Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
decker buses and a choice of fare classes, departing at 7 A.M. and 3 P.M. daily with addi-
tional buses Fridays at noon and Sundays at 4 P.M.
To Tapachula, Mexico
(seven hours, 290 km):
Transportes Galgos
(7a Avenida 19-44
Zona 1, tel. 2253-4868, $22) has departures at 7:30 A.M. and 2 P.M.
LĂnea Dorada
(16
Calle 10-55 Zona 1, tel. 2232-5506,
www.tikalmayanworld.com
,
$22) departs at 8 A.M.
Taxi
Getting around by taxi can be tricky, as there is really only one reliable taxicab company
in the city and it requires you to call for a pickup if you wish to hire its services.
Taxis
Amarillo Express
(tel. 2332-1515)isalsooneoftheonlycompanies tousemeters. Other-
wise, the airport taxis and those at the Zona Viva hotels are generally reliable. It's not usu-
ally a goodidea to hail a cab from the street, as some ofthese are gypsy cabs and robberies
do sometimes occur. If you find a reliable cab driver, you can always ask for a business
card and hire his services for the rest of your stay or ask him to refer you to another reput-
able driver.
Car Rental
Several car rental agencies operate out of the airport and nearby Zona 10, including
Advantage
(Avenida La Reforma 8-33 Zona 10, tel. 2332-7525 or 2362-7202 or 800/
777-5500 U.S. toll-free,
www.advantagerentacar.com
),
Avis
(6a Avenida 7-64 Zona 9, tel.
2331-0017 or 800/331-1212 U.S. toll-free,
www.avis.com
)
,
Dollar
(Avenida La Reforma
8-33Zona10,tel.2331-7185or800/800-4000U.S.toll-free,
www.dollar.com
),
Budget
(6a
Avenida 11-24 Zona 9, tel. 2332-7744 or 800/472-3325 U.S. toll-free,
www.budget.com
or
www.budgetguatemala.com.gt
)
,
Hertz
(7a Avenida 14-76 Zona 9, tel. 2470-3800 or 800/
654-3001 U.S. toll-free, also with offices inside the Westin Camino Real, Intercontinental,
and Marriott,
www.hertz.com
)
, and
Thrifty
(1a Avenida 13-74 Zona 10, tel. 2333-7444,
2379-8747, or 800/847-4389 U.S. toll-free,
www.thrifty.com
).
Public Buses
Guatemala City's chaotic public bus transportation is not recommended for international
travelers,mainlyforsafetyconsiderations,asarmedrobberiesandpursesnatchingsarefre-
quent. Buses are also particularly susceptible to the city's increasing gang-related violence
and drivers are often harassed for money by gang members.