Guatemala is a fascinating country. The highlands are gorgeous and the vistas are absolutely breathtaking! The people of Guatemala have endured years of internal struggle, but you would never realize it from the smiles on their faces as you drive through the miles of farmland. There is little evidence of First World influence in Guatemala and, perhaps, this is what makes it so appealing.

Unfortunately, there are thousands of poor children in Guatemala. Take something to give to them, anything. Buy a box of chocolates or take some used clothing. Pull over when you feel compelled and give these people one of your gifts. The smiles that you will create are worth more than most any material possession you will ever receive. Of course, you can’t give every child a gift. For those that you can give something, you have made a world of difference in the life of a special human being.

Immigration
Immigration is your first stop, you need an entry stamp which costs a few US dollars. Most Central American border crossings are rather informal and trouble free for the normal traveler. The problems and difficulties arise when you must clear your personal vehicle for passage into each respective country. You can expect to see the majority of non-vehicle travelers whiz right by you while you’re patiently processing your monotonous paperwork. Don’t get discouraged, and remember to wave to these other travelers as they board the bus with the chickens and pigs.

Aduana
Many travelers have reported that entering Guatemala is a pain in the @#!...well, point of contention, to put it nicely. Fortunately, I had no problems entering Guatemala. The officials were actually very amiable and courteous. They spoke more English than their Mexican counterparts and they were more helpful. I may have happened to catch them on a good day. The boss was sipping the Guatemalan drink of choice at his early morning break, and it wasn’t just coffee. The atmosphere in the office was pleasant and casual.

Most travelers have reported that this is one of the most difficult border crossings in Central America. Many have had to spend three hours or more just to get permission to enter Guatemala. Be patient, provide the information required, pay the fees and eventually passage will be granted.

The officials want to see you passport, car registration, car title, and drivers license. After looking over your papers and then looking through your car they will give you a green document called Certificado De Vehiculos Automotors For Carretera De Placa No Centroamericano. The cost of this document is $6-10 US. Of course, there is also a form for Servicios Extraordinarios. This document costs an additional $6-10 US.

Agriculture
This is a quick 5 or 10 minute stop. Show your fumigation papers to the semiofficial in the shack next to the Aduana. I paid a $2 US processing fee; the fee most likely varies depending on the type of car you drive and whether the official is exceptionally hungry or thirsty. The official records the information in a ledger and you are free to go.

Guatemala Border Crossing
To Guatemala City
Driving Time: 5 hours
Kilometers: 266 km

There are three main border crossing into Guatemala: Cuauhtemoc, Talisman, and Cuidad Hidalgo. All three locations basically follow the same entry procedure. The following directions are specifically for Cuauhtemoc.

Migracion, Aduana and Agriculture are located in three separate building that are next to each other. For your next stop you need to drive about 5 minutes down the road. The fun is not over yet!

Military Checkpoint I
On your way out of town you will come across the military checkpoint, look for the green uniforms. There is no building, the guards have a table set up outside next to the road. Park your vehicle and take your papers and identification to the guard. He will review your documents, ask you several questions and then record the information. No charge, this one’s a freebie.

Military Checkpoint II
About 50K from the border there is a second checkpoint. Show the guards your paperwork and a friendly smile. They will question you and then, hopefully, let you proceed without propina payment.

Military Checkpoints, In General
There are several additional military-police like checkpoints on the way to Antigua. I was never solicited to pull over and therefore I didn’t. Sometimes I received a stare or an intense look of interest. I always looked straight ahead and proceeded slowly past their building. Surely if you voluntarily pull over the guards would gladly search your vehicle and therefore request a donation for their work. My recommendation is to proceed with intelligence, caution and common sense. If you are solicited to pull over—always comply. Remember, a radio is much quicker than a vehicle.

Road Conditions
The road conditions in Guatemala are very good, however, there are few signs or road markers. Look carefully for the signs that do exist—if you miss one you may get lost. Also note the following differences for navigational purposes: CA 1 is the Interamerican Highway; CA 2 is the Ruta Pacifica and travels along the southern portion of the country. Hwy 1 is a separate from CA 1 the Interamerican Highway.

Special Directions
The officials want to see you passport, car registration, car title, and drivers license. After looking over your papers and then looking through your car they will give you a green document called Certificado De Vehiculos Automotors For Carretera De Placa No Centroamericano. The cost of this document is $6 US. Of course, there is also a form for Servicios Extraordinarios. This document costs an additional $6 US.

Guatemala Border to Antigua (see map)
Driving Time: 5 hours
Kilometers: 288
Miles: 179
Hwy: CA 1

After surviving the monotonous entry procedures for Guatemala the drive through the beautiful mountains and lowlands are refreshing. Keep your eyes out for any signs, you want to follow the one or two signs that indicate Guatemala, this is for Guatemala City. After several hours of driving you will see a sign for Antigua, turn right here and prepare yourself for a horrible road. If you decide to skip Antigua, which would be a crime, you may continue straight along the same road toward Guatemala City which is about one hour further.

