Bus from Guatemala City to Cobán
Pullman buses · ~4.5–5 hours · $12–$25 USD · Multiple daily departures (Monja Blanca)
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The Guatemala City → Cobán Pullman is the main transit to the Verapaces highlands — the standard gateway to Semuc Champey (the famous turquoise limestone pools, ~3 hours further from Cobán to Lanquín), the Biotopo del Quetzal cloud forest reserve, and Cobán's coffee + cardamom farms.
Spring Bus connects you to operators running this route — Transportes Monja Blanca is the dominant operator (5–10 daily departures, the longstanding Pullman line to Cobán). Escobar y Monja Blanca is an alternative; Litegua runs limited service on this corridor too. Reserved seats, A/C on the main fleet, ~$12–$25 USD per ticket. Pickup at Monja Blanca's terminal in Zone 1 (8a Avenida 15-16) or pre-arrange airport pickup.
Route details: Guatemala City to Cobán
Travel time
4 h 30 min
Distance
215 km
Typical fare
$12 – $25 USD per person
Frequency
Multiple daily (every 1–2 hours from Monja Blanca terminal, ~5 AM to ~5 PM)
First departure
Approx. 5:00 AM
Last departure
Approx. 5:00 PM
Operators on this route
Transportes Monja Blanca · Escobar y Monja Blanca · Litegua (limited)
Pickup at Guatemala City
La Aurora International Airport (GUA) area + Monja Blanca terminal (Zone 1, 8a Avenida 15-16)
Drop-off at Cobán
Monja Blanca terminal in central Cobán — short tuk-tuk to most hotels around Parque La Libertad
About the journey
The Guatemala City → Cobán route is the standard highland-to-cloud-forest transit — Pullman buses head northeast on CA-9 through El Rancho (~2 hours), then turn north on CA-14 climbing into the Verapaces highlands, finally arriving in Cobán at ~1,320 m altitude in the heart of cloud forest + coffee country. Total ~4.5–5 hours on the iconic Transportes Monja Blanca Pullman line (named for the white nun's orchid, Guatemala's national flower). The CA-14 climb is dramatic — green hills, coffee plantations, frequent fog.
Travel tips for Guatemala City → Cobán
- Take the morning Pullman (5–7 AM) to arrive Cobán by midday and continue same-day to Lanquín / Semuc Champey if needed.
- Monja Blanca's terminal is in Zone 1 — taxi from GUA airport ~Q60–80 (US$8–10), ~25 minutes.
- Cobán is at 1,320 m with cool wet climate year-round — bring rain gear and a fleece.
- The CA-14 climb is steep + winding — take motion-sickness meds beforehand if susceptible.
- Continuing to Lanquín / Semuc Champey requires a transfer in Cobán to a separate shuttle/microbus (~3 h, $10–$15 USD).
- Cardamom country: Cobán is the world's largest cardamom producer — many farms welcome visits.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Pullman from Guatemala City to Cobán?
**About 4.5–5 hours** on the standard Transportes Monja Blanca Pullman — CA-9 northeast through El Rancho, then CA-14 climbing north into the Verapaces highlands. Allow extra time if you continue from Cobán to Lanquín / Semuc Champey (~3 more hours).
How much is the bus from Guatemala City to Cobán?
**$12 – $25 USD per person** on Transportes Monja Blanca (the dominant operator). Their **Gold class / VIP service** with reclining seats + better A/C runs at the higher end of that range; standard service the lower end.
What time do Pullmans leave Guatemala City for Cobán?
**Every 1–2 hours from ~5 AM to ~5 PM** from the Monja Blanca terminal in Zone 1 (8a Avenida 15-16). The 5–7 AM departures are popular for travelers continuing same-day to Lanquín / Semuc Champey.
How do I get from Cobán to Semuc Champey?
**Continue from Cobán by shuttle/microbus to Lanquín** (~3 hours, $10–$15 USD), then a 4WD pickup transfer to Semuc Champey (~45 min, ~Q40 each way). Total from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey: ~8–9 hours including transfers.
Where is the Monja Blanca terminal in Guatemala City?
**Zone 1, 8a Avenida 15-16** in central Guatemala City. Taxi from GUA airport ~Q60–80 (US$8–10), ~25 minutes. The terminal is functional and well-organized — pre-buy your ticket at the counter.
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