Guatemala Travel Forum

After staying in Antigua for three nights, we are traveling to Santiago Atilan for a couple days. I was wondering f anyone knew any good restaurants or activities to do around that area. Thank you, you responses are apreciated.

My friend and i will be Guatemala in later May. We’re thinking of find a reliable local travel agency which offers a great deal for tours to different regions of Guatemala. Do you have any recommendations for any travel agency in Antigua? Is travel agency open on Sat? We will arrive on Sat. Also, we're thinking of going to Panajachel (Lake Atitlan)right after we fly back from Tikal. What is the best way and cheapest way to get to Panajachel from Guatemala City airport? and how long? and recommedations for hotel to stay by the Lake?

Thanks!

Thanks,

Stephanie

We are staying in Santiago Atilan for a couple of nights in Hotel Bambu, and I was wondering if anyone knew about great activities, i.e. fishing, hiking, or any other outdoor activity. Thank you, I greatly appreciate it.

After staying in antigua for three nights, we are traveling to panajachel for a couple days. If you know anything about hotels, activities, restaurants, etc., I would appreciate it.

I am traveling with two people to Antigua, and I would like to know somse interesting activities located in that are. I have heard of the ruins, and I would like to know more about them. If any one has any information about them, please post it.

Does anyone know...if you're flying from Los Angeles to Guatemala City, what is the name of the volcanic peak you'll see from the air a few minutes before landing?
I have a clear memory of having seen one, but don't know what it was called.
This is research for a book. Thanks--
H.

Are you safer on a guided tour than as an individual traveling?

Is there any formalized process for meeting and getting acquainted with families in Guatemala? My experience in Guatemala is very little, consisting of only a trip to Tekal a few years ago. I am interested in any comments you may have about seeing the country. I am obviously going to some of the main tourist sites like Antiqua etc, but am also interested in less visited spots.

Hi
im planning to go to Guatemala on the begining of June. For my last weekend i olaned to go from Antigua to Copan ( Honduras) to see the ruins. I have found that very often they proposed 2 days trip, however i was not able to contact with any tracvel agency in Antigua to give be better answer - IF 1 DAY TRIP FROM ANTIGUA TO COPAN AND COME BACK TO ANTIGUA late night is possible ? and is it worth ??? I will have to choose or to go for 2 days to see Copan ruins and then visit Antigua town only for a half a day ( late evening flight back) or 1 day in Honduras ( Copan ruins) and then 1.5 day visiting Antigua city...

was is better ? Do you have any experience, recomendations, knowledge how long such a 1 day trip can take ? name of the good travel agencies in Antigua which will help me to better plan it ??? Thanks for helping in advance ;)

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

Does anyone know of a good, all-purpose guide to the plants, animals, birds, etc. of Guatemala---or even covering all of Central America? Something light enough to carry in your backpack and useable for a non-scientist?

I've just completed my bus trip from Guatemala City to El Salvador and Nicaragua and am now in Antigua for a few days. I realize this is a very short notice, but if anyone in Antigua is up to it I would love to have an opportunity to meet a fellow VTer or two while here. I would have posted this earlier, but didn't know what my schedule would be.

I'm staying at the Hotel Quchoch and will be here until early Friday morning. If anyone sees this and would enjoy meeting for a meal or whatever, please respond ASAP. I will be checking my email a time or two every day, although I will also be taking some tours. Would love to hear from anyone, and again, please forgive the short notice.

Stephen

Hi -

I'm leading a group of college students working with Habitat for Humanity in May, and we're staying in La Villa de Don Pancho in Tecpán. Does anyone have first-hand knowledge of this hotel?

Thanks!

Fred

is there a strait shuttle bus from Panajachel to San Cristobal de la Casas and how much it costs, or one has to do a lot of bus changes as it was discribed by one VT member? I am looking for the fastest way (if any), rather than the cheapest way. any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Forum,

My friend and I are planning a trip to Guatemala. We are volunteering at ARCAS wildlife center in Flores and then doing a GAP tour beginning in Antigua. I am looking for advice on the best and safest way to transfer from Flores to Antigua. We were planning to take a bus to Lanquin and stay there a few nights before traveling onto Antigua. However I am unsure how safe this is as we are both young women (age 22) traveling by ourselves and neither of us has any Spanish language skills besides the little bit I have been learning in preparation for the trip. The advisories I have read seem suggest that our plan would not be a safe option. Anyone have an thoughts suggestions or comments?

