BUSING FROM PUERTO VALLARTA
(To the Costalegre)
P.V. BUS STATION (Central Camionera)
Puerto Vallarta's main bus station 'Estación de autobuses' is located north of the city on Calle Bahía de Sin Nombre No.363, just off MX-200 highway (Carretaria Pto.Vta - Tepic) at km-9. If you arrive in Puerto Vallarta by air, you can get to the bus station (about 3 km away) by taxi or by taking a northbound "IXTAPA" city bus. Most first class buses leave before noon, but there are hourly second class buses heading to the Costalegre. If you arrive by airplane in the late afternoon, you will have to stay overnight before busing south, because a 1st. class bus trip takes 3-4 hours and 2nd class 4-5 hrs. You would arrive in the Costalegre in the late evening, a poor time to start looking for a hotel.
BUS CLASSES
Many budget travelers choose to travel from Puerto Vallarta to the Costalegre by regional (long haul) buses, as flights to P.V. are cheaper than to Manzanillo. First class buses are recommended, as the cost is not much more than second class and have the following available features not always found on second class buses. Toilets, air conditioning, movies and comfortable seats. They are also, newer, cleaner and more punctual than other classes, as they are on a tighter schedule. You may also reserve a seat location. Regional buses have two employees on each bus, the driver and an attendant (swamper), who helps people on and off the bus, stores the luggage and serves drinks and snacks on long trips.
BUS FROM OLD TOWN PV
For those who stay in "The Romantic Zone" south of Rio Cuale, South going buses pickup passengers at the corner of V.Carranza and Aguacate in Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Tickets may be purchased from Chiuatlán ticket venders in front of "Abarrotes Don Chalio" #402 V.Carranza or at the Primera Plus station down the street Currently Closed. Primera 1st. class bus leaves at 8:20 to Barra/Melaque (3.5hrs+). The 2nd class buses leave at 8:00, 11:30 & 14:30. All 2nd. class buses take a side trip to Tomatlán, making the trip an hour longer. Take a coat or sweater, as the air conditioning can be cool.
OLD TOWN BUS STATION IS: Currently Closed
Primera Plus Bus Station Coordinados - Costabus, Calle V. Carranza #393. Located near the corner of Calle Aguacate. Ticket Counter Waiting Room Horarío (Schedules) Web Site
BUS LINES (Heading South to the Costalegre)
1) Primera Plus - Flecha Amarilla (322).221.0021 Toll Free Mexico: 01.800.375.7587
2) Autobuses Cihuatlán y Autocamiones del Pacifico ACP Website (322).221.1640 (also in old town at Insurgentes No.282, (322).222.5622, (322).222.1015)
3) Elite (322).221.0848, (322).222.6666 (Direct buses run form Tijuana to Acapulco. There are two First Class Express buses daily. Stops in Melaque, but not Barra de Navidad)
4) Etn Puerto Vallarta to Barra de Navidad (Etn does not stop in Melaque)
5) Tres Estrellas De Oro (323).881.9756, (323).588.9188
6) Grupo Estrella Blanca y Greyhound
