bodhijack

going to lake atitian and antigua. should we rent a car or use tourist vans? can anyone recommend a tourist van company?

hopefulist

I wouldn't bother renting - cheaper and safer to take a shuttle IMO. There are travel agencies all over Antigua. Try the Atitrans website: http://www.atitrans.com/shuttle_service_eng.htm

Happy trails!

bodhijack

great info, hopefulist! thank you!

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I agree with hopefulist. I think these shuttles are the way to go in Guatemala. Espcially if you are in Antigua or Panajachel or Guatemala City or Quetzaltenango, you can get to many other places that way.

kkumar

Folks,
Are these per person rates ?
I guess so.
It adds up real quick for a
family of 4(as in my case).
-Krish

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Those are per-person rates listed on Atitrans' website, Krish. Since I travel alone, I never think in terms of shelling out any price x 4. I'm sure it does add up.

I really believe these tourist shuttles are the best way to get around. Even though Guatemala is safer than it has been in years, there are things about which you do need to be careful, and transportation can be one of them. The shuttles pick you up at your hotel and drop you off at wherever you're staying at your destination, all in far more comfort than you get riding a public bus. Your own car offers you the most convenience, but if I have the choice in Guatemala, I'd rather not have the worry of a car. Plus, if you don't venture too far off the beaten path, you can get from place to place without your own vehicle.

missViv

Hi. My boyfriend and I are heading to guatemala in december and had planned to rent a car upon arrival and drive everywhere for max flexibility. do you think this is really unsafe???

hopefulist

IMO it's not especially safe and is unlikely to add enjoyment or save money over taking shuttles.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I have rented a car in Guatemala, and got along fine, but it seemed mostly unnecessary. Plus, it was just one more thing (one more big thing) to worry about. If you plan on keeping to the standard tourist itinerary (Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, Quetzatenango, Tikal), it is so easy to get around without your own car. Plus it is safer to use these tourist shuttles.

hopefulist

Another factor is vehicle safety and liability. With a rental car you're advised to stay only in places that have locked or guarded lots which is really limiting in terms of lodging choices.

heyjude2919

We will be visiting Guatemala for one day while on a cruise ship. The excursions offered by the ship don't really appeal to me except for the ones that are $499 per person....too pricy for us. Does anyone have an idea about what to do on our own. The port is Santo Tomas de Castilla. Thanks

hopefulist

heyjude:
Oh my gosh - $500!?! I spent 3 wonderful weeks in Guatemala last August for less than that amount, not counting airfare. Would you be willing to share what was interesting to you? Maybe some of us could help you put together a similar trip for less money.

You might want to post this as its own thread, too, in case there are others who would be able to help who wouldn't be looking at a ground transportation in Guatemala thread.

Happy trails!

heyjude2919

Thanks for your reply. We are in port from 7AM to 6 PM. I haven't done much research on Guatemala becuase I didn't know what transportation from our port was available, bus or taxi. The Holland America excursions to Tikal and Copan (the all day $499 ones) involve small chartered airplanes. I guess that is what costs so much. I will try to post my question on its own thread..good idea. Thanks for any ideas you have.

hopefulist

Local companies will offer visits to Rio Dulce town (Las Fronteras), not especially attractive but the trip up the gorge is wonderful. Livingston is kind of a funky Garifuna town just across the mouth of the Rio Dulce which would be interesting but isn't representative of anywhere else in Guatemala. The ruins of Quirigua are less than an hour by road from there. I haven't had the pleasure of going there. They don't have the massive pyramids of sites like Tikal but are famous for huge, beautifully detailed stone carvings. You might be able to put together a trip to all 3. Hope you get a chance to head back to Guatemala and Honduras with more time. I just keep going back over and over and have still barely scratched the surface.

My photo collections are below if you're interested. Happy trails!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections