Departamento de Sacatepéquez Travel Forum

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 of $8 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

Hello! anybody knows the altitude of Santa Maria de Jesus? I need to know the diference bewtin Agua summit and the start of the hike, thanks a lot!

Hey y'all,

we're planning to get to Guatemala for a few weeks, and I'm beyond excited about it! As I'm looking for somewhere to stay for the month, I wonder if anybody knows whether there's a public park or playground in Antigua? We'll have two little kid in tow, and I think if I could have us stay within walking distance of a park, they'd have a grand time. At the same time, perhaps the neighborhood playground is more UnitedStatesian? Any ideas?

thanks!

-holly

hi all!My name is lara and I am from austria!!! last year I did cancel my travel to guate but this year I am going at november to guatemala at first antigua!!! can you recomend a good hostal or hotel for the first days??
and is the bussation near the center???
I am going for 3 weeks and I am looking forward to see a lot of intrestings places!!!
thanks for your answers...lara

Hello. we are fom London.We will be in Antigua for a week in August, we have 4 children aged 3 to 11.
My husband is becoming very worried about safety as he hard the rate of children kidnapping is very high.
We plan to stay in Antigua most of the time, and we would like to go for day trips to Lake Atitlan and Tikal.
Are the roads safe to these places or is there risk of assault?
Has any of you travveled with kids there and which advice would you give?
Also do you recommend the kids get any immunizations?
thanks for your help Valentina

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.

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.

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 ;)

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

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 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.

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

Wondering the best way to get from Guatemala City Airport to Monterrico on a Sunday afternoon about 2:30? Thanks

I am taking a chance that someone can help me. While in Antigua recently I wandered in to a wood/art shop that I cannot get out of my mind. It was called Angelina and is located on Calle Oriente. While there a woman working told us that there was a web site and try as I may, I cannot find it. Does anyone know of this store and how I can possibly find it on line. I am interested in ordering a table that I saw there and having it shipped to the US. Thank you in advance & Happy New Year, Nicole

We are thinking of going to Antiqua over Christmas and would like to know if they go all out for the holidays? We were there this year during Holy Week and that was awesome!
We would sure like to here what people have to say about what it's like in Antiqua at Christmas. We live in Costa Rica so we don't need snow. Had enough of that when I lived in the US (Michigan). We would probably be there for two weeks. My wife and I are retired and love to travel with back pack.

Gene

We have been to Antigua before and know much about it, but here are the issues we have left to resolve before we travel later this month. We are in country Oct-Nov '07.

We plan to rent a home and need advice on the following:

What hotels allow non-guests a swimming permit? We want to stay close to one.

Is there a good aerial map that shows hotel names on it so we can get a house close to a pool?

Any inside tips on a good home available to a good clean careful family? We need 3 bedrooms, broadband internet and would LOVE a pool, but will walk to a close hotel that will offer us a swim pass.

Thanks!

Jim

I'm a woman, aged 23 from the Netherlands.
I want to go bagpacking (alone) in Guatemala in January 2008. I did read on the website of the ministry of Foreign Affairs some very disturbing things. The violence against women has been increased in Guatemala and that it's very dangerous for a woman to travel there all by herself. They dissuade women to travel there all by there selves.

If somebody has experience with travelling trough Guatemala, can you please give me some information about this subject.

thank you
greets from Djina