Scores of travelers taking the bus to or from Mérida have discovered that virtually all seats are sold out.
Bus companies, including ADO, have increased their number of runs by 40% to make up for demand.
Passengers looking to travel over the next week are encouraged to book as soon as possible, as even with additional buses, many passengers waiting at the last minute to buy their tickets at the bus station are left without a seat.
The travel surge is expected as people all over the region are traveling back and forth for the holidays — but this year seems to be even more hectic than usual.
“This time of year, we usually have about 180 buses in operation, but given the extraordinary demand, we have added nearly 80 more,” said ADO director Angeliuca Marroquín.
Many travelers have had to make do with second-class buses, which take roughly twice as long to reach their destination as they make several stops.
Earlier: We Took the Tren Maya from Mérida to Cancún, and Here is What We Learned
For example, second-choice buses from Mérida to Cancun may take as long as nine hours, as the trip may include up to 10 stops along the way, depending on the route.
The busiest routes during the holidays from Mérida include Cancún, Campeche, Playa del Carmen, Veracruz, and Ciudad del Carmen.
As one would expect, the situation is similar in other major cities on the peninsula, especially Cancún, where holiday commuters and tourists have to compete for seats.
One of the few other options open to travelers to and from Mérida, Campeche, and Cancun is the Tren Maya. But only two trips are scheduled daily. Private taxis and vans are another option, though starting prices of around US$300 are out of the question for most.
