BOLIVIA TRAVEL REPORT.


 

From Cuenca's Mariscal La Mar Airport, I take a LAN Company flight at 1.25pm ​​to Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport (Ecuador), located 30 km east of the center of Quito. (I paid Euro 330.69 for the multi-leg air ticket for 5 flights: Lima - Quito, Cuenca - Quito, Quito - Lima, Lima - La Paz, La Paz - Santa Cruz). The journey lasts a scant hour. You can check in easily at the special machines set up in Spanish only.

 

 

From Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport (Ecuador), I take a LAN Company flight at 8.15 pm to Jorge Chàvez International Airport (Peru). I paid Euro 330.69 for the multi-leg air ticket for 5 flights: Lima - Quito, Cuenca - Quito, Quito - Lima, Lima - La Paz, La Paz - Santa Cruz. The trip takes a generous 2 hours. You can check in easily at the special machines set up in Spanish only.

 

From Jorge Chàvez International Airport (Peru), I take a LAN Company flight at 11.50 pm to Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz (Bolivia). I paid Euro 330.69 for the multi-leg air ticket for 5 flights: Lima - Quito, Cuenca - Quito, Quito - Lima, Lima - La Paz, La Paz - Santa Cruz. The trip lasts a generous 4 hours, including the stop in La Paz, made to pick up other passengers on the aircraft.

 

To enter Bolivia you need to fill in 2 forms. The staff are friendly and polite.

 

From the Viru Viru International Airport of Santa Cruz (Bolivia), located 12 km north of the city center, there are several minibuses, including the n. 135, which take you to the city center all day in about half an hour. The ticket costs 6 BOB and is paid directly to the driver. The closest stop to Plaza 24 de Septiembre is in Via Uruguay, at the intersection with Via Libertad less than 1 km from Piazza Succitata, which is constantly guarded by the police.

 

From the center of Santa Cruz (Bolivia), there are several minibuses that take you throughout the day in about 15 minutes to the Bimodal Terminal, located 1.5 km southeast of the center where both trains and buses leave. The ticket costs 2 BOB and is paid directly to the driver.

 

From the Bimodal Terminal of Santa Cruz there are an ocean of companies that offer bus travel to the capital of Bolivia Sucre at a cost varying between 60 and 110 BOB depending on the convenience of the same, as well as logically the boarding fee of 3 BOB. There are also buses with beds. One of the cheapest companies is Albus and it's not that inconvenient. The trip lasts from 14 to 16 hours and almost all departures take place between 16.00 and 18.30.

 

The Bus Terminal is located less than 2km north-east of Plaza de 25 Mayo. From there you have to go to the main road in front of the main entrance, cross it and take the microbus n. A or 3 which passes frequently and takes you to Via Arce a few steps from the Plaza de 25 Mayo. The ticket costs 1.5 BOB and is paid to the driver when you get off or even earlier if you wish.

 

The compact historic center of Sucre, the capital of Bolivia, declared a Unesco World Heritage Site by Unesco, is perfect for walking around.

 

To return to the bus terminal, you must take one of the many microbuses that pass through Via Junìn, at the intersection with Via Ravelo, near the central market.

 

To go to Potosi you have to take one of the many buses that leave approximately every half hour from the Sucre bus terminal. The ticket costs 20 BOB and can be taken at the desk of one of the companies that operate this route. The trip takes about 3 hours.

 

In front of the Bus Terminal, located 2 km south of the historic center of Potosì, several minibuses pass that take you near Plaza 10 Novembre for the price of 1.5 BOB. You pay the driver when you get off.

 

The compact historic center of Potosì, declared a Unesco World Heritage Site by Unesco, can be easily explored on foot.

From the Bus Terminal of Potosì there are an ocean of companies that offer the bus trip to La Paz at a cost varying between 20 and 60 BOB depending on the convenience of the same, in addition to the boarding fee of 2 BOB. There are also buses with beds. One of the cheapest companies is Cochabamba and it's not that inconvenient. The journey takes about 9 hours and almost all departures take place after 20.00.

 

For an hour's taxi ride downtown to the dangerous La Paz mt. 3,800, in Bolivia, I contracted 50 BOBs.

The mandatory fee to be paid for the use of the La Paz Terrestrial Terminal is 2 BOB. If you don't pay it, you can't board any bus.

Only at 8.00 in the morning, there is the Tourist Bus that in about 4 hours takes you to Copacabana on Lake Titicaca, on the Bolivian side, at a cost of 30 BOB. The same leaves from the La Paz Terrestrial Terminal and is the safest solution as the buses and Combi that depart frequently during the day from the La Paz Cemetery, an unsafe area, are not rarely hijacked by bandits, especially in the dark. who rob you and kidnap you.

