Getting Around
There are two ways of getting to Eco-Escuela in San Andrés.
Either cross the lake from Flores in a local public water-taxi,
(Launcha) or take a bus or mini-bus (small vans) from nearby
Santa Elena. More on how
to get here from Guatemala City and Belize.
From
Santa Elena
BUS - There are buses and minibuses
leaving from the Old and New markets in Santa Elena that
travel directly to San Andrés. To get to the Old market from Flores,
cross the causeway linking Santa Elena and Flores. Take a right (east) at the
main street (Calle Principal) and walk three blocks. The entrance to the market
will be on your left. Walk through the market until
you come to an area with buses and minibuses. The minibuses
can be found in front of a WAY store (selling appliances,
TV, radios, etc.). They
leave when they are full. School Buses can be found
around the corner, a short distance beyond the minibuses.
To reach the New Market, where all trip in and out of
Santa Elena originate, continue walking on the same road
that connects Flores to Santa Elena for about 2,000 meters
or
take a
3 wheel cab for about 75 cents or a regular taxi for about
US$ 1.50 from anywhere in Santa Elena or Flores to the
New Market.
The public bus transport service begins in San Andrés
going to Santa Elena at 5:30 A.M., followed by minibuses
every 45 minutes, which begin leaving Santa Elena
for San
Andrés
at
6:00 A M. The last bus leaves Santa Elena for San Andrés
around 5:45 PM. Either way the cost is Q5 (Q7.5 = $1US)
and takes about 35 minutes.
From Flores
BOAT -
You can also travel to San Andrés
by boat. Upon arrival in Flores, boat services can be found
at the
end of the main road , which leads
into Flores from Santa Elena (Next to Hotel Santana).
Public Boats
(Launchas) leave from San Andrés at
7:00 A.M. Monday - Friday, returning
at 10:00
A.M. from the Hotel Santana dock to San
Andrés. Cost for
riding a public launcha is Q5.
As part of our Tuition
Costs, we include a transfer across the scenic Lago
Petén Itzá to San
Andrés from Flores in
a private Launcha.
Beyond these scheduled runs, service is
not regular and is by private rental only. Prices are negotiable. (Q80 - Q120).
From Guatemala City
PLANE - There are several methods of transportation between Guatemala
City and
Flores including flight services. Several airlines service
Flores from Guatemala City, including Taca and Tikal Jets.
Upon your arrival at the Airport located in Santa Elena, you can take a taxi
(Q15) or a local bus (Q1) to the new market in Santa Elena and follow the above
directions to get to San
Andrés by regular bus or mini-bus.
BUS - Several major bus companies run regular routes between Guatemala
City and Flores including Linea Dorada, ADN and Fuente
del Norte. Buses range
from small camionetas to two-level Pullmans. Prices
range
accordingly (Q80 - Q250) and take 8-10 hours.
From Belize
BUS - There are regular bus services running between the Belizean
boarder and Flores/Santa Elena including minibuses. Fuentes del Norte's
station can be found just across the Belize-Guatemalan border in Melchor
de Mencos. (Q15/2.5 HOURS). Buses leave
at 4, 5, and 7pm.
Alternately Lineal Dorada passes through around 1pm. (Q25/2.5
HOURS) Their office is straight up the
road,
about a quarter mile beyond the border crossing. Minibuses run continuously
and you can catch them just about anywhere in Melchor, as they can usually
be found circling around looking for passengers. Cost is Q15-20.
Once in San Andrés
we are easy to find as our school is on the main mini-bus
route or if you arrive by regular bus, get off at
the soccer field "campo del football" and give
us a call at 928-8106 and we will be happy to pick you
up. Nearby
tiendas sell phone cards and there are public phones nearby.
Internet / Phone Info
There are numerous Internet Cafes in Flores, all charging
around US$ 1.50 per hour. If you find it necessary to make
E-mail contact with someone in a hurry, Eco-Escuela offers
internet access as a service to our students. We have a dial
up connection and the cost to us is pricey (about US$ 8 cents
per minute) but if you need it right now, then we will be
glad to accommodate you.
Increasingly students are bringing cell phones with them
for their journeys. If you plan to bring a phone, let us
know and we will give you the necessary info to get connected.
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