Doing my homework.

As each grandchild turns 12, I give them a choice to see anything in the world. Looks like my next 'grandkid trip' will be seeing volcanos!

I know my way around Costa Rica, but have heard there are some active volcanos in Guatemala... and since I've never been there. Why not add a new country to my travels too. So I'm thinking of flying down to CR then over to Guatemala before returning state side and continuing our trip to other parts of the world.

Looking for suggestions of what, when and where and how long.

Besides the volcanos for the kid, I would like a little culture, food and shopping.

After lots of internet research, I've pretty much settled on this school for July coming up Spanish study. It seemed complete, most activities included in the price, and I just liked its philosophy. But it's the internet! How do I know what it's really like? Does anyone have any experiences with this school , on Calle Poinente in Antigua, or with its owner - Julio Gomez? either positive or negative? I don't want to commit myself and then hate it - I'd hate tpo change schools partway through - I'd like to feel assured before I go. THANKS!

I freak out at bugs, all bugs, insects, spiders, everything and I want to study Spanish in Antigua this summer, most of July- how worried should I be? People laugh at my reactions to bugs and I'm really worried about this fear. Advice please before I make plans. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm taking a trip to Tikal May 1-3 and I have several questions.

1. what would the weather be like?
2. is it safe to explore a place by oneself (not being a part of a tourist group)?
3. any advice on MUST to do things there?

Many thanks in advance.

I'm taking a trip to Antigua and for Lake Atitlan/Panajachel Guatemala May 6-10 and I have several questions.

1. what would the weather be like?
2. any events, festivals, natural phenomenon or anything else during this time? 3. any advice on MUST to do things?

many thanks in advance.

what is the best way to get from Antigua to Flores? are there shuttle busses? if yes, how long does it take to travel from one destination to another, and how much would it cost?

is there is no direct commute, could you please suggest the best possible? thanks in advance.

I am a Ukrainian, and I need a visa to get to Guatemala. I would appreciate info re a possibility to obtain a visa at the airport, e.g. Flores. anyone done that? how much does a visa cost? many thanks in advance, Olya

Is there a "Cafe las Cristalinas" ?? what type of dining do they offer ??

How much should we expect to pay for airfare from Guatemela City to Tikal? What will the weather be like in late June? We hope to spend time in Antigua, Lake Atitilan (Santiago sounds interesting), & Tikal. Any other suggestions? We are a family of 4 and will have 10 days. How does the country compare to Costa Rica?

On a trip to Antigua years ago I visited an art gallery located a few blocks off the plaza. I have always been sorry I didn't purchase one of the artists paintings. The artist/owner was American or European. His name could have been Johnson or Johnston. Any information about this gallery or artist would be very much appreciated.

I am a seasoned traveler going to Guatemala (Antigua, Tikal) next month with two others. I am really looking forward to this experience. After reading much material about Guatemala, one could get the impression that it is extremely dangerous there. While I am not letting this prevent me from traveling to Guatemala, I would like to hear from travelers who have been there. Other then the usual necessary precautions, does any one have any advise? Thank you very much.

I'm going to Antigua and want to know about the shopping there. Can I buy contact lense solution, liquid soap (Olay), creams. I'm not interested in the arts and crafts. I want my American products. Is the main market in Antigua, or out of town. Are there fast food resturants around? Is it cheap? Thank you to whoever replies.
mp2312@gmail.com

Interested in wood carvings of people,animals,etc. Would like to know what's available,size and cost in dollars

What is the most comfortable way to get to Tikal from Yuacatan peninsula (I suppose Campeche and/or Tulum will be the southernmost point I'd reach in Yucatan without this detour) Apart from the mentioned I'd be staying in Merida and Cancun the most time of my journey.... Is there any chance for a short trip to Tikal? How long would you estimate, that this trip takes?

btw: I suppose it is forbidden to cross the borders with hired cars, isn't it?

Is there any possibility for a one or two day trips to Tikal (Flores) from Cancun?
I realize, that once there was a daily flight operated by Aviateca for around 270 $ (round trip), but unfortunately, Aviateca was liquidated...