BY ESTEFANÍA GARCÍA MENDOZA I met this week's Guest Blogger, Estefanía García, while I was living in Altamira, Mexico a few years ago. Although she is a small town girl, Estefanía has traveled to several countries in Central America. Throughout her journeys she has compiled a diary of notes and pictures documenting her experiences. This week she takes some time out of her busy schedule to share with us an excerpt from her travel journal: A Personal "Survival Guide" to Riding a Bus in Nicaragua. Visiting a third world country is always an experience. There is something about crowded places and cheap shopping in markets that appeal to us all. Interestingly, people always visit the most touristy and “pretty” places, which in most cases won’t allow them to REALLY know the culture and lifestyle of that country. For those of you who aren’t like that, but who enjoy getting into the heart of a place and its culture instead, here’s a little story about my visit to Nicaragua this past May and June. Point of Origin: Muy Muy, Matagalpa. Really.![]() It all started when I arrived in a little town in Matagalpa that’s called “MUY MUY”, (yes...meaning very, very.) Apparently, in the local Language “mui mui” means “the best” and in Nahuatl it translates into “otter.” Funny, because I never saw ONE otter in the two months I lived there! People are very warm and LOVE foreigners. My first language is Spanish, but gosh it is so very different from theirs! So that’s the first thing: They will all make fun of your Spanish, whether it is broken Spanish, Mexican or Spaniard Spanish. But you’ll always have a good time learning their expressions and words. It was hard for me at the beginning because they use a LOT of words that aren’t used in Mexico, also they say lots of swear words, but to them these words are not offensive or dirty at all! Yeah, it was pretty weird. Near “Muy Muy” there are many beautiful places to visit, but to get to those places you usually need transportation. There’s not very many choices, so if you’re planning to go there this is an important part of your trip to Nicaragua: SURVIVING A BUS RIDE. 2 Basic Things You Need to Know![]() Ok, so before you jump inside of any of these “colorful” buses you need to know a couple of basic things: (1) Always bring change and (2) Expect to cuddle with strangers. When you arrive to any town the first thing you want to do is to locate the bus stop, which usually is by the main market near the highway. Buses usually start passing by as early as 4 or 5 am. Yes! Life starts that early in Nicaragua, since sunrise is usually around 4:45. I know you’ll probably be jet lagged, so let’s say, what if you decide to take your bus way later, like around 7 or 8 am? Well, I’m sorry to tell you this, but this is when they’re the most crowded! Also, bus drivers need to bring home the bacon, so they’ll put in as many people as they can into the bus. Here is when the cuddling starts. Roads aren’t very nice either, so it’s going to be a bumpy ride! Buses are old, and sometimes the engine gets hot, and so does the inside of the bus. On top of it all, the guy who charges you for the ride will pass by your “seat”, or wherever you are, to charge you anywhere from 15 to 20 cordobas, which is less than a dollar. Always bring change with you. These men can play dirty, and if they notice you’re a foreigner, they won’t give you your change back. Yes, it might be less than a dollar that they’ll steal from you, but while being in Nicaragua you get used to their currency, and if you’re traveling on a budget every cent counts! Also a good idea is to travel with a local friend or have a good map with you. Buses go about anywhere and everywhere so getting lost is pretty easy. Be Prepared to Be Friendly Other than that enjoy the ride! Usually the drivers have loud Spanish music in their buses and you can feel the spirit of Nicaragua while you drive through the mountains, over scary bridges and through parts of the jungle. When you travel during the day people are friendly and want to talk to you. They want to know about almost everything! Where you are from, how old you are, if you have any children, if you´re married, how long will you be there, if they will ever see you again! And no, I wasn’t getting hit on! People are just extremely curious, so be prepared! Be friendly and they will usually help you out in whatever way they can! Just as life starts really early in the morning there, it also ends as early as 6 pm, which is when the last bus passes by. It can be different depending on which town you are in, but you can always make sure of the local bus times simply by asking the people in the local market. Oh, and don’t worry too much, you’ll be fine! I’m a 24 yr old girly-girl who is scared of everyone and everything, and I did just fine. I bet you will, too!!! ENJOY THE RIDE! Contributing Blogger: Estefania Garcia Mendoza
36 Comments
Kate
12/9/2012 03:04:21 am
Oh how this brought back memories of taking the bus in Venezuela! There really is nothing like the experience of riding on a South or Central American bus.