During the aforementioned enchanting journey, you must also get off the bus for about 15 minutes to cross the Tiquina Strait of Lake Titicaca by ferry (3 BOB). The bus is transported on a separate ferry.

Copacabana is terrifyingly touristy, is full of money changers and is great for walking. 


My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2016/12/viaggio-in-florida-peru-ecuador-e.html



NICARAGUA REPORT TRAVEL.

  

The Trasnica Company Bus from San Josè, the capital of Costa Rica and bound for Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, also stops in Granada on Calle El Tamarindo, over 1 km from Parque Central.

 

The beautiful colonial town of Granada appears full of tourists and exudes a certain sense of security. The center can be explored on foot even if Lake Nicaragua is a bit far

 

To reach Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, you have to go to the Microbuses station, located in Calle Vega, a few tens of meters south of Parque Central, where the Microbuses leave as soon as they are full from 5.00 to 19.30 from Monday to Friday, from 5.00 to 19.00 on Saturday and from 5.30 to 18.00 on Sunday. The journey takes over an hour and the ticket costs 26 NIOs. The clerk passes by to collect the money after departure. The bus stops often to pick up and drop off passengers and reaches UCA in Managua, not far from Plaza 19 de Julio.

 

 

In Managua I manage to hire a taxi to visit the city for $ 10, after an exhausting negotiation. Initially the taxi driver asked me for $ 25.

 

To reach the summit of Volcàn Tiscapa and its homonymous lagoon, from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city and Lake Managua, you need to access the Parque Historico Nacional Loma de Tiscapa by paying 1 $ or 27 NIO. The top can also be reached by car.

 

To access the beautiful Paseo Xolotlàn in Malecòn, where there is a beautiful walk along Lake Managua, you have to pay 5 NIO.

 

From Minivans Station Boer, minivans leave from 5.00 to 19.00, when they are full, for the Leòn Bus Station. The trip takes about 2 hours. The fare is 51 NIO. The clerk passes by to collect the money after departure.

 

From the Leòn bus station, located about 2 km north - east of the Parque Central, I take a taxi that takes me in front of the Hostel La Clinica, located in 1st Av SO, 200 meters south of the Parque Central at the price of 30 NIO, although the correct price during the day was 20 NIO.

 

For one night in a bed in a 4-bed dormitory at the Hostel La Clinica, I paid $ 5.5, but you can pay the equivalent in local currency. It is not a 5-star hotel, the bathrooms are shared, but for just over $ 5 you can also be satisfied.

 

The compact Leòn turns very well on foot is full of tourists and locals and appears safe even in the evening at least until 22.00. Its Unesco Heritage Cathedral is the largest in Central America.

 

At 4.30 at night, at the suggestion of the kind owner of the aforementioned hostel, I throw myself into the street and stop one of the numerous taxis that pass near the hospital in 3rd Calle SO which takes me to the Leòn bus station for the price of 30 NIO .

 

From the Leòn bus station, located about 2 km north - east of the Parque Central, minivans leave from 5.00 to 19.00, when they are full, for the Chinandega Bus Station, located near Mercado Bisne, 1 km abundant to the south. - east of the center. The trip takes less than 2 hours. The fare is 25 NIO. The clerk passes by to collect the money after departure.

 

From the Chinandega bus station, located near Mercado Bisne, minivans leave from 4.00 to 17.00, when they are full (approximately every 25 minutes), for the Guasaule bus station (border with Honduras), located less than 1 km from the Nicaraguan border post. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The fare is 40 NIO. The clerk passes by to collect the money after departure. The bus stops often and willingly to pick up and drop off passengers.

 

From the Guasaule bus station, to reach the Nicaraguan border post, you can either walk for less than 1 km, or you can take advantage of the many tricycles that are offered at the price of 20 NIO.

 

At the Nicaragua border post, you have to pay the $ 2 exit tax or the equivalent in NIO, but you are not stamped as Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala are part of the Central American Community and therefore there are open borders like those of the European Community. For currency exchange there are unofficial money changers on both the Nicaraguan side and the Honduras side.

 

To reach the border post of Honduras, either you walk for less than 1 km, or you can take advantage of the many tricycles that are offered for the price of 20 NIO.

 

At the Gasaule border post in Honduras, you have to fill out a form and pay an entrance fee of $ 3. You are then given an entry stamp that allows you to stay 90 days in the country.


My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2016/04/traversata-del-centro-america-da-panama.htm


TRAVEL REPORT TO IRAN AND CAUCASUS (AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA, ARMENIA, NAGORNO KARABAKH).


