Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tain potential. During the late 1990s, TACA subsidiary Inter operated domestic air service
between Guatemala City and Cobán, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, and Puerto Barrios.
Buses and Shuttle Buses
Most travelers get around Guatemala bybusorshuttle bus.The majority ofinter-and intra-
city buses are “chicken buses,” as travelers have dubbed them, recycled U.S. school buses
painted in lively colors. Cargo and carry-on baggage often consists of live animals, hence
the name. Please be aware that robberies, including pickpocketing and armed hijacking,
are increasingly common on these inexpensive public buses serving the interior. The U.S.
State Department Consular Information Sheet cites the death of over 100 bus drivers and
passengers in armed robberies in 1996. Chicken buses are also poorly maintained and fre-
quentlyinvolvedintrafficaccidentsinwhichthebusplungesintoaravineormakesablind
pass into a head-on collision. For the intrepid, the chicken bus is still an easy way to see
Guatemala and get to virtually any part of the country cheaply.
Tourist shuttle buses plying the main tourist routes, though more expensive, have be-
come increasingly popular for safety reasons and are highly recommended. Additionally,
shuttle buses sometimes offer door-to-door service. Recommended shuttle buses are
ATITRANS, Turansa, and Grayline Tours.
Alsoreliable arefirst-class busesthat runbetween Guatemala City andmajor cities such
as Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, Puerto Barrios, Cobán, and Flores. Prices are compar-
able to shuttle buses, but service is aboard large luxury coaches, often with restrooms and
onboard food service.
Pickups and Minivans
Another common form of getting around, particularly in remote rural areas with infrequent
bus service is via (roughly) scheduled service aboard pickup trucks
.
Minivans have also
replaced cumbersome chicken buses in many rural areas with poor roads.
Rental Cars
Rental cars are plentiful in Guatemala and can be rented in Guatemala City, Panajachel,
Antigua, Quetzaltenango, Cobán, and Flores. Some local agencies are also available.
There's nothing like the freedom of having your own wheels when exploring new sur-
roundings. Renting a car allows you to go wherever Guatemala's roads will take you. With
that in mind, it's probably best to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The only exception is
if you plan to stick to urban areas such as Guatemala City and Antigua or along the Pan-
American Highway. A compact car will run you about $300 a week, while a four-wheel-
