Bus from Flores to Cobán
Minibus / shuttle · ~5–6 hours · $20–$35 USD · Several daily departures
Why choose Spring Bus?
Spring Bus is the best way to find bus tickets from Flores to Cobán
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 Flores to Cobán route connects the gateway to Tikal's Maya ruins with the cool cloud-forest capital of Alta Verapaz. Travelers ride it to trade the Petén's jungle temples for Cobán's coffee farms, cardamom country, and access to the turquoise pools of Semuc Champey and the Candelaria caves. It's a popular overland link for backpackers stitching together northern Guatemala without backtracking through the capital. Spring Bus connects these travelers with the minibus and shuttle operators that run the corridor, so you can secure a seat for a route that local microbuses otherwise fill on a first-come basis.
Service is a mix of Transportes Monja Blanca's regional buses, local microbuses, and tourist shuttle operators. Tourist shuttles are more comfortable and direct, while microbuses are cheaper but slower and pack in tightly. From Cobán you can connect onward to Lanquín for Semuc Champey or continue toward Guatemala City. Aim for an early start, since this is a long day and afternoon rain can stretch travel times on the cloud-forest approach.
Route details: Flores to Cobán
Travel time
5 h 30 min
Distance
230 km
Typical fare
$20 – $35 USD per person
Frequency
Several daily (minibuses and a few scheduled shuttles)
First departure
Approx. 5:00 AM
Last departure
Approx. 2:00 PM
Operators on this route
Transportes Monja Blanca · Local microbuses · Shuttle operators
Pickup at Flores
Pickup at Flores island hotels and the Santa Elena terminal area across the causeway
Drop-off at Cobán
Drop-off near Cobán's central terminal and hotels in the city center
About the journey
This route cuts south out of the Petén's flat tropical lowlands and into the green folds of Alta Verapaz. From Flores, the road runs through Sayaxché, where it crosses the Río de la Pasión, then pushes on toward Chisec and Raxruhá past cattle ranches, oil-palm estates, and patches of remaining rainforest. As you near Cobán the terrain rises and crumples into the cloud forest, the air turning cooler and wetter, with cardamom and coffee plantations cloaking the hills. Long stretches are paved but worn, and a few sections can slow to a crawl in heavy rain. It's a journey that visibly transitions from steamy jungle plain to misty mountain greenery over the course of the afternoon.
Travel tips for Flores → Cobán
- Leave early in the day — this is a 5–6 hour haul, and a morning departure gets you into Cobán with daylight to spare for onward connections to Lanquín.
- Choose a shuttle over a microbus for comfort — local microbuses are cheap but cramped and slow with frequent stops, while tourist shuttles run more directly.
- Carry water and snacks — stops along the Sayaxché–Chisec stretch are limited and basic, so stock up in Flores before you set off.
- Brace for rough patches — paved but worn roads and possible rain delays around Raxruhá mean travel times can stretch, so keep your schedule flexible.
- Pack a light jacket for Cobán — the city sits in cool, damp cloud forest, a sharp contrast to the Petén heat you'll leave behind.
- Plan your Semuc Champey leg — most travelers continue from Cobán to Lanquín, so book that onward shuttle to avoid waiting around the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the bus from Flores to Cobán?
The trip takes about 5 to 6 hours via Sayaxché and Chisec, depending on road conditions and how many stops your minibus or shuttle makes.
How much does it cost to get from Flores to Cobán?
Fares run roughly $20–$35 USD. Local microbuses sit at the lower end, while direct tourist shuttles cost a bit more for added comfort and fewer stops.
What time do buses leave Flores for Cobán?
Departures begin early, around 5:00 AM, with services running into the early afternoon. An early start is strongly recommended given the journey length.
Can I continue to Semuc Champey from Cobán?
Yes. Cobán is the main staging point for Semuc Champey — from there you connect onward to Lanquín, the village nearest the pools, by shuttle or minibus.
Is the road from Flores to Cobán paved?
Most of the route is paved but worn in places, especially around Raxruhá and the cloud-forest climb into Cobán. Heavy rain can slow these sections.
Going the other direction?
Bus from Cobán to Flores
Related routes
Read more about this destination
GuideTikal: a guide to the Mayan ruins
Explore the towering pyramids and the Great Plaza in Petén — how to get there, what to see, where to stay.
GuideThe Candelaria Caves in Chisec, Alta Verapaz. Explore The Candelaria Caves with Spring Bus
To get to the Candelaria Caves you must go to Lanquín in Cobán and from there take a bus to the caves. Explore and Enjoy Alta Verapaz with Spring Bus.
GuideSemuc Champey an unmistakable destination on your list - Explore Semuc Champey with Spring Bus
Find out how to get to Semuc Champey and don't miss the opportunity to visit these natural pools. Explore and Enjoy Semuc Champey with Spring Bus.