Ciudad Guatemala to Monterrico?

HI Nicafan, one advice, reserve, reserve, reserve. For new years it will be difficult to find a hotel in Monterrico, any hotel, because it is the busiest holiday of the year. Monterrico does not have a spectacular beach, and spending that amount of time seems too long for me. I would advice you to spend new years in Antigua, it is a lot of fun, since many streets close for cars and there are parades, shows for the whole family and in Calle del Arco there is a count down, people drink champagne in the streets.

Ahh, TGI fridays is in Geminis, tell the taxi to go to Geminis 10, zona 10, he will know

Thank you....good advice. we have been to Antigua before, but maybe for the 31st it will be a lot of fun!

Isn't the Ticabus station in Zona 10?

As far as getting to Monterrico...the buses will be packed. Take a shuttle. But only if the hotel reservation is secure. I too vote for Antigua at New Years. That's where I spent it last year.

The budget bus to Monterrico is the Cubanita chickenbus every half hour from the Trebol terminal in Guate to Taxisco. Then you have to walk down a side street a few blocks to get the bus 17 km to Avellana where you will take the lancha to Monterrico. Cubanita also runs one or two direct buses to Avellana per day. It is a rocky ride at best and I would not do it during the holidays. Take a direct shuttle from Antigua. and, as GTB says, make sure you have a hotel reservation.
In the City, you could reserve one of two rooms capable of accommodating three people at Xamanek, in zone ten. I would expect about $40. but make sure with a reservation. Cheaper rooms in the City will be in Zone 1 where you must use taxis at night.
As#2 says TGIF is on the main floor of the Geminis 10 shopping centre on calle 12, only one block from Xamanek. I have walked by it a hundred times and somehow never felt the need.

The other day someone posted something about this hotel in monterrico (www.hotelateliedelmar.com). He said he had a good time there. But of course during x-mas I'm sure it'll be jam-packed. I tend to like the atlantic side better (www.mayaparadise.com). That TGI Fridays restaurant should in the zona viva in zone 10 and the Tica bus terminal should some where nearby also. Good luck.

During the normal season, Monterrico is quite crowded on the weekends, but very calm and quiet during the weekdays. I imagine that New Years Eve will be just like the weekends -- loud, busy, with lots of Gallo beer-chugging party-goers. Similar to the beaches outside of Leon, Nicaragua during holidays (we learned that lesson over Semana Santa!) - though maybe not quite as crowded because Monterrico is a bit further from GC. So if you want somewhere calm and quiet, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you're okay with the crowds, parties, and enjoy a cold Gallo, then you'll have a great time.

4 days in Guatemala, and you want to spend it at a TGI Fridays? Interesting.... I'm sure many of the TT posters on this board can suggest a great place to eat in Guate City as an alternative if you want to get to know Guatemala better.

I love this forum, very friendly and helpful advice...but let me explain about Fridays as I can "hear" your frowns..grin In Nicaragua I became great friends with the bartenders at the Fridays there in Managua...probably the best margarita and coldest beer available and we love the hotwings...My girlfriend is Nica and she will be bussing up from Managua and I will be flying down to CG (very long story) anyway, we will have at least 1 meal there at Fridays to relive old times. But I would really appreciate any and all advice about where to eat. It sounds like Montericco may not be the place for us...as much as I would love to see the ocean...(I live in Fresno, CA now....bleeechhhh). Maybe Antigua for a night or two and then to the atlantic coast. Please do not hesitat to continue to share great places of any type there that you would recommend and best ways to get there. Thanks again for all who are participating.