I personally really enjoy riding tuc tucs because there’s nothing like them in New York! However, my primary mode of transportation is actually what the locals refer to as micro buses or busitos (usually mini vans with no sliding door, making it easy to get on and off). These follow specific routes, so they might not drop you off right at your doorstep, but they get you pretty close! You can ride these for an affordable two quetzales per trip, and they don't go super fast like a camioneta, so they're fairly safe even without a sliding door.
The tuc tuc originally came from Thailand, known for its tropical climate. To avoid being trapped inside a vehicle without air conditioning in the heat, people created a travel option that allows air circulation, as most traditional tuc tucs lack doors. Guatemala experiences warm weather throughout the year, with some months getting hotter than others. The tuc tuc is made for these weather conditions, and it has become a cultural icon. As Guatemala is a developing country, the tuc tuc is also an affordable vehicle to own and run. This makes it an ideal business opportunity for locals.
