Hop on board with Va y Ventures, a spirited offshoot of the IWC Explorers Club! We’re discovering our surroundings one route at a time—by Va y Ven bus, IE-Tram, and even the Tren Maya. Join us for scheduled outings full of exploration, connection, and a little adventure around every corner. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just curious, we welcome all IWC members and their occasional guests.
Here’s how the Va y Ventures program works:
- View the Upcoming Trip Itineraries of our planned rides below.
- Choose a trip, click Reserve Here and fill out a short form.
- Click on Submit Another Response to reserve another trip.
That’s it. We’ll send you an email confirming your reservation and sharing more details about the trip. (Our maximum for each trip is eight women, so please reserve early.)
For more info, contact: Connie Burk – burk.connie@gmail.com (or call or Whats App the phone number in the IWC Directory).
If you don’t have a bus card yet, no problem. You can use ours for your first trip. (See How to… below to get your own card.)
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
For more info, contact: Connie Burk – burk.connie@gmail.com (or call or Whats App the phone number in the IWC Directory).
If you don’t have a bus card yet, no problem. You can use ours for your first trip. (See How to… below to get your own card.)
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
For more info, contact: Connie Burk – burk.connie@gmail.com (or call or Whats App the phone number in the IWC Directory).
If you don’t have a bus card yet, no problem. You can use ours for your first trip. (See How to… below to get your own card.)
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
For more info, contact: Connie Burk – burk.connie@gmail.com (or call or Whats App the phone number in the IWC Directory).
If you don’t have a bus card yet, no problem. You can use ours for your first trip. (See How to… below to get your own card.)
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
For more info, contact: Connie Burk – burk.connie@gmail.com (or call or Whats App the phone number in the IWC Directory).
If you don’t have a bus card yet, no problem. You can use ours for your first trip. (See How to… below to get your own card.)
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
For more info, contact: Connie Burk – burk.connie@gmail.com (or call or Whats App the phone number in the IWC Directory).
If you don’t have a bus card yet, no problem. You can use ours for your first trip. (See How to… below to get your own card.)
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
For more info, contact: Connie Burk – burk.connie@gmail.com (or call or Whats App the phone number in the IWC Directory).
If you don’t have a bus card yet, no problem. You can use ours for your first trip. (See How to… below to get your own card.)
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis
For more info, contact: Connie Burk – burk.connie@gmail.com (or call or Whats App the phone number in the IWC Directory).
If you don’t have a bus card yet, no problem. You can use ours for your first trip. (See How to… below to get your own card.)
Fall Trip Itineraries are under construction. Please come back soon to see the list of trips.
11-6-2025 (Thurs) – City 32 and Plaza La Isla
We will take the 63 from Parque La Plancha, first stopping at YGO’s thrift shop in Itzimná, then reboarding and stopping at the fantastic City 32, then going on to Plaza La Isla for shopping and lunch.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque La Plancha’s Mercado Gastronómico.
Departure Time: 10:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
11-17-2025 (Monday) – Parque de Itzimná and Plaza Altabrisa
We’ll take the 55 from Parque Mejorada to Parque de Itzimná and YGO’s thrift shop. Then we’ll continue on to Plaza Altabrisa for shopping, lunch, a snack, or a game of bowling!
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-4-2025 (Thursday) – The North
We’ll learn about the 70s buses that travel north. We’ll go straight up Calle 60/Tecnológico to The Harbor, passing the stops at Gran Plaza, Costco and Gallerias. On our return, we’ll stop for a short time at Chedraui Norte for deboarding and reboarding practice.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
12-15-2025 (Monday) – Cholul
We’ll take the 61 up Paseo Montejo and Camara de Comercio to Plaza Altabrisa where we’ll transfer to the 55 to go on to the park in the center of Cholul. We’ll learn about the pueblo’s excellent after-school education program and view the native tree plantation in the park and then split up to eat at a café, a bakery, or one of two restaurants.
Meeting Time & Location: 11 am at El Templo Gastro-Barrio
Departure Time: 11:30 am, after coffee or juice and a short discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
Advanced Bus Riding Workshop
This is a more serious trip to explore bus route planning in Mérida. We’ll choose a destination and find a way to get there, and then choose another, passing through several transportation “hubs” and getting comfortable with transfers. We’ll travel on both Va y Ven buses and IE-trams.
Meeting Time & Location: 10 am at Parque Santiago
Departure Time: approximately 10:30 am, after coffee and discussion
Return Time (estimated): 4 pm
How to…
Get a general (green) card. (Rides cost 12 pesos.)
Go to any OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s, or Super Aki stores.
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Get a senior (yellow) social card. (Rides cost 5 pesos.)
Go to the Va y Ven office (C.39 #523 x 66 y 72) or to Mercado San Benito (2nd floor),
or to a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente. Bring a residency card, your INAPAM card, and a comprobante (utility receipt in your name).
The card will cost 25 pesos and you can charge it up for as much as you want.
Recharge your general or senior card.
You can recharge your card with the Va y Ven app on your phone, or at: the Va y Ven office, OXXO, Dunosusa, Willy’s and Aki stores, Mercado San Benito (2nd floor), a government kiosk at Gran Plaza, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Fiesta, or Plaza Oriente, or at any Va y Ven cajero machine along the Periférico.
Ride the bus.
Choose your route, go to the stop, stand under the sign, or in line, and flag down the bus.
Wave your card at the machine until it beeps happily that you were successful. Walk on.
Hints: There are often two machines. Use the bright blue one. Wait until the machine has reset from the person boarding before you. If you see a big checkmark, you’re too soon. Wait a second until it’s gone. If you get a loud beep even after waiting, look at the driver. S/he will usually wave you on. Then check your balance on your app.
Sit wherever you like and, if you don’t know the route well, keep your Va y Ven and/or Google Maps apps open on your phone to track your ride.
Press one of the red buttons when you are close to your stop, two in the center and one in the front. (Even if you press the button in the front, you need to exit out the middle doors.)
Apps and Maps
Using Google Maps to plan a bus trip and to ride the bus
Tiny Routes – an overview of Mérida’s new bus system
Selected Routes and Analysis