sarg123

I am going to be spending six weeks in Antiqua, Guatemala and I plan on taking as many weekend trips as possible. I was just wondering from any one who has traveled via 'chicken buses' how accurate the time predictions were. If a guide book says it should take two hours will it really take four to get somewhere, since this would limit how far I could feasibly go for a one or two night trip.

LostFarmboy

I actually caught chicken buses to and from Antigua just 6 months ago, they are bloody awsome!!! The time estimates in travel guides are for the more conventional buses, so i would add a bit of time for the chicken bus journeys. One place i very highly recommend that is only a few hours by chicken bus from Antigua is San Pedro, it's a village on the banks of Lake Atitlan, it's crazy, i loved it. There are another 8 or so other little villages around the lake that are cool to check out and stay in as well.


Have fun!!

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TERI

what's a chicken bus?

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LostFarmboy

Chicken buses are more or less buses for the locals that can't afford the coaches. They are old school buses that they fill to the brim with people, i'm talking 4 to a seat or more and the isles absolutely packed with people, they are crazy. They have a driver and a kid that takes the bus faires (which is nearly nothing). The kid is also responsible for tieing your bag to the roof and getting it off for you. If the kid knows when you're getting off he will usually climb out the window while the bus is still going, untie your bag, throw it back in the window, climb in and wait with your bag up the front of the bus until you get off. The drivers of these buses are INSANE!! They go way too fast around the tightest corners, they don't slow down for anything........I loved em'

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sarg123

I can't wait to experience the madness. And thanks for the tip about San Pedro, Lake Aitlan is a definite on my list.