1

Although I love Guate and do not avoid it, the situation of changing buses there can be confusing and not easy if someone is new to the city. Currently the Antigua bound bus can be picked up near El Trebol. It originates further into town at a garage. Service is frequent. I have used it many times. You pay on the bus. Where you ARRIVE in Guatemala City from the border will depend on which bus company you come in on. There is no one central terminal.

I went from Juayua to Antigua via the Pacific border (not Las Chinamas) and did so in a long day. Doing it this way, you don't go through Guate. You take the bus in Juayua to the Sonsonate terminal. There you can pick up the bus to the border. You walk over the bridge. Onward transportation is there and you change again in Esquintla for the Antigua bus. You change your bus at a roadside "station" and it isn't difficult. Much of the trip from El Salvador is hot and the bus can be packed. You will enjoy arriving in Antigua all the more. The view coming up from the coastal lowlands is wonderful

I found the Pedro de Alvarado/Pacific border to be mellow and easy.

2

Number one's giving you some good advice to go down the Pacific Coast through Escuintla and direct to Antigua.
It is complicated to change buses in Guatemala City. Every bus company has it's own particular terminal and none of them are close to each other.

3

Ditto both #1 and 2. I drive it every 6 weeks or so and it is 4 hours in a car from Lake Atitlan so much less to Antigua.

4

Thanks all for your input. You have made up my mind I will follow your route and go by the coast. Any other information on anything in that area would be great.
Thanks again.
Derek

5

Thanks again Roberto for the update email. Will make sure and get up early to arrive in daylight.
Much appreciated.
Derek

6

There are shuttle buses that go directly from some of the surf sites in El Salvador to Antigua .... which may be an option for you.

7

the shuttle bus is an option. But the easiest way from Juayua to Antigua is to catch the bus at the border. It could be TICA, GALGOS (I not sure of the name) - The bus goes directly to the citycenter (Terminal Hotel Istmo) - to reach Antigua quickly a taxi from Hotel Istmo to the bus to Antigua could be a solution (it is not expensive :-)
Wish you a good stay in Juayua. That is an amazing part of El Salvador. Go at The seven Waterfall Tour (Hotel Anahuac makes it) around waterfalls, green mountains, view to volcanoes. Take the bus and og for a daytrip to the small villages, walk around in Juayua etc. :-)