3 Best Ways to get from Antigua to Lanquín, Guatemala

AnaMarija Mishachkovska 29 Jan 2022 Last updated: 5 Apr 2025 3 min read No comments


You can get from Antigua to Lanquín by shared shuttle, private transfer, or rental car.

The cheapest option is a shared shuttle, which costs USD 41 and takes about 9 hours.

The most popular option is the shared shuttle, offering the most convenient alternative.

The fastest way is by private transfer or rental car, which takes about 7 hours.

My countless trips through Guatemala have given me much experience getting around this vibrant land.

Let me take you through a journey of the best travel methods for getting from Antigua to Lanquín, ensuring your experience is as rich and hassle-free as possible!

1. Shared Shuttle

Journey Duration: 9 hours

You will be picked up from your hotel in Antigua and dropped off in the center of Lanquin, which is great since you won’t have to worry about carrying your luggage around.

It is a long ride, but there are stops where you can enjoy the views or take a bathroom break. The drivers are very helpful, and the vans are comfortable and air-conditioned.

If traveling to Lanquin in the high season, I advise booking your ticket at least one day in advance because these shuttle vans do not run frequently.

There is only one departure daily, so make sure you arrive on time and reserve a ticket!

Shared Shuttle Schedule:

The table below displays the shared shuttle timetable, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.

DEPETADURPX
08:00am05:00pm9h$41

2. Private Transfer

Journey Duration: Custom Time

Private transfers or a private car with a driver provide the most convenient method of transportation from Antigua to Lanquin!

It is a bit pricey, but it offers so much more than public transportation, considering there is a lack of that.

You will be picked up from your hotel and dropped off at your location in Lanquin, and you will be provided with photo opportunities, bathroom breaks, and lunch breaks en route.

Before the trip, I recommend asking if the car has air conditioning.

Even though most private transfers and private vehicles do, it doesn’t hurt to check, especially before starting a 7-hour journey through the dense jungle and winding mountain roads! 

Taking a private transfer is the best option for groups of more than four people, so if you have a lot of people traveling together, this is the best choice!

3. Rental Car

Journey Duration: 7 hours

The town of Cobán is perfect for a stop before traveling out to Lanquin and Semuc Champey, and if you have time, you can also explore the caves at Candeleria and Laguna Lachua. 

Although the roads are winding and mountainous in this area, the scenery is beautiful, and the parking is easier than in Antigua.

If you want to drive in Guatemala, you need an international driver’s license and be confident with Guatemalan traffic, including chicken buses that fly around corners at breakneck speeds!

Best day tours in Lanquin

Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there Uber in Antigua?

Guatemala offers Uber service, and people often use it to travel from Guatemala airport to Antigua.

How much is an Uber?

An Uber costs at least 175 GTQ (approximately USD 23). Count on heavy traffic to increase that cost.

Does Antigua Guatemala have a beach?

Even though Guatemala has both Atlantic and Pacific coastlines, it is not known as a beach destination. You can reach Monterrico and El Paredón on the Pacific coast, the closest beaches to Antigua, in 2-2.5 hours by shuttle.

What is a chicken bus in Guatemala?

Chicken buses, or caminionetas, are the country’s local buses that connect all of Guatemala’s towns, villages, and cities. It is usually the cheapest option for traveling long distances as it is the main form of local transport.

This article was last fact-checked by Jean Nájera on

5 Apr 2025

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