Travel Answers

has anyone driven over the border to Quetzaltenango ? How long does it take and what are the roads like
Thanks Andrea

hotel near casa de fe

Hello, Im planning a long trip of backpacking through Central and South America with my boyfriend and have been wondering what is 'acceptable' to give to kids and families in need of clothes, books, toys, diapers, school supplies, ect. Also, i will be backpacking, so i can imagine it would be difficult to carry all the extra weight around with me. Has anyone tried buying things IN the country and giving them away there? any suggestions? Also is it acceptable to approach people and give them things?

Are the markets in Antigua active during Holy Week from Good Friday to Easter Sunday?

Hi. My husband and I are going to Antigua, Guatemala in December and we are wondering about safety measures...are there certain places, things, pointers that would be good for us to know about? I have read travel advisorys about the crime and have talked with people...some say its fine others say the opposite...any feedback would be greatly appreciated...Cheryl

My wife and I are planning to move to Antigua later this year; she was born and raised in Guate -has lived here in Los Angeles for over 10 years- and we're looking forward to moving to her homeland. I would like some advice on how she could secure a job (she's in business/administration) before we move. I'm curious of the likelihood of doing a Skype/phone interview; that's not too rare in the states but don't know about in Guatemala. At worst case scenario we can stay with her family in Guatemala City until we find work in Antigua but would prefer to bypass this step. Does anyone know of any Guatemalan job boards that we can post a resume'? As for me working, it's my understanding that I would have to wait at least 3 months to get some residency to then apply for a work visa. I'm not sure if that's correct information though. Also, we would just like to meet some people from the area to connect with. If anyone has any great general advice about moving there (or anything else) we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

Hi I am taking my family, wife and two kids, to Guatemala for the first time. I wanted to know... How safe it is to rent and drive a car there? Do you think as an American I can follow the road signs to Tikal? What the weather is like during Febuary? What is a good back packing hostel like staying place for a family in a quiet area? Kind of like a house run by a local family. If there is a kitchen that would be great. Thank You

I am planning my first trip to Antigua Guatemala in June and July and am looking for suggestions on lodging. I'm not interested in a home stay with a family. Looking for something like a VRBO, renting a small house with a kitchen. Would like it in town as I will not have a car. Thanks for any help. -Mike-

Hi, A friend of mine told me that only "idiot" American tourists wear shorts in Antigua. Is it really frowned upon? What should women visiting NOT wear. I see no jewlery....do you mean gold? Is inexpensive "costume" jewlery okay? Please advise...thanks... Chris

anyone aware of what should be the approximate cost of a taxi from gua airport to antigua? we are 3 people with 3 medium bags. would love to arrange a shuttle beforehand, but, i fly stand-by (work for airline). thanks for any help. any type of taxi superior to any other?

Does anyone know/have experience in traveling from Antigua to the town of San Juan Ostuncalco? I hope to visit the young person & his family I sponsor there. I'll be in Antigua studying Spanish.

We are planning a last minute trip to Guatemala in 2 weeks (7/10-7/20). O course this is during the rainy season. Has anyone traveled during this time and have any suggestions? Will it be sunny during the day and then have afternoon thunderstorms or more rainy and cloudy all day? Obviously weather is unpredictable but if anyone has any thoughts or comments on traveling during this time, I would VERY much appreciate it! Thanks!

Hi Guys, I mean I'm sure they do but does anyone have any idea of some dates as the when they close during december/january? I will be arriving on the 19th December with the intention of starting a month long spanish course. I'm happy to wait if the schools are closed. Many Thanks Daisy

planning a language immersion program in late 2010/early 2011. will have two girls 12 and 10. thinking if quetzaltenango. will this be safe? can we safely travel around the country?

I want a spanish school that can provide homestay accomodation and that has a really friendly vibe. I'll be traveling alone and wish to do a month long spanish course...so I'll really want to meet other travelers at the same time as improving my spanish by staying with a spanish speaking family. I think I just said the same thing twice! Many Thanks Daisy

I am currently planning my trip through Central America and I have just become aware that no matter what, with every country you enter, you need to have some kind of bus/flight/train/tour ticket booked that takes you out of the country usually within 90 days. So I want to book a bus from Antigua Guatemala to Copan Honduras but even Hedman Alas (the poshest bus company) doesn't appear to be a company you can book online with. Does anyone know of any companies that I can book online with? If not are there any that I can book over the phone from England? Any way that I can have the bus trip booked before I get to Heathrow airport on the day of my departure. Many thanks

Hi. I will be in Antigua on business in May and will have a free weekend. I want to visit the market in Chichicastenango on Sunday, but I also see references to a great market in Solola on Fridays, but not a lot of information. If anyone has been there and could provide some background info, and whether this market is worth the trip, I would greatly appreciate it. I assume one can take a shuttle from Antigua and back. Many thanks for any replies. Jerry