Before leaving I had to get a visa for Iran (it can also be done at the airport but sometimes the local authorities deny it and therefore it is better to do it before leaving) and the visa for Azerbaijan (since 2010 they no longer issue it all 'Airport) with the following procedures:

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN IRAN VISA:


Go to the consulate of Iran, in Via Monte Bianco n. 57 in Milan, from Monday to Friday from 9 to 12.30, with passport (with expiry of not less than 6 months), insurance certificate (the one stipulated on the website www.viaggiaresicuri.com is fine), 2 recent passport photos, completed form , downloadable on the consulate's website (the addresses of the hotels where you will stay must be entered on the form)

After the kind employee (Gabriele) has checked the documentation, you have to fill in another form.

Then you have to pay 50 euros of fees by credit card, debit card or cash (in the latter case you have to pay them in a bank indicated by the Consulate.

Once you have paid, if this is your first time, take 10 fingerprints.

Subsequently the employee hands you a sheet, with which there is written the date of collection of the passport with the visa which is usually ready after 3 or 4 working days. (in this period, in fact, the Consulate requests authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran).

Anyone with the aforementioned sheet can collect their passport when it is ready.


HOW TO APPLY FOR THE AZERBAJGIAN VISA


The rules for obtaining visas often change so first of all it is always better to check the official sites of the embassies and tourism bodies.

Until 2010 you could get it at the airport once you landed, or at the borders if you came by land, today you have to get it before leaving, otherwise they won't let you into the country.

To get it:

1. Go to the embassy, located in Rome;


2. Here are the data of the AZERBAIJAN EMBASSY IN ROME: Address: Viale Regina Margherita 1 - 00198 - Rome, Consular office hours: 9.30-12.30, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Telephone: 06/85305557, 06/85357989 Fax: 06/85831448, Website: www.azembassy.it, E-mail: rome@mission.mfa.gov.az;


3. Keep in mind the website of the Azerbaijan Embassy in Rome for now shows the icon with the words "... is coming soon" and therefore it does not work;


4. Contacting the Embassy by e_mail or telephone is not easy;


5. To obtain the visa, you must deliver to the aforementioned embassy:

- a passport valid for at least 6 months

- a passport photo

- completed application form, which is found online, on the websites of the agencies prepared for obtaining the visa;

- hotel reservation with a number of nights coinciding with those of your stay in the country;

- booking of the round trip flight

- photocopy of the first passport page;

6. The fees to be paid to the Agency by bank transfer are 60 Euros;


7. The duration of the visa will coincide with no. of nights booked even if usually even if hotel bookings are less than 9 nights (for example 1 night), the visa is still issued for 10 days;

8. Cost if you get it on your dates: 60 Euros plus the cost of the transfer in addition to the 2 half mornings lost at the Embassy;

9. Cost if you contact the Agency: consular fees up to 30 days. Single entry Euro 60, commissions for payment of consular fees by bank transfer Euro 3, agency fees for normal procedure in 8/10 Euro 65, (much more if urgent is required), shipping costs of about 12 Euro for a total about 140 Euros

10. Time for obtaining: about 8 days from when the passport is brought to the Embassy, less than half with the urgent procedure;

TRAVEL REPORT

IRAN

Punctual as never before, my plane of the Turkish Company Pegasus leaves from Milan Orio al Serio at 14.00 towards Teheran (Iran), with a stopover of 5 hours at the Sabina Gokcen Airport in Istanbul in Turkey (price one way to Tehran and back to Tbilisi taxes included Euro 231.14).

I therefore arrive at 03:35 in the morning of the next day, Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran, the capital of Iran (2 hours 30 'time zone, compared to Italy). I pass the not difficult border and I am honored by a rose that a girl with a veil kindly gives to all the passengers.

From the airport of Imam Khomeini in Tehran, I take a minibus to the National Airport of Tehran and get off just before the same, after about 45 minutes in Azadi Square in Tehran. Ticket price: IR 60,000. (you pay when you get off).


From Azadi Square, in a few minutes I reach the Meydan Metro Station, adjacent to the Tehran Bus Terminal and Gharb.


 The ticket for the clean, safe and modern Tehran Metro costs IR 5,000 for a single journey, and IR 8,000 for two tickets.


The center of Tehran can also be visited with a free tourist train that passes adjacent to the Bazaar and Golestan Palace, a World Heritage Site;


The Bus_e Jonoob Terminal in Tehran can be reached with Line 1 of the Metro.


From there I take a comfortable 2.30pm night bus to Shiraz (Iran) at a cost of IR 230,000 (there are several per day). They offer you a snack on the bus and stop twice for half-hour breaks.


Arrival after about 14 hours of travel at 4.00 in the morning at the Carandish Bus Station in Shiraz (Iran).

