The Cheapest Way To Get From Valladolid To Campeche (This Also Works For Valladolid to Merida)

I’m sitting here at the Zocalo (main plaza) in Campeche, Mexico right now using the FREE WIFI.  Yes, I said FREE WIFI…and it’s pretty fast too (though it comes in waves).

I’m not sure about Cancun, but both Valladolid and Campeche have both had FREE WIFI at their main plaza.  I’ve heard the same of Merida.  So I get to do some work in a beautiful setting:

The point of this blog is simple.  I’m going to give you a specific action plan for getting from Valladolid, Mexico to Campeche, Mexico in the cheapest possible way.  This will also work if you’re wanting to go from Valladolid to Merida.  As Merida is a midpoint between Valladolid and Campeche.

Let’s get to it:

NOTE FROM JORDAN: If you just go up to the ticket counter and ask for a ticket to your destination city, they will usually just give you the most expensive ticket (ADO)—even if the next bus (Oriente) is much cheaper, and obviously sooner.

So make sure you either follow these directions, or just look at the ticket prices and times, and make sure you’re aware of your choices before you go up to the ticket person.

STEP 1: Go to the “terminal de autobus” in Valladolid.  This is the main (and I believe only) bus station in the city.  It’s very close to the Zocalo.  Just ask around.

STEP 2: Get a bus ticket on the next Oriente bus to Merida.  Oriente is the name of the company.  Merida is the name of a large city on the way to Campeche.  This will cost 82 pesos.  These leave very frequently.  You shouldn’t ever have to wait more than an hour.  The bus ride should last almost exactly 3.5 hours.

NOTE: There is a direct bus to Campeche, but it costs 264 pesos, and there is only one daily.  You can also take another company to Merida called ADO.  These is more expensive (142 pesos) but it is a nicer bus—it has bathrooms.  The Oriente bus does not.  Also, the Oriente bus stops at most major towns/villages…so it takes a while.  I presume the ADO buses don’t stop as much, but I can’t say for certain.

STEP 3: Get off at the 2nd bus station in Merida.  There are two bus stations when you arrive in Merida, the Oriente bus goes to both of them.  Make sure you get off at the second bus station.  You can ask the bus driver or anybody “segunda terminal”?

STEP 4: Go to the ticket booth.  Buy the next ticket on an Oriente bus going to Campeche.  This should cost 89 pesos.  They will tell you the bus ride will take 4 hours.  It took me almost 5.

NOTE: Again, there are also ADO buses available when you get to Merida.  They are nicer, presumably faster, and cost more (142 pesos).

STEP 5: Take a taxi or walk to the center of the city, the main plaza, the Zocalo from the bus station.  The Oriente bus will leave you at the bus station in Campeche.  Most backpackers stay close to the Zocalo.  When I asked around, several people told me to take a taxi to the Zocalo cause it was too far.

Backpacker Rule #1: Don’t believe anything…by anybody…ever!

I decided to hoof it.  I’m glad I did cause it was a pleasant walk and only took about 15 minutes.  To walk to the Zocalo from the bus station, just exit the station and make a left.  Walk about 5-7 minutes.  You will start to see the walls of the city (Campeche is a walled city).  From there cross the street at the first main pedestrian crossing.

You can see the cathedral in the Zocalo at times.  But just keep asking “donde esta el Zocalo?”  They will happily point you there.  The streets 55 and 10 (Calle 55 and Calle 10) cross right at the Zocalo and navigation is super easy in Campeche.  It won’t be hard to figure out.

Campeche is cute.  I hope you enjoy.

Happy travels,