How to get from Guatemala City to San Salvador (Using the Pullmantur Bus Service)

There are a couple ways to get from Guatemala City to San Salvador.

1. You can always fly, as it’s less than an hour to fly back one way, but that option will still land you at 4 hours total connect time with customs/baggage etc.
2. The second option would be taking one of the luxury bus services back and forth through Guatemala-El Salvador-Honduras.

Of course, we ended up taking the bus … because it really didn’t save us more time and driving through the hillside between Guatemala and El Salvador is very pretty and lush. In the end, we ended up using Pullmantur Buses. It was great because it involved the following three simple steps

1. We left our executive suite at the Westin Camino Real, walked 50 meters to the Holiday Inn Guatemala City, checked into the Pullmantur Bus office and got on the 7:15am bus
2. Got comfy in top front seat of the panoramic bus and enjoy the view for 5 hours
3. Get off the bus, walk upstairs and then check into your room at the Sheraton Presidente San Salvador

Basic Facts on the service

– Pullmantur buses connect Guatemala – San Salvador – Tegucigalpa (Honduras)
– They have panoramic double-decker buses that have full waiter and meal service
– You can travel in first class style or regular style if you want to
– They will offer a preferred rate to the Sheraton Presidente and return fare
– Unfortunately, the website (pullmantur.com) is in Spanish only
– The overall bus ticket with return fare is 65$ a person (taxes)
– They have three classes … but taking first class is the best – but you might want the panoramic view, so get there early and make a seat reservation.

– Private cabin of 12 seats on the first floor.
– Descasa leather seats and dining table legs and work.
– Earpieces for your favorite music or listen to the movie on board projected on the big screen.
– 110 V outlets to connect your computer.
– Free WIFI.
– Onboard service includes a special selection of food, ice chest with drinks and coffee maker available for consumption.
– It provides part of the way specialty drinks like Champagne and Bailey’s.
– Road SAL-GUA-SAL. Additionally: Amaretto, White and Red Wine

as for the view on the road .. it’s pretty sweet.

And if you’re wondering, I think all cows with HUGE floppy ears have passports to cross the border between Guatemala and El Salvador