Nuevo Laredo

[Doubt98]

If you hop in a taxi here, tell him autobus para Monterrey, likely he will take you to the terminal that serves Omnibus and Noreste, which is the first terminal you come to heading south on Lopez de Lara. Grupo Senda operates out of the other terminal a bit farther south on the same street, they offer more economical buses, therefore more crowded.

I've done the trip several times but only once since the main bus station closed. I bought my ticket at the border. I just didn't like the set up. What I liked about the old bus station and the central bus station in MTY is you can walk the counters and find the bus leaving the soonest. But I have taken Omni and Noreste before and they are good companies with good quality buses. Thanks Bbond, that's the info I was looking for I just didn't know how to ask it.

Regarding traveling, I've heard of disappearances and even some buses being boarded by a Cartel or two. I'm not really worried about it as I would travel in the morning and be on the toll road. I'm assuming that those instances are extremely rare compared to the number of buses traveling that route and also probably happen on the free road to MTY or going East to Reynosa? True?

Thanks for everyone's help!

[Joroke]

I don't think that would be necessary. If I was making the trip, I would buy these tickets the moment I was planning on riding the bus. No need to buy 2 days in advance. NL, to Monterrey is a very common destination. Buses run every hour during the daytime.

You are correct Xfactor, that's really what I meant to say. For anyone going to the interior of Mexico especially, Monterry, Saltillo, Sabinas or else where bus tickets are bought at the central on the day you plan to travel. Even an hour or two before.

[Bbond]

I would think the Greyhound / Americanos bus station in Laredo Tx, would be able to answer any questions you might have about this.

I've wondered about that Omnibus service. They weren't around when I went to Monterrey. They popped up after I went. I don't know why they have a different bus station in NL, rather than just using the main bus station in NL. And yes, they have very nice buses.

What could the people at the greyhound / americanos desk tell anyone that has not been covered here?

There are other buses as well, Noreste is one, that travel to MTY from NL. Omnibus is my preference, but Noreste is not a bad choice. Any selection is really fine, it's only a 3 hour trip, I have yet to see an over the road bus here w / o restrooms onboard.

The old main terminal, the one out by NLBT is closed, has been for quite some time. Now there are 2 principal terminals, both on Lopez de Lara.

If you hop in a taxi here, tell him autobus para Monterrey, likely he will take you to the terminal that serves Omnibus and Noreste, which is the first terminal you come to heading south on Lopez de Lara. Grupo Senda operates out of the other terminal a bit farther south on the same street, they offer more economical buses, therefore more crowded.

In MTY ask about a bus to NL, and as I said, you will be directed to the Grupo Senda counter, not much choice in coming back to NL.

[Xfactors]

I stand by by my recommendations, Omnibus NL to MTY, Grupo Senda for return. Omnibus online schedule is easy to follow, Grupo Senda has so many buses coming to NL from MTY, just show up at the MTY terminal and you will have a very short wait.

Omnibus to MTY is a tad more expensive, but much nicer buses.

I would think the Greyhound / Americanos bus station in Laredo Tx, would be able to answer any questions you might have about this.

I've wondered about that Omnibus service. They weren't around when I went to Monterrey. They popped up after I went. I don't know why they have a different bus station in NL, rather than just using the main bus station in NL. And yes, they have very nice buses.

[Xfactors]

The day or two before you plan to travel you should plan on getting the tickets.

I don't think that would be necessary. If I was making the trip, I would buy these tickets the moment I was planning on riding the bus. No need to buy 2 days in advance. NL, to Monterrey is a very common destination. Buses run every hour during the daytime.

[Bbond]

Go to the Greyhound / Americanos bus station in LAREDO, TEXAS, in person, and ask them all of your questions. They can probably give you a pretty good idea on what you should do.

I stand by by my recommendations, Omnibus NL to MTY, Grupo Senda for return. Omnibus online schedule is easy to follow, Grupo Senda has so many buses coming to NL from MTY, just show up at the MTY terminal and you will have a very short wait.

Omnibus to MTY is a tad more expensive, but much nicer buses.

[Xfactors]

What company offers the most times and usually has the best buses?

Go to the Greyhound / Americanos bus station in LAREDO, TEXAS, in person, and ask them all of your questions. They can probably give you a pretty good idea on what you should do.

I rode the Ejecutivo bus about 8 years ago, from NL, to Monterrey, and was happy wih the service. Things have changed in 8 years, though. Not sure what I would do today. I'd have to go to the bus station in Laredo Tx, and ask them at the ticket counter. They deal with people going to Monterrey everyday.

http://gomexico.about.com/od/plannin...bus_travel.htm

[Bbond]

NL used to have a central bus station but now they have broken it up into at least two. If you are traveling to Monterrey what is the best station or bus line to use? Before you would go to the station and pick the bus company but now you are swarmed by people wanting to sell you a ticket when you cross the border (I'm assuming, it was that way about a year ago when I was last there). I've done it both ways but don't speak much Spanish and I'm never really sure what I'm getting when I purchase the ticket at the border. What company offers the most times and usually has the best buses?

