Ciudad Guatemala to Monterrico?

My GF, son and I will be traveling from CG to Montericco from around 12/28 to 1/2/08. Any advice on the easiest/cheapest way to get from there to there? And suggestions for mid price (or less) hotels (40-50 USD) per night in CG and Montericco. Spanish is not an issue for us. Looking forward to getting to know Guatemala better!!

Let me add one more thing: After living in Nicaragua 6 years I assume Montericco may be congested with rich guatematecos, so if you have any suggestions, we are open. we are looking for calm environs and cold beers and a fun place to ring in the new year.

And one last favor: tell us where the TGIFridays restaurant is please? directions a taxista can follow, if you would

Thanks in advance

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.

My frown might have been audible indeed. This TGIF does look cleaner than the first and last one I went to in Canada.
With Ticabus your GF will be getting off the bus on the outskirts of zone ten, a short taxi down Los Proceres blvd to c 13 and 12. From the airport you are only ten minutes away. Xamanek is your bargain hotel around there but you might want a slight upgrade to the Stofella hotel halfway between Xamanek and The Geminis 10 building where you want to meet for dinner. For excellent guatemalan cuisine in that area go to Casa Chapina or Arin Cuan, two of the best anywhere. Steer clear of the Kakao restaurant, a very swanky, expensive and not very good has-been.
As for locations, I would party in Antigua and then head for lago Atitlan. Even the best beaches in Guatemala are nothing to write home about.
Oh, and there is an Appleby's right across from the Stofela :-)

LOL...lets not get carried away Louis...Applebees? Even I have standards..heh..heh.. OK Let's look at another subject then...although I have stayed in Antigua twice, I would like to find a different Hotel possibly..I feel the one we were at the last time was getting overpriced and they were letting the quality go down...

Question 2: how to get to Lake Atitlan and how far away from Antigua or CG?

Also I would like to offer my knowledge of Nicaragua or Border crossings for those interested. (I have driven from the US thru CA 3 times so far)

Easiest way to Lake Atitlan from Antigua is via shuttle. Any of the agencies in Antigua can book for you. There is a daily pullman but it's early morning. Advantage of shuttle is that for a couple dollars more they come to your hotel. Time...3-3 1/2 hours depending on traffic and how long a potty/meal stop they make. The drivers like to stretch out the stop... always at a nice restaurant...they must get a kickback. But if you can convince the other passengers to just take a quick wizz you save time. Same service is available in GC. Chicken buses...no direct from Antigua. 3-4 changes depending on luck. Once you get to Antigua many of your transport questions will be answered as you walk around. Many agencies...all with signs posted showing routes and fees.

Excellent....thanks