Antigua Guatemala Travel Forum

I'm VERY confused about the rainfall in Antigua. My husband and I are (were?) planning to be there for two months...October and November. We expected afternoon rain (several hours in the afternoon, maybe every other day). But we've just checked out some weather sites, and they seem to agree that there are 35-50 INCHES of RAIN each month during the wet or green season. That seems a bit overwhelming! How would you go about your life with that much rain???
Appreciate hearing any replys. Thanks!

Hey guys,

I'm headed to Antigua on July 26th 2007. For 2-4 weeks I'll be taking medical spanish classes at Ixchel Spanish School. I'm debating whether I should stay with a family or rent a place. The whole idea of family homestay seems a bit awkward I guess. In any case, after I finish medical spanish I'll be working on a medical volunteer project in Atitlan, so i'll be in guatemala till around October. It would be nice to get to know a few folks to travel and stuff. Is anyone gonna be in Antigua around the same time?

Hi Folks..I'm taking a trip to Antigua Guatemala in mid August. I'm wondering if anyone has any input on what the weather will be like and what if any other things I should know about traveling there during this period. Events, natural phenomenon or anything else.

Many thanks in advance,

Giampiero

Does anyone out there know how long the drive from Antigua to Chichicastenango takes on a Sunday? Thanks in advance!!!

Hello!
I'm traveling to Guatemala for 10 days, I leave in a few weeks, and I'm wondering if I should get any shots before I go. Any suggestions?

any one know of a restaurant/cafe (might have a hotel too, i'm not sure), two stories, first has a courtyard and a sort of a pateleria (lots of good pie!) and i'm not really sure what else, but the second story has really high ceilings and the walls are painted with murals depicting guatemalan/mayan history mostly i think. the murals are mostly of people and alot of parts have fabric (glued on i suppose) as part of a figures clothing, hair, etc. its kind of out of the way but someone who lives in antigua or visits frequently might recognize my what i'm talking about. sorry i dont have pictures.
any help would be appreciated.

We'll only have about 4 hours in Antigua. I've done research but I'd like input on which sites are a must-see and how close they are to each other, if they are in walking distance of each other. Would appreciate other suggestions if I've left something out. Here's my list: Vera Cruz cross, Jade Factory, local mercado and artisans mercado, Las Capuchinas Convent, courtyard of Posada Don rodrigo, 5A Avenida, arch of Santa Catalna, pastel-colored houses, Merced Church, Cathedral of Antigua, Casa Santo Domingo, Main Square, San Francisco.

hey can someone let me know how i book a shuttle bus from guatemala airport to pick me up and drive me to antigua? Thanks!

We will be arriving by cruise ship for the day and have found 3 possible tour companies to pick us up at the port, give us a tour of Antigua, and return us to the port:
1. Sin Fronteras 2. Rainbow Travel Center 3. Turansa Travel
Would really like some input on any or all of these companies... are they reputable, are the dependable.

Thanks for any help... Sandy

would love suggestions regarding a must for antigua...nightlife...resturants...meeting fellow travelers...best hotel deals...anything would be great!!

What is the best coffee plant to visit/tour near to Antigua, GUA. Just curious. As other days, planning on going to Monterrico and the Lake. Thx.

Pardon my ignorance if this sounds stupid. I am registered to attend a Spanish school( in Antigua) later in the month and was hoping to hike up one of the mountains. Any suggestions will be most appreciated...

Thanks!

I am looking for opinions on the best locally owned charming hotel options in Antigua (looking to avoid those 5 star resorts owned by foreigners). I will be there in May to find good options so that the clients I send there will be keeping their tourism dollars in the country..

I was in Antigua last fall and bought a set of glasses, a vase and a pitcher for my Mom for Christmas. Unfortunately, the pitcher broke on the way home. Would anyone from Canada or the US going to Antigua in the next few months be willing to pick me up a new one and bring it back? I have a picture of it, it should be easy to find (you can find similar ones in the outdoor market or in one of the local crafts stores). I will of course pay for it and can even add more for the trouble. My home is in Maine (Blue Hill), I visit Virginia (Leesburg/Reston/DC area) often, and I currently live in Vancouver, so I can pick it up in any of those places or will pay for shipping. Please contact me if you're willing to help out and we'll discuss the details. Thanks so much!!!
Anne

Hi,

I want to head up Volcan Pacaya, but I stupidly forgot to bring boots with me on my trip. Will any of the shoestores around here have boots in size 15? The cheaper the better, as long as their decent enough to make it up the mountain -- sounds like sneakers aren't too good for the trek.

Thanks...

