Antigua & Tikal Transportation
Oct 14th, 2003, 09:17 AM
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Antigua & Tikal Transportation
What is the best way (safety, convenience) to get to/from the airport at Guatemala City to Antigua? Choices seem to be taking a regular bus, or tourist minivan. What are the +/- of either option? How often do they come and what is the cost?
Tentatively, I am planning the following vacation schedule. Any suggestions for improving or extending this itinerary? My wife and I are adventurous travellers, but like to have a semi-relaxed schedule, and are willing to pay more for convenience and safety.
Guatemala City - go immediately to Antigua
Antigua (2-3 days)
Lake Atitlan (2 days)
Fly to Flores/Tikal (2 days)
Return to U.S.
Tentatively, I am planning the following vacation schedule. Any suggestions for improving or extending this itinerary? My wife and I are adventurous travellers, but like to have a semi-relaxed schedule, and are willing to pay more for convenience and safety.
Guatemala City - go immediately to Antigua
Antigua (2-3 days)
Lake Atitlan (2 days)
Fly to Flores/Tikal (2 days)
Return to U.S.
Oct 14th, 2003, 10:21 AM
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We did parts of this in March. After crossing from Belize and seeing Tikal, We bought airline tickets in Flores at a travel agency. At the same time, we booked a tourist mini-van to pick us up at the airport in Guatemala City, (meeting us at the gate with our name on a card: wonderful!) We weren't booked into a hotel, but mentioned a name that had been recommended to us, and the van dropped us at the door. I can't remember exactly how much the van cost, but it was so worth it to just throw the luggage in, and get dropped at the hotel. I seem to remember maybe 10-15 USD per person, well worth the peace of mind! Guatemala City is huge and very overwhelming. You will have a wonderful time, esp. Antigua and Tikal.
Oct 15th, 2003, 02:00 PM
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Thanks for the helpful advice. Do you remember the name of the tourist mini-van service or how I can find some reliable companies? I also hope to make a reservation for pickup at GC airport before arriving.
Oct 15th, 2003, 03:52 PM
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The best way is to take a mini van, don't consider taking a regular bus! The minivans are available at the airport... the best way to do it is thru your hotel in Antigua.
Antigua, stay at Panza Verde or at Posada del Angel... also a good choice is Casa Santo Domingo.
Atitlan, don't consider anything else but beautiful CASA PALOPO (www.casapalopo.com)... nothing compares to it around the lake, worth every penny.
Hope this helps!
Antigua, stay at Panza Verde or at Posada del Angel... also a good choice is Casa Santo Domingo.
Atitlan, don't consider anything else but beautiful CASA PALOPO (www.casapalopo.com)... nothing compares to it around the lake, worth every penny.
Hope this helps!
Oct 16th, 2003, 05:42 PM
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Hi,
I haven't been to Guat. in 3 years but 3 or 4 times I have went from Guat. to Antigua. Once was arranged, through Vision Travel. I flew from the states to Guat., arrived about 10:00 pm, and the shuttle was there waiting for me. It was $15. This service was ran by a woman named Nancy. I couldn't find a current website, but there is still a phone # listed if you do a search. They are based in Antigua.
The other time wasn't arranged, I got there in the evening, by airplane from Tikal, and had no problem catching a ride in a minivan, for about $7.
The third time I flew from Tikal to Guat., and had the shuttle price arranged with the airplane ticket. That's probably your surest bet. Buy both together. You don't need to buy your Tikal tickets to far in advance, maybe a couple of days at most.
Guatemala is intimidating the first time there but overall it isn't too bad. If you need to stay there stay at Dos Lunas, a very clean place 5 minutes from the airport, and they'll pick you up and take you back as well. The rooms are $10 pp, with breakfast. They can arrange tickets to Tikal, and they may arrange shuttle service to Antigua, I'm not sure though. A very helpful English speaking young lady runs it. Good luck! The country is a great place. Be sure to visit the villages of Santa Catarina and San Antonio when you're at Lake Atitlan. If you need lodging in Antigua let me know!
Slim
I haven't been to Guat. in 3 years but 3 or 4 times I have went from Guat. to Antigua. Once was arranged, through Vision Travel. I flew from the states to Guat., arrived about 10:00 pm, and the shuttle was there waiting for me. It was $15. This service was ran by a woman named Nancy. I couldn't find a current website, but there is still a phone # listed if you do a search. They are based in Antigua.
The other time wasn't arranged, I got there in the evening, by airplane from Tikal, and had no problem catching a ride in a minivan, for about $7.
The third time I flew from Tikal to Guat., and had the shuttle price arranged with the airplane ticket. That's probably your surest bet. Buy both together. You don't need to buy your Tikal tickets to far in advance, maybe a couple of days at most.
Guatemala is intimidating the first time there but overall it isn't too bad. If you need to stay there stay at Dos Lunas, a very clean place 5 minutes from the airport, and they'll pick you up and take you back as well. The rooms are $10 pp, with breakfast. They can arrange tickets to Tikal, and they may arrange shuttle service to Antigua, I'm not sure though. A very helpful English speaking young lady runs it. Good luck! The country is a great place. Be sure to visit the villages of Santa Catarina and San Antonio when you're at Lake Atitlan. If you need lodging in Antigua let me know!
Slim
Oct 16th, 2003, 09:21 PM
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You cannot fly to Flores directly from Lake Atitlan. You have to return to GC to catch the flight so it will take one more day off your already very tight itinerary.
Assuming you have 9 days altogether, including two days for arrival and departure, here is my suggestion:
D1: arriving in GC. Going to Antigua. No need to arrange transportation in advance. If it is too late in the evening, take a taxi; Otherwise, take a minibus shuttle. In any event, it would cost you no more than $25
D2 & D3: exploring Antigua. Make sure to join a group to climb Pakaya Volcano
D3: afternoon minibus to Lake Atitlan, $7
D4: Lake Atitlan
D5: afternoon bus to Antigua, then from Antigua, overnight bus to Flores, $18. The bus is quite comfortable to sleep in
D6 & D7: Tikal. Then you have 2 options: overnight bus again to GC on the evening of D7 and arriving in GC at 7am of D8, or
D8: morning flight to GC
D8: stay in GC and spend the day in Zona1. It is a very interesting area and the only time in your whole trip(considering the places you are visiting) that you can really feel the daily life of the real Guatemalans;
D9: take a taxi to GC airport and catch your flight home
Assuming you have 9 days altogether, including two days for arrival and departure, here is my suggestion:
D1: arriving in GC. Going to Antigua. No need to arrange transportation in advance. If it is too late in the evening, take a taxi; Otherwise, take a minibus shuttle. In any event, it would cost you no more than $25
D2 & D3: exploring Antigua. Make sure to join a group to climb Pakaya Volcano
D3: afternoon minibus to Lake Atitlan, $7
D4: Lake Atitlan
D5: afternoon bus to Antigua, then from Antigua, overnight bus to Flores, $18. The bus is quite comfortable to sleep in
D6 & D7: Tikal. Then you have 2 options: overnight bus again to GC on the evening of D7 and arriving in GC at 7am of D8, or
D8: morning flight to GC
D8: stay in GC and spend the day in Zona1. It is a very interesting area and the only time in your whole trip(considering the places you are visiting) that you can really feel the daily life of the real Guatemalans;
D9: take a taxi to GC airport and catch your flight home