Omnibus has a schedule online, just tell cabbie Omnibus he knows which station to go to.
http://www.odm.com.mx/index.html

Grupo Senda also goes to MTY with not as nice buses, and is the only return option I am aware of, as Omnibus does not have a direct return to NL. If you try to buy a ticket to NL, in the station in MTY, you will be referred to Grupo Senda.
http://www.gruposenda.com/

[Joroke]

NL used to have a central bus station but now they have broken it up into at least two. If you are traveling to Monterrey what is the best station or bus line to use? Before you would go to the station and pick the bus company but now you are swarmed by people wanting to sell you a ticket when you cross the border (I'm assuming, it was that way about a year ago when I was last there). I've done it both ways but don't speak much Spanish and I'm never really sure what I'm getting when I purchase the ticket at the border. What company offers the most times and usually has the best buses?

Greetings Doubt98:

You might try going on to Google and type in the search bar,"autobuses de nuevo laredo a monterry". That should provide you with a good start. Getting to Monterry will be no problem, the matter is going to be actually identifying a location where you what to depart from. The Google search should be able to give you phone number and bus station locations. I suggest that if you have a cell to use, that you call and ask for information. If you're limited in spanish speaking ability, then rely on the Google search to get some basic location information and you'll probably have to take a cab from Nuevo Laredo near the bridge crossing to whatever bus station you want, or ask the taxi driver for the best bus station to travel from nuevo laredo to monterry. He should be able to take you there with no problem. The only problem with that is that most bus stations will not sell you tickets for days in advance. The day or two before you plan to travel you should plan on getting the tickets. But whatever you do, don't buy tickets from anyone on the streets. Go directly to the bus station. I know this things because I have a girlfriend from Sabinas Hidalgo / Monterry area which travels on the bus all the time and of course I would be there to pick her up and was able to catch some of the inns and outs. Good luck.

[Doubt98]

NL used to have a central bus station but now they have broken it up into at least two. If you are traveling to Monterrey what is the best station or bus line to use? Before you would go to the station and pick the bus company but now you are swarmed by people wanting to sell you a ticket when you cross the border (I'm assuming, it was that way about a year ago when I was last there). I've done it both ways but don't speak much Spanish and I'm never really sure what I'm getting when I purchase the ticket at the border. What company offers the most times and usually has the best buses?

[RikiMichaels]

Just revisited BT in Nuevo Laredo after about a 4 year hiatus. I use to frequent BT often since 2002 up until around 2007 when it was a mongering haven where you could freelance from different bars with no worries. Due to a career change & a steady girlfriend, my "escapades" had been put to a halt. I've been hesitant to return due to the last time I was there, I was frisked & robbed by the policia at the front gate entrance. Anyway, I returned tonight alone like I always used to travel, caught a $10 cab to BT. I had prepared for the frisking at the entrance by stuffing my cash in my underoos, but To my delight there was no Policia at the front gate to rob me or anyone else tonight. But even though I read it in prior posts, I was disappointed to see that Papagayos. 4x4 & most of all the popular bars that were thriving back in the good ole days were closed! The few venues that were open were on the street near Danash. I made my lap around boystown like I normally do to check out possible talent or bar scenes & it was virtually dead! I'd walk into bars & there'd literally be no girls dancing. Keep in mind that this was on a Friday night. So I stroll on back to Danash which always had nice girls there, but from my standards & experiences there before, the "talent" there has diminished tremendously! But the atmosphere still felt similar to what I was used to, until around midnight. All the music stopped, the girl onstage stopped dancing as the Mexican militia came through Danash in kevlar, vest with automatic guns to raid the place for drugs! So they come to everyone in the club, including me to ask everyone to empty their pockets to check for any illegal substances. They also went upstairs to the ladies rooms to check for shit! Could you imagine yourself gettin it in with one of the girls & some military dude bursts in on you & her with a weapon? Needless to say I was shocked that this was taking place, yet the broad sittin on my lap calmly said to "play it cool". As if this was something common. The raid lasted about 15-20 minutes. I waited another 30 minutes then I got up to leave around 12:45. Only problem is there were no taxis waiting to take people back to the bridge like they used to. I had to pay one of the guys workin at Danash to drive me to the bridge. And I've never been happier to be back in the US than I was tonight! I have been reading reports about the violence & demise of NLBT, but had the opportunity to come down & check it out for myself. I can honestly say that the reports are true & the violence have deterred most of the BT frequenters & has virtually killed most of the bars that used to thrive off our visits. Now NLBT reminds me of the BT Juarez, which I never found appealing at all. I can't bring back the good ole days, but I can always remember them. But after tonight, I can honestly say I have no interest to ever return to NLBT ever again!