At about 6.00 the first Savari leaves for Basij Square in Marvdasht (1 hour) at the price of 20,000IR (to be paid when you get off). There are 2 Savari about an hour, but cmq they usually leave when they are full, across the street.


From Basij Square in Marvdasht (Iran) I take a private taxi to Persepolis (20 minutes) for the price of IR 60,000.


The actual entrance of Persepolis is about 500 meters away. on foot.


Ticket for Persepolis (Iran) costs IR 150,000. In summer it is better to visit it early in the morning because the heat is impossible. Luggage storage is: free.


From Persepolis I take a private taxi to Basij Square in Marvdasht (Iran) (20 minutes) for the price of IR 50,000.


Then I take a Savari (minibus) from Basij Square in Marvdasht to Shiraz Carandish Bus Station (1 hour) for IR 20,000 (payable when you get off). There are 2 Savari about an hour, but cmq they usually leave when they are full.

From Shiraz Carandish Bus Station I take a white collective taxi to Shohada Square, located adjacent to Karim Khan Citadel, Shiraz's main attraction. Price: 30,000 IR. Time scarce 10 minutes without traffic.


I visit the center of Shiraz on foot.


Then I take a private yellow taxi between downtown and Shiraz Carandish Bus Station for the price of IR 45,000.


A Luxury bus with less than 30 seats takes me from Shiraz Carandish Bus Station to Yazd Bus Station in about 6 hours, crossing the desert. Cost: IR 205,000 (not many every day).


Yellow private taxi, cost IR 50,000, between Bus Station and Silk Road Hotel (IR 150,000 per night in dormitory with breakfast), located in the center of Yazd, 200 meters away. from the Jameh Mosque.


The old town of Yazd, a Unesco heritage site, can be easily explored on foot.


Private yellow taxi between Silk Road Hotel and Yazd Bus Station, with a 5 minute break downtown: IR 70,000


VIP Company Bus between Yazd Bus Station and Kaveh Esfahan Bus Station (Iran) at the price of IR 205,000. (5 hours, 1 every hour)


Urban bus from Kaveh Bus Station to Imam Hossein Square to Esfahan center: IR 10,000. (you pay before getting off directly to the driver).


From Imam Hossein Square to Imam Square, the second largest square in the world, there is only a short 1 km walk.


Private yellow taxi from Imam Square a few hundred meters from the Jameh Mosque in Esfahan, a UNESCO heritage site, IR 60,000.


Taxi from a few hundred meters from the Jameh Mosque to the Kaveh Bus Station in Esfahan IR 40,000.


7.30 pm night bus of the Levan Nour Company from the Kaveh Bus Station in Esfahan to a Gas Station in Zanjan (Iran) where I arrive in the middle of the night after 8 hours. Price: 160,000 IR


From the Zanjan Service Station (Iran), you have to intuitively take a bus from Tehran, headed for Tabriz and ask the driver if there is room. It is not an easy task, also because very few speak English. The cost of this bus is IR 100,000.


Arrival at Tabriz Bus Station at 11.00 in the morning.


From Tabriz Station I take a minibus that takes me downtown for the price of IR 10,000.


The huge bazaar of Tabriz is a Unesco heritage site.


To return to the Tabriz bus station I use a white collective taxi at the price of IR 10,000.


The Bus of the Prances company takes me in scarce 5 hours from the Tabriz station to Ardabil (Iran) at a price of IR 70,000.


To reach Sar Cheshmeh Square in the center of Ardabil (Iran), I use a private taxi at the price of IR 30,000.


To reach the Bus Terminal of Ardabil (Iran), from Sar Cheshmeh Square, I use a private taxi at the price of IR 50,000.


From the Ardabil Bus Terminal (Iran), I take a bus to Tehran which stops after an hour on the state road, in the suburbs of Astara. Iran price 30,000 IR


Private yellow taxi from Statale x Theran to Hotel Baran in Astara (Iran) 20,000 IR.


Hotel Baran in Astara (Iran), without breakfast IR 500,000 in single room.


Private taxi from Hotel Baran to the Frontier in Astara (Iran), IR 50,000

Azerbaijan

Across the border between Iran and Azerbaijan in Astara.


I change money in a shop just over the border.


Private taxi from Frontiera to bus Station in Astara (Azerbaijan), 3 AZN.


Bus Astara - Baku 6 AZN (about 7 hours_)


Urban bus between the Main Bus Station and the 20 January Square Metro Station in Baku: 0,20 AZN (payable when you get off), directly to the driver;


A ride on the Baku Metro costs 0,40 AZN.


The historic center of Baku, enclosed between walls and the Caspian Sea, can be easily explored on foot and is protected by Unesco.

