1

Every other store in Palenque will have a sign out, selling tickets to Flores. Is one better than the other? I suspect they're all about the same. You'll do okay.

It's a van ride to the river and a Mexico exit station, thence to the pangas which will take you downriver to an all-but-deserted landing in Guatemala, then to a 3/4-sized bus, which drives thru all-but-deserted countryside to a customs station, and on to Flores. If you're lucky, a guy named Eddie will be your guide and tell you about his country during your trip. He's okay. Tell him hi for me!

2

I agree with #1. Its easy to get a tour guide from Palenque. I have made this trip and experienced no problems in crossing into Guatemala. Make sure you check out of Mexico before crossing.

3

I gotta do this trip someday!

4

Tour agencies in the City of Palenque will offer this trip. I checked with a few before I took the trip in December. I opted to go on my own part of the way and went in through Belize via Chetumal and returned through Chiapas at Frontera Corozal, about 80 miles from Palenque. San Juan Travel in Flores arranged the transport.
They did a good job in spite of some bad reviews they have received. The best advice I can give is to have Pesos in small denominations. There are ample stores and services including a hotel in Frontera Corozal but the small stores there never can make change for large bills.
You will board a small boat in Chiapas and go up the Usumacinta River to Bethel, Guatemala (Frontera on some maps) where you meet transportation and go through customs. There will be a money changer there at the customs building. Get about 25 USD (300 Peso) worth of Quetzals. There are ATM machines in Flores where you can change money for a better rate.
Flores is a well developed town on an island where there are many hotel options and transport to the ruins.

5

They don't like peso's in Guatemala, so take dollars or something other than Peso's. Also don't exchange money at Bethel except in small amounts. Wait until you get to Flores.

6

Thanks for everyone's advice so far. Whilst waiting to check into our hostel we found an abundance of agencies willing to do the trip to Flores. Prices ranged from 300-450 pesos, with and without breakfast. They all offered the same routes and from pick-up at 6am (from your hostel/hotel) they would get you into Flores by mid-afternoon (2-4pm)

The best price we found though was off of the round-about with the Mayan head (200m after exiting left from the ADO bus station) at a place called Na Chan Khan, which quoted 270 pesos for transport and for an additional 130 (total 400) you could get a breakfast buffet.

Pretty sure we'll go with Na Chan Khan*. I'll post with details of the trip when we get there.

Also if anyone else has any additional information about this trip - although the #1-5 were very helpful, so thanks. - please let me know.

• After re-visiting Na Chan Khan we were mistaken. The price was 370 pesos.

We found a place towards the palace (take a right at ADO exit) called Tulum, Transportaora Turisco. The guy seemed friendly and gave detailed info. of the itinerary to Flores, in both Spanish and English. And charged 300 pesos.

We leave 6am tomorrow.

I'll write back with findings.
Thanks

Edited by: elbear

7

We made it to Flores with no real problems. After we got across the border we were joined by a rep called 'Edy' from San Juan travel (based in Flores). He gave information about day trips and other travel options available to us.
We went with the Tikal option which we were reasonably happy with, although they did turn up an hour late for pick-up and charged more than other companies 20Q ($3) . But they got us from A to B... You live and you learn.

Anyways, Flores is great. I'll be writing a more detailed trip of the crossing. Link to follow....

Thanks again

8

If you're still in Flores, say hi to Eddie (Or Edy, however he spells it) for me! He's a good guy, and useful for getting you on to your next destination. I was a problem, and he really went out of his way to get my trip straightened out.