Guatemala

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May 21, 2013 7:29 PM
sqww

last reply
May 21, 2013 11:44 PM
lucapal

3 replies
41 views
location: Guatemala

Photographing people

Does anyone have experience photographing the streets and people in Guatemala? I am keen to do a mixture of landscape and street photography and I'm interested to hear about people's experiences. Particularly keen to hear how the locals respond to people taking photos of them and neighbourhoods. I want to shoot candids as much as possible but do not want to offend people in the process. My experience has varied from country to country and an online search hasn't thrown up much for Guatemala.

May 19, 2013 7:57 AM
Gold_Satsuma

last reply
May 21, 2013 5:37 PM
chefhagan

3 replies
123 views
location: Guatemala

3 weeks in Guatemala & Belize

Hi

We have just come back from a 3-week trip to Guatemala and Belize, and thought we would share our route and some of the main things we did as we found other people's posts really useful before we went:

Day 1: Arrive Guatemala City, headed straight to Antigua (shuttle buses to your right as you leave the airport)
Day 2: Volcano trek up Pacaya (booked through hostel - Hostel Antigua)
Day 3: Shuttle bus to Panajachel - recommend staying at Mario's Rooms, great location but quiet inside, you would never know you were by the main street
Day 4: Visit to nature reserve (a tuk-tuk will take you there for cheap)
Day 5: Day trip to Chichicastenango (booked through Adrenalina tours)
Travelled back to Pana, and then on to Xela (but think it's possible to arrange to go straight to Xela from Chichi, we didn't realise this though!)
Day 6: Day trip to visit indigenous villages and Fuen... more »

May 18, 2013 4:57 PM
abuelafromGranada

last reply
May 19, 2013 4:22 AM
MrTim

2 replies
116 views
location: Guatemala

San Juan shuttles in Guatemala

This company has problems including criminals who will sell you tickets that don't exist. We were sold one on Monday by Jimmy in Flores at the Guatemala Xpeditions office just a few doors south of the Hotel Villa del Lago. He operates out of that office and out of a restaurant just a few doors north of the same hotel. The owner of the restaurant works with him. Both speak quite good English. Jimmy has no connections to any shuttle. His ticket looked just like the ones from the company, it is just that he never notifies the company. This company has many problems, look for another connection, there are two others that are reputable. The local buses are very reliable and have real tickets. His office is not connected with Guatemala Expeditions.

May 16, 2013 3:56 AM
wonderboy_1982

last reply
May 18, 2013 12:51 PM
cdffirefly

8 replies
291 views
location: Guatemala

Changing Quetzales in Australia

Hey

I arrived back in Australia from Guatemala and have a stack of Quetzales...problem is the banks and foreign exchange places don't want to know me! Any ideas how to get this changed? Might have to donate them to charity...

Ken

Edited by: wonderboy_1982

May 15, 2013 6:47 AM
ksagnew

last reply
May 17, 2013 8:13 AM
anillos_de_satu...

20 replies
513 views
location: Guatemala

Pages 1 2

Buying bus ticket online?

I am flying into Cancun, Mexico where I will stay for only a few days. After that I will travel to Chetumal, Mexico via ADO bus and then on from there to Flores, Guatemala.

My problem is the typical "onward travel" issue. I'm flying United Airlines into Cancun on a one way ticket so I need proof of onward travel before boarding my flight in Canada.

I have tried contacting the two bus companies that I know have routes between Chetumal, Mexico and Guatemala. One simply has not replied to multiple emails and the emails to the other bus company bounced.

Does anyone have any advice on how I could possibly purchase a bus ticket from Chetumal to Flores, online and in advance of my travel?

Cross posted to the Mexico branch.

Edited by: ksagnew

May 14, 2013 10:42 AM
michoacan

last reply
May 17, 2013 2:09 PM
michoacan

7 replies
267 views
location: Guatemala

Cost Of Electrical Power kWh in Quetzales?

Is it tiered?

If so, how much in Quetzales is the basic rate?

How many kWh allowed under the basic rate (tier)?

How expensive can residential kWh get in Quetzales and for how many kWh?

Thank You.

May 12, 2013 1:48 PM
betomas

last reply
May 16, 2013 1:02 AM
adriling

16 replies
699 views
location: Guatemala

Pages 1 2

Safety outside the main tourist route

Hi all,

I'm planning a central america trip and thinking about Guatemala. Safety is an obvious concern and I've read some past posts about the situation; however, most seem to focus on the most popular destinations: Antigua, Atitlan, and Tikal. I've been to Antigua and Atitlan so my focus would be mostly on the somewhat less visited areas, like Nebaj, Coban, Xela, Todos Santos, Livingston, etc. I'm wondering if anyone can speak to the safety situation for tourists in these areas, or generally about the situation outside the most touristy areas. I've traveled quite a bit in latin america and generally speaking the rule seems to be that big cities can be sketchy but smaller towns and rural areas are safe. However, in a country affected by drug violence like Guatemala I'm not sure if this is the case.

Also, does anyone compile actual data (rather than anecdotes) about crime against... more »

May 11, 2013 5:27 PM
raquelita

last reply
May 11, 2013 5:27 PM
raquelita

0 replies
89 views
location: Guatemala

Transmetro bus on a Sunday morning, Guatemala City?

