Transport in Guatemala

Transportation in Guatemala includes roads (a majority unpaved), waterways, and airports. It formerly included railways.

A Guatemalan Chicken bus. Chicken buses are repurposed American school buses.

Ground transportation

Chicken buses, recycled and often colorfully painted former US school buses, are popular within cities and for short-distance trips. There are a number of Guatemalan bus and van transport companies that most travelers use to get from the airport in Guatemala City to Antigua, Lake Atitlan in the Western Highlands of Guatemala and Monterrico on the Pacific coast.

Some first class bus operators (such as Litegua between Guatemala City and Puerto Barrios, Fuente del Norte between Guatemala City and Flores, and Monja Blanca to Cobán) run safe, modern air-conditioned buses for longer distances. In some parts of Guatemala City passengers on public buses are vulnerable to crime therefore it is not a good idea to take public buses in Guatemala City nor chicken buses from Guatemala City to other destinations. Shuttles and taxis (often tuk-tuks)are the better option. There are no passenger trains.

Streets

Guatemalan streets tend to be one-ways to ease congestion and move traffic.

Highways

• Total: 14,095 km
• Paved: 4,863 km (including 75 km of expressways)
• Unpaved: 9,232 km (1999 est.)

Railways

Main article: Rail transport in Guatemala

total:

• 322 km (200 mi) operated by the Railroad Development Corporation until September 2007, now closed
• 563 km (350 mi) closed

narrow gauge: 884 km 3 ft (914 mm) gauge (single track)

Railway links with adjacent countries

• Mexico - currently closed (since 1996 or before) - break-of-gauge 3 ft (914 mm)/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
• Belize - no
• Honduras - none in use - break-of-gauge 3 ft (914 mm)/3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) (?)
• El Salvador - currently closed
• FERISTSA Railway was proposed to connect Mexico with Panama via Guatemala using standard gauge rails

Waterways

260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season

Pipelines

• oil 480 km

Ports and harbors

Atlantic Ocean

• Puerto Barrios
• Santo Tomás de Castilla

Pacific Ocean

• Champerico, Puerto Quetzal, Puerto San José

Merchant marine

None (1999 est.)

Boats

Ferries are available in certain regions, such as Sayaxché or around Livingston. The best way to get to the various Mayan villages around Lake Atitlan is on one of the ubiquitous "shark" boats.

Airports

450 (2006 est.)

Named airports

• La Aurora International Airport
• Mundo Maya International Airport
• San José Airport
• Quetzaltenango Airport
• Puerto Barrios Airport

Airports - with paved runways

• total: 11
• 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
• 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
• 914 to 1,523 m: 4
• under 914 m: 2 (2006 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

• total: 439
• 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
• 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
• 914 to 1,523 m: 111
• under 914 m: 319 (2006 est.)

See also

• Guatemala