Guatemala Guide
Guatemala City
Getting Around
Sadly robberies on the city's antiquated buses have increased in recent years, and though most of these incidents occur in the outer suburbs, many visitors (even hard-core backpackers) now opt to use taxis to get around the capital.
If you do choose to use city buses, bear in mind that even locals are often baffled by Guate's anarchic web of bus routes. As most of Zona 1's streets are one-way, buses usually return along different roads. At least fares are cheap (US$0.15). After 9.30pm pick-ups and minibuses known as ruteleros effectively operate as buses, running along the main routes all night.
A network of modern buses with wheelchair access, called the Transmetro, using designated bus lanes and proper bus stops have been introduced to the capital. Municipal police officers patrol the green Volvo buses (known as "los verdes" by locals) for security. The first route inaugurated is of limited practical use to visitors, connecting the new Central terminal in Zona 12 (in the far south of the city) with the civic centre in Zona 4, but the authorities are rolling out more routes so the capital will have a network of efficient bus services. Tickets are US$0.15.