Getting to Guatemala by Land or Sea

By Land

Borders

Guatemala shares a border with four countries: Belize (266 km), El Salvador (203 km), Honduras (256 km), and Mexico (962 km).

From Neighboring Countries

Since 2006, there has been an agreement between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua called the "Central American Border Control Agreement" (C-4). This allows free movement of nationals from these countries within this area without border controls, and in theory, any foreign visitor as long as they travel directly from one of these four member states to another.

Overland

Travel between Guatemala and its neighbors is straightforward. There are several road crossing points to and from Honduras, El Salvador, and the Pacific coast of Mexico (the eastern route is via Belize). Speaking of Belize, it can be reached by road via the Flores-Belize City route or by boat for those arriving in the south of the country at Punta Gorda.

Several bus companies provide direct international routes. If you want to spend slightly less and have time, you can also take a local bus to the border and then another one in the next country after crossing.

Fuente del Norte: serves Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras.

Hedman Alas: for Honduras.

Linea Dorada: from Flores to Belize.

Linea Pezza Rossa: Salvadoran buses to Guatemala.

Platinum: luxury buses with Wi-Fi for routes between Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.

Pullmantur: routes between El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Tica Bus: the most well-known for their presence and transport throughout Central America (except Belize).

Trans Galgos: western Guatemala, as well as service to El Salvador and the Mexican border.

In addition to bus companies, some shuttle services ("shuttles") also offer slightly more expensive transfers to neighboring countries, including the site of Copan in Honduras.

By River

It is possible to reach Mexico from Guatemala (and vice versa) by traveling along the rivers in the Petén region. You just need to find the boats that make these trips...

By Sea

Ferries

It is possible to travel from Guatemala to Belize, or vice versa, by sea for roughly $20–25 per trip. Regular boats operate between Livingston (Tuesdays and Thursdays) or Puerto Barrios (daily) in Guatemala and Punta Gorda (southern Belize), as well as numerous "water-taxis" connecting these cities. Outside of these routes, there are no other international ferry services.

Cargo Ships

On the Caribbean side, the port of Puerto Barrios/Santo Tomás de Castilla handles the most cargo traffic. Though not widely known, it is one of the most important ports in this part of the world. However, the Honduran port of Puerto Cortés, the largest in Central America, is only about 30 kilometers from the border between the two countries.

Cruises

Guatemala is not traditionally a cruise destination. Nevertheless, the port of Puerto Barrios/Santo Tomás has developed this activity slightly, and a few cruise ships dock there each year, allowing passengers to explore the surrounding areas (Livingston, Quiriguá...), and perhaps one day Tikal when the local airport offers flights to the site.