Antigua.....

I made a four week trip to Guatemala in May/June/2014 and received a lot of helpful info from this forum. Thankyou.
For that trip I visited Antigua, Xela and Lake Atitlan. I had planned the trip for six months earlier as a volcano hiking trip, but instead arrived at the start of the rainy season and instead spent three weeks in Spanish School at the same time living with a Host Family(two weeks Xela & one week San Pedro la Laguna). It was a great trip.

Now I have been planning my return trip in the dry season. I have free time until near the end of December and was planning a trip of four to six weeks. That suddenly changed last week and I have a two week commitment in late November/early December. So.....A day later, I made a new plan and two days ago on Friday booked a ticket and will arrive this Wednesday.

So I'm making a new itineary as I write this. I'll arrive at night(9pm), so I've made a reservation with VillaToscana which was recommended by Hopelist(Thanks) through the use of the search engine. I return home very early(6:15am) so Villa Toscana fits the bill, for the end of the trip as well. They will meet me at the airport and they have a free shuttle.

The next day, to Antigua......

Q#1...Last time in Antigua I stayed at the Hostel Jacaranda & also The Yellow House. Is it busy right now in Antigua, if I arrived early afternoon. Or should i book in Advance?

Q#2....All Saints Day(November 1st); 20km from Antigua(Festival of the Giant Kites). Anyone know about this? The book says travel agencies book shuttles out there for the day. Hence back to Q#1. Will this be a busy weekend in Antigua with rooms hard to come by.

From Antigua....I think to Copan Honduras, for a few days to see the ruins and the town.
As always thankyou for your replies.

A bit about me. I'm an older traveller(late 50's) and prefer budget style. Hostels with a private room and the bathroom down the hall, works just fine. After Copan, going back to Xela is on the list as I've kept in contact with my Host Family. Also The Lake, because the Lake is special and I've also kept in email contact with my teacher there. Not including the two travel days in and out of Aurora Airport, I'll have fifteen full days.

You know more about it than I do.

I think you'll be able to arrive in Antigua and find a room somewhere but I have a beloved hotel there - Casa Cristina - and always book in advance since I know where I want to stay. I think most any agency would be able to provide transportation to 1 of the kite festival towns. Here are 2 transportation providers I’ve been pleased with in Guatemala for share shuttles, private transfers, and flight arrangements:
Adrenalina Tours: http://www.adrenalinatours.com
Rainbow Travel: http://www.rainbowtravelcenter.com

I'm arriving Wednesday, too, but earlier in the evening so will sleep in Antigua, then head to the lake the next day. Happy trails!

Re: Copán - it's really worth 3 nights at least, in my opinion - lovely museums, bird park, hot springs, and hiking as well as the cute town and people watching. Yovani Barraza is a good guide for the Maya site and birding if you're interested and I was very pleased with Comedor Mary y Hotel and nearby Casa Ixchel. I made a return trip to Copán with friends in June.

My photos with blog, travelogue, and review links on the main page of each collection are below in case you're interested - all my recommendations are embedded there.
Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

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Yeah, spend a least 3 days in Copan, great town and lot's to do.
tand, what's wrong with the shuttles?

he thinks the people on them smell nasty. :D

tourist numbers have been down lately and I doubt you'll have a prob finding a room. check out Casa Antigua, stayed there recently and it was nice (and cheap). there will be plenty of shuttles going to Sumpango and Santiago... a guy on Tripadvisor is arranging a trip but I think it's one way only (not as dubious as it sounds, I think it's because they're going to the lake after). also pretty easy to get to either via public transport.

mmmm, I love the smell of unwashed backpackers in the morning.

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1 time on a share shuttle I sat behind an amazing combo mullet/dreadlock hairdo with visible lice. Ew.

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Thankyou for all your replies. I'll leave my accomodation in Antigua unreserved for now. I have my old LP guide and have noted that both Casa Cristina & Casa Antigua are on the map.

I had good luck last time using Adrenalina Tours for my shuttles. Antigua to Xela & Xela to Panajachel, so I'll probably stick with them. I also used their office in Xela.

I had already intended to spend at least three nights in Copan. The guidebook and on-line reviews say as well as the Archaeological Site, the town itself is a nice place to hangout and spend multiply days. Your replies reinforce that.
I'll try to become part of a group when I visit the site to lower costs.

Finally I'll inquire about the Giant Kite Festival and the two options of Sumpango & Santiago Sacatepequez, once I arrive in Antigua.

Eww, stinky people. Seriously rethinking my decision to take a shuttle all the way from Antigua to Leon...