CHICKEN BUS: A chicken bus is public bus transportaion. They buses are old school buses that have been redecorated inside and out. They are very affordable. A one way trip to Guatemala City (a trip that takes about 1 - 1.5 hours) costs about $1 US. Our 5 minute bus ride to the next town where we attend church costs us 20 cents per adult. Kids ride for free. The sign in the front of the bus tells the towns that the bus will go to. Besides the driver, there is a conductor who climbs in and out of the bus yelling where the bus is going and inviting people to get on. he collects the fares and he will help you get on and off the bus...quickly. Rick has ridden these buses to Guatemala City a few times now. They are very crowded, usually with 3 adults to a seat, possibly with children on laps. On Rick's last trip to Guatemala City, he was sitting in the aisle suspended in the air between the seats, someone was standing in front of him and in back. Chicken buses can be dangerous. Care must be taken with your belongings. Because there isn't really any personal space, it is a great place for pick-pockets. In addition, there have been several major accidents since we arrived. Buses travel so fast on the winding roads that they sometimes go off the road costing lives. At times was also hear about armed robberies of buses traveling between towns in the more desolate areas. But if you want to see Guatemala and experience a little of what Guatemalans experience, you need to ride a chicken bus. It may or may not get you where you are going on time, but it will definitely leave some memories.
TUK-TUK: These three wheeled taxis are like amusement park rides to our kids. They have no shock absorbers and dart in and out of traffic on Antigua's cobblestone streets. The standard fare in town is about $1.50. Tourists have been known to pay as much as $10 for a ride. Tuk-Tuk drivers "rent" the vehicle from the owner for about $20 for a 12 hour shift. Whatever the driver earns above this fee is his business and his to keep. (I say he because I have yet to see a female tuk-tuk driver). We use tuk-tuks to get home from the grocery store or market and to get around after dark. Tuk-tuks also aren't the safest. You are placing your life in the hands of the driver.
TOURIST VANS: These are a safer, though more expensive way to get from one town to another. From Antigua to the Guatemala City airport can cost from $5 to $25 per person, depending one the time of day and how "private" a ride you want. Five dollars gets you squashed in with as many other people and their luggage as can fit. Many times luggage ends up all around your feet and on your lap. If you have a bit of luggage, this is the way to go.
GUATEMALAN PULLMAN BUSES: Taking the Greyhound bus isn't really appealing in the States, but in Guatemala, it is much like flying, only roomier. There are different classes of travel. The first class buses provide air conditioning, movies, water, a functional bathroom, and meals. Lower class buses get you to the location. The cost of these buses is very reasonable. Our 6 hour trip on a bus cost $10 per person in a first class bus and on the return, about $7 in a second class bus. The first and second class buses have security and make fewer stops. I don't recommend riding a bus below second class. Like any travel anywhere, you need to keep an eye on your belongings.
HOOFIN' IT: This is our main mode of transportation. Antigua is only about 16 square blocks. We can get most of what we need within a mile of our little apartment. It keeps us in shape and is very hard on the shoes! Since we have talked a little about price and safety with each of these...the price of Hoofin' it is the possibility on a twisted ankle but more likely, sweat. As far as safety, you do need to keep an eye on your surroundings. For the most part, Antigua is safe but there are places you should not walk alone and it is best to stay in after 8 or 9 at night.
TOURIST TRANSPORTATION: For about $15 you can take an hour ride in a horse drawn carriage. We haven't done this yet, but might before we go. It looks fun from a distance, but be warned, we have noticed a certain smell when close up which makes us wonder if this is for us. Notice the goody bag hanging from the horses' behind!
CHICKEN BUS: A chicken bus is public bus transportaion. They buses are old school buses that have been redecorated inside and out. They are very affordable. A one way trip to Guatemala City (a trip that takes about 1 - 1.5 hours) costs about $1 US. Our 5 minute bus ride to the next town where we attend church costs us 20 cents per adult. Kids ride for free. The sign in the front of the bus tells the towns that the bus will go to. Besides the driver, there is a conductor who climbs in and out of the bus yelling where the bus is going and inviting people to get on. he collects the fares and he will help you get on and off the bus...quickly. Rick has ridden these buses to Guatemala City a few times now. They are very crowded, usually with 3 adults to a seat, possibly with children on laps. On Rick's last trip to Guatemala City, he was sitting in the aisle suspended in the air between the seats, someone was standing in front of him and in back. Chicken buses can be dangerous. Care must be taken with your belongings. Because there isn't really any personal space, it is a great place for pick-pockets. In addition, there have been several major accidents since we arrived. Buses travel so fast on the winding roads that they sometimes go off the road costing lives. At times was also hear about armed robberies of buses traveling between towns in the more desolate areas. But if you want to see Guatemala and experience a little of what Guatemalans experience, you need to ride a chicken bus. It may or may not get you where you are going on time, but it will definitely leave some memories.
TUK-TUK: These three wheeled taxis are like amusement park rides to our kids. They have no shock absorbers and dart in and out of traffic on Antigua's cobblestone streets. The standard fare in town is about $1.50. Tourists have been known to pay as much as $10 for a ride. Tuk-Tuk drivers "rent" the vehicle from the owner for about $20 for a 12 hour shift. Whatever the driver earns above this fee is his business and his to keep. (I say he because I have yet to see a female tuk-tuk driver). We use tuk-tuks to get home from the grocery store or market and to get around after dark. Tuk-tuks also aren't the safest. You are placing your life in the hands of the driver.
TOURIST VANS: These are a safer, though more expensive way to get from one town to another. From Antigua to the Guatemala City airport can cost from $5 to $25 per person, depending one the time of day and how "private" a ride you want. Five dollars gets you squashed in with as many other people and their luggage as can fit. Many times luggage ends up all around your feet and on your lap. If you have a bit of luggage, this is the way to go.
GUATEMALAN PULLMAN BUSES: Taking the Greyhound bus isn't really appealing in the States, but in Guatemala, it is much like flying, only roomier. There are different classes of travel. The first class buses provide air conditioning, movies, water, a functional bathroom, and meals. Lower class buses get you to the location. The cost of these buses is very reasonable. Our 6 hour trip on a bus cost $10 per person in a first class bus and on the return, about $7 in a second class bus. The first and second class buses have security and make fewer stops. I don't recommend riding a bus below second class. Like any travel anywhere, you need to keep an eye on your belongings.
HOOFIN' IT: This is our main mode of transportation. Antigua is only about 16 square blocks. We can get most of what we need within a mile of our little apartment. It keeps us in shape and is very hard on the shoes! Since we have talked a little about price and safety with each of these...the price of Hoofin' it is the possibility on a twisted ankle but more likely, sweat. As far as safety, you do need to keep an eye on your surroundings. For the most part, Antigua is safe but there are places you should not walk alone and it is best to stay in after 8 or 9 at night.
TOURIST TRANSPORTATION: For about $15 you can take an hour ride in a horse drawn carriage. We haven't done this yet, but might before we go. It looks fun from a distance, but be warned, we have noticed a certain smell when close up which makes us wonder if this is for us. Notice the goody bag hanging from the horses' behind!
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