Can you recomend a side trip?
Replies: 17 - Last Post: Dec 21, 2012 7:01 AM Last Post By: braxman
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Can you recomend a side trip?
A friend and I are going to be in Guatemala City for a 2-day conference at the end of January, and we're looking to tack on a side trip. We've been to Guatemala many times (15-20 trips in the last 10 years or so), but we always do a Guate-Mazate-Antigua-Guate loop because of work with a church partnership. Last year we broke the mold with a trip to Tikal and El Remate. That was very cool, but we're looking for something less than 6ish hours away from Guate or Antigua by car. We have around 3-4 days to play with. Neither of us are big hikers/ campers. Any ideas?1
you can get to Copan (Honduras) in less than 6 hours from GC, and it's well worth the trip - there's easily enough to see there, in the ruins and the surrounding countryside to fill in 3 to 4 days2
Where is your central location? (zone?). And what is your main interest? as full touristic place or something to discover? not so polished?.
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You could do a nice drive from Carretera al Salvador (San José Pinula) to Palencia, you could end up on the other side of the City so you don't repeat the same scenario, now driving all around Guate City (or viceversa). This way you could have breakfast at some nice and popular place at Pinula and then enjoy the amazing mountain landscape going to Palencia. Along the way, Iglesia de Santa Rita http://www.xplorandoguatemala.com/viajando/iglesia-de-rocas-en-santa-rita.htm
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If you feel like doing it you could, from Palencia, reach the Laguna Monja Blanca http://www.viajeaguatemala.com/Guatemala/11101828495.htm or hike the Pico de Palencia http://www.xplorandoguatemala.com/trekking/tomastepeque--el-pico-de-palencia.htm
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Some directions: http://www.xplorandoguatemala.com/viajando/desde-san-jose-pinula-hacia-el-pico-de-palencia.htm
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You could also visit Chimaltenango-Tecpán for some food and the ruins of Iximché (maya archaeology) http://www.xplorandoguatemala.com/viajando/iximche-la-ultima-capital-maya.htm
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La Libertad El Salvador is a 5 hr drive from Antigua via Esculinta & CA-2, check out the beaches then return to Guatemala City via Ruta de Las Flores.4
Lake Atitlán!5
Rio Dulce to Livingston! I dunno if it's 6 hr drive, however.8
I have not been to Copan Ruins, but that would be the obvious cultural focus from GC, if you want beaches and relax, then hit E.S for new culture, or as other have said, Rio Dolce/Livingston is a cultural and tropical highlight from what I read. It depends on your interest. You can get a shuttle from Antigua to a ton of places...9
Copán is awesome - cute town with a beautiful Maya site (not massive like Tikal but with great sculptures), hot springs, hiking, waterfalls, caving, etc. I'd still recommend Lake Atitlán to the original poster, though - love that place.10
I was told, whereas Tikal was the NYC of the Maya, Copan was the Paris.
