Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews, BEST TOUR OF ANTIGUA GUATEMALA with Esteban and JJ, Bonita experiencia por pueblos guatemaltecos, Chicken Bus Experience to San Juan del Obispo, Villages And Plantations Around Antigua Guatemala, ATV Cultural and Adventure Tour to Antigua Villages. If you find yourself in need of medical care you just contact them and they will pre-load your card with the funds to cover your treatment, meaning you wont need to pay out of pocket and then put in a claim later.Safety Wingis great value with monthly cover starting at $39. Gain insight into culture, communities, and cuisines that you might not get alone. Cheap way from Guatemala City to Antigua (Chicken Bus?) Then in a separate transaction, you will need to buy your night bus ticket. You can book this through GuateGo. We ran about 5 minutes late and it was as if we were on time. In Antigua Guatemala the bus has many stops, check which is closest to your hotel. Well, I can give you a few suggestions but the Guatemalan artistry that make buses so exotic to look at, make bus line schedules all but impossible to figure out. It's too easy to end up on the wrong bus, going to the wrong place at the wrong time seriously, don't. Chicken Bus. My driver and a competitor company's "piloto", as they are rather grandly called, got it in their heads that while what they were driving may have looked and smelled like beat-up old American school buses, were in fact, finely tuned Formula 1 race cars. 6 years ago Save We're arriving by night bus from Flores in Guatemala City in the morning. A Homage to the Guatemala Chicken Bus - Central America We need to break up the trip due to a family member 's health and are thinking of Livingston, but it seems that it may be a bear to get there (Livingston) and back to our driving itinerary. Guatemala City to Antigua Guatemala - 5 ways to travel via - Rome2rio I vividly remember honking horns, smoking brakes and violently rocking back and forth. I'd love to send them you! If you want to travel from Guatemala City to Antigua the following breakdown of each of the different transport options will come in handy. Dear Axel, what a great feeling you have inspired us! Getting Around Guatemala: Chicken Buses & Other Transport - World Nomads I started Claires Itchy Feet to inspire women to pack their bags and travel more. One of my favorite things about Guatemala are the brightly colored "chicken buses" that ply the roads there. Take it. The driver of Bus #3 will stop on the highway assuming you are in the GC bus and you need to walk down the slip road and in the small lay-by wait for the Antigua bus to come by. In addition to photographing them, I also had the need to ride in one for the first time, from Panajachel to Solola. The main difference is that the 1st class is a little nicer and it only makes 3 stops. Mitchell such a pleasure to know you liked your meal but specially the whole atmosphere and vision we have about sharing! They are uncomfortable, especially if you have legs longer than the average six year old, but the vehicle itself is safe. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them! We are very grateful for your kind words, especially since our main objective is to be the bridge between our traveler friends like you and our local communities. US' public buses could stand in for a hospital waiting room in most cases. The greeting, the information, the jokes, the accommodativeness 10/10. With this practical website - you can book your shuttle bus from Guatemala airport to Antigua operated by Atitrans - the cost is 19 USD but they have a specific schedule and they don't wait if your flight has been delayed. If you drove the other way you could stop in Coban o Semuc for a night but the drive alone would put an extra 5 hours on your trip! Yet I recommend them highly. Offered in: English. document.location.href = url + "@google.com"; Distance from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua Your email address will not be published. Top Tip: If you want to save a little money then skip the shuttle to the bus station and take a chicken bus. Or to enquire about a tour to Tikal from Antigua, simply complete the form below and someone will be in touch with you within 24 hours. It costs 10 quetzals (GTQ) and is the cheapest transportation method. It was an experience to remember! My Chicken Bus Adventure from Antigua to Mazatenango, Guatemala (+ Tips keep enjoying and if we can be of further company will be an honor. We had an amazing time with JJ going to the local villages seeing how they made chocolate, local amazing wine, Jade merchandise, and grew macadamia nuts. Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?If 2020 taught us anything, its that you need to be prepared for anything! Act as if you are an old hand. In Guatemala City, you take the chicken bus from El Trebol. Its an 8 to 10-hour bus journey overnight and you are probably going to want to arrive and then go straight to Tikal once you have dumped your bag. Taking buses around Guatemala City is asking for trouble. This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. Chicken Buses of Antigua Guatemala. Exceptional is exactly our favorite word to describe our goals. Hi Claire, thank you so much for your blog. Friendly guide and driver. Thank you so much dear Hannah! Guatemala Transportation has an extensive list of services at varying prices, . This is the best way to begin your time in Guatemala! There would be a lot of changes and it would take FOREVER! Years ago, when I first came to Guatemala, I was going to Lake Atitlan from Guatemala City. They're used throughout the country, and the number of people who ride them is way higher than those who own a car. 13 reviews 5 helpful votes Cheap way from Guatemala City to Antigua (Chicken Bus?) This tour was fantastic! JJ and the driver exceeded expectations. How to take the Chicken Bus Panajachel to Antigua | Guatemala Chicken Bus Guatemala City To Antigua - YouTube Transportation Options from Guatemala City to Antigua The following table outlines all Guatemala transportation options from Guatemala City to Antigua: Getting to Antigua from Guatemala City 1. thank you so much for keeping us in your mind and we are more than happy to share with all your family! In order to submit a comment to this post, please write this code along with your comment: 72fee873a261222478bd64eb2809d3e1. Required fields are marked *. How to get to El Paredn | La Choza Chula We have a 6:45 am flight out of Guatemala City. They don't take reservations and you couldn't rely on them if they did. I've just had a quick look on the map and I don't actually know anywhere on that side of the country as I didn't get to Livingstone. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experiences start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Bus Take the bus from Guatemala City to Antigua Guatemala 1h 30m $17 - $35 Taxi Take a taxi from Guatemala City to Antigua Guatemala 39 min $28 - $35 Drive Drive from Guatemala City to Antigua Guatemala 39 min $4 - $7 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Guatemala City to Antigua Guatemala by bus When I told locals in Antigua that I was going to live in Mazatenango, they laughed. It costs 10 quetzals (GTQ) and is the cheapest transportation method. Calling An Uber From Guatemala City Airport To Antigua Getting A Sim Card At The Guatemala City Airport WiFi At The Guatemala City Airport 3. Do you know the easiest way to coordinate all this? David! Try to go around lunch when it is less crowded so you can take the backpack inside with you (otherwise they will put it on top of the bus and it`s less safe). We cannot rave enough about this tour! It may not look a long way from Guatemala City or Antigua to Tikal,but trust me with the state of the roads in Guatemala it will take you forever. Give it a whirl! One might think an old bus unsafe. Casual pace but you go to many places. I know, there are Shuttles for 10$ or Taxis for 25$ But I prefer a cheap, local solution like a chicken bus. Easy. Claires Itchy Feet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. The term "Chicken Bus" originates in Guatemala and comes from the fact that passengers would often transport live animals on them. function m_sfcon (u) { Esperamos vernos pronto y seguir descubriendo juntos por Centro Amrica o quien sabe, quizs Colombia, Argentina o Per. I don't remember who won that ludicrous race, but in the end, we arrived none the worse for wear, not to mention well ahead of schedule. Monique we appreciate so much your trust and preference. In Guatemala City, you take the chicken bus from El Trebol station (Google Maps: Estacion de Buses Occidente). Thanks from our hearts! I would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Antigua. Guatemala has so much to discover, nature, culture, history, stories, architecture, art and we can continue on and on; we are here for you dear Monique, come back soon. Sorry I can't help more! How To Easily Get From Guatemala City To Antigua - JR We love giving you a wonderful experience and every day is our main goal. And a chugging diesel engine, accordion doors swinging open. Thank you so much for ranking us, we are happy to share Guatemala and the rest of Central America with all our new friends! This was one of the many highlights of our trip to Guatemala! Alternatively, you can take Uber (destination El Trebol but ask the driver to drop you off exactly where the buses are).On the right side of the road (with your back towards the bridge), align on the street in front of the street stalls. 