Hola. I have been trying to research the best route for this trip but am truly having difficulties organising the most practical itinerary. Firstly we are quite flexible with time but would like to reach the Pacific coast in approximately 3-4 weeks to meet up with some friends in El Salvador. We are on the road now probably crossing the border from Mexico to Belize tomorrow heading to Caye Caulker. We are backpacking so trying to be cheaper where possible, however if it will save a lot of time or make more sense etc to catch water taxi's from Belize to Honduras that is fine. I initially thought that the best route may be to go into Guatemala from Belize City and head to Tikal as it is only a few hours by bus and then make our way to La Ceiba to catch the boat to the island so we can do some diving, I am unsure of the bus route/border crossing options between these destinations. Then head back down to the Copan ruins where there is a border crossing and across to Semuc Champey before heading south. It seems like a LOT of zig-zagging around so I would love to know if anyone has any tips of advice for us?? Thanks in advance guys!
I unfortunately have never been to Semuc Champey but am familiar with the area and the transport in the years past. I would say you are right to go overland to Tikal from belize city.....but then go down to Semuc before heading over to Rio Dulce and a boat down the river to Livingston. From livingston it's simple to get a boat to puerto cortez and a bus connection probably thru san pedro to la ceiba..daily boats from ceiba to utila..from La ceiba it's probably best to backtrack to san pedro del sul and a connection to La Entrada Cheap places to stay in la entrada if connections demand an overnite wait....connecting there to another bus to copan ruins. ...return to la entrade and head for el salvador border...Ometepeque as i recall....change buses at border to capital...the trek from the ruins to san salvador can be made in a long day.
I would head to Tikal, then Semuc, then over to Rio Dulce to Livingston, Puerto Barrios, cross the border to Omoa and on to La Cieba. Hit Copan on the way to Antigua where it's an easy shuttle to Sal. Tela and Lago de Yojoa make nice stops depending on time.
interesting hermosajo
...Omoa crossing...does the grautemala/honduran 10 man canoe express still operate....if so that would be the most interesting...if not probably still interesting...got any more info on that...don't mean to hijack the op thread but think this would be interesting to both of us.
On the re-entry to Guatemala after copan ruins...i don't think that's the most efficient or cheapest way to get to el salvador from the ruins...especially to San Salvador...but it's certainly open to debate....2 overland border crossings vs 1 is certainly a negative.
Agree on Tela stop...don't know about Lao de Yojoa
Thank you both so much for the advice twinoaks5911 & hermosajoe ! It has been such a big help. We will definitely head to Tikal and Semuc Champey first and then cross into Honduras from Livingston. Then to Copan and Antigua. I know that it is a little bit further to go but we hear it is beautiful and can meet friends there and head to El Salvador together. This information was more than I expected and incredibly helpful. The area around Rio Dulce looks amazing. Can't wait to explore. if anything odd or interesting pops up along the way, we will keep you posted and updated. Cheers
OP, when you get to San Ignacio, do the ATM cave trip, most excellent. The boat ride down Dulce is great.
does the grautemala/honduran 10 man canoe express still operate.
No, they lost a couple dudes and it stopped.
From PB take a minivan to the border, Corinto, easy and quick crossing then a local bus to Omoa, about 3 hours. Omoa is way more pleasant than PC and it's a very nice scenic drive. It's a very cool little town with a fort.
Yojoa is a killer spot, if you like no people, great scenery, good fishing, outstanding birding and drinking beer it's not a bad place to hang your hat for a few days, but that's me.
From Copan it's just very easy via Antigua, if you have a more interesting route, please inform.
Hope the OP doesn't think we are hijacking his thread...but this is probably good info for all of us
Que pena about the termination of the canoe express between the 2 countries...i only did it once but it was fun...caimans along the way...had to get out and help push through shallow waters....eeerrry...but great adventure for me...but then i'm fairly easy to amaze....how did they lose the people?...not by the caimans i hope...they scared the shit out of me
Omoa more pleasant than puerto cortez?...sure is quieter...but puerto cortez is like all ports...plenty of action....look around for a ride...ride to anywhere...maybe even to the bay islands directly...haven't done it...don't know of anybody personally who has...but I'm sure a ride could be arrange south along the past to somewhere....I know in the past I arranged for a couple of rides to fishing islands twice out of puerto cortez to the north...I also believe that from livingston to puerto cortez is quicker and probably cheaper than any other route....doesn't make it better though
I would assume it's much faster to backtrack from the copan ruins to La Entrada...where it's a straight shot to san salvador....easy border crossing along the way....But I've never made the trip from Guatemala city to copan ruins..I've made the trip from Guatemala city to El Salvador a couple of different ways though
Yojoa killer spot?...I'm not for no people when I'm drinking beer...like lots of people...all for no people with great scenery though....i rarely do fresh water fishing...because i'm lazy and no good at it....but i was a commercial ocean fisherman back in the early 70s....all along the eastern tropical pacific...primarily yellow fin tuna
trusted partner
