I booked online a shuttle from Lanquin to Chichicastenango. They charged me 40 $. I ended up in a shuttle with people who booked in hotels in Lanquin. These guys paid 15 $. I overcharge really bad. I don't recommend. Just get a shuttle in Your hotel. All hotels have shuttles in offer.
We went to Las Fuentes Georginas with adrenalina. The price was decent, their shuttle service and driver were also amazing. Their staff in the office are also very helpful. We asked plenty of questions about getting to Panajachel and also Antigua and they explained and wrote the detail of every option for us. We will take their shuttle next week to Panajachel, their price was the cheapest.
Engaged services from Xela to Panajachel. Pricing inconsistencies arose. Owner exerted pressure on hotel owner charge me above and beyond what was agreed. We spoke and he was a nice enough gentleman but convinced his was the right interpretation of events.
Driver was friendly and helpful. However, company managers call drivers every half hour to see their location. Not a bad practice. The only problem is that drivers answer while at highway speed, taking a turn, shifting gears! Not the best safety practice with a van full of people.
Tour companies abound in Xela and Guatemala. Whichever you choose, I would ask and ensure the price is the price and their practices on drivers and cell phones. My wife told me after that she was not only scared sitting in the back with my two children about the speed we were taking turns but also that the driver was not using hands free calling.
It was quite a ride.
Got me to my destination, but not the service I was expecting. I had to arrive in Xela by 6pm from San Cristobal, so I thought booking a shuttle was the best option, rather than try to navigate multiple buses with my limited Spanish. I expected a 15-seater shuttle like it shows on the website for the entire route. A shuttle DID pick me up at the correct location, but then stopped 15 minutes later, the driver gave instructions in Spanish, and everyone started getting off. I asked another passenger what was going on, and he said we were transferring to a bus for the next leg. That bus took us to the border, the driver pointed us to the passport office, and we were told to wait for another shuttle on the other side. Two shuttles arrived (one for Antigua and one for Xela) and we got in. Two hours later, we stopped for a half hour on the side of the road and the driver gave us no explanation. Apparently the other shuttle had gotten into a minor accident with a motorcycle. I was worried about being late for my arrival, but there was still no explanation. Finally, we moved on and transferred to another shuttle for the final leg to Xela. This would have been fine IF this was what the website proposed to be offering (and for a cheaper rate). I had no idea so much of the trip would be outsourced to other drivers, NOT the friendly, bilingual Andrenalina guides mentioned in other reviews. Maybe those are just for the private tours. An e-mail that explained the shuttle transfers and border crossing procedures would have been helpful. If you aren't fluent in Spanish and aren't familiar with the routes, you'll have no idea when to transfer buses, when to expect food and bathroom stops, and when you can expect to be at your destination. I'll be looking for a more reliable transport option for the rest of my trip.
While more expensive than the chicken buses, Adrenalina is very easy to use for non-Spanish speakers (people who set up the trips are bilingual), and for a small additional charge they will pick you up and/or drop you off at a location of your choice instead of at the station. Compared to prices you'd expect in the U.S., it is very affordable, and takes you to all the popular destinations (airport, Antigua, Lake Atitlan, etc). I would bring some Dramamine for the buses though - the roads in Guatemala are often very rocky and it's best to be prepared for it. You can purchase Dramamine over-the-counter at pharmacies in Guatemala.
In short their reliable, you go to there office and there will always be a shuttle to take you where you need to go. However in my experience, they will often stuff the shuttles with as many people as possible leaving for a rather uncomfortable ride making me wish I had just taken a chicken bus. Especially if I'm going somewhere far like San Cristobal.
Very helpful staff. The best price we found for a shuttle from Xela to Antigua (though for other routes you may want to shop around). If you have a US PayPal account, reserving your shuttle tickets online may save you a trip to the ATM and associated transaction fees too.
Very kind people in the agency in Xela. They help you every way they can. I´m certainly coming back here.
They help me with everething I need : )