Guatemala
Messages: 44,918 - Threads: 5,966
Apr 15, 2013 5:08 AM
krisp1
last reply
Apr 16, 2013 12:13 PM
RayitoG
6 replies
327 views
location:
Guatemala
Travel to Guatemala
If I plan a trip for a month should I get a VRBO for a week and then just look for more reasonable shelter to save $$$
Apr 14, 2013 6:04 PM
Mayaphile
last reply
Apr 15, 2013 7:52 PM
steve486435
6 replies
399 views
location:
Guatemala
Roxy Ortiz, tour operator extraordinaire...
This earlier info got deleted before, so let me try this again from a different slant, and with additional information.
I had wanted to do a 2013 trip into Petén, but I had been so uncertain of future health by the time my radiation ended in October of 2011, that I could not be sure that I would be in any condition to both plan and come along on it myself. Among others, a friend and I had failed to get to the Naachtún ruins a few years before and that was the one place I wanted to get to.
This was likely to be my last trip among the Maya, so it would mostly include as invitees a number of old friends and a relative who had been fellow travelers of mine.
.We paid for 4 trucks with double seats. Instead we got regular 2 pickups and a military surplus troop transport truck that was too large for much of the trip and remained mired on a long unused trail (which suggested that ...
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Apr 13, 2013 1:35 PM
hopefulist
last reply
Apr 15, 2013 6:52 AM
Delmonte
15 replies
878 views
location:
Guatemala
Hopefulist's 2013 Guatemala Travelogue
Hi, all -
A summer Guatemala visit was out for me this year due to happy, busy plans to reconnect with host families in Scotland (mine) and The Netherlands (son Isaac's) and a focus week in Cambridge for Isaac's Master's program graduation. I traded to obtain 3 work days each side of spring vacation, a shorter trip for me than usual, right at 2 weeks, the majority of which I spent - happily - in the town of San Pedro La Laguna on Lake Atitlán.
I flew in to GUA on a Wednesday evening and spent a quick overnight in Antigua at my favorite hotel, Casa Cristina ($25 single including tax) - just enough time for an evening stroll around the parque central, pepián at La Fonda de Calle Real (~$7), portable treats the next morning from Fernando's Kaffee on the corner by the hotel, a brisk morning walk around town, and a visit to the new garden campus of the Academia Antigüeña. I chose a pr...
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Apr 12, 2013 6:32 PM
stillmoretravel
last reply
Apr 16, 2013 8:36 AM
MrTim
5 replies
355 views
location:
Guatemala
Abandoned buildings near Iztapa
Knowing this site is the font of all knowledge, I wonder if someone can satisfy my curiosity. I recently stopped at Puerto Quetzal on a cruise. When we were sailing out, we photographed a large, apparently abandoned development on the waterfront. Despite LOTS of googling, I can't find any mention of it. I suspect it was damaged during Tropical Storm Agatha in 2010, but can't confirm it anywhere. Does anyone have any more information?
Apr 11, 2013 11:28 PM
kribba
last reply
Apr 17, 2013 9:43 AM
RayitoG
6 replies
371 views
location:
Guatemala
Antigua to airport early morning taxi-share 14.4
Hi
Does anyone want to share a taxi from antigua to Guatemala City airport this sunday d. 14 of april morning. I need to arrive at the airport latest at 8. There are apperently no shuttles at that time.
All the Best from Kristine
Edited by: kribba
Apr 9, 2013 5:13 AM
Jen172
last reply
Apr 30, 2013 6:45 AM
Jen172
18 replies
952 views
location:
Guatemala
4 day must see
My daughter and I are staying for a week at the Cooperativa Spanish school in San Pedro, then 2 weeks volunteering in Xela. We then have 4 days to ourselves - what must see/do would you recommend? We will be there mid May to early June.
Apr 8, 2013 8:09 PM
hopefulist
last reply
Apr 16, 2013 5:56 AM
hopefulist
11 replies
497 views
location:
Guatemala
New Cooperativa School in San Pedro La Laguna
I'm sorting through the photos from my most recent trip to Guatemala and thought some of you might be interested in THIS SET of photos of the new digs of the Cooperativa Spanish School. They were taken in late March and the move is planned for later this week. Happy trails!
Apr 8, 2013 2:47 PM
raquelita
last reply
Apr 17, 2013 10:01 AM
RayitoG
28 replies
1,238 views
location:
Guatemala
how to have cash in Guatemala?
I have read previous posts on this topic, especially the security suggestion. Here is my situation:
I will be flying into Guatemala City, going on to a language school in Xela, take a couple of day trips from there, and two weeks later go to a town other than Pana along Lake Atitlan (probably a couple of day trips from there too) then returning to Guatemala City and finally to Mexico where I live. I may be able to pay the first week at the language school through Paypal but don't want to prepay a second week.
