From the airport to the city centre Guatemala

Unless you're coming from Mexico, you generally arrive in the country via Guatemala Ciudad's La Aurora airport. Located in zone 13, it's just a fifteen-minute drive from zones 4 and 10, where most travellers stay.

From the airport to downtown. Although it's possible to get there by bus, we advise you to order an Uber, which is faster, safer and, incidentally, cheaper - count around Q40 (€4.60). If you don't have the app - downloadable via the airport's free wifi - taking a cab is a good, if more expensive, alternative. In this case, ask the staff for an estimate of the fare and agree with the driver before getting into the vehicle.

From the airport to Antigua: some people skip the capital and go straight to Antigua, its charming neighbor. Here again, taking an Uber offers the best value for money: 45 minutes for Q150 - €17.30. Alternatively, hotels and youth hostels often offer a shuttle service, which must be booked in advance.

Arrival by boat Guatemala

Lanchas : unavoidable when staying on the shores of Lake Atitlán or the Río Dulce, these motorboats transport locals and tourists alike. Unsurprisingly, fares are set by the customer. However, to avoid the "gringo" price, there's a trick: refrain from asking the cost of the trip before boarding. Ask at the reception desk of your hostel or hotel, and only hand over the money when you get off, with a confident gesture if possible. Please note: be sure to give the exact amount, otherwise you may not get change.

Public transport Guatemala

Although public transport is fairly well developed in Guatemala, beware: whether by road or water, networks are changeable and subject to various hazards. The timetables and fares given in this guide are therefore for information only. Once you're there, don't hesitate to ask your hotel or youth hostel for the most up-to-date information.

Chicken-buses : these "camionetas " are amust , criss-crossing the country and are the local means of transport par excellence. Yet, according to some Guatemalans, they are dangerous - at least too dangerous for tourists to take. The reason: the number of accidents reported every year and the risk of being mugged or even assaulted. It's not our experience, nor that of the travellers we've met, but the fact is that travelling by chicken-bus can be time-consuming and tiring. For example, getting to Chichicastenango from Panajachel, in the Highlands, will only take 1h30 to 1h45 by car or shuttle - the collective shuttles provided by accommodations, travel agencies and tour operators. By camioneta, however, it's impossible to get there directly: you'll have to board three vehicles, which means longer journey times and unavoidable waiting times. Nevertheless, the price works in their favor: for Panajachel-Chichicastenango, you'll pay just Q5, Q3 and Q6 respectively for each chicken-bus on the outward journey, compared with a round trip at Q175 - minimum - by shuttle. Tranquillity comes at a price, and so does comfort. For, if shuttle seats and suspensions are already hard on the back, trucketas should be avoided by those suffering from aches and pains of all kinds. All in all, chicken buses are perfectly suited to long-distance travellers who are curious, slightly adventurous and in good physical condition. That said, it would be a shame to miss out on this immersion in typical Guatemala, even for those in a hurry. Our advice: take a camioneta once - if possible - for a short trip that doesn't involve any changes, and sit in the middle, with the front and rear seats looking like roller-coaster ships. Finally, ask the locals where and when to get off; they'll be happy to point you in the right direction.

Pick-ups: whole families climb aboard. They stay upright, crammed into the open back of the vehicle, for distances that sometimes require an hour's drive. An original means of transport, practical in rural areas. Stops are not clearly marked, so ask the driver or the passengers. When it's time to pay, imitate them to make sure you don't get the "gringo" fare.

Shuttles : while not as economical as chicken buses, shuttles can save a considerable amount of time. With fixed departure times that vary according to destination, shuttles can be booked directly with youth hostels the day before for the following day - although it is possible to book a few days in advance, for greater peace of mind. However, it's best to compare their prices with those of the various travel and excursion agencies you'll find on site. There's no rule: sometimes the rates are better, but this isn't always the case.

Classic" buses: more comfortable than camionetas, these coaches offer prices and journey times close to those of shuttles. Just in case, don't hesitate to compare, especially via the Bookaway website (www.bookaway.com). Here again, there's no need to book too far in advance: you can do so one or two days before departure, either on the company's website or at your nearest agency. The main ones are Maya de Oro (https://mmcorporacion.com), for travel in the Petén, Monja Blanca (www.tmb.com.gt), which operates between Guatemala City and Cobán, and Litegua, which serves the east of the country from the capital. Whatever your destination, make sure the air-conditioning is switched on as high as possible: bring several sweaters, pants and thick socks.

With a driver Guatemala

Like public transport, Guatemala has a well-developed network of cabs and VTCs. Uber, in particular, is the most convenient way to get around the capital and to discover the nearby outskirts of cities like Antigua, among others. What's more, fares are more economical than those charged by other drivers: count Q60 - around €7 - to go from zone 1 to 10 in Guatemala Ciudad. Nevertheless, you won't find vehicles throughout the country; some parts of the territory are completely devoid of them, such as the villages around Quetzaltenango. So, when travelling outside urban areas, it's best to call a cab - yellow - or a VTC through your hostel or hotel, so as to agree on the price in advance. For short distances, simply take a cab at the station head or climb into the back of a tuk-tuk, the three-wheeled motorcycle cabs imported from Asia.

By car Guatemala

Although renting a car allows you to discover the country at your own pace and take time to contemplate its beautiful panoramas, it's far from necessary for a successful stay, especially as there are several safety rules to bear in mind. First of all, we strongly advise against driving after dark. The roads can be dangerous, both winding and unlit. Guatemalans are not renowned for the quality of their driving, so be careful, be careful and be careful. Finally, don't rely on the journey times indicated by Maps, as some roads are impassable in reality. You'll also need to be patient when it comes to parking in the main cities, such as Guatemala Ciudad, Antigua and Quetzaltenango. If you still wish to have your own vehicle, we recommend using sites such as Rental Cars to compare the prices of rental agencies, the most important of which are Alamo, National and Avis.

Accessibility Guatemala

With its high, narrow, uneven sidewalks and cobblestone streets, Guatemala is not a good student when it comes to accessibility for people with reduced mobility and strollers. The same is true for public transportation: apart from private vehicles, getting around can be tricky.

Tourist traps Guatemala

A golden rule: do not trust touts, even if it is only to buy a transportation card in Guatemala City. However, be careful not to confuse them with the assistants of the chicken-bus or pick-up drivers, whose role is to shout the name of their destination, and who will surely call you to know where you are going. Another tip: don't hail cabs on the street. Only take the ones at the head of the station or have them called by your hostel, your hotel or the restaurant where you just ate.