Travel Answers

Guatemala City

I have a question concerning the Iglesia de San Francisco in Guatemala ciudad. According to Rough guide the church is famous for its carving of the Sacred Heart (of Jesus), brought from Antigua. But I cannot find this sacred heart (of that church) mentioned or pictured anywhere else on the internet. Is it there, or may Rough Guide be wrong in this case?

Hello, I'm inquiring for my son who has an opportunity to do some scout volunteering at the Scout Campo Escueal San Jorge but we need very close housing...a shared room, a host family, a safe motel, ...ANYTHING safe (that's key). It needs to be within walking distance or via an easy bus/shuttle ride. I'm clueless as to where to turn. He has to report for training on Oct 14th and we're running out of time for him to take advantage of this opportunity:( Also, if anyone knows any nearby hostels that might work... but we would need daily transportation for 6 weeks to the camp. Any ideas on transportation? Are there local cooperative shuttles that deliver people locally. I don't think we could afford a taxi daily!

Hey guys, I am planning a quick 14 day trip to Guatamala and Honduras. Unlilke many people, I enjoy meeting other backpackers and travelers. It will be two guys in their mid 20's. Can anybody give advice on great places to stay (it can be anywhere in central america if its worth the travel). Must see sights. Nightlife and which cities to find it in. Of course Im interested in beaches and ruins and unique sights that Central America has to offer. I have no idea how to travel around, to book the busses or anything. Ive traveled Europe quite a bit but never latin America. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also im traveling in July due to my work schedule. I realize its the rainy season but is it completely unbearable? or will we be the only tourists there at that time. Thanks guys!

Do any of you know if I can find a hostel in Guatemala City or in Antigua or even around not in a crowded place so that I can park my rental car nor finding the mirrors are gone next morning. Thanks

I will be staying in Guatemala City between Jan. 31st and April 18th. Does anyone have any advice for finding a long-term room to rent? Does anyone know any specific places in Zona 10 or 14? I'm looking at Air B&B.

Hey, looking for advise on cheap safe hotels in Guate City in the 10-20ish range. Preferably near zona viva. I know about the hostels, need info on hotels. Thanks

Arriving on Ticabus from Nicaragua on Sun noon- into Guatemala city. Want to go direct onto Antigua. Mixed info re. which bus station I'll arrive into and would need to leave from. Any up to date info would be greatly appreciated! Cheers Rose

Where in Guatemala City could I purchase a world geographic globe? Bargain price would be welcomed. Thanks

Does anyone know a gym in Zona 9 or 10? I am going to be staying there, but not at a hotel. All the info I see on gyms for that area are in hotels. Thanks, Betsy

Hi, We are taking an overnight bus to Tikal and then an overnight bus back to Guatemala City that night and on to Lake Atitlan. I was hoping someone could tell me if there is a place to secure our bags while hiking in Tikal. Is there a locker or something like that? We will have our bags with us and I don't want to hike around with a giant backpack on my shoulders. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Julie

Can you tell me a little more about travel to Guatemala in general? Is it safe? Where is good to go? Is there any nightlife for 2 women in thei 40's

Hi there, I may be offered a job in Guatemala City for a year and I'd like to get a sense of how much it costs for a single person with a "middle class" lifestyle to live there (eg. rent - perhaps a shared apartment with one other person or to live alone, food expenses for cooking & restaurants, going out, public transportation, gym, etc)? Also, I would move there with my cat (anybody with experience bringing an animal?) Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Karen

We are in Antigua and want to travel to Rio Dulce. The shuttle out of here leaves in the am but the trip is two hours to the city and then a transfer to Linea Dorado for another 6 hours to Rio Dulce. We have thought about spending the night in the city and then taking the bus so we won´t have to get up at 5am in Antigua and then 6 hours on a bus to Rio Dulce. Does anyone have thoughts on this? Our only concern is staying in Zona 10 might take a long time to get to the bus station in Zona 4 and thus defeat the purpose of staying in the city. A second question is on the trip back from Rio Dulce. We were thinking of travelling through El Estar then Coban to Chichicastenango for the market. Any thoughts from anyone on this. (Coban area offers whitewater rafting. Anyone done this and thoughts?) Any and all info on these would be appreciated.

Is there a way to travel from Guatemala City to San Cristobal without flying through Mexico City or without taking a chicken bus? Taking other buses or vans would be acceptable.