A taxi ride from the historic center to the main train station located in Piazza 28 Maggio: 4 AZN.

Georgia

International daily train with second class sleeping car, departing from Baku (Azerbaijan) at 8.30pm and arriving in Tbilisi (Georgia) at 10.45am the next morning, although it often arrives more than 1 hour and a half late. Price 29 AZN.


In Tbilisi to use the Metro and the Cable Car you need to get a card which costs 0.50 GEL. Then you can recharge it as much as you want taking into account that a ride costs 1 GEL.


In Tbilisi to use the city buses you have to pay 0.50 GEL through the machines installed on the buses, which however only accept coins of 0.10, 0.20 and 0.50 GEL.


The historic center of Tbilisi can be easily explored on foot.

NAGORNO KARABAKH

Train with sleeping car in third class, daily departing from Tbilisi (Georgia) at 10.15 pm and arriving in Yerevan (Armenia) at 7.30 am the next morning. Price: 29.77 GEL


Private taxi from Yerevan Train Station to Kilikya Bus Station. AMD price 3,000, big jab, because the right price is AMD 3,000.


8.30am international bus between Yerevan (Armenia) and Stepanakert (Nagorno Karabakh): AMD 5,000 (approximately 7 hours). There are also some Marshurutkas that make this route taking over 1 hour less. Winding path in the middle of the mountains not recommended in winter. We pass through Goris.


The Nagorno Karabakh Visa must be obtained when you are already in the country because without it they won't let you leave the country. So as soon as you arrive in Stepanakert you have to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs located in Viale Azatamartikned at 500 meters. approximately from the Bus Station, in front of the Hotel Europe. The staff are very kind and after filling out the form, giving the passport photo and paying 3,000 AMD in 10 minutes, they stick the visa on your passport or if you prefer on a sheet of paper because in the first case you can no longer enter Azerbaijan for 5 years .


I sleep in the Guest House in Via Sasuntsi in Stepanakert (Nagorno Karabakh), offered to me by a gentleman who offers it to you at the bus station. Cost: 5,000 AMD per night, including transport to and from the bus station and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the visa.


The center of Stepanakert (Nagorno Karabakh) can be easily explored on foot.

ARMENIA

8.30 am Marshurutka international between Stepanakert (Nagorno Karabakh) and Yerevan (Armenia): AMD 5,000 (scarce 6 hours). There are also other Marshurutkas that make this route. Winding path in the middle of the mountains not recommended in winter. We pass through Goris.


A ride on the Yerevan Metro costs AMD 100: there is the token that is inserted to enter.


A ride on the Yerevan Bus costs AMD 100: You pay directly to the driver before getting off.


Bus n. 111 between Yerevan (Kilikya bus station) and Echmiadzin (near the Holy See, it is not the last stop) costs AMD 200. It leaves about every 30 minutes and takes about half an hour. You pay directly to the driver before getting off.


Visit to the Holy See of Echmiadzin (Armenia), a Unesco heritage site.


Bus n. 111 between Echmiadzin (near the Holy See) and Yerevan (Kilikya bus station) costs AMD 200. It leaves about every 30 minutes and takes about half an hour. You pay directly to the driver before getting off.


The center of Yerevan can be explored on foot and the top of the most important monument of the city, "The Waterfall", can be reached using the internal escalators;

GEORGIA

International Marshurutka at 1.30pm from Yerevan (Kilikya Bus Station) to Ortachala Bus Station in Tbilisi (Georgia): price 6,500 AMD, 6 hours. It is the last of the day. First there are several others.

Private Taxi from Ortachala Bus Station in Tbilisi (Georgia) to Lucky Hostel in Machabeli Street n. 2, Tbilisi, at 100 mt. from the Town Hall and the Piazza della Libertà. Cost: 10 GEL but it's a big hit. Right price 3 GEL.


Lucky Hostel in Machabeli Street n. 2, Tbilisi, Georgia, at 100 mt. from the Town Hall and Piazza della Libertà, 15 GEL per night without breakfast.


Didube Bus Station Tbilisi is located in the northern suburbs and can be reached by Metro.


Marshurutka approximately every hour from Didube Bus Station in Tbilisi to Gori (Georgia): GEL 5, abundant 2 hours of travel.


The Gori Bus Station is located on Chavchavadze Ave, about 1 km from the Stalin Museum. But the Marshurutka from Tbilisi on request can stop in front of the Succitato Museum, which is the main attraction of Gori.


Marshurutka every hour approximately from Gori to Didube Bus Station in Tbilisi: GEL 3, abundant 2 hours of travel.


Marshurutka every 20 minutes from Didube Bus Station in Tbilisi to Mtskheta (Georgia): GEL 1, scarce half an hour of travel.


