Christmas in Guatemala or Honduras

I 'm planning on flying into either Guatemala City or San Pedro Sula, Honduras on the 22nd of December. Any recommendations for the best place to spend the Christmas holiday? I was thinking either Antigua, Guatemala or Roatan, Honduras and I obviously need to decide before purchasing my airfare. Also, I'm curious how much of the economy shuts down and for how long--is it unreasonable to expect tourist services like hiking guides or dive operators to be open? Obviously, not on Xmas, but how soon after?

Thanks in advance.

Christmas in Roatan is crazy!! Lots of people on their xmas breaks, and it is hard to get reservations sometimes. I guess if you start now though you should be fine. But expect lots of crowds, both in the hotels and on the dive boats. It also is rainy season there, so sometimes the weather can be pretty bad.
In Antigua, it is beautiful and more mellow. It still is crowded and I recommend booking, but the weather is amazing (poinsettias growing wild in the highlands) and the big night is the 24th with firewooks everywhere. The ecomony doesn't really shut down in either place maybe 1/2 day on the 24th and the 25th off, but in Roatan you can dive either day. In antigua, most things are still open throughout the holidays. In Roatan, I would recommend diving with West End divers and if you do go to Antigua, I would recommend getting out of town for a day or two and stay at the Earth Lodge (just 20 minutes up the hill from antigua) as the view that time of year is unbeatable and they have special feasts for Xmas and New years eve. plus you can see all the fireworks from the campfire. EArthLodgeguatemala.com
Good luck!

Suggest that you book your flight as soon as possible. They tend to sell out for this time of year plus get really expensive.

Until last year I would have told you that it was no problem with hotels at the last minute in Antigua but that has changed. Last year several people I know had to move from hotel to hotel and could not get a room anywhere for their whole stay so you should reserve a place here too unless you don't mind moving around hotels.