4 hours (approx.) While I highly recommend a short trip on one, you're on your own. The problem I'm running into is that the place where the bus from Antigua drops you off at is different from the place where the coach picks you up from in Guatemala City. Best tour! Here's the story. Give it a shot! Diego is an amazing guide who knows his town well and shares his love of the artists and the people. It was an experience to remember! Odds are reasonably good you'll end up where you started. One of my favorite things about Guatemalaare the brightly colored chicken buses that ply the roads there. If you decide to skip a visit to Semuc Champey you will likely be either traveling from Antigua to Tikal or Tikal to Antigua, or from Antigua to Flores by bus. That said, no trip to Guatemala is complete without experiencing at least a short trip in a chicken bus. The cost wouldnt be much less than a tourist bus. So here is a guide talking you through the different options of how you can travel from Antigua to Tikal. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to scare you off that was by far the craziest bus trip I have ever taken, but even the tamest of bus rides are flavored with at least a smidgen of bonkers zest. \0/ Our guide JJ and driver Esteban were funny and informative. They were so friendly, shared many recommendations, and local insider tips. The Spanish word for 'bus' is 'bus'. Guatemala's famed "chicken buses" Not only are these buses cheap - under Q15 (US $2) for a short trip, Q40 to Q60 (US $5-$8) for a three-hour ride from Antigua to Lake Atitlan - they're a genuine window into Guatemalan life. Shared Public Shuttle from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua 6. I'm trying to book a bus from Antigua to Guatemala City, then from Guatemala City to Flores like you suggest here. We had not eaten and Esteban offered to stop at a Deli and we had empanadas, coffee, and tea. Bus companies cram more seats in the bus by drastically shortening leg room. How To Get From Guatemala City To Antigua | 6 Travel Options Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Casa Santo Domingo (Monasterio de Santo Domingo) Tours & Tickets, Santa Catalina Arch (Arco de Santa Catalina) Tours & Tickets, Palace of the Captains General (Palacio de los Capitanes Generales) Tours & Tickets, Museum of Colonial Art (Museo de Arte Colonial) Tours & Tickets, Catedral de Santiago (Antigua Cathedral) Tours & Tickets, Jade Factory and Museum (Jade Maya) Tours & Tickets, Antigua City Hall (Palacio del Ayuntamiento) Tours & Tickets. The advantage of booking online is you are getting a fair price, the company are reputable and have insurance (trust me this is a big issue in Guatemala, I have found myself on more than one uninsured shuttle) and you know they will pick you up (It does happen sometimes that drivers just dont turn up. Riding Chicken Buses: Public Transportation in Guatemala Shuttle Services From GuateGo 5. Nay! You can fly from Guatemala City to Flores. The flight takes 1 hour and both airports have shuttles and taxis that can take you from the airports to your accommodation. We appreciate your time, your trust and your preference so much that we firmly believe you deserve nothing less than exceptional moments and memories. Guatemalan Chicken Buses We don't book chicken buses shuttles, taxis and private vans, but not chicken buses. Once out of the city you can think about it. While I highly recommend a short trip on one, you're on your own. The cost of a one-way flight varies from around $108 up to $300. Get the 1st class overnight bus from Guatemala City. Katy was an amazing guide. Thank you! Informative, engaging and funny. You can learn more about them by clicking here. Located inside Casa Mandarina office #8 accesible from street next to the Cafe Estudio. These are both luxury buses so you . Alternatively, get off at the last station which is near the Market (Alameda de Santa Lucia street corner with 6A Calle). Categories Central America, Destinations, Guatemala, Indian Nose Hike In Lake Atitlan Guatemala. Yes, it is a little more expensive but worth it. This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. When we come back with our whole family we will definitely request him again. Arranging A Shuttle From Your Accommodation In Antigua 4. Villages Tour on Chicken Bus 2023 - Antigua - Viator I only have one question. Their knowledge of culture, landscape and history were exceptional. You get to see some of the surrounding towns and visit local shops and support small