Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The northernmost and quieter of the two border crossings is found at
El Carmen,
where a
bridge across the Río Suchiate connects it with Talismán, Mexico.
The more active (and preferable) border crossing is at
Ciudad Tecún Umán,
39 kilo-
meters south. A bridge links this city to its Mexican counterpart at Ciudad Hidalgo. There
are frequent buses from here to points along the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-2) includ-
ing Coatepeque, Retalhuleu, Mazatenango, and Escuintla. Buses also depart from here to
Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango. You can connect to either of the latter two via Retal-
huleu, a better place to linger if a bus is not immediately available.
Both borders are open 24 hours, but you should try to be out of border areas by dark. As
elsewhere in Central America, border areas here are rife with crime thanks to immigrants
trying to make their way northward and those who prey on them. There are some basic ho-
tels and restaurants here.
EastfromtheMexicanborder,thefirsttownofanyrealinteresttovisitorsisaratherpleas-
ant place with a newfound importance as the gateway to some increasingly popular attrac-
tions.ThemostprominentofthesearealsoRetalhuleu'snewest:thetwinamusementparks
of
Xocomil and Xetulul,
just a few minutes outside of town. Adding to its prominence as
the southern coastal region's new recreational hub is the proximity of the ruins of
Takalik
Abaj
and some decent stretches of beach within a relatively short distance.
Commonly referred to as “Reu” by locals, the town has always been the playground of
local coffee and sugarcane farmers, a fact that will be readily apparent by the prevalence
of roadside hotels with sparkling swimming pools and pleasant outdoor restaurants. The
weather here is warm year-round, but you can always find shelter from the scorching sun
under the abundant palm trees, as you will see from the palm-lined boulevard leading to
the town center from the main highway.
Reu is becoming increasingly attractive as a hub for exploring this seldom-visited area
of Guatemala. Even if amusement parks aren't your thing, there is plenty to keep you busy
here and very comfortable accommodations from which to base your explorations. At least
one outfitter has begun to unravel the beauties of this pleasant sun-kissed stretch of the Pa-
cific lowlands.
Downtown Retalhuleu's main attraction, aside from the central square, is the
Museo de
Arqueología y Etnología
(6a Avenida 5-68 Zona 1, 8 A.M.-5:30 P.M. Tues.-Sat., 9 A.M.-
