Is the La Mesilla border safe?

It is generally safe during daylight hours. Always aim to cross before 3:00 PM to ensure you can reach a larger town like Huehuetenango or Quetzaltenango before dark.

Do I need to pay an entry fee for Guatemala?

No. Any official asking for a fee is likely soliciting a bribe. Stay polite, firm, and insist you have read that the entry is free.

Crossing the Mexico-Guatemala Border Overland

Most travelers cross at the Ciudad Cuauhtémoc/La Mesilla border. Take a bus to Comitán, a local colectivo to the border, walk across, and hire a private shuttle or local bus to Huehuetenango on the Guatemalan side.

Reach the border town. Take a bus from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Comitán (approx. 2 hours). From the Comitán bus terminal, find a colectivo heading to 'La Mesilla'. This takes about 1.5 hours.
Exit Mexico. Go to the Mexican migration office (INM) in Ciudad Cuauhtémoc to stamp your passport out. You must pay an exit fee of 717 MXN (approx. $40 USD) if you stayed longer than 7 days, unless it was included in your flight ticket.
Walk across. Walk across the bridge. You will see money changers here—only change a small amount of cash to get you to the nearest bank in Huehuetenango, as rates on the bridge are poor.
Enter Guatemala. Go to the Guatemalan immigration office on the left side of the road. Ensure you get your entry stamp. There is no official entry fee, though some officials may ask for a small 'processing' fee—politely decline and insist on the official stamp.
Continue to your destination. Once in La Mesilla (Guatemala), find the local chicken buses or minivans ('microbuses') heading to Huehuetenango. The trip takes about 2 to 3 hours depending on road conditions.

Is the La Mesilla border safe?: It is generally safe during daylight hours. Always aim to cross before 3:00 PM to ensure you can reach a larger town like Huehuetenango or Quetzaltenango before dark.
Do I need to pay an entry fee for Guatemala?: No. Any official asking for a fee is likely soliciting a bribe. Stay polite, firm, and insist you have read that the entry is free.