Chiquimula Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Several companies operate buses to Guatemala City and Puerto Barrios; all of them arrive and depart from the bus station area on 11a Av, between 1a and 2a Calles. Ipala and San Lúis Jilotepeque microbuses and the Jalapa bus also go from here. Minibuses to Esquipulas, Río Hondo and Anguiatú and buses to Flores arrive and depart a block away, on 10a Av between 1a and 2a Calles. Vilma (7942-2064), which operates buses to El Florido, the border crossing on the way to Copán, has its own bus station a couple of blocks north.

Agua Caliente (Honduras border) Take a minibus to Esquipulas and change there.

Anguiatú (Salvador border) (US$2, one hour, 54km) Hourly minibuses, from 5am to 5:30pm.

El Florido (Honduras border) (US$2, 1½ hours, 58km) Minibuses depart from the Vilma bus station every 30 minutes, from 5:30am to 4:30pm.

Esquipulas (US$2, 45 minutes, 52km) Minibuses run every 10 minutes, from 4am to 8pm. Sit on the left for the best views of the basilica.

Flores (US$10, seven to eight hours, 385km) Transportes María Elena (7942 3420) goes at 6am, 10am and 3pm.

Guatemala City (US$5, three hours, 169km) Rutas Orientales and other companies depart at least hourly, from 3am to 3.30pm. The 3am bus leaves from the plaza, the rest from the bus station.

Ipala (US$1.50, 1½ hours) Microbuses depart half-hourly, from 5am to 6pm.

Jalapa (US$3, 3½ hours, 78km) One direct bus at 6am daily. Otherwise take a microbus to Ipala or San Luís Jilotepeque (US$1, one hour) and change.

Puerto Barrios (US$5, 4½ hours, 192km) Buses run every 30 minutes, from 4am to 6pm.

Quiriguá (US$4, two hours, 103km) Take a Puerto Barrios bus.

Río Dulce (US$4.50, three hours, 144km) Take a Flores bus, or a Puerto Barrios bus to La Ruidosa junction and change there.

Río Hondo (US$2, 35 minutes, 32km) There are minibuses every 30 minutes, from 5am to 6pm. Or take any bus heading for Guatemala City, Flores or Puerto Barrios. On Sunday, Guatemala City buses won’t let you on for Río Hondo – take a minibus.