Bus from Lake Atitlan to Xela (Quetzaltenango)
Lake Atitlan is one of the most visited places in Guatemala. It’s relaxing atmosphere, chill vibes and volcanoes available for climbing is what attract tourists. Some people travel to Xela (also known as Quetzaltenango) after spending some time near Lake Atitlan. This is the short guide how to do that.
Direct bus from Panajachel to Quetzaltenango (Xela)
Your best option is to catch a direct chicken bus which leaves from Panajachel to Quetzaltenango (also known as Xela). This is the fastest option and almost the cheapest. You might save some cents while taking different buses, but it is not really worth the effort.
Bus leaves from 14.74614 91.15376 every day. I heard that the buses run every hour, but you might want to check that information. I am sure that I took this bus at 1PM.
Bus from Panajachel (Lkae Atitlan) costs Q20 per person. Bus ayudante might want to charge Q25 or Q30 from you, but the price is Q20.
It took us 2 hours and 15 minutes from Panajachel to Xela Bus Terminal where we changed bus to San Marcos. We climbed volcano Tajumulco there.
Lake Atitlan to Xela by chicken buses
If you cannot find a direct bus to Xela you might try to go there by changing different chicken buses. They go something like this:
- Bus from Panajachel to Solola – Q3/person, 20 minutes.
- Chicken bus from Solola to Los Encuentros – Q2.5/person, 20 minutes.
- Los Encuentros to Xela (Quetzaltenango) – Q20/person, ~2 hours.
If you are not lucky from Los Encuentros you might take not a direct bus to Xela. Then you will need to change once again somewhere in the middle of the road. Make sure that the bus you are getting into is going all the way to Xela.
Chicken bus from San Pedro la Laguna to Xela (Quetzaltenango)
I heard that there is a direct bus from San Pedro La Laguna to Quetzaltenango. It might be the cheapest and fastest option if you are staying at San Pedro.
It is hard to find exact schedule and price for this bus. You might want to ask around your hostel in San Pedro. I am pretty sure that I saw a chicken bus in Xela with a sign of San Pedro la Laguna.
If you have any information about bus route from San Pedro la Laguna to Quetzaltenango let me know in the comments! I would be happy to update the post.
Afternoon bus from Lake Atitlan to Xela
Joseph Andrews commented that it is possible to catch a bus at Panajachel where Calle Santander intersects with the main road heading up to Solola. He mentioned that buses leave every thirty minutes from six or six thirty and they stop running at eight AM. If you need to take a bus at afternoon there is a bus leaving at 2PM. And as far as he knows it is the only afternoon bus.
Helpful info – thank. I am looking to travel the opposite direction (Xela to Panajachel). Where do I catch the bus in Xela? Any other description of your return trip would be helpful. Thanks!
Hi, I guess in one of the chicken buses terminal in Xela. Ask locals, shouldn’t be hard 🙂
Yeah, it’s not like chicken bus companies are going to have websites to post schedules on. That would take away from the excitement of the whole venture.
Totally agree!
Hello, sorry the coordinates dont work for me. Could you give some other information of where the vus is taken?
Thank you! Great article!
Hi Larraitz! Sorry, I have only coordinates. Try to copy them to google maps.
I took a direct chicken bus from San Pedro today! The bus stop is opposite the big white church in downtown (uphill) . Note-someone has marked it incorrectly on maps.me
I got there for 10am, someone told me it would be here in 25minutes.it was, however we sat on the bus for 1hour till it left. 1125 we were on the road, a few people picked up and dropped off but never had more than 2 people on the seats! Arrived just before 2pm and was 35q
Hi Erica! Thanks for the informacion and update. Hope it will be useful for someone.
Catch the bus in Panajachel where Calle Santander intersects with the main road heading up to Solola. Traffic cop I talked with said buses leave every half hour or so starting at six or six thirty and ending at eight am. I will see about afternoon buses tomorrow and let you know.
Thank you Joseph for this useful information! I’ve updated the post with your suggestions.
The afternoon bus from Pana to Xela leaves at two pm. As far as I know, it is the only pm bus.
Thank you for this! Post updated with your useful information 🙂
Just a note on going from Pana to Xela at 2pm, i took it from the “station” named Rebuli on google maps, across from the Bomberos (fire station), it left at 1:50pm, facing up the road toward the market. It went to the market area and around the loop then back down the road (so it does pass the santander intersection), but if you want a seat it’s a good idea to get on at Rebuli before it starts off. Also, if you’re coming from near the lake and see the small official ‘parada de buses’ by the Texaco on Calle Principal, it will pass there but the seats will likely be full. Just walk up a 100m and get on before it leaves.