Puerto Barrios is Guatemala’s main Caribbean port city in Izabal department, serving as the gateway to Livingston, the Garifuna coast, and the Belize maritime border. Litegua dominates this route with an impressive 13 daily departures.

Bus Service

Litegua (Primary Operator)

Terminal: 15a Calle 10-40, Zona 1, Guatemala City. Phone: +502 2220-8840 Website: litegua.com

Schedule: First departure at 5:40 AM, with buses departing approximately every 60-90 minutes throughout the day. Last departure at 3:40 PM, arriving in Puerto Barrios by 9:40 PM.

Price: Q100-125 ($13-16) for first-class service with reclining seats, AC, onboard bathroom, and entertainment.

Duration: 5.5-6 hours direct via the Atlantic Highway (CA-9).

Fuente del Norte

Fuente del Norte runs additional services on this route at slightly lower prices.

Terminal: 17 Calle 8-46, Zona 1. Price: Q80-110 ($10-14).

Route

The bus follows the Atlantic Highway (CA-9), Guatemala’s most important freight corridor, through the Motagua Valley. You pass through El Rancho (junction for Coban route), Teculutan, Zacapa, and Los Amates before reaching the Caribbean lowlands.

Scenery shifts dramatically: From cool highland valleys to the dry Motagua corridor, then into tropical lowlands with banana plantations and palm trees as you approach the coast.

From Puerto Barrios

  • Livingston: Public ferry (Q35-50, 1-1.5 hrs) or private lancha.
  • Rio Dulce: The bus passes through Rio Dulce on the way — you can get off there.
  • Belize (Punta Gorda): Boat service from Puerto Barrios dock.
  • Honduras: Bus from Puerto Barrios to the Corinto border crossing.

Tips

  • Puerto Barrios is hot and humid. Average temperature 28-32C. Bring lightweight clothing and plenty of water.
  • The city itself is not a tourist destination. Most travelers use it as a transit point to Livingston or Belize. If staying overnight, hotels near the port area are functional but basic.
  • Book Litegua online for guaranteed seats, especially on Friday afternoons when weekend travelers head to the coast.
  • The return trip follows the same schedule from Puerto Barrios to Guatemala City.

Prices verified March 2026. Exchange rate: Q7.72 per USD.