Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
organization for volunteer opportunities is EntreMundos (El Espacio, 6a Calle 7-31 Zona
1, tel. 5606-9070 or 7761-2179,
www.entremundos.org
)
, which publishes a widely avail-
able free publication
(EntreMundos)
and has several resources on its website, including a
database with contact information and descriptions for more than 150 NGOs in Xela and
vicinity.
Air
Xela's airport terminal was being upgraded as part of a Guatemalan governmental plan to
revamp several domestic airports. The airport will be international with probable flights to
parts of Mexico and daily flights to Guatemala City. Flights to GUA should cost in the vi-
cinity of $65-70 one way and take about 22 minutes.
Bus
Xela is a transportation hub for many buses heading to and from highland destinations.
Upon arriving in town, you can avoid ending up at the Minerva bus terminal, which is well
outside the city center, by getting off at a stop at 7a Avenida and 7a Calle. You'll see a gi-
ant monument to the marimba with a Mayan woman atop it at a traffic circle on Avenida
de la Independencia. Most buses stop here and you can grab a taxi or minibus to the city
center.Ifyoudoendupattheterminal, youcangrabataxiorbusintotownfromthesouth
side of 4a Calle. Look for the bus labeled “Parque.” As elsewhere, Pullman, or first-class
buses, leave from their own stations throughout town. Second-class bus routes include the
following:
•
To Antigua:
Take any bus heading to Chimaltenango (including first-class buses to
Guatemala City) and change buses there.
•
To Chichicastenango:
10 daily buses, 2.5 hours, $1.50.
•
To Coatepeque:
Buses every 30 minutes, just under two hours, $1.25.
•
To Guatemala City:
Frequent buses from 3 A.M.-4:30 P.M., $5.
•
To Huehuetenango:
Buses every 30 minutes 5 A.M.-5:30 P.M., 1.5 hours, $1.
•
To La Mesilla (Mexican border):
Six daily buses, 3.5 hours, $2.
•
To Momostenango:
Every 30 minutes 6 A.M.-5 P.M., 1.25 hours, $0.60.
•
To Panajachel:
Buses at 5 A.M., 6 A.M., 8 A.M., 10 A.M., noon, and 3 P.M., 2.5
hours, $2.
•
To Retalhuleu:
Every30minutes4:30A.M.-6P.M.,onehour,$1.Thebuswillmost
likely read “Reu.”
•
To San Pedro La Laguna (Lake Atitlán):
Six daily buses, 2.25 hours, $2.
