How to get around Guatemala

Navigating Guatemala is straightforward with a variety of public and private transport options. Here's what you need to know about getting between and within its cities and towns.

Inter-City Travel

For traveling between cities, budget-conscious individuals often use 'chicken buses' (camionetas). These are repurposed school buses that are brightly decorated and very cheap, typically costing under Q15 (US$2) for short distances, Q40-Q60 (US$5-$8) for a three-hour journey like Antigua to Lake Atitlán, or Q10-Q15 (US$1.50-$2) for a 1.5-hour trip from Guatemala City to Antigua. They can be crowded and lack modern amenities.

A slightly more comfortable, mid-range option is Pullman or first-class buses, offering amenities like air conditioning and reclining seats. These are more expensive, costing around US$1.50 per hour, with a 4-hour journey from Guatemala City to Quetzaltenango typically ranging from Q80-Q100 (US$10-$12).

Tourist shuttles, which are shared vans, provide a convenient door-to-door service between popular destinations. These are more expensive than chicken buses but offer greater comfort and safety, with prices such as US$15-18 from Guatemala City to Antigua, US$20-25 from Antigua to Lake Atitlán, or US$44-45 for longer routes like Lanquin to Flores.

The most expensive option for intercity travel involves private transfers, offering flexibility and personalized service, with costs such as US$45-75 from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua for up to four passengers, or US$150-160 for a private transfer from Antigua to Panajachel. Domestic flights are available for covering long distances quickly, particularly from Guatemala City to Flores (for Tikal), often costing US$100-120 or more for a one-way trip, though prices can fluctuate.

Travel Within Cities

Within cities and towns, local transportation includes tuk-tuks, taxis, and ride-hailing services. Tuk-tuks are widely available in most towns, excluding Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango, and are an inexpensive way to travel short distances, with fares typically between Q10-Q20 (approximately US$1.25-$2.50) per trip. In Panajachel, a ride downtown might cost Q5.

Taxis are present in major towns, but outside large cities, meters are uncommon, necessitating price negotiation before starting the journey. A short taxi ride might cost around US$3, or US$5 in Guatemala City. From Guatemala City Airport to the city center, a fixed fare of Q87 (€10) is common.

Ride-hailing apps like Uber and InDrive operate in Guatemala City, Antigua, and Panajachel, often providing a safer and more transparent pricing alternative to traditional taxis. A short Uber ride in Antigua can be around Q20 (US$2.5). For travel between villages around Lake Atitlán, lanchas (boats) are the primary mode of transport, usually costing around Q25 (US$3) for a one-way trip.

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