I don't mind paying several ATM fees, seems worth it for the security of not withdrawing and potentially losing a wad of cash. I have a US ATM card and credit card. I could change pesos to US$ at the Mex City airport if this would be advisable.
Would appreciate suggestions of how to manage the financial logistics of my trip.
Apr 8, 2013 12:33 PM
turin74
last reply
Apr 12, 2013 7:53 AM
xinloi
12 replies
635 views
location:
Guatemala
two weeks
What's the best order to do the main sights in
Antigua, Lake Attilan and Tikal
In terms of shuttles/buses from Antigua is it best to go around in a circuit Antigua->Attilan->Tikal or is it possible to go straight to Tikal/Flores from Antigua and then work my way down?
With two weeks i was hoping to get another place in what's the best suggestion for a forth sight given time constraint and transport. I'm not certain on whether livingston is doable?
Should i pre-book accommodation or can i wing it for the next month?
Thanks
Apr 8, 2013 4:20 AM
katykovic
last reply
Apr 8, 2013 2:28 PM
katykovic
5 replies
293 views
location:
Guatemala
4 months in Guatemala - Visa question
Hi !
I'm in the process of booking my flights to Guatemala for a 4 months stay. By checking on several websites, I understood that I will get a 90 days visa which is fine as I will anyway travel trough Belize also.
By having a return ticket with a date beyond the 90 days delay, would I encounter any trouble at the boarder(airport) ?
Thanks for your input. katy
Apr 6, 2013 4:07 PM
rosshjackson
last reply
Apr 7, 2013 4:31 PM
chefhagan
16 replies
804 views
location:
Guatemala
Two week trip report and a shout out for Tactic, AV
Hi All,
We just returned from a great two weeks in Guatemala and as this forum was so very helpful for us to set up the trip, we thought we'd share the high points of the trip for others heading off.
My kids and I took the shuttle directly from the airport to Antigua (to the right as you exit the airport). The cost was $10 US per person and it was very easy. They dropped us off at our hotel...which turned out to be next to a bar with live music until 1am. Ugh. This hotel DID help us transfer to a quieter abode for the next night and we found the Hotel Posada Don Vicente to be really great and welcoming. They also allow guests the full use of the kitchen and have an arrangement with another hotel in the group which has a pool and very nice jaccuzzi ($5/person). Our best meals in Antigua were at Sabor Rico, right across the street in a beautiful garden setting (the menu was great)...
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Apr 6, 2013 10:51 AM
wanderraha
last reply
Apr 15, 2013 7:27 AM
patywolf
12 replies
653 views
location:
Guatemala
Flores Advice
April 2013: I recently stayed in Flores, Guatemala at Los Amigos Youth Hostel, and felt strongly enough about it that I felt it warranted a public warning. Do not stay at this hostel! At least, not if you want to sleep or keep from being ripped off. The staff is disrespectful, disorganized, and rude. There is no kitchen access, so you'll be eating at a restaurant for every meal- an overpriced one if you eat in the hostel. The rooms are nice enough for the price, but are crammed in rabbit-warren like and stuffily hot in a place where the night air actually gets cool and fresh. There are not enough lockers for everyone and the doors stand wide open all day, so nothing is secure. Sleeping is a questionable affair given the lack of airflow and the people coming and going noisily at all hours. But the worst part is that the staff actively allows scam artists to crawl all over the place ... more »
Apr 3, 2013 7:53 PM
aslukas
last reply
Apr 4, 2013 8:05 PM
slh158
4 replies
350 views
location:
Guatemala
Thoughts on the new Moon Guatemala 2012?
I'm planning a trip through the highlands, especially the western highlands, this summer. I already have the new Rough Guide, which seems pretty solid, but I generally like to have another guide book on hand. Any thoughts on the 2012 Moon handbook, or other recent guides? Strengths/weaknesses?
Any tips much appreciated.
Apr 3, 2013 1:25 PM
turin74
last reply
Apr 5, 2013 9:55 AM
primavolta
15 replies
842 views
location:
Guatemala
Money and Safety
Hi
How many $ have others found they needed for a fortnight on a backpacker budget (basic room/shower, meal & few beers) as avoiding ATM's sounds good. How expensive are the entrance fees out there like Tikal.
Is it safe to carry much money around if your sticking to the main route Antigua, Lake Attilan and Tikal/Flores using Shuttles.
Aside from the ATM problems are there any other concerns like current mugging hotspots?
Apr 3, 2013 11:25 AM
christolles
last reply
Apr 6, 2013 12:36 PM
christolles
6 replies
310 views
location:
Guatemala
Driving from Honduras to Guatemala and back?
Hello all,
My father, brothers, and I are planning to do a week-long-ish road trip from San Pedro Sula into Guatemala and back to SAP in January 2014. Anyone know which rental companies at SAP will let us drive cross-border? Also, how would they know whether we did or not? Anything we should be aware of? Likely crossing into Guatemala near Copan Ruinas and back into Honduras on the northern coast.
Thanks!
Chris
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