Can I Take Public Buses Around Guatemala?
Yes. Many travelers use buses and shuttle buses to get around in Guatemala. The so-called "chicken buses" operate within and between cities. These buses are painted in bright colors and tend to pack as many people into them as possible. Chicken buses are very inexpensive, but are not always the most comfortable (or safe) way to get around.
Tourist shuttle buses run along major tourism routes. These are more expensive, but are also safer and more comfortable than chicken buses.
There are also first-class buses that run between major cities like Guatemala City, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, Flores, and Puerto Barrios. These luxury coaches sometimes have restrooms and food service.
Bus travel is a great opton for travelers wth a flexible schedule and tight budget. That said, buses may take longer than other forms of transportation and may also be less comfortable.
Related Questions
- Is Guatemala Bike Friendly?
- Should I rent a car in Guatemala?
- What Are the Driving Times Between destinations in Guatemala?
- What Are The Roads Like in Guatemala?
- What Destinations Offer Domestic Flights in Guatemala?
- What are the baggage restrictions on domestic flights in Guatemala?
Flores and Santa Elena
The twin towns of Flores and Santa Elena, which are often collectively referred to simply as “Flores,” are set within the heart of Petén. Flores is actually a small island in Lake Petén Itzá that’s connected to Santa Elena, on the mainland, by a causeway. With its pastel houses and genteel atmosphere, Flores is very pleasant.
Guatemala City
Guatemala City is often a traveler’s first glimpse of Guatemala. As your plane descends over the capital, you witness the largest city in Central America unfold—a sprawling, colorful metropolis that spreads into a valley ringed by forested mountains and volcanoes. It’s a big and powerful place that is home to around four million people.
Huehuetenango
Set at the foot of the Cuchumatanes Mountains in Guatemala’s Western Highlands, the departmental capital town of Huehuetenango is a lively town that lies adjacent to the ruins of Zaculeu. It has a relaxed atmosphere despite the fact that it’s a hub for trade and transport in northwest Guatemala.
Puerto Barrios
Puerto Barrios is a large, hot port city along Guatemala’s Caribbean coast. The town was once Guatemala’s main shipping port, but today is a rather forlorn and unappealing place. There is little reason for travelers to come here except while en route to places like Lívingston and Punta de Manabique.
Quetzaltenango
Guatemala’s second largest city, Quetzaltenango (pop. 300,000), is a world apart from Guatemala City. It’s a cosmopolitan place set at an altitude of 8,000 feet (2,400 m) and is the main population center for Guatemala’s K’iche’ Mayans. Despite being a fairly big city, its residents are friendly and approachable. Quetzaltenango’s original K’iche’ name of "Xelajú" is still widely used in an abbreviated form, Xela, today.
