What Are the Driving Times Between destinations in Guatemala?
Travel times vary depending on where you are going. Along well-traveled tourist routes, the roads will be better and the travel will be smooth. In more rural areas, the roads may be worse and make the driving take longer. The speed limit is usually 25 mph (40 km/h) in cities and 45 to 50 mph (70 to 80 km/h) outside the cities.
The following lists general travel times between Guatemala City and popular destinations: Antigua (40 minutes), Panajachel (1,5 hrs), Chichicastenango (2 hrs), Monterrico (2 hrs), Copan Ruinas, Quetzaltenango (2,5 hrs), Coban (3 hrs), Lanquin (4 hrs), Flores (6,5 hrs), and Tikal (7 hrs).
The following lists the general travel times between Antigua and popular destinations: Guatemala City (40 minutes), Panajachel (1,25 hrs), Chichicastenango (1,5 hrs), Monterrico (1,5 hrs), Quetzaltenango (2,25 hrs), Copan Ruinas (3,5 hrs), Coban (3,5 hrs), Lanquin (4,5 hrs), Flores (7 hrs), and Tikal (7,5 hrs).
The following lists general travel times between Panajachel and popular destinations: Chichicastenango (30 minutes), Quetzaltenango (1,25 hrs), Guatemala City (1,5 hrs), Antigua (1,25 hrs), Monterrico (2,5 hrs), Coban (4 hrs), Copan Ruinas (4,5 hrs), Lanquin (5 hrs), Flores (8 hrs), and Tikal (8,5 hrs).
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Tikal
Tikal, with its towering Mayan ruins and vast primary forests, is one of Guatemala’s most awe-inspiring sites. The ruins are undoubtedly the country’s best—huge temples and limestone pyramids dominate the landscape. The structures are a part of the Tikal National Park, a huge protected area that helps conserve some of Guatemala’s most pristine outdoor areas. Visiting Tikal is an absolute must while in Guatemala.
Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango (Chichi, for short) is a rare mixture of authentic culture and unconcealed tourism. Set within the Western Highlands, Chichi is a small and traditional town that has grown into one of Guatemala’s most tourism-friendly places, largely because of its fascinating outdoor marketplace. While carousing the market, you’ll see Maya weavers right alongside photo-snapping tourists. It makes for an interesting site.
Cobán, Alta Verapaz
The misty alpine town of Cobán sits within the highlands of Las Verapaces. This moderately sized town (pop. 65,000) is close to several natural attractions and has good hotel and restaurant options.
Copán Ruinas (Honduras)
The town of Copán Ruinas is located just 8 miles (13 km) across the border with Honduras. This pleasant town is set within a lush valley and abuts the Mayan site of Copán. Copán is an archeological site that houses some of the most exquisite Mayan structures known to date.
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.
Antigua
The charming city of La Antigua is situated in a lush highland valley and surrounded by the cones of three volcanoes. As its name implies (Antigua means old in Spanish), this is a historic city. It was the former capital of Guatemala until an earthquake destroyed it in 1773. Following this disaster, the capital was moved to its current site at Guatemala City, but the ruins (and some of the people) of Antigua stayed put. These days, Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s foremost tourist destinations.
Lanquín, Alta Verapaz
Set within a lush valley in Guatemala’s Central Highlands, the small town of Lanquín is becoming well known for two attractions—the Lanquín caves and the Semuc Champey limestone pools.
Monterrico
Monterrico is a tranquil town along Guatemala’s Pacific coast. This formerly sleeping fishing village is becoming increasingly popular with travelers, many of whom come here to see nesting sea turtles.
Lake Atitlan, Panajachel
Panajachel is Lake Atitlán’s most popular traveler town. Set along the northern shores of the lake, the setting is here is gorgeous—think blue water, forested mountains, and volcanoes. The town’s culture mixes North American, European and Central American influences.
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.
Guatemala Cities to Visit
Guatemala's cities are themselves a unique adventure. From the bustling (and at times chaotic) neighborhoods in Guatemala City to the charming cobblestone streets of Antigua, you'll find all sorts of cities in Guatemala. Some of these destinations have retained their cultural heritage and Mayan roots, while others have modernized and created improved infrastructure and traveler services. Locations like Lívingston boast a Caribbean flair, and the scenery and cuisine to match. Whilst Flora and Santa Elena offer the beauty of Lake Petén Itzá, and the requisite outdoor activities of kayaking and mountain biking. Then of course, there's the UNESCO World Heritage Site of La Antigua and its colonial architecture — a city rebuilt in the shadow of three volcanoes. If three destinations can offer this much, imagine what you'll discover when you explore the rest of Guatemala's cities. It all starts with this list...
It's more than just having a good time or visiting beautiful places (although that's absolutely a part of it!), it's about being part of a unique experience that stays with you.
