How to get from San Cristobal de las Casas to Antigua

Why visit Antigua?

Antigua is a gorgeous city with the best-preserved colonial settlement in Central America — a great achievement considering it’s an earthquake-prone area. A former capital of Guatemala, the small city’s grid-like street layout and vibrant houses are among the earliest examples of urban planning.

Backdropped by Volcan de Agua, this UNESCO World Heritage Site makes the perfect destination for photography professionals and aficionados. Some of the best things to do in Antigua include hiking to the nearby Acatenango Volcano, roasting marshmallows at Pacaya Volcano, and surprisingly: eating at one of the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world!

Border crossing from Mexico to Guatemala

Crossing the Mexico-Guatemala border is easy and simple.

Your bus or minivan shuttle will make a stop at the Immigration Office in Ciudad Cuauhtémoc for the Mexican side. Have your passport stamped and return to your shuttle. You will then be driven to Frontera La Mesilla for immigration procedures on the Guatemala side.

Depending on the company you’re travelling with, you may be asked to transfer to a different bus or minivan to take you the rest of the way to Antigua.

There are 2 ways to travel the 480 kilometre (298 miles) distance from San Cristobal de las Casas to Antigua. You can choose between the bus and minivan. The journey takes 11 to 15 hours and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $76.

The minivan is the most common way to get from San Cristobal de las Casas to Antigua. Fares start from $76, and travel time is around 13 to 15 hours.

Hotels in San Cristobal de las Casas often offer shuttle rides to Antigua, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding one. But if you want to book your ride beforehand, we recommend doing so via BookAway, which offers customer support 24/7.

Some of the companies operating minivans from San Cristobal de las Casas to Antigua are Eterna Primavera, Turansa, Magic Travel, Adrenalina Tours and GuateGo. Note that minivans on this route are usually available only from Monday to Friday.

You will be picked up from your hotel in San Cristobal and dropped off at your accommodation in Antigua.

If you’re looking for a more spacious ride when travelling to Antigua from San Cristobal de las Casas, book with a company that operates coaster buses. These are Kahk Bahlam and Atitrans.

With a coaster bus, the 11 to 12 hours journey from San Cristobal de las Casas to Antigua will be so much more comfortable. Bus ticket prices start from $76.

Like the minivan, a coaster bus ride includes free hotel pickup and drop-off. Note that they’re also available only from Monday to Friday.

Bus options from San Cristobal de las Casas to Antigua