Taxi to Jvari Hill Monastery in Mtskheta (Georgia): 10 GEL round trip with a 15 minute stop to visit the Monastery.

Marshurutka every 20 minutes from Mtskheta (Georgia) To Didube Bus Station in Tbilisi: GEL 1, scarce half an hour of travel.


The urban bus no. 37 which also stops in front of the Freedom Square Metro Station in Viale Rustaveli in Tbilisi as well as many other stops, takes you to the Tbilisi Airport in about 45 minutes: price 0.50 GEL. You have to pay 0.50 GEL through the machines installed on the buses, which however only accept coins of 0.10, 0.20 and 0.50 GEL.


Punctual as never before from the Tbilisi Airport my plane of the Turkish Company Pegasus in the direction of Milan Orio al Serio, with a stopover of 5 hours at the Sabina Gokcen Airport in Istanbul in Turkey (price one way to Tehran and return to Tbilisi taxes including Euro 231.14).


My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2015/08/viaggio-in-iran-e-nel-caucaso.html


MEXICO REPORT TRAVEL.

  

To reach the Mexican border it is necessary to travel about 2 km with the aforementioned bus. Then you have to fill in and sign the tourist card (to be returned when you leave the country) which will be stamped together with the passport by the Mexican Customs Police. After that your luggage is checked and you can get back on the bus which will take you to the city of Chetumal in a short time (3 km). Keep in mind that the bus does not arrive at Estacio de Autobus but leaves you on request on the state road located about 300 meters from it.

 

Cross the aforementioned state road and cross a park to reach the Estacio de Autobuses where you can withdraw money at the ATM. From here there are frequent buses to Cancun Center and Cancun Airport that stop at various tourist locations including Tulum (174 MXN, 3 hours). The cheapest company is Mayab.

 

The small Tulum Station is located in the center, which is located several kilometers from the sea.

 

There are several budget accommodations in Tulum but perhaps the cheapest of all is the Hostel del Sol located about 300 meters away. west of the bus station, asking for 150 MXN per night for a dorm bed. It has a large kitchen.

 

From Tulum there are several buses to Cancun Centro (the first at 8.30 in the morning), Cancun Airport and Playa del Carmen (the first at 7.00 in the morning, 62 MXN, 1 hour.

 

The EDO Bus Station of Playa del Carmen, is located in the center, adjacent to the pedestrian street Quinta Av, 30 meters away. about from Plaza Mayor and 100 mt. from the sea. Numerous buses leave from the same for Cancun Airport and Cancun Centro (60 MXN, 1 hour 30 ').

 

The Cancun Bus Station is located in the center, which in turn is located several kilometers from the sea. First class EDO buses depart from it approximately every hour to Merida (364 MXN, 4 hours).

 

The Came Bus Terminal Merida is 50 meters from the second class one, in turn located about 1 km from the Plaza Grande.

 

Merida is great on foot.

 

From the second class bus station in Merida, first and second class buses depart every hour from 5.00 to 19.00 to Campeche, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. The fare starts from a minimum of 158 MXN onwards depending on the class and time chosen. The trip takes about 3 hours.

 

This leads to the Main Bus Station of Campeche, usually called ADO or First Class Bus Station, located 2.5 km south of the walled historic center which can be reached by taking one of the many buses that pass from the adjacent state road, at the price of 4 MXN. You pay directly to the driver. The bus drops you off at the bus stop adjacent to the Baluarte de San Francisco, from which the Plaza Principal is approximately 1 km away.

 

The beautiful Campeche, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is great on foot and is so touristy that it appears safe even in the evening, where the lights of the colonial houses make it enchanting.

 

From Campeche Main Bus Station, keep in mind that only one bus leaves a day for Palenque and precisely at 9.45 pm (384 MXN, 6 hours).

 

The bus arrives at 3.45 am at the small station in the town of Palenque.

 

Numerous minivans pass through it and in about 15 minutes take them to the Archaeological Park of Palenque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for the price of 10 MXN. The clerk passes by to collect the money after departure. The bus stops often and willingly to pick up and drop off passengers.

 

The Archaeological Park of Palenque is open every day from 8.00 to 17.00. The cost of the ticket costs 64 MXN. It is immersed in the forest and you have to walk a lot and climb several stairs to fully visit the site.

 

Back at the bus station of the town of Palenque, several buses leave a day for San Cristobal de las Casas. The last one that leaves in the morning is at 9.30. Then until 2.15pm nothing. However, the one at 9.30 takes 8 hours as it passes through Villahermosa and Tuxtla Gutierrez. The ticket costs 130 MXN, Cristobal Colon company.

