Seeking itinerary suggestions...
Replies: 11 - Last Post: Feb 16, 2013 10:00 PM Last Post By: ZedisDead
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Seeking itinerary suggestions...
Hi all,I am planning a trip to Guatemala for May, but I only have six days to spend there. I was considering hitting Antigua and possibly Monterrico. However, if I just wanted to stay put somewhere for a week, where would be the best place? Antigua? GC? Xela?
Thanks!
1
Depends what you want to do.......What do you want to do? What are your interests? Why did you choose Guatemala?
2
Well, I'm very much the "let's just go and see what happens" type of traveler, so I don't have a solid answer to those questions. I'd like to spend at least a bit of time at some of the ruins and I'd like to hike a volcano. Otherwise, I like to get to know places and feel what it's like to live there (to the degree that I can in a few days, at least), so having lots of prearranged activities isn't a requirement for me.Thanks for your help :)
4
confused.you only have six days in Guatemala, you want to see some ruins and possibly hike a volcano and if you additionally decide to stay a week somewhere where should it be?
it's not an itinerary problem, it's a math problem.
5
Monterrico is a waste of time IMO. At best it's a day trip, and then only if you want to see the black sand beach. If you take one of the shuttle buses from Antigua, it's about 2 1/2 hours each way.I'd say stay in Antigua for a couple days, go to Pacaya volcano on a day trip, go to a couple of the villages around Lake Atitlan, and your six days will be gone.
6
Tikal is probably the best set of Mayan ruins anywhere. You can get a bus or fly to Flores if you're pressed. (Can even do it as a day trip that way, flying in early and flying out in the evening.)Lake Atitlan is a great place to relax. Highly recommend Casa del Mundo. We stayed for three nights and could happily have made it six.
Antigua is a nice little place and very handy for the airport - it's less than an hour away (though allow more time in rush hour) so you can make it your base and avoid Guatemala City, which doesn't have much to recommend it.
7
You have so little time that I suggest that you spend it all in Antigua.There is just so much to see and do in that historic city. You can always return for Tikal and Largo Atitlan. on another trip. Antigua has ruins from volicano eruptions, shopping , wonderful places to eat, coffee farms, wonderful buildings from its past still in use.. Photos see wolfcalls.com
8
Thanks, all. I was leaning towards Antigua, but this is very helpful.@Braxman: sorry if it was unclear. I have a week total. I'm not looking to spend an additional week anywhere, I am just trying to figure out the best way to spend that week.
10
Go with Antigua. You can take a day trip to Chichicastenango, hike your volcano, maybe even spend a day in the Guatemala City. You can keep yourself busy while based in Antigua.
