Im going to Guatemala in February till April and I was hoping that someone on here has any experience with travelling through that country and have any tips, hints, suggestions. Ill probably be travelling by myself, I was thinking that I could hopefully meet some new people down there to travel with, what are your opinions on this idea, is it safe, is it smart. Im also hoping that I can find a beach that i can live off of for a month or two, is this possible in Guatemala? Thanks guys
I've been backpacking through Guatemala before. I never stayed there for more than 2 weeks at a time, but I think that I know some areas pretty well. Guatemala City is perfectly safe. It's very modern, blah blah blah... it might be a little unsafe at night, but you just use your head and stay away from the dark alleys. The whole Lago Atitlan area is magnificent. Make Panajachel your home-base, it's a rockin' town, lots of bars and live music. Make sure to spend most of the rest of your time in San Pedro... lots of spas, holistic medicine, and psychedelic mushrooms. Check out the other cities, and make sure to go to the lake, there's even some good lake diving there. There's always the market in Chichicastenango. You must go there if you're in Guatemala, it's just a beautiful experience, all the colours, people, the greatness of haggling with 80 year old Mayan ladies . Other than that, there's so much beach. The beach is really chill... try to find a place to stay in the popular diving spots. There are always jobs there in restuarants, dive shops, and bars... plus there's a very lively social scene, and a beautiful beach. Traveling. Well, I'd recommend spending a bit extra and traveling in a van with 7 or so other people. You can always take the bus, but it's a tad less safe. If you take the bus make sure to pay a bit bit more for a ticket that's not a "chicken bus" (it's an experience, yet usually not a pleasant one). Try Hedman Alas, they're a great bus company, and not very expensive. There's also Diana, which is a bit cheaper. In general. The locals are friendly. Teens and young adults will probably try to rip you off on some stuff, or just fuck around with you because you're a tourist... but they are pretty harmless. If you're into the ganja, then that's easiest to get in the town square of more touristy towns. People will approach you to sell you some if you're just sitting around on a bench... as in any other country, don't give them the money before you see the product. Other than that... if you're getting anything like tickets, bus service, tours, etc... get it from a legitimate company, not second hand. Many people will offer you cheap rides in their van to other cities, but those vans have a reputation of being robbed on the highway. Ehh, I don't really know what to say, just me anything else you need to know, I guess. Guatemala is a really chill place. Try to check Honduras out if you have time, the Bay Islands alone are worth the trip.
ill be there in february or march, not sure yet. we are off to lake atitlan. i cant wait. i have never been there and am super excited. its just gorgeous i hear. we are gonna stay in san marcos probably. there is this new all vegetarian lodge / restaurant we wanna try. that whole highlands region has always fascinated me. now i get to go. maybe ill see u there we used to live in india and some ppl compare guatemala to india / nepal (which i also love). im anxious to sift thru all the crafts n art. they have beautiful art....
Honduras is very easy to get to from Guate, no more than 10-20$ bus trip. All vegetarian lodge sounds fancy. I've only been to San Marcos once, I think I drank at a British pub there .
Lago de Atitlan is beautiful. Definitely stay in San Marcos. It's also a very happening place because of all the language schools located there, but a bit more laid back than Panachel. You can always catch one of the bus boats that cross the lake all day long. Also, don't miss Chichicastenango. It's the biggest market in the country. For a extra special treat, spend the night. After the market closes, and all the tourist leave town, local residents set up tables in the streets and party late into the night. I only saw a small handful of non-locals, if any. One of my best travel experiences ever. Flores is another great place to visit. from there, go to Tikal and head straight for Temple #4. It will blow your mind! The "chicken buses" are fine, but it's a bit confusing to find the right one. But, it's all part of the travel experience! I loved it!
The weather here is dry and clear like perfect springtime weather with no rain. we´ve been out mountain biking, climbing volcanoes, and traveling around the lake by boat. Think about Guatemala this year for an inexpensive and unforgettable adventure of a lifetime. check us out! www.rogerstours.com Roger Puac
I'm one of these people who avoids the touristy areas. I discovered a small city of 25,000 on the cliff before you descend to the lake, called Solala. It reportedly has the largest population of Mayan indians than any city in Guatemala. The views of the Lake are beautiful and I stayed in a small hotel on a hill up from the Cathedral for $6 a night. Stayed there 3 nights. Loved it and I love the idea I'm virtually the only tourist in town. There's buses running down the hill to Panajachel every half hour or so. I took the bus down to the lake, took boat trips down there, but returned to Solala later in the day. I just love those chicken bus rides down in Central America, to me, it's part of the fun of being there. And the pick-up rides. Don't turn your nose up at the pick-ups offering transportation. I was recently down in Honduras, stood up in the back of a pick-up with rails in the back and rode through the Lencan Indian villages from La Esperanza to Gracias. What a rush! The wind beating at your body for 40-50 miles at 50 MPH hour, you'll never forget the experience! I slept like a baby that night! Only problem though, is you don't know how crowded they might get en route, but I was lucky, as there were just two of us in the back of the pick-up. I avoid the mini-vans as they have a tendency to pack them too tight and I get too claustrophobic when it gets too packed. Much prefer the chicken buses to mini-vans. Having just completed my 4th trip to Central America, I feel as safe down there as anywhere in my own country. In many ways, I feel safer, even though no one believes me.
