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Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

© 123rf.com / Thomas Pozzo Di Borgo

Getting around in Guatemala

Air: 

TACA (website: www.taca.com) runs flights between Guatemala City and Flores. A travel tax of Q5 per person is applied to internal flights and payable at the check-in desks.

Note: Tikal Jets went out of business in 2006.

Road: 

Shuttle minibus: Private minibuses operate on the main tourist routes.

Side of road: 
Right
Road quality: 

There is an extensive road network but less than a third of the roads are all-weather.

Travellers should avoid driving to Panajachel via Patzun as the road is badly maintained and criminals take advantage of these conditions to hold up travellers.

Car hire: 

Car hire: International and local firms have offices in Guatemala City.

Coach: 

Regulations: 

Regulations: Seat belts must be worn at all times. Speed limits vary depending on the condition of the road but they are rarely enforced.

Breakdown service: 

Emergency breakdown service: PROVIAL patrols the major highways (tel: 2422 7878). Alternatively, call the police (tel: 120) or the fire brigade (tel: 122 or 123).

Documentation: 

Documentation: A national licence is valid for one to three months, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.

Getting around towns and cities: 

Guatemala City and major towns have limited, but cheap and regular, bus services. Travellers are advised to use radio-dispatched taxis or taxis from international hotels. Tipping is discretionary (5 to 10%).

By water: 

Regular boats operate between Puerto Barrios and Livingston. There are also frequent services along the Rio Dulce, as well as on the bigger lakes, in particular between villages on Lake Atitlán.

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