GETTING AROUND GUATEMALA

 

With its pyramids, ruins, jungles, volcanos, and thriving Mayan culture, Guatemala is where the story of Central America comes vividly to life. Exploring this fascinating corner of the Americas is easy, but getting from A to B may take longer than you think. Here are the different ways to travel around Guatemala.

 

Road Around Atitlan

 

Air Travel

Air travel is useful for avoiding long road journeys. Guatemala is only about the size of Tennessee and smaller than England, so traveling by plane domestically isn’t common, but it is a useful option for avoiding the long bus ride to Flores and Tikal, or for traveling from Flores to Belize. TAG Airlines offers scheduled flights between Guatemala City and Flores or Puerto Barrios while Mexican airline Aeromar offers flights between Guatemala City and Flores. Tropic Air runs from Flores to Belize City.

 

Guatemala Airport

Bus

Buses in Guatemala come in two classes: comfortable first-class Pullman buses and second-class “chicken buses” – revamped US school buses that go almost everywhere. First-class buses – also known as 'express buses' – ply busy routes between major destinations, with regular services from Guatemala City to Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, Flores (for Tikal), and Panajachel (for Lago de Atitlán). Buses also connect major cities to some beach destinations and international border crossings to Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, and Belize. Not all bus lines are created equal, however. Some buses have toilets, but others don’t. Some have a TV screen up front playing music videos or action movies dubbed into Spanish, while others will let you enjoy the scenery or have a snooze in peace and quiet. First-class buses are about double the price of second-class buses, but they’re also much faster, safer, and more comfortable.

 

Pullman Service

Tourist shuttles

Tourist shuttles offer faster transfers, but less atmosphere. Using small vans or minibuses, tourist shuttles operate between all the major tourist destinations in Guatemala. Services also running across borders to destinations such as San Cristóbal de las Casas in Mexico, Playa El Tunco in El Salvador, and Copán Ruínas in Honduras. Shuttles are usually double the price of the chicken bus. You'll travel in a bit of a tourist bubble, but because of the comfort, the convenience – many shuttles will drop you off at your hotel or hostel – and the chance to share information with fellow travelers, they’re a great option for longer journeys.

 

Shuttle Service

 

Chicken Bus

Known locally as camionetas, chicken buses are more frequent than Pullman buses, and they cover pretty much every city, town, and village in Guatemala. These retired US school buses have been given a new life and a bold new look, with bright primary colors and a riot of chrome trimmings. You won’t see many chickens on the buses these days, but they transport just about anything else. Buses stop frequently to pick up and drop off passengers, and shopkeepers in smaller towns often use chicken buses to transport goods, meaning there isn't much space in the aisles. They’re slowly going, but they’re one of the best ways to meet locals. Knowing some basic Spanish is helpful if you’re traveling by chicken bus. Stops along the way aren’t clearly marked, but if you let the driver where you want to go, they’ll tell you when you’ve reached your destination. With basic Spanish, you can also ask fellow passengers about the correct fare, so you don’t end up paying twice as much as everyone else. Chicken buses in Guatemala are better used for short trips than for long, all-day journeys. They’re cramped and uncomfortable, especially if you’re tall (they were made for American school kids, after all). Large backpacks will be put on the roof, so it’s best to travel with a small daypack, rather than exposing your belongings to the weather (and prying hands). Opportunistic theft is common on these buses, so be alert and keep an eye on your valuables. If someone starts a conversation with you and inches closer, put your hand over your bag’s zipper. While most interactions are genuine, robbers sometimes strike up a conversation to distract you so they can relieve you of your wallet, phone, or camera.

 

Chicken Bus

 

Car Hire

Driving in Guatemala allows you the freedom to go wherever you want. If you like the freedom of traveling according to your own schedule, driving is always an option. You only need an international driver’s license to drive in Guatemala if you’re from a country with a non-Roman alphabet; other travelers can use a valid driver’s license from their home country for the first 30 days. Car rental is easy to arrange at airports and in major cities and other tourist hotspots, provided you're at least 25 years old. Always check the insurance conditions – you may not be covered for loss or theft so always park somewhere secure. Gasoline is more expensive in Guatemala than it is in the United States but cheaper than in Canada, Australia, and Europe.

 

Car Hire

Taxis

Is there an Uber in Guatemala? Yes, but only in Guatemala City and Antigua. It’s a good option for exploring these cities – it’s safe, the price is fixed and if you don’t speak Spanish, you can leave everything to the app. Taxis are readily available throughout Guatemala. In larger towns cabs can be hailed in upscale, touristy areas; in small towns taxis tend to hang around the central square. Try to get a cab with a meter.

 

Guatemala Taxi

Moto Taxis  TukTuks

 

Moto taxis are found in just about every town in Guatemala, although they’re much less common in Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango. Within towns, these small vehicles are probably the most useful form of public transport because they’re cheap and quick. In some areas, tuk-tuks travel to nearby towns and villages. Alternatively, they may travel to the outskirts of town, where you must transfer to another tuk-tuk to get to the next town. Be sure to check how to recognize the officially licensed tuk-tuks in each town you visit; regulations differ from one destination to the next.

 

Moto Taxi, Antigua

Boat

A few places in Guatemala are only accessible (or more easily accessible) by boat, including Livingston on the Caribbean coast and Jaibalito on the shores of Lake Atitlán. Where they are available, boats are often the preferred mode of transport because they’re quicker than going by road. Traveling from Panajachel to San Pedro La Laguna on the opposite shore of Lake Atitlán takes about half an hour by "lancha" (public motorboat), compared to two hours by road. While few locals wear them, it’s best to make use of the life jackets provided when you get onto a boat. Lanchas can – and sometimes do – capsize, especially on windy days. In Petén, there are a number of possible boat routes, including tours around Lago de Petén Itzá from Flores. Several terrific boat trips start in the town of Sayaxché, including the trip to Lago de Petexbatún and Aguateca and along the Río de la Pasión to Ceibal.

 

Water Taxis, Atitlan

Ask here if you need more information about how to get around Guatemala!