Getting Around Guatemala
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use local buses and tuk-tuks for Guatemala City and Antigua. Rural: Rent a car for highlands and Mayan ruins exploration. Coast: Shuttles and boats for Lake Atitlan and Caribbean. For convenience, book airport transfers from Guatemala City to your destination.
Train Travel
No Passenger Trains - Use Buses
Guatemala has no active passenger rail network; rely on extensive bus services connecting major cities and rural areas with frequent departures.
Cost: Guatemala City to Antigua $3-5, journeys 1-2 hours between most destinations.
Tickets: Buy at bus terminals or through apps like GuateGo for tourist shuttles. Cash preferred.
Peak Times: Avoid early mornings and weekends for crowded "chicken buses"; opt for first-class for comfort.
Bus Passes & Shuttles
Tourist shuttles like those from Adrenalina Tours offer multi-stop passes for $50-80 covering Antigua, Lake Atitlan, and Tikal over several days.
Best For: Multiple rural visits, safer and air-conditioned compared to local buses.
Where to Buy: Hostels, travel agencies, or online with instant booking confirmation.
Long-Distance Options
Pullman Bus and Hedman Alas provide comfortable services to Flores, Quetzaltenango, and borders with Mexico/Honduras.
Booking: Reserve seats in advance for overnight trips, discounts up to 20% for early bookings.
Main Terminals: Guatemala City Zona 4 terminal for most routes, with connections to regional hubs.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring remote Mayan sites and highlands. Compare rental prices from $30-60/day at Guatemala City Airport and Antigua.
Requirements: Valid license (international recommended), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Full coverage mandatory due to road conditions, includes theft and collision protection.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 90 km/h highways.
Tolls: CA-1 and CA-9 highways have tolls ($2-5 per section), pay in cash or card.
Priority: Yield to oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads, pedestrians have right of way in towns.
Parking: Free street parking common but watch for restrictions, secure lots $5-10/day in cities.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations available every 50-100km at $4-5/gallon for regular unleaded, diesel similar.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Waze for navigation, download offline maps for rural areas.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in Guatemala City rush hours, potholes common on secondary roads.
Urban Transport
Guatemala City Buses
Transmetro system covers the capital, single ticket $0.30, day pass $2, 10-journey card $3.
Validation: Pay exact fare upon boarding, no change given, inspections occasional.
Apps: Transmetro app for routes, real-time updates, and schedule planning.
Bike Rentals
Bike Antigua and other towns offer rentals $5-10/day with stations and guided options.
Routes: Paved paths around Lake Atitlan and Antigua colonial streets.
Tours: Eco-tours available in national parks, combining cycling with cultural stops.
Tuk-Tuks & Local Services
Tuk-tuks in Antigua and smaller towns, $1-3 per short ride, shared taxis (colectivos) $0.50-1.
Tickets: Negotiate fares upfront, or use apps like Uber in Guatemala City.
Chicken Buses: Colorful local minibuses connecting suburbs, $0.20-1 depending on distance.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near bus terminals in cities for easy access, central Antigua or Panajachel for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for dry season (Nov-Apr) and major festivals like Semana Santa.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for weather-affected travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Good 4G coverage in cities and main highways, spotty 3G in remote highlands and jungles.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Claro, Tigo, and Movistar offer prepaid SIMs from $5-10 with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, supermarkets, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 3GB for $10, 10GB for $20, unlimited for $25/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and tourist areas.
Public Hotspots: Bus terminals and plazas in major towns have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally decent (5-50 Mbps) in urban areas, suitable for browsing and calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-6, no daylight saving time observed.
- Airport Transfers: La Aurora Airport (GUA) 6km from city center, bus $0.50 (30 min), taxi $10-15, or book private transfer for $20-30.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus terminals ($2-5/day) and hostels in major cities.
- Accessibility: Buses and shuttles have limited accessibility, many ruins involve steps and uneven terrain.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on some shuttles (small free, large $5), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on roof of chicken buses for $2-3, tourist shuttles may charge extra.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Guatemala
La Aurora International Airport (GUA) is the main gateway. Compare flight prices on Aviasales or Kiwi for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
La Aurora (GUA): Primary international hub, 6km south of Guatemala City with bus connections.
Mundo Maya (FRS): Domestic and regional airport near Flores for Tikal access, flights from GUA $50-100 (1 hour).
Quetzaltenango (XELA): Small airport with limited domestic flights, convenient for western highlands.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for dry season travel (Nov-Apr) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into San Salvador or Belize City and taking bus to Guatemala for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Volaris, Copa Airlines, and Avianca serve GUA with Central American connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and ground transport when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee $3-5, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in hotels and shops, American Express less common in rural areas.
- Contactless Payment: Tap-to-pay emerging in cities, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted in larger establishments.
- Cash: Essential for buses, markets, and small vendors, keep $50-100 in small quetzales or USD.
- Tipping: Not customary but 5-10% appreciated in restaurants for good service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.