Yes K Boogie, I know exactly what you mean. Used to be a great, hoppin place. I think the first indication for me that things were starting to go downhill was when the owner of Papaguayos, Ophelia, passed away. She ran a great place, great waiters, only $2 for ladies' drinks and a lot of fun girls. After she passed away, I believe some of her family tried running the place and had no clue how to run a business. In a short amount of time, sure enough, the place closed. I think this was a couple of years ago. Then, slowly but surely the plaza starting heating up and this is the end result. To make this worse, my favorite bar downtown, La Mina closed down. It's a sad thing.

I have a good friend that lives in NL. His dad was a lawyer their for years till he got cancer and passes away. He knew everybody in town, including la policia at the NLBT gate, which made it fun. He was in Marthas a couple of months ago and a couple of halcones beat the crap out of him. In his words, he told me NL is a war zone and not to come.

[K Boogie]

Just revisited BT in Nuevo Laredo after about a 4 year hiatus. I use to frequent BT often since 2002 up until around 2007 when it was a mongering haven where you could freelance from different bars with no worries. Due to a career change & a steady girlfriend, my "escapades" had been put to a halt. I've been hesitant to return due to the last time I was there, I was frisked & robbed by the policia at the front gate entrance. Anyway, I returned tonight alone like I always used to travel, caught a $10 cab to BT. I had prepared for the frisking at the entrance by stuffing my cash in my underoos, but To my delight there was no Policia at the front gate to rob me or anyone else tonight. But even though I read it in prior posts, I was disappointed to see that Papagayos. 4x4 & most of all the popular bars that were thriving back in the good ole days were closed! The few venues that were open were on the street near Danash. I made my lap around boystown like I normally do to check out possible talent or bar scenes & it was virtually dead! I'd walk into bars & there'd literally be no girls dancing. Keep in mind that this was on a Friday night. So I stroll on back to Danash which always had nice girls there, but from my standards & experiences there before, the "talent" there has diminished tremendously! But the atmosphere still felt similar to what I was used to, until around midnight. All the music stopped, the girl onstage stopped dancing as the Mexican militia came through Danash in kevlar, vest with automatic guns to raid the place for drugs! So they come to everyone in the club, including me to ask everyone to empty their pockets to check for any illegal substances. They also went upstairs to the ladies rooms to check for shit! Could you imagine yourself gettin it in with one of the girls & some military dude bursts in on you & her with a weapon? Needless to say I was shocked that this was taking place, yet the broad sittin on my lap calmly said to "play it cool". As if this was something common. The raid lasted about 15-20 minutes. I waited another 30 minutes then I got up to leave around 12:45. Only problem is there were no taxis waiting to take people back to the bridge like they used to. I had to pay one of the guys workin at Danash to drive me to the bridge. And I've never been happier to be back in the US than I was tonight! I have been reading reports about the violence & demise of NLBT, but had the opportunity to come down & check it out for myself. I can honestly say that the reports are true & the violence have deterred most of the BT frequenters & has virtually killed most of the bars that used to thrive off our visits. Now NLBT reminds me of the BT Juarez, which I never found appealing at all. I can't bring back the good ole days, but I can always remember them. But after tonight, I can honestly say I have no interest to ever return to NLBT ever again!

[A Toda Maquina]

Anyone for Mexico City / Puebla trip?

[Bbond]

Nice report, Beavis. Sorry the marriage didn't work out.

Beavis was here a couple days ago, I gave him my opinion of marriage. It's like shooting yourself in the foot then tying an anchor to your ass. So why would a guy do that? It's not cost effective, as it should be. Only those who have been there and done that would appreciate that statement. Bbond, after 22 years marriage, finally free and loving it. Alone, yes, lonely, not hardly.

[Bbond]

Bbond, after almost 4 years here, first fight tonight. Happened in the Hereadura. Drunk mo-fo would not leave me alone. The guy, viejo borracho, slapped me up side the head. Bbond, crippled old fuck, was not going to let that slide, so I popped him in the head. Somehow, we wound up on the floor, tripped on chairs or whatever, so I just continued popping him on the head, probably hit him 10 or 12 times. Finally they broke it up, other guy was escorted out. I gave the guy every chance, grabbed him and sit the fucker down and told him to cool it and leave me alone, he persisted up to the point he that smacked me. Friends said he hit me hard, no matter, he started it, I finished it.

To quote the title of a W. C. Fields, flick, "Never Give a Sucker an Even Break".