I will be in Guatemala next week and trying to narrow down which hotels to stay in while in Antigua and Lago de Atitlan. We want to stay in nice, comfortabe surroundings with character and friendly staff in the mid-range category but dont' mind splurging a bit if we can get a really good value for the money.
We are also trying to go to several of the markets and wanted to know which are the best for things like handbags/purses and jewelry. This will be a buying trip pf sorts for us so we want to make sure we make the most of our time especially since there are so many different markets. We are going to Chichi on Sunday but any others anyone would highly reccommend?
Can anyone comment pros/cons of any of the following:
ANTIGUA:
Posada San Pedro - My guidebook says it's a good value
Hotel Los Pasos - Look s OK online
Hotel La Aurora - Looks a bit on the older and drab side
Candelaria Antigua - More on the high-end but good value on Expedia
Posada La Merced - I've read some good reviews here, but images on website are not that great.
Casa Capuchinas
LAGO ATITLAN: (none of the places in Pana look that great so we are willing to go to any of the other smaller villages on the lake)
Casa del Mundo - WOW! Picas online look great and all rooms have lake views. Only concern is that we'd be stuck there since the only way to/from is hiking or taking a boat.
I've looked at couple other places in Pana, but after seeing the pics from Casa del Mundo I am not convinced.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
What can we say. You really have to go in person and check them out. I have stayed lots of different places over the years and some were okay and some were awful. I settled at last forPosada La Merced in An tigua as clean, secure, helpful staff and quiet. I recently ended up in a lovely looking poorly run place called Los Buceros that was noisey, disinterested staff and a could care less owner . I got a room with a non function light that no one would ever fix and I am just glad the bathroom had working light. In Pana I love Dos Mundos back off main street, quiet,nice rooms and beatiful pool. You just need to go in person to really see what suits you. An other place I stayed in Pana was beatiuful to look at but so close to the lake that the smell from the lake and the bugs were awful. Problem with towns around lake for me is first roosters get up and crow at 3am followed by the noisey birds and then all the barking dogs.
Here are a bunch of links.
When asking these questions always use dollars rather than adjectives. At least you referenced it against La Merced which most of us know. Pana has fewer higher end places. I always stay at Marios Rooms. It's the first five photos on this page. Excellent for the low price. Private bath, hot water, very secure. Beginnings of internet. They will have a web site soon. Cheap restaurant for breakfast and lunch. On the center of Santander. Family that runs it are really nice. You can spend more but you won't get a better value. Shopping... I'm a buyer..Pana is overall the best. Chichi is great for photo ops...day shuttle...and for wood carvings ... masks. PM me with some details of what you want and how much. I can also explain shipping procedures and US Customs.
IMO you should read through the first 20+ pages of the Guatemala section. There are answers to all of your questions and much more already in print. Have a great trip and be sure to write a travelogue for us when you get home.
I would stay at Casa Del Mundo instead of Pana. It's not a big deal to take the ferry to get places - Casa del Mundo has their own pier, so just stand on it and wait for the next passing public launcha/ferry (frequent).
Other places around the lake: in San Marcos: La Paz, Paco Real, or Aculax. In Santa Cruz: Arc de Noa or Isla Verde.
Cheers,
Kay
Oh.... and as far as shopping is concerned:
Antigua has great shopping.
- The Market by the bus station. There is the regular/typical market (huge) selling everything from apples to batteries to shoes. Then next to it is the tourist souvenier market
- On the same street as the Yellow Arch, there is a huge store - it looks like a warehouse. They sell souveniers and crafts representing all different regions/groups in Guatemala. All prices are FIXED and very fair - no haggling necessary! Great store.
- Elsewhere scattered throughout the city are coopertivas: shops that guarantee that the profits will go back to the artisans. Look around for these. One such is associated with a crafts museum. it is located a block or so around the Yellow House Hostel.
Cheers,
Kay
For an extra US$6, in Antigua, you can stay at Posada San Pedro instead of Posada La Merced. TOTALLY worth it. Nicer room, larger bathroom.
Although it might not fit in with the type of trip you're taking due to the walk up to the hotel, Lomas de Tzununa is an excellent place to chill. Maybe this'll be your splurge at US$50.... The view and the food are both very, very good. It's just a few "stops" via the lancha from Pana.
I went to the market in Antigua and it seemed big to me, but I didn't go to the one in Chichi. You can do a significant amount of shopping in Pana just walking the streets and visiting the various stalls. Antigua has more in the way of jade, however. I believe the place next to the arch NYC Girl 115 is talking about is called Nim Po't. It IS huge and has tons of stuff.
Scott
Of your suggestions for Pana, I have only stayed at Casa del Mundo which is wonderful, no problem getting "stuck" lancha every half hour.
Posada La Merced in Antigua is not great value for the money I would say if you go by the room, I have stayed in two different rooms, somewhat noisy, and somewhat run down, but run by nice and helpful staff and they have a great airport pick up service and most importantly they are right next to Fernandos who has the absolute hands down best coffee in town and their breakfasts are pretty good too. I liked Casa Noble upstairs better, but since it is a little more expensive it does not compare.
Hotel Aurora in Antigua is actually very nice. I highly recommend the Friday market in Solola, a few minutes from Pana.
If you don't mind a bit of a splurge, I'd recommend the Posada Don Rodrigo in Panajachel. It's next to the water, has large rooms and lovely grounds, and its pool even has a fun water slide (meant for kids I suppose, but that didn't stop me from using it). And the hotel restaurant is quite decent and has great a great view of the lake.
trusted partner
