Happy Okole - Guatemala Bus Travel Tips!

I've been quite on the go non-stop for the past 2 months.  I am looking forward to a month of non-traveling in Antigua, Guatemala.

Yes, I can't believe it.  On May 17th, I went from Honolulu to Paris, via Houston and Frankfurt, then back to Honolulu via Frankfurt and Narita (a round the world trip in 10 days!).  Then headed to Los Angeles for 3 days, Orlando for 5 days (previous post CLICK ME and ME!), back to Los Angeles for 3 days, Washington D.C for the weekend (see previous post CLICK ME), then back to Los Angeles, before heading to Guatemala for a week, then Ecuador for 10 days (see previous posts tagged Ecuador), then back to Guatemala on a non-stop on.the.go mission. (I know, right!? BOO-HOO!?)

My okole is officially tired of sitting down.  I'm trying to calculate the amount of time sitting down traveling (on a plane or on a bus) and its quite daunting...  trying to add in layover time, preparation for travel time, taxi to bus time and vice versa... I will just be talking about my travels in Guatemala and some tips and tricks of the trade!

Ok... Let me show you guys what I've been up to... TRAVEL TIPS COMING (PROMISE)!!

Guatemala

Alright... First all of the triangles without the bottom are mountains.  Since my return from Ecuador, my route has been:

Guatemala City > Flores > Tikal > Flores > Rio Dulce (south point of Lake Izabal) > Livingston > Puerto Barrios > Guatemala City > Quetzaltenango > Guatemala City

Sure it looks small on the map... but Guatemala City to Flores is 10 hours.  Flores to Tikal an hour.  Flores to Rio Dulce 4 hours.  Rio Dulce to Livingston 90 minutes (boat).  Livingston to Puerto Barrios 30 minutes (boat).  Puerto Barrios to Guatemala City 5.5 hours.  Guatemala City to Quetzaltenango 4 hours.

GUATEMALA BUS TRAVEL TIPS!!


1.  There are many bus companies going all over Guatemala, my favorite is Linea Dorada (Pullman bus!).  The bus goes direct and does not pick up people on the way, if you are concerned with safety, also note, it will be cold.  If there is a "mas privado" seat available, take it, its normally $3 more, but its way more comfortable!
2.  All of the bus companies offer more routes and timetables that what is listed on their pamphlets or online.  Example, Linea Dorada does not have on their pamphlet a route from Flores to Rio Dulce (leaves at 10AM daily), BUT it is online.  So, see the next tip...
3.  If you have decided to travel from one city to another and decided on a bus company, CALL THEM!  Most information online or on handouts are likely to be dated information!  Example, Transportes Alamo advertises online routes from Guatemala City to Quetzaltenango at 0830, and 1230 (but they actually leave at 10:30!)
4.  Most bus companies DO NOT take credit cards!  Also, get to the bus station 45 minutes early, especially if you traveling on a weekend.  You can call and try to reserve a seat, but they'll ask you to stop by an hour early to pay for your reservation.  Most bus companies ONLINE reservation DO NOT work (e.g., http://lineadorada.info/reservacion/index.php).  Sooo... if you know you are going to travel and a bus station is nearby and you have to take that bus... you may want to get information on 2 buses in case one is booked (e.g., Quetzaltenango > Guatemala City - Transportes Alamo 1430, Linea Dorada 1530).
5.  More than likely you will either walk or take a cab to get to your bus station or once you arrive at your destination, make sure BEFORE getting in the cab... a) the driver knows the location you want to go, b) you both agree on the price (yes, do not agree with the first price stated).  An extra side tip, I like to write down information on my notepad with addresses and phone numbers in case there is a problem while driving.  Example, my notes for Guatemala City - Bus states "Linea Dorada - 10a Avenida 16-41, Zona 1, Tel 2415-8900" and "Transportes Alamo 12 Avenida "A" 0-65, Zona 7, Tel 2472-2355"
6.  DO NOT BOOK BUSES FROM ANTIGUA!!  There are no main buses leaving from Antigua to Flores!? The tour companies in Antigua merely buy you a ticket from Guatemala to Flores and take you to the bus station in Guatemala!  A bus from Antigua to Guatemala is only 8Q ($1.05).  If you're traveling during the day, take the cheap route...

Useful Information:
Linea Dorada - 24158900 (this will route you to all of the stations) - ROUTES/TIMETABLE - accurate!
Transportes Alamo - 2472-2355
Transportes Litegua - 2220-8840

These are the only 3 buses I have taken.  I am also working on a Ecuador travel TIPS edition! You don't want THIS to happen to you!

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.