Mexico · HOP-ON HOP-OFF TOURS
The shortlist you would text a friend: 13 hop-on hop-off buses that repay the money, with what each costs and how they differ once you read past the headline.
See Mexico City by open-top double-decker bus on four routes covering the Historic Downtown, Polanco, South, and Basilica areas. Use one bracelet for one or two days, hop off near museums and landmarks, and follow multilingual commentary in nine languages. Plan around traffic, uneven audio volume, and limited evening hours.
“Lillie and Ellie were fantastic knowledgeable guides . Well done”
Spend up to 10 hours riding Turibus through Centro, Coyoacán, Basílica, and Polanco. Use the open-top deck for city views, hop off near sights such as Templo Mayor and Frida Kahlo Museum, and follow audio commentary in seven languages. Bring sun protection, allow for traffic, and plan your route before boarding.
“The hearing was very poor using the EarPods, they only works half the time.”
Ride an open-air bus from Marina Vallarta through central Puerto Vallarta to Mismaloya, stopping near beaches, plazas, shopping, and Los Arcos viewpoints. The route is offered in English and usually takes about four hours, though waits can stretch longer. Start early, sit upstairs, and check the timetable before getting off.
“Great and convenient way to explore the different parts of the city. It gives you opportunities to hop off and enjoy and take in the scenery.”
See Cancun beyond the resort strip on a roughly five-hour guided outing with stops at El Meco ruins, downtown Plaza 28, Avenida Tulum, a tequila and chocolate shop, and Playa Delfines. Guides such as Tony and Arturo explain Cancun’s past and present. Expect shopping stops, refreshments, and transportation that may be a bus, van, or other air-conditioned vehicle rather than a double-decker bus.
“The whole experience was excellent the driver & Tony were very friendly & helpful they answered all questions we asked”
Ride the Vallartour Bus for 210 minutes through Puerto Vallarta, from the Malecon and Los Arcos toward Mismaloya. Use the 20 official stops to see beaches, neighborhoods, and photo spots, with English or Spanish audio, an upper deck, and accessible buses. The route works best as a sightseeing loop, since some buses may be about two hours apart.
“It was a wonderful ride all around the city. Really loved it.”
Ride a panoramic double-decker bus through Mexico City after dark, passing the Angel of Independence, Diana Cazadora, Palace of Fine Arts, Zócalo, Roma, Condesa, Juarez Avenue, and Zona Rosa. A multilingual audio guide and headphones are included, though English service has not always been reliable. The 90-minute circuit costs $10 per person.
“we booked an English quided tour but all was in Spanish. wifi and mobile like was not working as well. very disappointed 😞”
Ride Mexico City’s Turibus across the Historic Center, Polanco, South, and Basilica routes. Use the supplied audio system, hop off at museums, markets, plazas, and UNAM, then reboard later. The ticket includes all routes and a coupon booklet, though service can change with traffic, events, and street closures.
Use one $15 ticket to explore Cancun’s Centro and Hotel Zone on an open-top double-decker bus. The roughly two-hour loop passes Playa Delfines, La Isla, Mercado 28, Parque Kabah, Aquaworld, beaches, malls, and restaurants. Audio commentary is offered in English and Spanish, but buses may arrive two hours apart.
“It's a trip that essentially shows the hotel zone.”
Ride a red Turibus from the Historic Center along Paseo de la Reforma after dark. You’ll pass the Zócalo, Monumento a la Revolución, Angel of Independence, Diana Cazadora, Fuente de Cibeles, Reforma 222, and Hemiciclo a Juárez. An audio guide is available in seven languages. Bring a jacket and arrive 15 minutes early.
“The tour was amazing. Taking the tour at night around the city was beautiful and exciting. The price was right for the 1 hour and 15 minutes. I really enjoyed sightseeing the historical landmarks that Mexico had and took lots of pictures. The only thing I wish for the tour would be if the meeting spot was at an actual building than a spot on a street. I was a little confused because two different tour sites were having their meeting spot at the same location.”
Use one 24-hour ticket to ride three Mexico City bus circuits: Downtown to Polanco, Downtown to Temples, and Downtown to the South. See the Zócalo, Reforma Avenue, Coyoacán, the Basilica of Guadalupe, San Ángel, and UNAM. An onboard audio guide adds context, but bring your own headphones.
See Cancun’s downtown and Hotel Zone by panoramic double-decker bus, visit El Meco archaeological site, shop at Plaza 28 and Plaza La Fiesta, taste tequila, and photograph the colorful Cancun sign at Playa Delfines. English and Spanish guides, bottled water, beer, and entrance fees are included.
“Exploring the city on a private small bus is really nice, and I enjoyed very much all the exploration of the city, the history and the ruins. I just wished it was more about that without wasting more than two hours in over priced souvenir stores - it felt as if I spent money to be brought where I can spend more money while I knew where to buy souvenirs that are not that overpriced. The first shopping stop was one hour (too much) and then we were supposed to visit the Tequila museum with some Tequila assortment, but it was just a small room with a 3 minutes video…”
Ride from Puebla’s Zócalo to Cholula on a six-hour double-decker bus tour. Visit the Great Pyramid, San Gabriel Convent, Capilla Real, Acatepec, and Santa María Tonanzintla. The tour runs in Spanish, with occasional bilingual help not guaranteed. Bring sun protection and comfortable shoes.
“Carla is the best tour guide ever! She was kind and explained about a lot of things.”
You’ll spend three hours seeing Mazatlán by open-top bus and on foot, with hotel pickup, a cliff-jumper show, Playa Norte, the Historic District, the cathedral, and the Malecón. Guides such as Carlos Eduardo, Jose, Cesar, and Manuel have led past tours in both English and Spanish. Wear walking shoes and bring a hat.
“Only 1 cliff diver...no bird feeding...drive back to hotel too late, missed sunset...trip was saved by our friendly, energetic guide (Manuel) however trip home rocked....”