I may be in Guatemala City on business. Assuming, I'm not in my hotel, are there any letterboxes in Guatemala City, where you can drop off correspondence? Also is there a Mail Boxes, Etc. in Guate City? I think there is one near Avenia Las Americas, but I'm not sure. Thanks, Steve snf123@earthlink.net

I am trying to decide where to stay in Guatemala - an agent is sending me info on hotels at Zone 10...but I also saw the Hotel Grand Tikal Futura which is at Zone 11 but looks very nice...any thoughts that might "jump" into your mind will be highly appreciated, JumpingNorman :)

Hi, We have an 8 hrs layover in the Guatemala city airport. 1. Does anyone know if there is (already) a place to leave our bags in the airport ? I saw some posts about this in 2007 that there is no such thing, but I'm wondering if anyone know how it is now. 2. Is the main plaza in Guatemala city close enough to the airport that we can get out of the airport during our layover and wander around ? Thanks Maria

I am try to find the name or phone number of the shop in the airport that sell the desiner sunglasses its in the departing area?

it was suggested to purchase cuban rum and cigars at the duty free at the airport. are you allowed to bring it back to the states or will it be confiscated?

Hi VT-ers, hope the community can help ... I am planning to travel by bus from Guatemala City to Santa Ana, El Salvador. Can some of you advice the best itinerary and bus company (faster and safer)? I understand there are many bus services from Guatemala City to San Salvador and I assume the best itinerary is to take a connection to Santa Ana at some point on the way to San Salvador. Need to figure out which bus to take in GUA and in which city/stop to connect to Santa Ana. Thank you! Giuseppe

Hello, I am going to work in Guatemala city for one year, and i would like some information about the city and country? What are the prices for appartments or houses for rent? Is living there expensive in issues like food and clothes? Is there gyms in the city? Thanks for any information! Pedro Resende pedro_resende@msn.com

Any one knows how to go from guatemala city to tikal via bus. also how long is the travel time is bus. I plan on traveling there, if there are any hints to save money that I can use please let me know. Thanks

For 3-7 days I will be in Guatemala City accompanying my dear friend who is adopting a baby girl. Needless to say all I have read are horror stories and warnings regarding safety, extortion of adopting parents and crimes against women in general. We are both very attractive and in my case a clearly not of latin decent. I am very concerned, am having doubts but am committed to assisting my friend. I will tone my look down, wearing minimal inexpensive jewelry and conservative clothing however, short of wearing a burka there isn't much more we can do. I want to enjoy this trip, shop for items to honor the babys heritage and not be freaking out while doing so. I would be most grateful for realistic advice regarding where to eat, my friend is a vegan, where to shop, what to pack and any pertinent info you think would assist us in this adotion journey. We anticipate staying at the Marriot in Guatemala City and will not be travelling outside of Guatemala City.

coming from nyc in december and planning to backpack all around Guatemala, i don't feel like carrying my winter coat. does anyone know if there is a luggage storage at the airport?? thanks!

Hi, Does anyone know if there are luggage/baggage storage facilities at GUA airport? I need to store a small bag at the airport for about one week in Jan 08. If so roughly how much does it cost per day (24-hours). Many thanks in advance, Cheers DJ

planing on traveling to Guatemala to visit ruins. is anyone familier with enjoyguatemala.com or enjoycentralamerica.com ? I like there tours to tikal and copan but I am a bit leary because they don't have a lot of info on there company. if anyone knows of a good mid price company or have heard of these companies we are anxious and greatful to hear about them. Thanks Artform

My brother and I are planning a little trip to visit some cousins that live in Guatemala City. We'll need someplace that starts there. We'd like to go hike up the Pacaya Volcano, but I see conflicting accounts of the hike. One person said it takes 3 hours to hike to the top, another an hour and a half (the one site I reviewed also said 1 1/2 hours). Is it only 1 1/2 to the crater and then you can continue on? We'd like to go a little further (thus get a tour that is a little more adventurous -- we'd like to look down and see the lava!). So - can anyone tell us which tour group they used, what they liked about it, etc? Thanks!!

Hello fellow travelers, IF I can find someone to travel with in Guatemala, then I will take a trip there around May 21-27, 2007 AND/OR PERHAPS ANOTHER TRIP LATER ON. Is anyone else looking for a travel partner? The best place to reach me is WesNorthern@aol.com. Take care, Wes

I have never been to Central America before. I'm thinking of going to visit the Mayan ruins in Guatemala, Hunduras,and the Yucatan in mid May. Would this be in the rainy season? I don't want to visit when it is hurricane season.

I have 4 days only in Guatemala. I fly in from LA to Guatemala City, and would like to go to the beaches to relax. How do I get to the Pacific from Guatemala City? Which beach is the easiest to get to? Which is the nicest? Is it a mistake to go to the beaches if I am here for only 4 days? Are there any nice beaches at Lake Atitlan? Any help would be much appreciated!!!!! Ryan