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Estefania Garcia
12/9/2012 03:56:22 am
I'm glad you liked it! And yeah most of the buses in Central America are very much alike each other. The only ones I found to be a little different we're the ones in Costa Rica. They were nicer and easier to understand hahah. Anyways thanks for taking time to reply!
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12/9/2012 04:03:40 am
Yeah, and I know some of these buses are called "chicken buses." Even their names make them sound adventurous and memorable!
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Estefania Garcia
12/9/2012 04:17:21 am
Yeah they call em that cuz they will carry just about everything you have with you. Even alive "chicken".the smell of these buses Is amazing I have to say! Hahha 12/9/2012 04:44:45 pm
Hi Estafania, I just found your blog, good stuff! Your readers may want to know about a bus schedules website that is actually fairly accurate as far as arrivals / departures goes.
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Estefania Garcia
12/10/2012 12:12:07 am
Hey mike! Thank you for the suggestion. That's a good idea. I didn't know there were actually schedules for those buses. What I did in the two months I lived there was asking the locals what time should I be eating for the bus and that usually worked just fine haha. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I'm just a guest blogger. My friend JR writes most of the posts. I'm glad you liked it!
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12/10/2012 02:11:16 am
Hey, what do you mean, "just" a guest blogger? You guys are what make this site "The DRIFTERS' Blog!" Haha, it's all of our voices combined here, and you are definitely part of the team.
Ash
12/9/2012 05:35:22 pm
Nice article.
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Estefania Garcia
12/10/2012 12:18:07 am
Thank you Ash! I know those bus rides were usually not that pleasant but there's alway something about them that makes you remember those rides (like the ice cream in your case) I never had the chance to visit panama, that's deff on my wish list. I didn't have a nice experience in the Central American borders tho, I guess because I am Mexican they would interrogate me for an hours while all the other passengers would just stand in line to get their passports stamped. So not fair. Lol
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12/10/2012 01:50:59 am
That reminds me of an article I recently read on Matador Network, a woman from Trinidad & Tobago was traveling throughout Europe, and getting through immigration for her was a nightmare! She had one pretty jarring experience where they really crossed the line for her and she was left sobbing and in distress, it actually kinda broke my heart reading it. Anyway, I'm sorry you have to go through that. 12/11/2012 01:06:02 pm
Ha! You and your .25c Panamanian ice cream! I'll have to agree though, the ice cream at that Chinese corner shop always made the hot, sweaty days bearable.
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Kate
12/10/2012 04:27:40 am
My best bus ride experience was going over the mountains as it got dark (we had visited the beach that day). Why so exciting? Oh the minor fact the alternator was going out so the bus driver would only turn on the lights at the corners or if a car was coming on the 1 & 1/2 lane road. Hairpin corners, no guardrails, no room, no lights and my friend next to me literally praying that she will live to see her children again. Good times!
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Estefanía García
12/10/2012 06:03:43 am
yeah that can be pretty scary, specially at night as you said. I used to hear crazy stories about bus accidents when I was living in nicaragua, so I felt like praying everytime I rode one. but as I said before its always an experience and a good story to tell :)
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12/10/2012 11:08:07 pm
Ha! I could totally picture that in my mind, I don't if I'd rate that the best or the WORST! Probably the best because it was the worst.
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Chris Brandstrom
12/10/2012 04:31:35 am
Reminds me of riding the bus in Jamaica! I was young and it was horrifying! :)
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Estefania García
12/10/2012 06:06:27 am
I've never been in Jamaica. I've heard its very beautiful. I bet buses are very similar to the ones in central america. As an adult it was pretty scary I can only imagine how it must be as a kid.
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12/11/2012 01:07:28 pm
Hey Chris, I didn't know you've been to Jamaica. Very cool! You gotta share some of those stories with us sometime.
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Estefania García
12/11/2012 01:20:15 pm
Not sure yet. Im planning for a 10 day trip to NYC around June next year. I'm saving cuz it's expensive! I could probably travel and live for a month in Costa Rica with the money I need to go to and stay in NYC but I wanna go visit the Brooklyn branch before its gone.
