Bus from Chichicastenango to Quetzaltenango
Tourist shuttles · ~2 hours · $10–$20 USD · Afternoon returns
Why choose Spring Bus?
Spring Bus is the best way to find bus tickets from Chichicastenango to Quetzaltenango
Plan your perfect trip
Find and book your bus tickets in just a few clicks.
Best prices
We partner with top bus companies to provide you with the best prices available.
Flexible Booking
Change your travel plans as needed with our flexible booking options.
The Chichicastenango → Quetzaltenango return shuttle gets you back to Xela after a market-day visit. Daily afternoon service.
Spring Bus connects you to operators running this route — Adrenalina Tours, Atitrans, Quetzaltrekkers. Standard pickup at Chichi's central plaza between 1 PM and 4 PM, drop at your Xela hotel between 3 PM and 6 PM.
Route details: Chichicastenango to Quetzaltenango
Travel time
2 h
Distance
80 km
Typical fare
$10 – $20 USD per person
Frequency
Daily afternoon, plus extra market-day returns (Thu + Sun)
First departure
Approx. 1:00 PM
Last departure
Approx. 4:00 PM
Operators on this route
Adrenalina Tours · Atitrans · Quetzaltrekkers
Pickup at Chichicastenango
Pickup at hotels around Chichicastenango's central plaza (Santo Tomás Church area)
Drop-off at Quetzaltenango
Drop at hotels in Xela's Zone 1 (Parque Centro América area)
About the journey
The Chichicastenango → Quetzaltenango return reverses the morning route — RN-15 south to Los Encuentros junction, then west on CA-1 through Cuatro Caminos to Xela. ~2 hours. Standard afternoon shuttle for travelers wrapping up a market visit.
Travel tips for Chichicastenango → Quetzaltenango
- Confirm your return pickup time with the operator when you arrive in Chichi.
- Be back at the pickup point 15 minutes early — drivers don't wait long.
- Bring snacks + water for the 2-hour ride — Chichi vendors close early afternoon.
- If you missed your shuttle, public chicken bus via Los Encuentros is the budget fallback (~Q30 / US$4, 2.5–3 hours with transfer).
- Xela evenings are cold (10–15°C) — bring a fleece, you'll feel it after sundown.
- Plan a Xela dinner — arriving 5–6 PM is good timing for the Parque Centro América restaurants.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the bus from Chichicastenango to Xela?
**About 2 hours** door-to-door from Chichi central to Xela hotels. Same CA-1 route as the morning shuttle in reverse.
What time do shuttles leave Chichicastenango for Quetzaltenango?
**Typically 1 PM and 4 PM daily**, with extra returns on market days (Thursday + Sunday). 1 PM is the popular pick after market browsing + lunch.
How much is the return shuttle from Chichi to Xela?
**$10 – $20 USD per person** — same fare as the inverse direction. If you bought a round-trip Xela → Chichi package, the return is included.
Is there a chicken bus from Chichicastenango back to Xela?
Yes — **Chichi terminal → Los Encuentros + transfer to Xela**, ~Q30 (US$4), 2.5–3 hours with the transfer. Backpacker-cheap; basic, no luggage compartment.
Can I continue from Xela to the Mexican border the same day?
**Tight but possible** — from Xela the **La Mesilla border** is ~3 hours by shuttle (~$20 USD). If your Chichi shuttle drops Xela by 5 PM, a same-day border crossing is impractical; better to overnight in Xela + cross next morning.
Going the other direction?