Half of the stories I have from traveling take place en route- sitting crammed in the window seat on a 13 hour bus ride across Mexico, watching smoke come out of my friend’s car on the side of the road in Colombia, driving backwards on a highway in Costa Rica… Yeah, you could probably use private transportation to travel seamlessly around Latin America, but what’s the fun in that? Here is an A-Z of every crazy mode of transport I took during my trip and some tips for getting around (with the exception of some letters, because what type of transportation starts with x?). 

Airplane

Probably my least favorite option, as there are much cheaper and more environmentally friendly ways to travel. But if you need to move quickly and easily, sometimes flying is a necessity. Some of the best airlines I’ve flown are Volaris, Avianca, and Copa Airlines. 

BlaBlaCar

BlaBlaCar is a French born carpooling company I discovered when I had to travel 5 hours in the midst of a bout of food poisoning and couldn’t fathom the thought of getting on a bus. Basically, you pay a driver to get a ride to wherever they’re already going. It’s a cheap and convenient way to make long-distance trips and I ended up meeting nice people on my ride. The only caveat is that you will not always be able to find drivers completing your exact route. BlaBlaCar is also only available in Brazil and Mexico.

Chicken Bus

I actually never had the pleasure of traveling in a chicken bus, but I have several friends that did. They’re school buses that have been converted into public transportation. You’ll recognize them by their bright exterior!

Delivery Truck

Ok, this one may be a bit out there, but a friend and I did actually hitchhike in a delivery truck when we needed a ride back from a hike. I won’t directly endorse hitchhiking, but I’ll just say that I’ve never had a bad experience.

Escalator

If you ever visit Medellin, Colombia, join a tour of Communa 13. Located in the hills of the city, Comuna 13 was once subject to the violence of the Colombian drug cartels. In recent years, it has undergone a huge transformation. You’ll now find endless incredible street art and outdoor escalators that make it easier to get around. Take them to the highest point and you’ll find a beautiful view of the whole city! 

Foot

Latin America is full of natural beauty that can only be enjoyed on foot- volcano treks, national parks… Machu Picchu!! A lot of towns are also small enough that you can walk everywhere. 

Golf Cart

You’ll actually stumble on a few towns in Latin America where golf carts outnumber the cars on the roads. They can be pricey to rent but are definitely a must try- at least for a day! 

Horse

I’ve always had an irrational fear of horses, but when I was offered the opportunity to tour a traditional village on horseback I couldn’t pass it up. While I stayed attached to the guide for the entirety of the ride, I was able to see places I wouldn’t have otherwise and it was overall an enjoyable experience! 

Lancha

Lancha translates to speedboat in English- and they’re just that. They operate as water taxis that can bring you between beaches and towns. They can be kind of infrequent so make sure to check the schedule! 

Motorcycle

I traveled on way more motorcycles during my travels than my parents would probably like to know. In some towns you’ll find that motorcycles take the place of taxis (called moto taxis). They’re super cheap and you get the added bonus of feeling like a badass. 

Omnibus

Omnibus is one of the most prominent bus companies in Mexico, but there are buses in almost all of Latin America (which I have a very love/hate relationship with). They’re cheap and will get you pretty much anywhere you need to go, but don’t be surprised if you end up breaking down in the middle of the road for a few hours. If you need to make a long-distance trip, take an overnight bus to save money on accommodation! 

Pickup Truck

Have you even been to Latin America if you haven’t ridden in the back of a pickup truck? 

Quad Bike

Also known as ATVs, quad bikes are a fun way to get around smaller beach towns and venture down off-road trails. But be careful! Injuries are all too common when they’re not driven correctly.

Subway

Many places in Latin America have subway systems that are fairly easy to navigate, like Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Medellin. This is a great way to travel around larger cities and get a taste of local life!

Tandem Bike

Or a normal bicycle if you have the privilege of knowing how to ride one! I have somehow made it to my 20s without ever learning, so when friends and I decided to ride bikes for the day I made someone ride a tandem bike with me. It was slightly difficult but worth the stunning views.

Van

In Mexico and some other Latin American countries you’ll find vans called colectivos that travel both locally and between cities. They’re typically used by locals so they tend to be cheap, and they’ll often drop you off wherever you’d like. Make sure to bring cash to pay the driver. You can find these vans at colectivo stands or catch them along their route. 

Zipline

I rode my first ever zipline in Mexico after intense pressure from my friends. I was terrified but a group of locals cheered me on and I mustered the confidence to go! 

And that wraps up my guide to transportation in Latin America! Of course this is not an exhaustive list and I’m sure you’ll be able to find plenty more exciting ways to get around. Safe travels and enjoy the ride!