 

The OCC Bus Terminal of San Cristobal de las Casas is located about 1 km from Plaza 31 Marzo, the beating heart of this beautiful colonial town nestled in the mountains, which can be easily explored on foot and where tourists are certainly not lacking.

 

To get around the center you can take a minivan for the price of 6 MXN.

 

From the OCC Bus Terminal in San Cristobal de las Casas, 3 buses leave a day for Oaxaca, the last of which leaves at 10.45pm. The journey takes approximately 12 hours and the cost of the ticket is 604 MXN.

 

The 1st class bus terminal of Oaxaca is located about 2 km north - east of the Zocalo but there are several minivans (6 MXN) that pass near the Parque Juàrez, a few hundred meters from the aforementioned station and that take you close to the Zocalo and also at the tourist bus stop for Monte Albàn, at the intersection of Calle Mina and Calle Diaz Ordaz.

 

From here minivans of the San Marino Company depart every hour and reach the Archaeological site of Monte Albàn in about half an hour. Return ticket price: 50 MXN.

 

On the Archaeological site of Monta Albàn, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco (64 MXN), open from 8.00 to 17.00 every day, the sun beats down and the numerous steps that are not obligatory, however, make the visit somewhat tiring. From the top you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city of Oaxaca, also declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco and which can be easily explored on foot.

 

From Oaxaca 1st Class Bus Terminal, there are no direct buses to Guadalajara, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende but you need to take a direct bus to Mexico City Norte Station and then change.

 

For Puebla, however, there are no buses more or less every hour. The journey through the mountains is very pleasant and takes about 3 hours. The cost of the ticket with the EDO Company is 438 MXN.

 

The Central Autobuses de Puebla is located about 4km north of the Zòcalo and there are numerous minivans that drop you two squares from the Zòcalo. The ride takes about 30 minutes and the ticket price is 6 MXN. You pay the driver when you get on. The taxi instead costs no less than 60 MXN.

 

Puebla, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is perfect for walking around.

 

From Central Autobuses de Puebla, there are number buses connecting Puebla to Norte Station and TAPO in Mexico City. The cost of the ticket varies depending on the bus company and the time of departure of the same. I paid for the ride 184 MXN, with the EDO company and the trip lasted about 2 hours.

 

The gigantic Norte Station of Mexico City is open all night and inside it, as well as the ATMs, there are also paid internet stations (5 MXN every half hour).

 

If you want to reach Guadalajara keep in mind that there are many companies that offer this service from early morning until late at night with different prices. One of the cheapest companies is Omnibus de Mexico, whose ticket price is around 617 MXN. The ride takes over 6 hours.

 

The gigantic Nueva Central Camionera of Guadalajara composed of 7 modules, is very far from the center, about 9 km southeast of the center and the numerous buses take almost an hour to reach the Giardini de Aranzazù 5 squares south from the Plaza de La Constituciòn , where there is the Cathedral Basilica de La Asuncion de Maria. The ticket price is 6 MXN and is paid directly to the driver before getting off or when getting on.

 

Guadalajara, is the second largest city in Mexico but its historic center can be explored on foot and at least during the day it seems safe.

 

From Guadalajara's gigantic Nueva Central Camionera, only the first-class company ETN offers the service to Guanajuato using the route to San Miguel de Allende. Before boarding the bus, you are even offered a sandwich and a drink. Of course, there is a bathroom on the bus. The cost of the ride is 400 MXN and the journey takes about 4 hours. The bus also stops 10 minutes in Leon.

 

From the small bus station of Guanajuato, located about 5 km south - west of the city, frequent city buses leave for Mercado Hidalgo in the historic center. When the bus passes under a tunnel and everyone gets off you have to get off and take the stairs that lead to Mercado Hidalgo. The ticket price is 6 MXN and is paid directly to the driver when you board.

 

The splendid Guanajuato, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is nestled in the middle of the mountains and is full of uphill streets. It is great on foot but to see a fantastic view of the city it is advisable to take the Funicular in Calle San Antonio, which operates from Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 21.50, on Saturday from 09.00 to 21.50 and on Sunday from 09.00 to 21.00 and in a few minutes reaches Pablo Bazar and the Monument to El Pipila. The fare is MXN 18 one way, MXN 36 round trip.

 

From the small bus station of Guanajuato, frequent buses leave for San Miguel de Allende. The cost of the ride with the Primero Plus Company is 126 MXN. The ride takes about 1 and a half hours. There is another company for this route at more or less the same price but with different times.

 

From the small bus station of San Miguel de Allende, located about 3 km west of the historic center, frequent city buses leave from 7.00 to 21.00 for the eastern end of Calle Insurgentes, not far from Plaza Civica. The ticket price is 5 MXN and is paid directly to the driver when boarding.

