Talpa de Allende

I would like to take a lux bus from Guadalajara to Talpa de Allende. Has anyone done that? What lines run, ETN, Primera Plus? Times? Do they drop you off at the top of the hill or a crucero where you have to take a local bus down to Talpa? Any recommendations for a hotel, restaurants, things to do? TIA

Buy cewing gum iafter all it belieceves it is the capital.. go and se te basilica and the museum showing all the various representation of the virgin..I was there 15 years ago so I have no ecollection of where we stayed or if we stayed, I know we stayed at Mascota before going there but I do not remember,, we ate street food there so no recommendation. It is full of hotel and restaurans becaus of all the pilgrims.

THANKS, Brigitte!
I heard from a Mexican woman on a FB page (expats lake chapala) about getting there, she said there is only one bus service and she gave me all the info regarding getting there, times, etc. The bus line is ATM.
I've explored all around up there - except for Talpa. Looking forward to it.
I will check out all the things you mentioned and do some hiking around and eat in the mercado publico! Gracias.

It's set in a very pretty, dramatic valley. The drive down into it is a white-knuckler for me. That bus line is definitely not ETN-grade, or even Primera Plus, but it's okay. (At least, that's what it was 10 years ago.)

To be honest, I don't think there's much to do in town. The chicle museum (ha!). I believe there's a maple forest - maybe Mexico's only? - not far outside of town. Be on the lookout for waterfalls on the bus ride to it, once you've climbed out of Ameca. The landscape is gorgeous.

If you go during one of the pilgramages, the town will be very crowded.

I will NOT be going during any perigranación! lol Thanks, Rosa, that is what I expect. Looking forward to the green mountain scenic ride most of all and just wandering around for a day or 2. Change of scenery.

and yes Rosa Venus is righ the countryside is beautiful-

Trailrunner wrote:The bus line is ATM.

It's an acronym: Ameca Talpa Mascota. I think the bus goes back and forth between PV and Guadalajara because the time I took it I was leaving from PV. It definitely takes you all the way down into town. If you get a chance, get to the other side of the river and go uphill a bit to look at Talpa from that POV. It sits at the base of the valley with the tall mountains behind it. It's a very pretty spot and this is a great time of year to see it. Have fun.

Gracias, Rosa! Muy amable.

When I was in the Huasteca, and getting ready to climb out of Xilitla on the bus, I was reading the foro on Trip Advisor. Freaked me out. These freaks on Trip Advisor were talking about how BAD the bus trip up the mountain was; passengers were in the back throwing up; the smell was enough to make them want to throw up too. . .bla bla bla.
I started looking for an airport!

The trip up the mountain the next morning was beautiful. All switchbacks, big slow luxury bus gently swaying, gorgeous scenery - beautiful.

The bus is fine. Ten years ago (or whenever it was) I had a nightmarish phobia of mountain roads and such. The whole idea of hurtling off the side of a cliff seemed unappealing. As I recall, the ride up and out of Bakersfield Ameca is gradual and easy, it was just the drop into Talpa that spooked me a bit. But it's quick, and again, I had a serious fear of mountain roads at that time. Exploring Mexico has helped me get over that! Enjoy your trip!

hahahahaha Bakersfield.

To be fair . . . these buses DO hurtle off mountain roads from time to time! Brakes are highly overrated.

I will have fun.

Ummmmm

http://laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2415710&CategoryId=14091

yes night buses have accidents actually pretty often.