Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
iscos, pickups (Q20, one hour) make the run to Chapín Abajo but peter out around 10am.
Hitchhiking is common along this stretch, but carries the usual risks.
The easy way to get here is on one of the
lanchas
(Q15, 20 minutes) from El Estor
across the lake. One leaves at midday daily and there may be additional departures.
GETTING TO HONDURAS
Minibuses leave for the Honduran frontier (Q25, 1¼ hours) every 20 minutes, from 5am to 5pm, from 6a Av out-
side the market in Puerto Barrios. They stop en route to the border at Guatemalan immigration, where you may be
required to pay Q10 for an exit stamp. Honduran entry formalities will leave you around L60 lighter.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Puerto Barrios
POP 86,400
The country becomes even more lush, tropical and humid heading east from La Ruidosa
junction toward Puerto Barrios.
Port towns have always had a reputation for being slightly dodgy, and those acting as
international borders doubly so. Puerto Barrios has an edgy, somewhat sleazy feel; for for-
eign visitors, it's mainly a jumping-off point for boats to Punta Gorda (Belize) or Líving-
ston, and you probably won't be hanging around.
Sleeping
Hotel Ensenada $
( 7948-0861; hotelensenadapuertobarrios@hot mail.com; 4a Av btwn Calles 10 & 11; s/d Q110/150; )
Taking one step up in the budget category gets you these tidy little rooms with good bath-
rooms and OK beds. Get one upstairs to catch a breeze.
HOTEL
Hotel Europa $
( 7948-1292; 3a Av btwn Calles 11a and 12a; s/d with fan Q75/120, with air-con Q110/150; )
The
best of the budget options in the port area, this hotel, just 1½ blocks from the Muelle Mu-
nicipal (Municipal Boat Dock), is run by a friendly family and has clean rooms with TV,
arranged around a parking courtyard.
HOTEL
