Guatemala Travel Forum

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?

Is there any one out there that is planning on travelling within Guatemala from December 18 thrue January 9, 2009? Two girls from San Francisco, Cali. would like to meet up with others while there and do some sightseeing together.
-chao

I am considering a trip to Guatemala from around June27- July 7. I would have about 9 full days...

I was wondering if this time of year was good for visiting Guatemala? If we are flying roudtrip to Guatemala City can we go by bus to Tikal stopping along the way to see various other cities/ towns and then just fly back to Guatemala City from Flores?

Also- what would be the best way to spend our time. I think that 9 days would be a decent amount of time to explore Guatemala...

I want to thank everyone in advance for any comments & information!

Planning a trip to Guatemala in November '09 and would like to learn some Spanish. Has anyone taken the Travelling Classroom 4-week program offered by tranytur? (This involves lessons morning or afternoon and excursions throughout the country in four different areas: Antigua, Coban, Panajachel and Monterrico). Sounds like a great idea but can't find any reviews at all!

Can anyone please tell me some good hostels in Guatemala city as i cannot seem to find any on the internet. I would like cheap as possible and a good party vibe.

Thanks

My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon. We already made arrangements to stay at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala and are researching the possibility of traveling to southern Belize for a few days to spend some time at the beach. We plan to rent a car and don't mind traveling on difficult roads across Guatemala; however, we don't know the best route. We would rather drive than fly. Does anyone have suggestions for the best roads to take to drive from Lake Atitlan to Belize or have any idea how many hours the trip would be? We appreciate any help!!

My Boyfriend and I are planning on visiting Tikal in July. So I am wondering, is it safer to take a guide to the ruins or is it ok to hoof it on your own? Are there a lot of trails, do they provide a map? Also, we may take my 7 yr old daughter.

Hi! I was originally planning a holiday to Belize but have now turned my attention to Guatemala and I'm not sure where to start with my planning. I would definitely like to visit Tikal and Antigua, and any suggestions of other places to see would be gratefully appreciated! My interests are broad - I like hiking, volcanoes, lively markets, anything a bit 'off the beaten track' and the Mayan ruins are of great interest to me. I'd also be interested in any caving activities, although, from what I've read, these seem to be possible mostly in Belize. Has anyone done any caving in Guatemala? How easy is it to get over the border to Belize?

Thanks in advance!

Does anyone know of a ferry or overland route between Livingston and the carribean coast of honduras without going the long way round? I can't find it in any travel literature.

Would you suggest a mosquito net if you were staying at hostels?

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?

Can anyone recommend any good spanish schools in antigua? I am interested in intermediate-advanced level class.

What are the best, cheap hostels to stay in in antigua?

Does anyone know the easiest way to take a bus from antigua to chiapas and if so how long does it take?

Thanks!

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

hi!

any recommendations on how one gets grom the guatemala city aurora airport, to san pedro?

i've read some vague mentionings of minibuses costing around $10. could someone please give me some more specific information?

can you get a mini bus to san pedro from the aurora airport?
if not, where in guatemala city do you have to go to get it?

what are the most recommended minibus companies?

i am a female travelling alone, i want to feel safe.

anybody familiar with don juan's minibus service? his website states that his bus seats 10 people, but he charges a flat rate of $125 per trip, no matter how many people are in the bus. does anyone know if this bus fills up?

i would greatly appreciate any advice!

thanks,

girl escaping chicago dreariness

After seeing Tikal, I was hoping to find something in the Peten or the Maya Biosphere reserve that is remote or off the beaten path. I'm considering a stay at the Scarlet Macaw Biological Station (a.k.a. Las Guacamayas Bio Station) but my Spanish is very limited at this time, so I'm not sure about that. Anyone been there?
Basically, I'd like to spend a couple days in the jungle viewing birds and other wildlife. Any other suggestions or thoughts?