businesses! pre = "mail"; It is also possible to travel to El Paredn from other main cities via chicken bus. Nay! I spent this Christmas in Antigua, Guatemala. I spent a bit of time hanging around the bus terminal in Antigua, plus some busy intersections where I knew Id see them. We are so happy for your 10th Anniversary! Its always great to get information about the country. The only bus that goes from Antigua to Guatemala City in the evening is a shuttle which claims to drop you off at a hotel in zones 9,10,13,14. The trip from Antigua or Guatemala City to El Paredn takes roughly 2.5 hours, depending on traffic. They will all charge the same price. These days, the bus TV has hit the scene: On a recent trip I got to watch a solid hour of Spanish-language hair band videos. I spent this Christmas in Antigua, Guatemala. You deserve the best of the best, was great having the opportunity to meet you and JJ says your icecreams & sweets will be safe with him. This will give you some idea of what you are getting into. To El Trebol you can take Transmetro, Linea 12. this sounds exactly like what we love to do every day and so happy to share Guatemala as your trusted local companion. Those who grew up in North America may remember the Bluebird buses that brought them to and from school. You are going to need the sleep. The volcano is Agua. It's is not at all unusual to have double the posted maximum number of passengers allowed. We could just take a bus from Antigua to Flores but that seems to be more hours in the bus. If you are being thrifty you can book a 2nd class bus. Is there any cheap transportation? Absolutely a top highlight of my trip to Antigua. How to get from Guatemala City to Antigua Guatemala - Boundless Roads I recommend booking the one that departs from the bus station at 9 pm or 10 pm. Notice: It seems you have Javascript disabled in your Browser. Wow dear Asheaka! Ride onboard a Guatemalan Chicken Bus on this half-day excursion, Explore more of Antigua and beyond than you could during a walking tour, Gain insight into culture, communities, and cuisines that you might not get alone, Choose the start time that suits youmorning or afternoon, 2a Calle Poniente 2, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala, Confirmation will be received at time of booking, This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers. Picture a mechanical pig decked out for Carnival. If you book through GuateGo you will pay more. Below are some photos taken of various chicken Buses from Antigua. Now I consider myself to be a fairly game traveler. The chicken bus in Guatemala is the preferred choice of public transportation for connecting departamentos (provinces) and towns. Much more comfortable than the average chicken bus. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover.Passport Nomadsprovides the most comprehensive cover for Digital Nomads. For local color and character they can't be beat. Local writer Jake Stamp takes you on a journey from Antigua to Chimaltenango. Traveling in and out of Guatemala City on a chicken bus is a bad idea. Hi Thirza I would recommend just booking at your hostel. Step on one and enter the real Guatemala. The bizarre blend of American functionality and Guatemalan pizzazz is wonderful to behold. How to Travel From Antigua to Tikal and Flores by Bus & Plane Chicken Buses of Antigua Guatemala - Peter's Travel Blog For full information, please see my disclaimerhere. If you are traveling Guatemala Im sure you have a tick list of places you want to go. The cost is from 300Q up if you get on at Guatemala City. The Solo Girls Guide To Traveling Without Fear, The Solo Girls Guide To Becoming A Digital Nomad, The cheap way to get to Tikal from Antigua- Take a lot of Chicken Buses, The normal way to get from Antigua to Tikal Take an overnightbus from Guatemala City, The moneys no object get me from Antigua to Tikal quick way. I wasn't sure until I arrived via chicken bus about 2 weeks ago. We are driving from Guatemala city to Lake Peten, and wonder if there's a city in between that you'd recommend spending the night. We are friends and will alwasy be, sharing extraordinary moments with you was awesome for us too! Que honor poder leer su experiencia, nos llena el corazn saber que estamos haciendo lo que amamos de la manera correcta <3 He offered to take our photos and even suggested lunch spots. Thank you again, JJ & Esteban say Hi and we all hope to see you soon. The chicken buses are cheap; but then they can be dangerous. Don't bother. The noise, the smell and the overwhelming mass of color the wild craziness is Guatemala at its best. First, buy a shuttle from Antigua Guatemala to Guatemala city, buy the latest one that departs at 7pm. They