Hi all, I will be setting off to Central America on 14 March. I will stay in Antigua, Guatemala for four weeks volunteering then set off for a further 2 months travelling around the rest of the area. I will be taking in Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama definitely. I have no fixed itinerary yet and if I have time I would like to try to get up to Belize and Mexico too. My ticket is valid for 1 year so I am quite flexible on time. My question is about the rabies and hep b vaccinations. I have had all the others that are recommended but I thought if I am away for up to a year and travelling at will I may find myself in rural areas where exposure to these two problems is riskier. My problem is time. I think I will be able to have at least 2 of the 3 recommended injections for both but the 3rd is a problem. Does anyone know if It would be advisable/possible to complete the vaccinations in Antigua?

Hello, Does anyone know of a house in Antigua that can be rented for the last 3 weeks in October of this year? closer to center of town. Please let me know :)

We are planning on going with our children ( 6 and 8). Do you think that they will be able to climb Pacaya with the aid of horses? It sounds like an amazing opportunity for them.

Im going between 14th and 21st Jan leaving from Bristol.. no plans yet other than to explore and have a few adventures :) thought id see who else might be around to share adventures with over a beer!

So, I'm going to Guatemala to get in some of surfing, and will have a week or 10 days extra to look around. I will probably stay a couple days in Antigua but wondering what/where else would be interesting to have a look at, or do. I will be travelling by myself. Thanks....Jim

I'm flying to Guatemala next January (2010) and plan to visit Antigua, Chichicastenango Market and the Titlan before coming back to Guatemala City to fly to Flores. what's the logical sequence to follow ? how far are each one from another ? how do I get from one place to another ? does it make sense to rent a car ? what are the things I should not miss anyway ? I'll have 11 days in Guatemala and surely want to see Antigua and Tikal as the tops ones Thanks

Help, anyone. 2 years ago our family went to Antigua, we stayed at Posada Burkhard on 3a Calle Oriente. I recall it being about a 5 to 7 minute walk from the Park Central. This year I am returning with three teen girls (ages 17 and 18, I am 49) and I would like to stay in a slihgtly cheaper lodging that is a similar distance from the Park. The girls need safe, semi-quiet, friendly, and they may be walking at night (though not too late). They don't need TV or private baths. Can you help me figure out which is the best location and/or facility? This is the "short list" so far-- Posada Vero.....3 Calle Poniente #4 Hospedaje Casa Santa Luisa #4......Calzada Santa Luisa #5 Hotel Leon......7th Calle North Guate-Linda.....7th Avenida Norte #80 Hostal Qachoch......3a Calle Poniente #3 El Hostal...1a Aveida Sur #8 Hostel 5........................ The Yellow House................ If you have any suggestions, please advise! Our budget is limited, about a max of8 per person. Thanks so much! You can also email me

Can anyone who's lately been to Antigua de Guatemala tell me what is the scene there these days - as far as touristic crowd/popularity index and cultural happenings are concerned - certainly the place becoming ever more discovered. I'm considering a return trip to there this Fall and would like to know if the place has changed so much - lost all her backpacker's allure - and been turned into a major tourist destination. Thanks in advance.

Hi, I am due to be going on an organised group tour in a few weeks and it goes from Antigua up to Cancun, via Belize. Now, as this tour does a lot of the travelling by public transport then I am not sure whether to take my mini travel laptop with me ?? I've been doing a lot of research about chicken buses and similar, and while they most definitely sound like "fun", then I am just a bit concerned that I may have to leave my laptop unguarded - meaning I'd be worried that it could either get stolen or damaged. The laptop is only a mini one (i.e. an Asus EEE netbook), but I would like to have it for the times when I get spare time on my travels to keep a diary and backup photos, surf the net, watch movies, etc. I guess I'm just looking for any advice as to whether I am worrying too much or if I should definitely leave it at home... Thanks in advance, Darren

Hi. Can anyone tell me what the best transportation would be to Central Square/Black Cat Antigua from La Aurora airport?

Hi I am hoping to visit in July. Does anyone know the current state of lava flows? How likely is it to see the lava? I have been to many volcanoes (Including active Arenal in Costa Rica) but not seen the lava and if I can't see it here, I will not go to Guatemala. Anyone help?

I would like to order some books online from Amazon.com and have them shipped to Antigua. Does anyone know how long the books should take to arrive from the United States? Sincerely, Joe

I will be in Antigua all of February, doing volunteer work during the daytime; am looking for a "community" since my evenings will be free. I don't mind being on my own, but would like some company from time to time. Am not particularly interested in studying, as I am virtually fluent, but school did provide me w. some playmates. Thanks, Margie