Guatemala City - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Uber is safe but buses and regular taxis are not. - Mar 2023
Safety is a big issue for public transit. Uber is safe and affordable. There are two taxi companies, and people in the diplomatic mission are advised to use one but not the other. Walking is not generally safe except for a few select areas in daylight only. - Oct 2022
We're not allowed to take any form of transit other than Uber, which is both safe and affordable (although half the time it won't have all its seat belts). - Oct 2022
It is not recommended you travel via buses or trains or the white taxis. However, Uber is widely accepted and affordable. - Jul 2021
Armed robberies are common on public transport and we are not permitted to use them. Ubers are safe, but they're not as nice as I remember in other places; they tend to be kind of run-down, stinky, and don't always have seat belts. - Jan 2020
Embassy families are prohibited from using local buses or taxis for safety concerns. Gang attacks on buses and taxis are a relatively common occurrence. Uber, however, is allowed, and has been fantastic for us here. - Mar 2019
Uber is available and safe to use; taxis okay. Other transport not used. - Feb 2019
Some are safe, all are affordable. There's a recommended taxi company that will charge US$5-10 for trips within the central city. There's a new transurbano line of city buses that are supposedly much safer than the red city buses - they don't take any cash and every stop lets out on a platform staffed by police - but they still aren't recommended and honestly don't serve routes that will be useful for most expats. Some of the inter-city bus lines are safe and affordable, you just need to check on the route and the company. - Jun 2015
No.The Embassy recommends that you used only the yellow taxis. Minimum fare is Q25 per ride (about US$3.50). - Apr 2014
There is no rail network. Local buses are crowded, unsafe and prone to all sorts of violent crime. Intercity buses are the same, with the added risk of reckless drivers trying to out-maneuver their competitors in order to reach the next bus stop first and collect more passengers. Even though many tourists regularly use them (particularly backpackers), truth is that they are best avoided. The main roads are generally very good, but avoid secondary roads (Rutas Nacionales) unless you know from a trustworthy source that they are in good condition. - Jan 2014
No trains, and most intra-city buses are off limits. There is an excellent Yellow Taxi/Taxi Amarillo service that is safe and reliable. - Nov 2011
Buses are not safe due to gang control of them, but yellow and green taxis are safe and well-priced. - May 2010
Buses are not safe and I would not recommend taking them. Some people do, but only carry very minimal cash. And don't hail taxis off the street - it's much better to call a reputable company. There are no trains here. - Mar 2008
