Right away, you can see why taking a Colectivo is popular in Lima. You’re not nearly as crowded as you would be in a packed bus, even if you get stuck riding in the middle seat in the back of the car. Because it’s a car, you stop less frequently and move faster.
Colectivos definitely can save you time, and compared to a taxi, they might make more sense economically as well. Here’s an example of how I would use one.
Starting out in La Molina, I have to head west to Javier Prado and the Via Expresa. I can take a city bus for S/.1.70 that will take me right to my stop. Or, I could cab it and spend probably 12-15 soles for that same distance.
The colectivo sits right in the Goldilocks zone. It’s where liquid water sits on the surface of the planet. At S/.3.50, I get to my destination in half the time of the bus, while paying just about double. Still, I’m only slightly slower than a cab, yet at a fraction of the price.