Hi,
Looking for any thoughts or reccomendations on bars, cafes or resturants that have a nice Guatemalan atmosphere and have local or traditional music in Antigua. I'm not looking for a modern rock or pop sound, but more of a traditional evening of food, drink and music.

I plan to take photos, and some video of area. Interested in local art work, and possibly pictures of the 'carpets' if they are set up on the streets before the parades of holy week. Any thoughts?

I plan to take photos, and some video of area. Interested in local art work, and possibly pictures of the 'carpets' if they are set up on the streets before the parades of holy week. Any thoughts?

We are trying to find contact information for this hotel, or any other suggestions for hotel. Most are booked. Looking for dates of March 27- 30. Saw review for this hotel, but cannot find phone #
thanks so much

I know Tikal has the best ruins around, but I don't think we are going to be able to fit that into are trip to Antiqua area in mid march, so I'm wondering where the best closest ruins are from the Guatemala city or Antiqua area.
Thanks!

Excited to get there in mid March.

I have some questions.
1. What is the best/cheapest method to get from Guatemala City Airport to Monterrico on the Pacific coast early in the morning? We land around 5am I think.
2. Any hotel reccomendations or warnings for Monterrico? We'll be ther just 1 night. We'll have a 4 month old baby with us. looking for a laid back, relaxing environment.
3. After Monterrico we are heading to Anitgua as home base for the rest of our wk long trip. Any must see's or must do's while based there?
4. How far are some Maya ruins from Anitgua?
5. Any food reccomendations while in Antigua?
6. I'm assuming once we get to Antigua, we can then plan the remainder of our week in terms any tours or day trips we wish to do. I also assume finding info on these touristy activities will be easy to find and not booked up ahead of time. Am I right?
7. Any recomendations in Antigua on great places to see some live local music in the evenings to relax and have a drink?

I'm having trouble finding complete and detailed info for some travel planing
Thanks!
-dan

Less than a week and I'm off to Guatemala (starting to get really excited)

Not sure if I read it hear but some poeple had problems using mastercard in Guatemala but no problem with visa. My atm/debit card is mastercard and with Citibank. Can anyone comment?

Also - I saw it mentioned on a web site about a $30 departure tax to leave the country. Is this true? I've not seen it mentioned anywhere in Rough Guide or Footprint.

Both Footprint and Rough Guide recommend taking the typhoid medication. I'll be visiting Antigua and Lake Atitlan. I mistakenly thought I was suppose to take the medication while there, not two weeks before hand. I leave in about a week. Wondering if anyone else took the typhoid pills - or not. I'm not a germ freak and I'm pretty good at determining if a place is good/safe to eat. I've eaten at lots of mexican markets and lived. Any advice would be appreciated.

My husband and I are adopting a little girl from Guatemala. When we travel there to meet her for the first time, we wanted to re-new our wedding vows. Does anyone have any suggestions on where we can do this? It would just be he and I so we don't need anything fancy. Just something simple and beautiful.

I am interested for a telephone number of a place name El Belencito or Barrio el Belencito located next to a restaurant & vivero La Escalona on Calle Sucia.

We will be travelling by day to Pana from the airport outside of Guatamala City . Can anyone recommend a mininbus service that is safe? I saw this warning online " Make sure the van goes to Panajachel via Solola (the longer and highly traveled route) rather than through Patzun. The route through Patzun is quicker and more beautiful, but on an isolated road where robbers have occasionally stopped vans, so its best to avoid the route." So now I want to ensure we go through Solola! Appreciate your comments.

We will be arriving for the day by cruiseship at Puerto Quetzal and are considering private transportation into Antigua, arranged by Elizabeth Bell. Once in Antigua, Elizabeth arranged for us to hook up with a private guide to see the city.

The ship arranges police escort with machine guns, for their tour buses. Makes me wonder if our group of 6 will be safe taking a private van into Antigua. We don't like taking ship tours but we do like being safe.

Are the roads between Puerto Quetzal and Antigua as dangerous as we've heard? Any input would be greatly appreciated... Sandy

planning to visit antigua next april. any recomendations for a good place to start with in the city? looking for a double room (not dorms) that is not too expensive.
thanx,
Asaf

Hi we are travelling to Guatamala in January for a week . Just wondering if we will need malaria meds. I'm tired of going to the travel clinic and pay their fees...just thought I'd ask here.
Thanks

My boyfriend and I will be traveling in Guat./Hond. for 3 weeks. I know some basic spanish phrases and he knows even little. Is taking a spanish language course in Antigua for 1 day only beneficial or our we wasting our time?