judybr

We will be in Guatemala in Feb. and are considering going from Flores (or El Remate) to Rio Dulce, staying 2 nights there and then on to Guatemala City by bus (either ADN or Linea Dorada line). Is it doable on the full day we have in RD to take a day trip to Livingston? How long would it take each way on the river? Anyone know what time the bus would get into Guatemala City? We would like to be able to continue on to Antigua upon arrival in GC.

Thank you, Judy

kaneda

I was in Flores several years ago and wanted to go to Guatemala City. It was $60 by plane but what do you see from a few miles up? So I went by bus.

After 3 hours on a crowded bus which slowly went from side to side on fortunately mainly empty roads as it tried to avoid the holes, cracks, etc we pulled into a town and I thought we must be over half way there by now since it wasn't that far. I checked my map but could not see the town so traced the route back and found we had covered hardly any distance because of the slowness of the bus over the awful roads.

This continued on and on till we finally hit good roads and then the driver went fast. We came upto the border and all had to get out, across a bridge and through passport control and back into another bus.

I had started out about 9am at Flores and got into Guatemala City about midnight. 15 hours.

I don't know if anything has changed since then.

airwayvz

Airfare prices have changed a lot since most of the carriers have folded.

hopefulist

A friend and I are planning to stay 2 nights in Rio Dulce in August to break up the GC to Flores bus trip. Here's what we learned when inquiring about a day trip to Livingston:

"As far as trips to Biotopo we recommend to take Collective Boat to Livingston that leaves every day at 9:00 and 13:00.  Costs Q160 p/person round trip.  Q100 one way."

Sounds doable! Please post a trip report when you get back!

judybr

Thanks everyone for the responses.
Kaneda, did you take a 1st class bus? My guide book says 31/2 hrs between Flores and Rio Dulce and another 51/2 hrs to Guatemala City, which is long enough!
Hopefulist, sounds like we are doing the same thing. What bus line are you planning on taking. I can't seem to find schedules that make sense.
Thanks again, Judy

hopefulist

I've never been able to make sense of CA bus schedules until I'm there on the ground; we'll just figure it out when we get there. Our trip is in August and I'll post a trip report when I get back. Happy trails!