 

San Miguel de Allende, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is perfect for walking around and looks safe even in the evening.

 

From the small bus station of San Miguel de Allende, frequent buses leave for the Estacio Norte in Mexico City. The last race is at 1 am. The cost of the ride with the Pegasso Company is 293 MXN. The ride takes about 4 hours.

 

From the gigantic Norte Station of Mexico City, buses run by the Autobuses Mèxico - San Juan - Teotihuacan company (penultimate counter to the left of the atrium) depart every hour from 6.00 to 18.00, in the direction of San Martin de Las Pirámides at a price of 80 MXN round trip. Keep in mind that the bus stops at entrance n. 2 and at entrance no. 3 of the Archaeological Site of Teotihuacan. At entrance n. 2, near the Pyramid of the Sun, keep in mind that the gates open every day, including holidays, at 7.00 while at 3, near the Pyramid of the Moon, at 8.00 / 8.30. This bus does not stop at entrance no. 1 open from 7.00 onwards. The closing of the site is at 17.00

 

The cost to enter the Teotihuacan Archaeological site is 64 MXN. Since there is very little shade and there is a lot to walk including many stairs, especially if you want to reach the top of the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, it is advisable to visit the site early in the morning when the temperatures are ideal and there is it is few people.

 

Back at Mexico City's Norte Station, I take the metro located just outside the main entrance. Keep in mind that it has many stairs and few escalators and elevators. To change lines at La Raza Station, passing from line 5 to line 3, you have to walk for about 10 minutes. The cost of a ride is 5 MXN. You are given a token that is inserted to allow you to pass the turnstile and get off the tracks.

 

To reach Xochimilco, whose system of canals has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, can be reached by going to the last stop of line 2 of the metro called Tasquena. From there follow the signs for the ligero train until you reach the station on foot where it is mandatory to make a rechargeable magnetic card to access the platforms. It can be purchased at the automatic machines at a cost of 10 MXN, in addition to the cost of recharging MXN for each ride.

 

From there you have to get to the last stop called Xochimilco after about half an hour and then continue on foot for about 1 km following the signs for the landing stage, not far from the parish church. However, there is no risk of getting lost because the customer finders are already waiting for tourists at the light metro station and accompany you by following you by bike to the landing stage.

 

At the landing stage there are dozens of colorful boats that ask for about 300 MXN, for a 1 hour boat ride in the canals: if there are 20 passengers or 1 passenger on the boat, they still ask for 300 MXN per passenger and it is very difficult to negotiate. I tried but they got really nervous even though in the end I found 2 young guys who allowed me to take a half hour ride for the price of 100 MXN.

 

Back in Mexico City, I walk around the historic center declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. The same looks pretty safe in the daytime.

 

Mexico City City Buses cost 5.5 MXN to put in the box when boarding, bearing in mind that you don't get change.

To go to the Juàrez International Airport, you must take the yellow metro line 5 and get off at the airport stop. This leads to the gigantic Terminal 1, where most of the International and National Flights depart.

 

I sleep at the aforementioned airport, on the ground, because there are no suitable chairs for this purpose. There is an impossible cold.

 

There is no border at the Juàrez International Airport for those leaving the country as with the stamp or entry you can stay in the pass for 90 days and then the tourist card must be shown at check in and then delivered to the flight attendant before embarking. The mandatory exit tax of 210 pesos is usually already included in the air ticket.

 

Punctual as never before my United Company Airplane leaves Mexico City at 09.30 in the direction of the Newark Liberty International Airport (USA), (multi-route ticket price including taxes from Malpensa to Panama City and from Mexico City to Malpensa Newark: Euro 669.75).

 

The plane is almost empty.

 

I therefore arrive at 13.40, with a temperature of -20 ° at the Newark Liberty International Airport (USA). There are 6 hours of time zone, compared to Italy.

 

In the United States, even if you do not leave the airport and continue to the Transit area, you must still undergo Customs control (after completing the appropriate form), the collection of baggage and the subsequent control of the same and therefore there always calculate at least 1 hour and a half between flights.

 

Punctual as never before, my United Company Airplane leaves from Newark Liberty International at 6.30 pm in the direction of Malpensa International Airport (Italy), (multi-route ticket price including taxes from Malpensa to Panama City and from Mexico City to Malpensa with Newark airport: Euro 669.75).

 

 The plane is full.

 

I therefore arrive at Malpensa at 8.00, thus closing the incredible journey.

 

Total cost of the all-inclusive trip (means of transport, food, accommodation, relaxation, ect): 1,400 Euros.

 

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2016/04/traversata-del-centro-america-da-panama.htm