I have free time from 9am til noon tomorrrow before I go to the airport. My hotel is in Zone 13 near the Los Arcos stop (green line). Where could I get off and walk around safely? Or is the natl museum of Archaelogy open then? Any details, suggestions welcome.

May 11, 2013 3:09 PM
ElAguila

last reply
May 15, 2013 1:19 PM
ElAguila

13 replies
380 views
location: Guatemala

Traditional Mayan Q'eqchi' Ceremony in Peten

I've spent quite a bit of time recently meeting indigenous people in Guatemala and Belize, and I'm flying back to Flores again, planning to arrive on May 17 or 18. There will be a traditional Mayan Ceremony to ask for blessings for Life for all humanity; for a good Harvest of the seeds since May is the month of seeding; for Peace and Love for all humanity; and for continuing success in growing their project to build a school for the rescue and the preservation of the Maya Q’eqchi’ culture. This traditional ceremony and sacred Maya offering will be held at a ceremonial site in a rural area in the hillside outside of San Luis in Southwestern Peten. The ceremony will take place from May 20 through May 22, and will be attended by many indigenous Maya and their spiritual leaders from all around Guatemala and Mayan villages in neighboring Belize. I have been given permission by the organiz... more »

May 10, 2013 8:56 PM
robbo15

last reply
May 15, 2013 6:36 AM
MrEd

7 replies
326 views
location: Guatemala

Transport to Semuc Champney

Keen to go to Semuc Champney but not sure how. Also want to avoid chicken buses as I hear they're dangerous? Any tips/advice on this most appreciated.

May 10, 2013 9:37 AM
summonsy

last reply
May 18, 2013 4:47 PM
abuelafromGranada

5 replies
247 views
location: Guatemala

Belize City - Guatemala - Belize City in 11 days

Hi, bit of a travel dilemma. I'm travelling for a total of two months and long story short, I fly from Punta Gorda, Belize to Belize City. I then have 11 days before flying from Belize City back home to London. I will have already spent 10 days on Caye Caulker/San Pedro, some time up in the north at Orange Walk Town and Sarteneja, and 4 weeks down south in Punta Gorda. (i.e. have definitely spent enough time in Belize by then!)

I really want to travel to San Ignacio (easy from Bz City) and do ATM there. I then would like to go to Tikal/Flores. However, that won't really 'use up' 11 days of my time, but I also need time to get back to Bz City for my flight home. I've heard incredible things about Antigua, but I don't know if it's too far to get there and back to Belize City via Guatemala City? I've also heard great things about Samuc Champey, but again, San Ignacio/Flores/SC won't u... more »

May 9, 2013 8:44 PM
susanandlucia

last reply
May 11, 2013 9:40 AM
hopefulist

8 replies
314 views
location: Guatemala

Tikal in August?

I'm planning a trip to Guatemala in August for me and my 8yo daughter. I"d love to go to Tikal....but after some reading it sounds like the humidity during August is quite oppressive. I'm tolerant of heat & humidity, but it turns my child into a cranky girl. What has been your experience with summer Tikal trips? How likely to rain and all day or just a few hours?
thanks!

May 7, 2013 6:49 PM
littlegreenthing

last reply
May 10, 2013 4:12 AM
soniaberode

6 replies
315 views
location: Guatemala

Planning trip Coban-Tikal-Rio Dulce-Copan

Hello everyone!

I have been browsing the internet/guidebooks/boards and have come up with a plan for a 2-3 week trip through Guatemala. I live in Panajachel and have seen the majority of Western Guatemala but am planning a loop to go through some other areas. Below is my tentative plan. Any advice on places I have gone wrong about buses and transport, or if you know of a better way of doing something, or anything amazing I have missed nearby, would be greatly appreciated! I will be with a friend and would like to keep costs as low as possibly but don't mind the occasional splurge. I like to keep things fairly low key and prefer to be away from large crowds. I am most interested in seeing all the natural wonders of Guatemala, meeting some nice people, and experiencing local communities along the way.

Places are listed in order of visit, I am not planning to reserve anything more ... more »

May 7, 2013 9:04 AM
BrooklynSurf

last reply
May 14, 2013 5:16 AM
petebrugger

6 replies
301 views
location: Guatemala

Ngo/nonprofit volunteering in Guatemala

Hello!

I am heading to Guatemala late-June, and I plan on volunteering or interning with an ngo or nonprofit. I have made brief contact with a few organizations, but I am still looking for advice. I will be available to volunteer for 6 weeks before I backpack to Managua, Nicaragua to fly back home at the end of August.

I am a Master of Urban Planning student specializing in international development planning. My work experience includes real estate, construction and urban planning, but I have experience working with children coaching soccer and teaching English.

If anyone has any ideas, recommendations or advice, let me know!

Kc

May 6, 2013 12:39 PM
mithcol

last reply
May 12, 2013 3:29 AM
lighghts

5 replies
315 views
location: Guatemala

Claro 3G vs hi link 4g in San Pedro for work

Hi, my girlfriend and I are trying to spend a month or two in San Pedro. The only problem is I need at least a 1mbps upload speed for my work. I also would like some general information on how the payment works for these things, it's hard to find English speaking salesman around here and my Spanish is not that good.

Thank you
Leo

Edited by: mithcol

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