Traveling from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca to Guatemala
Guatemala boasts a diverse array of landscapes including unique volcano experiences, lush rainforest and lakes, ancient Mayan ruins and a coastline of beaches. Most travelers use the UNESCO World Heritage town of Antigua as a base and venture to the Lake Atitlan, Semuc Champey and Tikal from there. Antigua is located one hour drive from Guatemala City, the main international airport in the country.
Join a community of like-minded people who live, work, and explore on their terms at Selina Atitlan!
In this guide, we'll take a look at:
- 1. How to travel from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca to Guatemala (Lake Atitlan):
- 2. How to travel from Lake Atitlan (Panajachel) to Antigua
- 3. Where to stay in Guatemala:
How to travel from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca to Guatemala (Lake Atitlan):
Guatemala sits directly below Mexico and many people travel overland by bus between the countries. The combination of public transport and a tourist shuttle is the most cost effective and stress-free way to get from Mexico to Guatemala. Take the ADO bus or shuttle from nearby your hostel in Puerto Escondido back to Oaxaca City (see details here) and continue on an overnight ADO bus from Oaxaca City to San Cristobal de Las Casas. Many travelers use this route as it allows a stop off in another Mexican town full of history, colonial architecture, local markets and a bustling atmosphere. From San Cristobal de Las Casas there are regular and reasonably priced shuttles that can take you direct to Panajachel in Lake Atitlan. In this case the hassle of a public bus to the Mexico border, a taxi across the “no-man’s land” into Guatemala and then a public bus to Panajachel doesn’t warrant the wasted time. Door-to-door shuttles operate daily and take 8.5 hours and assist in the border crossing formalities.
View from the edge of Lake Atitlan.
How to travel from Lake Atitlan (Panajachel) to Antigua
From Panajachel to Antigua there are a few options, either the public bus or a tourist shared shuttle. There is one daily direct service from Panajachel to Antigua on the public bus, commonly referred to as a chicken bus, check the timetable for the up-to-date departure time which is usually mid-morning. If you miss the direct service taking the public bus will involve two bus changes in xxx.
The other popular option is by shuttle which offers a door-to-door service picking you up in Panajachel and dropping off at the hostels in Antigua.
The streets of Santa Catalina, Antigua.
Where to stay in Guatemala:
Selina has two incredible locations in the country, one hotel in Panajachel by Lake Atitlan and one hotel in Antigua, in the south of Guatemala. Join the family of curious travellers and the Selina ecosystem that provides a place to stay, play, work and explore.
Selina Antigua’s Facade
Connecting you to more Selinas…
Cruising through Nicaragua
Nicaragua is another surfers’ haven with a laid-back atmosphere in Playa Maderas near San Juan del Sur. If history and architecture is more your jam, you’ll love Granada.
Join a community of like-minded people who live, work, and explore on their terms at Selina Atitlan!