Antigua is exquisite. Similar to San Cristobal de Las Casas, this city is confusing when first entering by vehicle. As you enter the city you will come to a fork in the road two blocks past the Texaco station, veer left at the fork. Approximately 1 kilometer past the fork in the road is Casa de Santa Lucia, between 5 and 6 Calles Ponienta. Santa Lucia is on the right side of the street, the entrance is a large black wooden door. If you go past the bank you have gone too far. Santa Lucia is one block before the bank. The parking area is located in the rear, but you will need to knock and ask them to open the gates. This is a very secure place, you want to take extra precautions in Guatemala with you vehicle—they frequently disappear.

Hotel & Eats
Casa de Santa Lucia is a nice place. There is a garden lounge great for mingling with other travelers. Rooms are $60 US + $20 US for storage of your vehicle. The bank, one block away, is open until 10:00 p.m. and it is a convenient place to exchange your gringo dollars. Turn right at the corner where the bank is located and walk 3 blocks to the center of town. There are several restaurants that offer delicious food—enjoy and relax.

More Hotel Options (Updated 2008)

Ummagumma Hotel
Where. 6a Av North 1A.
Cost. $12-$20 for dorms, singles and doubles
What Up. Great place to hang and meet other travelers, kitchen access, relax.
Web. www.ummagummahostel.blogspot.com
Tel. 7832 4413
Email. n/a

Casa Cristina
Where. Callejon Campo Seco 3A
Cost. $16-$20 for singles and doubles
What Up. Two stories of comfort in good locale.
Web. www.casa-cristina.com
Tel. 7832  0623
Email. n/a

Learned Lessons
Be patient at the border and allow 2 or 3 hours to complete the necessary paperwork. If you are coming from San Cristobal de Las Casas allocate about 8 to 10 hours for the entire day.

Road Conditions
The road conditions in Guatemala are very good, however, there are few signs or road markers. Look carefully for the signs that do exist—if you miss one you may get lost. Also note the following differences for navigational purposes

Special Directions
Give yourself enough time to make it to Antigua from the Mexico-Guatemalan border. Please don’t drive at night! Violence is a way of life in Guatemala and there are very few towns between the border and Antigua. The countryside is sparsely populated and there are few foreigners driving through the country.

Antigua-Guatemala City (see map)
Driving Time: 1 hour
Kilometers: 52
Miles: 33
Hwy: CA 1

The drive from Antigua to Guatemala City is very easy, it’s Guatemala City that will give you a headache. This is your true test of patience, the only thing that will get you through is diligence. Unless you have specific business in Guatemala City, drive directly through it. In actuality you will drive around, backward, circular and then through.

The drive takes about 1 hour and once in Antigua you will find many places to store your vehicle inexpensively.

Guatemala City is the junction point for several routes leading to El Salvador or Honduras. It is possible to completely avoid El Salvador or you can drive through El Salvador and then through a small portion of Honduras. One thing to consider is that if you decide to bypass El Salvador you are eliminating one additional border crossing.

Special Directions
My recommendation is to find a nice relaxing hotel in Antigua and spend some quality time in this fantastic city.

Guatemala Border Exit

Regardless of whether you travel through El Salvador or Honduras your first procedure is to exit Guatemala. Leaving the country is much easier than entering the country.

Immigration
Immigration will request to see your passport and any other necessary documents. After the officials review your materials they will give you the exit stamp for $2 US.

Aduana
Aduana wants your vehicle papers, the green documents. The inspector will check your identification and your signature. He will then give you a stamped paper authorizing your exit from the country—kind of like a get-out-of-jail free card in Monopoly. You must show the stamped paper to the nice military man that is patiently waiting to inspect every inch of your vehicle, good luck. After you get the okay from the military, the money exchanger guy will open the gate to let you and your vehicle out of the country—which is his side job, exchanging money or opening the gate?

Learned Lessons
The military and the government inspectors seem to operate completely independent from each other. When things run smoothly with one agency, don’t expect the other agency to follow suite.

Special Directions
The exit procedures are straightforward, though you may get an attitude from the military inspector. He gives the final okay on exiting the country, thus treat him with respect.

To & Through El Salvador (see map)
For travelers going on to El Salvador there are several entry points; Las Chinamas, La Hachadura, San Cristobal, or Anguiatu. Ruta Pacifica, CA 2, will take travelers to the southern most entry point at La Hachadura.

The Interamerican Hwy, CA 1, branches just past Cuilapa into CA 1 and CA 8. CA 8 leads to the border crossing at Las Chinamas and CA 1 takes travelers to San Cristobal.

There is also an entry point in the north at Anguiatu near to the Honduran border. Once you enter El Salvador it’s a straight drive on CA 1 to Honduras. You can easily drive through El Salvador in one day.

To Honduras
Those going on to Honduras have two options. You may cross the border at Agua Caliente or El Florido. Leaving Guatemala City locate CA 9. Upon entering Guatemala City turn right on Puente Periferico and continue to Avenida Marti. Once you exit the city head for Esquipulas.

It is entirely possible to drive from the Guatemalan—Mexican border to the Honduran border at Esquipulas in one day. However you do need to get an early start and keep driving without delay.

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