I am going to be leading a group of 42 to Guatemala in July. I am working on some budget issues. I can't seem to figure out what it would cost for a 1/2 liter water bottle. I am going to buy 500-600 so I need to include it in my budget.
Thanks.

does anybody know what bus company travels from Guatemala City to Retalhuleu and possibly have contact info?

Still seeking some more specific information about clothing for Lake Atitlan, Chichi and Antigua for my trip coming up next week. What about daytime wear for women? Will capris and short sleeve t-shirts do?
Thanks.

I am bit in doubt about staying in El Remate (other option is Flores). Like most people the only reason going there is visiting the ruins of Tikal. Prefer to go to the ruins in the late afternoon (sunset?) and returning very early next day which should be possible with the same ticket (at least I read this).
From El Remate/Flores I will take a long distance bus to Belize/Mexico leaving very early in the morning.

1. Considering this which place would be best to stay: El Remate or Flores? Will it be possible to get a reserved seat and get on the bus in El Remate or do I first have to return to Flores?
2. If staying in El Remate which place do you recommend? With good atmoshere and not to remote/lonesome but where I can meet some others travellers (basic private room will be allright for me)?
3. Good options in Flores?

Thanks answering,

Harry

We will be traveling to Lake Atitlan, Chichi, and Antigua February 16-21. I am trying to pack light! What type of clothing/shoes should a woman bring?

Hello - I am travelling to Guate in two weeks and am trying to find any decent street map that also shows locations for all the "Zonas" in the city. I'm going to be travelling around the city a bit and can't find any good source on the internet.

Thanks,
Rob

I'm travelling in Guatemala mid-February and I have been reviewing recent news in the country. I am wondering if the recent landslide has blocked any roads going to and from Livingston to Tikal, Tikal to Coban, or Coban to Antigua?

I travelled in Guatemala several years ago (and spent nearly half a year in Honduras), and although I was always cautious, I never felt threatened. My friend and I were pick-pocketed but other than that one incident, I very much enjoyed my trip. But the travel advisories recently make me wonder if I should avoid travelling in Guatemala due to the increase in armed robberies and attacks?? I'm not normally worried about advisories but I'm bringing friends with me who have never travelled in third world countries,and I want to make sure I'm not leading them into a very unsafe environment.Has anyone talked to travellers in Guatemala who have recently been robbed or attacked? Are there areas that are better to avoid (other than the obvious Guatemala City, especially at night)?? Any advice those that are currently in Guatemala could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your help!!

A fellow backpacker

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've read the horror stories about the La Aurora airport, but most of them are dated prior to the recent construction.

Is there now a central location to catch a shuttle or a kiosk that sells tickets?

And if not, are there any suggestions for which shuttle service to use?

Thank you all in advance.
v

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

HI ALL
I was in guatemala in november !!!! it was great!!!!
thanks a lot all people on this fantastic board for the good information answers and for the really helful advises!!!!!!!!!!!!!
greetings from austria lara

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

Read quite a lot about using a cellphone but one question remains. For example I saw that both Guatemala and Mexico (Chiapas/Yucutan) are using a Movistar network.

Will it possible to buy one SIM card that will work in both Guatemala and Chiapas/Yucutan, so I don't have to change my SIM-card/number if travelling between those 2 countries (my cell phone will work, it's triband 900/1800/1900 mhz and unlocked)?

Other recommendations?

Thanks,

Harry.

Does anyone know if there are still flights from Belize City to Flores? I've been trying to inquire with the two airlines that I thought flew to Flores, but haven't heard back from either of them.

On Easter Saturday I have to travel from Antigua to Chichicastenango, some questions about that:

1. Will there be regular transport on Easter Saturday?
2. Do I have to make a reservation for accomodation in Chichi in advance?
3. Read there will also be processions both Easter Saturday and Sunday in Chichi. If this is correct, can anybody tell about what time this will be (suppose there is a market on Easter Sunday as well)?

Thanks answering,

Harry