4 Best Ways to get from San Pedro to Antigua, Guatemala

You can get from San Pedro to Antigua by boat + shared shuttle, chicken bus, private transfer, or rental car.

The cheapest option to travel from San Pedro to Antigua is by boat + chicken bus, which costs USD 15. The journey takes about 4 hours.

The most popular option is the boat + shared shuttle because it offers the most convenience while still being affordable.

The fastest way to travel to Antigua from San Pedro is by private transfer or rental car, which takes about 3 hours.

Guatemala has been my thoroughfare and treasure trove, with every tour from the misty mountains to the sunny coast teaching me the road rhythms.

In this guide, I’m handing over the keys to a traveler’s trove of insights to help you navigate this gem of a country with a local’s know-how and a globetrotter’s curiosity!

Check out our guide for the best options for traveling from San Pedro to Antigua!

Transportation Options from San Pedro to Antigua

The following table outlines all transportation options from San Pedro to Antigua:

Method	Time	Price
Boat + Shuttle from San Pedro to Antigua	3.5 hrs	$25
Boat + Chicken Bus from San Pedro to Antigua	~4 hrs	$15
San Pedro to Antigua Private Transfer	~3 hrs	–
Rental Car	~3 hrs	–

How far is Antigua from San Pedro?

The distance from San Pedro to Antigua is 87 miles or 140.2 kilometers.

Getting to Antigua from San Pedro La Laguna

1. Boat + Shared Shuttle from San Pedro to Antigua

Journey Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

A shared van shuttle is among the cheapest options from San Pedro to Antigua.

However, the shuttles will pick you up at Tzanjuyu Dock in Panajachel, a short boat trip from San Pedro. 

Unfortunately, the boat fare is not included in the price for the shuttle, but it should be no problem since the boat ride alone costs only USD 8! 

You will first get on a boat from San Pedro to Panajachel and then transfer to the shared van shuttle. Finally, when you arrive in Antigua, the driver will drop you off directly in front of your hotel!

The road trip with these shuttles lasts approximately 3 hours.

Atitrans provides cheap shuttle services twice daily between the two locations. Due to the limited frequency of this mode of transportation, we recommend checking availability to ensure you don’t miss your trip.

We also recommend purchasing tickets online in advance since they are often cheaper! There is nothing better than a shuttle service that is comfortable, convenient, and affordable!  

San Pedro La Laguna to Antigua Shared Shuttle Schedule:

The table below displays the shared shuttle timetable for trips from San Pedro La Laguna to Antigua, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.

DEP	ETA	DUR	PX
09:00am	12:30pm	3h 30m	$25
12:00pm	03:00pm	3h	$25

• 12:00 PM to 03:00 PM: Shared Shuttle to Antigua from San Pedro La Laguna

Total price: USD 25

2. Boat + Chicken Bus from San Pedro to Antigua

Journey Duration: 2 hours 50 minutes

The second and cheapest option from San Pedro to Antigua is to get on a boat to Panajachel and continue your journey to Antigua on the famous Guatemalan chicken bus!

The public buses, or chicken buses as they’re called in Guatemala, provide another option for traveling through the country.

Chicken buses are the most common mode of public transportation used by locals. And compared to other options, they are incredibly cheap!

The trip will cost USD 15, including the boat and four chicken buses!

Yes, you have to transfer between 4 chicken buses, but the time to reach Antigua is the same as when traveling by shuttle.

You must make three additional stops before arriving in Antigua from Panajachel, but all this is just part of the adventure!

You will make the first stop in Solola, where you will transfer to another bus to Los Encuentros. Next is the trip to Chimaltenango, where you finally take the last bus to Antigua!

The whole trip lasts around 3 hours, including transfers! 

If this doesn’t sound like too much of a hassle, we recommend you take the boat and chicken bus and experience the local Guatemalan lifestyle on this journey!

3. Private Transfer from San Pedro to Antigua

Journey Duration: 2 hours 50 minutes

We recommend taking a private transfer to make your trip from San Pedro to Antigua as fast and comfortable as possible.

This type of transportation is the best option because it lets you travel in top-quality cars with cozy interiors, air conditioning, and the freedom to plan everything yourself!

Plus, you get directly from one destination to another without any transfer, which takes extra time! Traveling to Antigua requires all that, especially considering the long journey there.

The private shuttles offer greater efficiency and flexibility, so you can stop at specific locations upon request to take pictures, use the restrooms, and have a lunch break.

You will be picked up from your location in San Pedro and transported to Antigua in less than 3 hours! Traveling from San Pedro to Antigua by this mode of transportation is the most convenient and economical choice if you travel with a group and agree to split the cost.

4. Driving with a Rental Car

Journey Duration: 2 hours 50 minutes

And lastly, we recommend renting a car and driving yourself if you want to get from San Pedro to Antigua as soon as possible!

Firstly, let me say that getting from San Pedro to Antigua can be difficult. So, only choose this option if you feel comfortable navigating the Guatemalan roads and traffic!

But besides this, the three-hour drive is delightful!

You can cut out a portion of the journey to save time, allowing you to explore more and spend less time waiting for transportation and transfers.

You arrive in Antigua with total freedom, and it is one of the quickest ways to get there. Getting in your car is the best way to explore the region and enjoy the breathtaking scenery!

Frequently Asked Questions