Antigua DIY Transportation Questions

[kestrel]

We (a group of more than 10 people) plan to DIY to Antigua during our next Panama Canal Cruise. However, we haven't decided whether to use Princess transportation or to hire taxi/van at port. I have several questions:

 

(1) Can we find a van at the port that can accommodate a group of 10 people or more? If we need to travel in different cars, will we be able to find one another when arriving at Antigua?

 

(2) Are those taxis or vans comfortable? Is Princess transportation more comfortable? After all, it's a 90-minute ride one way.

 

(3) Princess shore excursion indicates that it's an 8-hour excursion. That means we will have around 4 hours of time in Antigua. How much time will we have if we use private taxis or vans? When we go on our own, we tend to return earlier "just in case." Will it give us enough time in Antigua?

 

(4) Princess transportation is listed as $49 per person. How much do we expect to pay if we hire taxis or vans at port?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Putterdude]

We (a group of more than 10 people) plan to DIY to Antigua during our next Panama Canal Cruise. However, we haven't decided whether to use Princess transportation or to hire taxi/van at port. I have several questions:

 

(1) Can we find a van at the port that can accommodate a group of 10 people or more? If we need to travel in different cars, will we be able to find one another when arriving at Antigua?

 

(2) Are those taxis or vans comfortable? Is Princess transportation more comfortable? After all, it's a 90-minute ride one way.

 

(3) Princess shore excursion indicates that it's an 8-hour excursion. That means we will have around 4 hours of time in Antigua. How much time will we have if we use private taxis or vans? When we go on our own, we tend to return earlier "just in case." Will it give us enough time in Antigua?

 

(4) Princess transportation is listed as $49 per person. How much do we expect to pay if we hire taxis or vans at port?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

I don't profess to be an expert on the subject of Guatemala or Antigua but I will tell that our coaches (Princess's) were escorted by armed police and soldiers both in front and behind the buses....we loved our vist there but I am not sure that I would want to do it on my own.:)

[kestrel]

I don't profess to be an expert on the subject of Guatemala or Antigua but I will tell that our coaches (Princess's) were escorted by armed police and soldiers both in front and behind the buses....we loved our vist there but I am not sure that I would want to do it on my own.:)

 

Wow. This is a surprise. I only heard that happens in Egypt.

[CPT Trips]

We took the Princess DYI a couple years ago. I am one who generally avoids ship tours, but with the distance and schedule of that particular trip, I wanted a comfort factor. I can't address getting your own taxi . . . we did not meet anyone that made that trip on their own. I can tell you that the roads were crowded on our return trip, that we were the last bus back and that the ship left as soon as we were all aboard.

 

The coach was very comfortable, dropped us off right in the town center and returned right there on schedule to take us back to the ship. We enjoyed the sights on the ride out . . . the driver did some commentary, and siestaed on the return. Our coach was not escorted by armed guards that I could see during the trip. Didn't see any waiting for us when we went out of the port area. In fact, I don't recall seeing any large number of armed guards in Antigua. I never felt threatened or any discomfort except for my total ignorance of the language and culture. We were treated well by shop and museum/tourist attraction staff everywhere.

 

ETA - there is a lovely main square in the town center (where our coach met us) . . . that would be the place to meet up with your private van should you decide on that.

[kestrel]

Thanks, CPT Trips.

 

We have done a land trip to Costa Rica several years ago, and have a fairly good idea re. the environment and road condition in Central America. It was indeed similar to what you have described.

 

One more question: How much time do you have to go on your own in Antigua?

[CPT Trips]

I don't really recall exactly how much time . . . 4-5 hours? . . . "enough." We wandered around, went through some of the ruins and museums, ate lunch and hit some shops and galleries.

[kestrel]

I don't really recall exactly how much time . . . 4-5 hours? . . . "enough." We wandered around, went through some of the ruins and museums, ate lunch and hit some shops and galleries.

 

Thanks again.

[paleotrekker144]

Hi Guys and Girls.. Paleotrekker here..

Thought this might help.. I just returned last week from my latest trip to Central America.. most times I go to Guatemala I try to get a retired old mentor-friend out of the usual routine.. for his comfort and mine I usually call up my favorite Guatemalan tour-guide Gus, of "Go With Gus" tours.. This time we went on a special tour of small towns along the Pacific coast near Puerto Quetzal and the next day my old mentor wanted to do the Antigua tour again, which we did.. all along riding in the air conditioned comfort of a 13-passenger van listening to the humorous historical comments and local tall-tale fare that Gus dishes out so well.. well for my friend and me it was time well spent.. easy riding and enjoying each other's company, as well as the company of fellow traveler's on those two beautiful days.. OK, I'm getting choked up and misty eyed here.. so let me sign off and wish you a similar wonderful experience..

As usual fellow earthlings.. Sea you around.. paleotrekker here.. signing off.