day time travelling. I take the minimum with me. I have a cheap cell phone so no big deal if it disappears, I have it in a small purse. I have copies of my Inmigrado card and passport at home and if the originals with me. If they are stolen they can be replaced. I do not leave anything of any value in the bag I check in as I left a camera once and that was stolen.I also have my driver´s licence with me, again it can be replaced.
I do not have anything of value with me except for a camera and if it goes better a camera than my life.
I am lucky my husband stays home and he can replenish my " travelling"account when the money is down.

It is a good idea to think about "what if" but realize that your life is really the important thing you have, anything else can be replaced.

[Travis]

The place you want to be most vigilant and careful is in the bus stations.

[elbelgicano]

I used to keep money in a little empty tetra (cardboard) chocolate milk box. Easy to open and close from the bottom. Drink them first, wash them from the inside and put a little plastic bag with money (or debet card,...) in it and close it again. Just make sure that you also fill it with something heavy enough (like my delicious chocolates,... hint, joke) so that it will not look suspicious. It is small and I don´t think that anybody is going to check it.

Don´t travel at night, take the first class busses that don´t stop too often and that stay on the toll roads,.... take a picture of your children and a religious object with you (so that if things get really bad, you can hope for some sympathy from the robbers) and have your cell phone ready for in case you still have the chance to call state police.
Sit a little closer to the front of the bus (the risk of accidents are higher than risk of robbery,..... believe me, I know.... because you want to be out soon, if there is a fire or so).
And don´t tell the bad guys about my chocolate drink. :-))

If you do all, I think that you have a little less to worry about.
Have a good trip and enjoy it !

Rony

[Canookie]

Now that is GREAT advice!!!! Thanks! And since my name is Candy, I'll take some of those chocolates!

[bmh]

Rony

How do you get to San Cristobal de las Casas on a day bus from Mexico....cannot be done, I tried a day bus from Villahermosa to Merida..another good luck. The luxury class long distances trips are usually at night , I wish I could travel during the day on some of the route but it is not possible unless you take the really scary buses that are falling apart and stop everywhere and you can double the amount of time you need to be a bus.

[elbelgicano]

Rony

How do you get to San Cristobal de las Casas on a day bus from Mexico....cannot be done, I tried a day bus from Villahermosa to Merida..another good luck. The luxury class long distances trips are usually at night , I wish I could travel during the day on some of the route but it is not possible unless you take the really scary buses that are falling apart and stop everywhere and you can double the amount of time you need to be a bus.

I would certainly break down the trip in several segments,.... there are a few interesting cities there,... Puebla, Cordoba (beautiful and inexpensive guest house in the hills there- and between DF and Cordoba very safe toll road) and Oaxaca,...

Best greetings to you, Br..

[bmh]

Hi Rony, I do break the trip as it is a 23 hour trip by bus but it is a night trip from Puebla...and it is a long 13 hour....
Orizaba, Cordoba and Fortin de las FLores are nice places to stop when we drive and we have varied the trip a lot over the years when we drive. The options are not nearly as nice by bus.
The ride from Oaxaca to Tuxtla is 8 or 9 hours over night. The only way to go by day is to go to Tehuantepec which is fun and funky spend the night there and then go for another 5 hours during the day to Oaxaca. It is a beautiful ride if you are not have sickness motion otherwis God help you...

[gingerrose]

Question? Canookie what other forum are you on that is discussing the robbery of the bus? thanks ginger