are certainly uncomfortable and, with any luck, slow. Truth be told, no American elementary school principle in his right mind would hire one in ten (here they get paid by the trip, not the hour), but the brakes are good, the horn is loud, the suspension stiff, and the body solid very very solid. So, you wonder, how does one go about taking a chicken bus? Are chicken buses safe in Guatemala? Email Us, Reserve Shuttle Buses and Private Transportation. At some point in the middle of the last century there was a meeting of Blue Bird Bus Company engineers a room full of short haircuts, polyester suits and master degrees from Cal Tech and MIT. and 1 more. Mil gracias Laura! Here, the ever so mundane American school bus comes dressed like a Las Vegas show girl. With no plans to stop anytime soon Im always looking for my next adventure be it attempting to surf or climbing a volcano Ill try (almost) anything once! Explore more of Antigua and beyond than you could during a walking tour. (I did not take the overnight bus, but I hear its lovelyfor an overnight bus. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.I also useTravel Insurance Masterfor short trips.Read my fulltravel insurance posthere where I go into detail about all 4 companies. Lo recomiendo! Keep an eye out for people on the side of the road that look like they are waiting for a bus. They don't take reservations and you couldn't rely on them if they did. At 34 I sold all my worldly possessions that wouldnt fit into 3 boxes or my backpack and hit the road. Bus #4: Chimaltenango to Antigua. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. Thanks so much for all the info. Think of all the stories you can tell when you get home! Learn more about the journey of a chicken bus in Guatemala by watching the documentary, La Camioneta . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Do you know an travel angency in Antigua where you can book the nightbus from Antigua to Flores? It's an exhilarating cultural experience one you won't soon forget. Mobile ticket. The 2nd class bus will stop many times along the way. We love knowing we were able to print a real great experience. Get the bus from across the road from where you get dropped off. We had Esteban and JJ as our tour guides. If you dont trust only on the snacks, get yourself a full meal in Antigua before you depart. It was a blast and really cool to learn about the chicken buses and culture of the city. You can nook the same day so don't worry about booking before you go :-). It's easy to remember. Plus, enjoy access to communities that you likely couldnt get if exploring independently. Honestly, I dont think anyone in their right mind would entertain this! We learned a lot about chocolate, wine and coffee at stops along the way. On steep mountain roads they passed each other on blind, hairpin corners. Nothing makes my day like a good looking bus. My best suggestion is to ask around and hope for the best. I recommendbooking the one that departs from the bus station at 9 pm or 10 pm. This tour is amazing!! Felix took us all over the place and gave us the most perfect comprehensive Guatemalan experience. First, buy a shuttle from Antigua Guatemala to Guatemala city, buy the latest one that departs at 7pm. Thanks Katy for a great day. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); [] time. "Chicken buses" are light-years away from their air-conditioned, spacious, carbon-monoxide-free American counterparts. Emily! We don't book chicken buses shuttles, taxis and private vans, but not chicken buses. It's a great way to see the area like a local. At the end, we even got dropped off at our preferred location instead of back at the office. Hope we can share more time and explore around Guatemala. Guatemalan Chicken Bus - transport - Guatemala y 9a. Thank you. Un lindo tour, el gua muy ameno y acertado. Still looking? Before our arrival at the office, I had to message the company to inform them we would be a little late. I recommend booking a small group or private tour of Tikal with Heart of Travel. La Aurora International Airport Official Taxi 2. We firmly believe that your visit and support of our local producers has a great positive impact, directly contributing to the improvement of your lifestyle. } We have been here several days now and have completed multiple tours, and everyone (especially the kids) still agree this was our favorite. You will have gone nowhere, but you'll have had a great time getting there! How to ride chicken buses in Guatemala. Prices, routes and tips For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experiences start time. Driver is safe and courteous. How to get from Guatemala airport to Antigua safely [in 2023]