Transport in a dog trip

The hardest part of traveling with your dog is transportation, assuming you do not have a car. Traveling from one place to another will not be easy, friends. I take for granted that nobody is going to take a long trip with their dog carrying a cage and traveling by bus, as it can be the worst nightmare for canine friend. The best thing is to look for other means of transport. These are the ways you can travel together:

Bus

Usually, you will need a cage or carrier. I find it useful for the beginning of your trip if you have arrived at your destination by plane, as you would have the cage. For example, I used it after arriving in Cancun from Madrid for a short journey. However, there are two main disadvantages: in the first place your dog would have to travel in the cellar of the bus, which they do not usually like it (obviously)... In the second place, you will have to carry the cage, which is going to be a nightmare. Conclusion, get rid of that kennel as soon as possible and find out other ways to travel. On the other hand, in some countries or places you will be allowed to travel with your dog by bus in the passenger area (the smaller your dog is the better!). We traveled like that in some parts of Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador when Cocaí was a baby. Also, we did it in some areas in Mexico, when she was already big. Sometimes you will have to beg a bit, but it is worth it!

In some countries you will be able to bring your buddy with you in the passenger area

Specially in rural areas

Blablacar or other carpool options

​It is a very good option for trips between big cities (mostly in Europe). And also if you are going to make trips from a base point. For example, if you have taken your “shaggy” to the city that you have arrived for a study exchange or a temporary work. You can travel on weekends or short holidays carefree of losing time (like when you hitchhike), and your dog will not be stressed because he/she will go with you. In Europe, Blablacar rocks; the app is also working well in Mexico, Brazil and India (good to know!). Little by little, it is getting more and more popular. There are other ways of getting a sharing ride, specially through other carpool applicaions or Facebook groups (travels, etc).

Blablacar from Monterrey to Querétaro; I used it a lot in Mexico.

Hitchhiking

The most adventurous and best of all in my opinion. For long and unhurried trips. It would seem that with a dog it is more difficult for you to get a ride, but what some people believe is a handicap can become rather an advantage. It turns out that often cars stop thanks to Cocaí! On several occasions I have been told that they felt sorry for my dog, but I have never been told they felt sorry for me! There are many dog lovers everywhere, in every corner of the planet. The picture of you and your dog on the road can move more than one human being and they will probably ask you about your dog's story in the way. It has really worked for us. In addition to saving on transportation you will meet super good people. I always say that those who give you a ride are special people. That 1% of population is worth a lot, so if you travel this way you will be lucky to know them. Click here for more information ;)

The funniest, most authentic and most economic way of traveling!

Renting a car

Good option if you have a few days of vacation and want to tour a region with freedom. If you are traveling with some friends much better, as it would be cheaper. I did it with a friend who visited me in Mexico, and we toured Oaxaca. I also did it with my family in Argentina, Ecuador and Canada.

When my friend Meryjane came and visit me in Mexico, we rented a car; besides, we gave a ride to a hitchhiker!

Plane

I've only done it when I had no choice. This is when I hit the road for a long season and have to cross the ocean. It is a lot of stress for your buddy because he has to go alone, in the darkness and surrounded by a lot of noise. And for you too, as you will be thinking about him during the whole trip. But sometimes it's almost the only way. And I say almost because there are ways to cross seas and oceans by boat, as a crew. Check out the web FindaCrew. Or go from marina to marina offering your valuable services as a cook or a cleaner in exchange for a ticket! It should also be noted that flying with your dog is usually expensive and you need to do a lot of dog paperwork (vaccines, veterinary certificates ...).

Sound and safe back on land

​Boat

Another option. Sometimes, in fact, it is the only one! For example, to get around in some areas of the Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon, there is only river transportation. In the Amazon, we traveled by boat around two weeks. The conditions depend on the captain of the boat. We traveled from Brazil (Porto Velho-Manaus) in complete freedom; Another section (Manaus to the border with Peru) was more restrictive: Cocaí had to be tied all the time in a specific area of the ship (although we broke the rule more than once!); In Peru was free will: Cocaí did what she pleased (in fact there was also a monkey in the boat). If your dog is very big I think it would be difficult for the captain to let you travel, unless you have a kennel. This would be a nightmare for your dog... The good inside the bad is that, unlike the plane, the cage (and your dog) would stay in an accessible area, so you could go visit your friend as many times as you wanted. To cross seas and oceans again, you have FindaCrew or you can try your luck in each port or marina.

Journey from Porto Velho to Manaus, Brazil

Cocaí made a bunch of little friends in the river-journey Manaus - Tabatinga, Brazil

Tour with my family in the Ecuadorian jungle, Tena

Biking

I have never done it. Unlees we count our bike adventure at Baños, Ecuador, in which we did a day trip by bike, Cocaí traveling in an accessorie baby seat. Jokes aside, this is a real option… The trip would be done either with a basket (in front) or a trailer (in the back), where your dog would travel (previous training or adaptation of your dog would be necessary so he/she does not jump off the bike). The biggest advantages are: you can organize your time freely; do not depend on anyone; do not spend much money (only in keeping the bike in good condition); your dog does not stress because is always with you; it is good exercise (good for your legs and buttocks!); cero pollution. The main disadvantage is that it requires a lot of time. You need time for a trip like this. It must be tiring as well! Here are the blogs of two guys who have launched to travel with their dogs in this way, one using a trailer and the other a basket. This is the contact of the one who has traveled with the trailer (merak1026@gmail.com). And do not forget to visit Pablo Calvo's blog to discover in detail his adventures and his wise advice on traveling with dogs and bikes: https://bikecanine.com/. In the post of Dog travelers with no motor vehicles I tell you more about the experiences of travelers who have embarked on this dog-cycle adventure.

Cocaí was kind of uncomfortable, look at her face, but it was a wonderful adventure in the surroundings of Baños, Ecuador

On foot: walking

Why not? Ideal for hiking and nature lovers. From routes of several days to long walks such as the Camino de Santiago (Spain, France, Portugal) or the Pacific Crest Trail (USA). Your dog will enjoy like never before. You should take into account that in many routes, especially in countries of the "first world", it will be difficult to access some trails with your dog, as they want to keep wild its fauna and flora. But the rules are to skip them, at least once in a while: if your dog is not a hunter and, instead, is quiet; if it is not a route traveled by bears, lions, snakes or other dangerous animals; if there is not a lot of tourism (low season) I do not see why we cannot break that standard.

Three-Day-Hiking in Huascarán National Park, Peru