GUATEMALA CITY
Note : I did not visit this place. You are welcome to contribute !
Description : The often avoided capital of Guatemala, the largest city in Central America (3 millions people, one quarter of the population)
Comments : Zone 1, the old city, is supposed to offer some sights (museums, Cathedral, Palacio Nacional, etc) but most people prefer to avoid the fuss of having to watch one's back. If you visit, do it light and do not hesitate to use taxis.
What to do ? There are quite a few things to do if you decide to stay. I did not. You are most likely to come here on transit, for a transport out or an administrative issue.
What you may not like ? The rather unsafe, chaotic, dusty and polluted atmosphere.
How long ? Are you still there ?
Where to stay ? Most budget hotels are located in zona 1, the most interesting but also most dangerous part of the city. Avoid wandering around with your bags. Book ahead and take a taxi (especially after dark)
How to leave ? Buses
| To | Co | Tel | Address | Price | Time | Hrs | Km |
| Flores / Tikal | Fuente del Norte | 2513817/2383894 | 17 C. 8-46, Z1 | ? | 6 to 20 | 9 | 506 |
| Linea Dorada | 2329658 | 16 C. 10-55, Z1 | 215/100 | 10,20,22/19,21 | 9 | 506 | |
| Rio Dulce | Litegua | 2327578 | 15 C. 10-40, Z1 | 50 | 6,9,11:30,13 | 5 | 265 |
| Coban | Escobar Monja Blanca | 2511878/2381409 | 8 Av. 15-16, Z1 | ? | hour 5-18 | 4 | 213 |
| Chiquimula | Rutas Orientales | 2515377 | 19 C. 8-18, Z1 | ? | hour 3:30-18 | 3.5 | 170 |
| San Salvador | Melva/Pezzarossi | 3310874/3626448 | 3 Av. 1-38, Z9 | 76/60 | hour 5:30-16:30 | 5 | 240 |
| LaMesilla (Mexique) | Velasquez | 2211084 | 20 C. 1-37, Z1 | ? | hour 6-17 | 7 | 345 |
| Centroamerica to Panama | Tica Bus | 3314279/3611773 | 11 C. 2-72, Z9 | ? | 12:30 | 4days | ? |
Backpacker's Tips : Dominique Paquette, Canada (Sept 04)
« Leaving Ciudad Guatemala to...
Managua, Nicaragua? If Honduras does not interest you and you want to head right
to Nicaragua, here's a great deal. When you arrive in Guatemala City, take any
taxi and ask for "Hotel Espana". In front of Hotel Espana leaves a bus that goes
from Ciudad Guatemala to Managua (the capital of Nicaragua) in less than 24
hours. The cost: 25$US and of course, about a 15$US more for the borders fee
(Guatemala, Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua). The bus "manager" told me this bus
was leaving everyday at 2:30pm for Managua. (Arrive early to catch a nice seat)
Now, here's the catch. Perhaps your are imagining a nice confortable bus.. No.
It's a noisy chicken bus!!! And that's the fun of it! I've done the ride, and it
isn't that bad. I arrived, the next day, in Managua, at 10:30am. Almost
impossible to believe, but true. It never stops and runs along the Panamarican
Highway all the way down to Managua. It's cheap, fast, it saved me a lot of time
and money!»
The trip to Antigua : SS / L&R / Q4.5 / 1hr
The bus driver looked happy to see foreigners with bags and was fast to put them on the roof (the bags, not the 'gringos'). 5mn later, we were off, for the 45-60mn trip to Antigua. It was nothing special. We stopped for more passengers, incl. foreigners who were allowed to bring their bag inside. Truly, I did not really look at the scenery as I was busy getting tips from an American girl who was working there...
Onward to Monterricco
See also the trip from the Airport