Clarice
12/17/2012 02:12:54 am
Immersion at its finest!
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12/17/2012 02:40:39 am
You're right, Clarice, it sounds like an experience where you are completely immersed in the culture. I loved it when Estefania suggested we be prepared to cuddle with strangers. Sounds like the best way to get to know someone!
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Estefanía García
12/17/2012 04:12:04 am
Thanks Clarice! that's what I was going for ;)
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Michelle B.
12/17/2012 03:01:11 am
Awesome article Estefania! I would love to experience South American bus riding. Actually Id love to experience Mexico & South America in general. One of the places I have yet to travel to. My old roomie Toni went to Nicargua 2 years ago for 2 months and her experiences were enough to peek my interest in going someday (plus i heard rent was real cheap!) Although i haven't been to South America, i have been to Philippines and they have these colorful modes of transportations called jeepneys and they can be squishy & in Manila, you better know tagalog or bring a friend that does or else like you mentioned, they probably won't care if they charged you more as a foreigner. However, best bus ride by far for me was the Amalfi coast in Italy! Gorgeous picturesque views of the 1300 winding turns of homes & lemon trees galore. Note: Bring some ginger candy for motion sickness haha. I usually don't get sick but taking in beauty at every turn had a price.
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Estefanía García
12/17/2012 04:08:18 am
Hey Michelle! thank you for reading my post! Im glad you liked it! I absolutely recommend a trip to central america!... and you're right, the rent is really cheap. me and two of my friends rented a house (a big one with toilet and a shower) for 100 dlls a month! and Mexico, well I live here lol so I absolutely recommed a trip here, mexico's culture is so great and varied that I wouldn't know what place to point as a better destination! I guess it depends on what kind of trip you want. (relaxed, cultural, eco-tourism, etc...) but I can assure you that wherever you go in mexico you'll eat like a queen! ;)
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12/17/2012 10:39:38 am
Estefania speaks the truth! True Mexican cuisine will blow you away, no doubt! 12/17/2012 10:42:16 am
Michelle, I LOVED the jeepneys in Manila, I was trying to figure out a way to work them into a post. It was definitely something very unique to the Philippines. Fortunately, for me I fit in looks wise, so as long as I didn't open my mouth I was fine. My friends taught me how to say "Bayad po" and pass my change down, and how do you tell them to stop? I forgot already.
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Karen
12/24/2012 02:04:01 pm
Hi Fanita!!!!
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12/24/2012 02:52:25 pm
Wow Karen! What an awesome experience you had in Chihuahua with the Tarahumaras people! You're right, traveling isn't just about beautiful scenery, but also experiencing the unique and colorful local cultures. Thank for sharing that memory with us.
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Estefabía García
12/27/2012 02:48:34 am
Karencita! thanks for reading :) and yeah I remember those pictures...that sounds like great material for a post....u should write it ;)
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12/27/2012 06:13:20 am
Yeah, you definitely should! We haven't had a post yet about ethnic dress and costume, or traditional materials used. That would be a great addition.
Scott
1/8/2013 08:37:57 pm
Awesome article Estefania! Traveling by bus over long distances is definitely going to create some memories...some good...some not so good...but nobody is interested in your good bus experiences...it's the unique ones that make the best stories!
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1/10/2013 03:14:19 pm
Great point, Scott! No one wants to read about how beautiful, comfortable and safe the bus ride was. We want ACTION and ADVENTURE! Can't wait to hear about more of your experiences, Stef!
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Quin.queen.kueen
5/24/2013 12:41:23 am
I like this issue "Muy Muy" :D LOL
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5/27/2013 01:57:33 am
I know, its even funnier if I tell you there's a "Cantina" or bar in that town called "el very very" ;P lol
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marlet
12/28/2014 04:03:04 am
Hey Stef how are you? I really enjoyed your article.I'm going to live there 3 months and I would like to talk to you
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SUBSCRIBEABOUT MEI'm JR. I come from a long line of adventurers, some were nomadic explorers of the sea and others wandering cultivators of the earth. Ultimately, this legacy of drifters has deeply affected my view of travel. Read more...
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