HOW TO GET THEREYou will need to check for the current health restrictions that may be in place for your arrival in Guatemala.
ROUTE
WHERE TO GO SAFELY
Guatemala does not have a clear rating for safety/security, so you will need to check your own Government's travel advisory page for the latest updates. Most criminal activity is not aimed at tourists but attacks have happened. Although this should not put you off, you need to be aware and take precautions. There are issues about where and when you shouldn't go to particular places, but you will be well advised by your hosts and other helpful sources such as tourist information while you are there. The people are friendly and welcoming. Our trip was without problems, but we stuck to well trodden tourist routes and destinations, and used local guides for short trips away from these locations. We also choose not to hang about anywhere late at night, preferring to relax in our accommodation after taking an early evening meal.
GUATEMALA CITY
FLORES
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| FLORES - an island on Lake Peten Itza |
TIKAL
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| TIKAL NATIONAL PARK - Mayan temple |
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| TIKAL NATIONAL PARK - Coati & Monkey |
FLORES - GUATEMALA CITYWe went back to Flores airport for the return flight to Guatemala City in a shuttle bus arranged by our hotel at Tikal. Back at the airport in Guatemala City you will be able to readily pick up one of the shuttle buses going to Antigua, which take about an hour to get there. If the timings are not right for your connections then you may need an extra night stop in Guatemala City before the onward journey to Antigua. We needed to do this, and so we stayed at the same hotel in Zona 10, which then helped arrange our transfer to Antigua.ANTIGUA
Antigua is a gem amongst Spanish colonial cities with its cobbled streets, preserved colonial-era houses and grand churches, monasteries and other public buildings. We stayed in a traditional house with nice grounds and fabulous views of Volcan Agua from the veranda outside our upstairs room.
ANTIGUA - Catedral with Volcan Agua on right.
The city also has a number of ruins that have well kept remnants and beautiful gardens - a testament to the earthquakes that have affected the area in the past. This is a very lively city, particularly at the weekends when the locals and visitors from across the country descend onto the streets.
ANTIGUA - Street performer
Three volcanoes which are all over 12,000 ft. overlook the city - Fuego, which is active and sends out frequent puffs of smoke, Agua and Acatenago. We went on a trip via taxi which our host organised for us that took us round the villages and markets in the valley, with a visit to an eco-farm and to a temple run by the Maximon or San Simon cult.
ANTIGUA - Maximon (San Simon) temple
This religion appears to be a cross between Mayan and Catholic beliefs and involves paying homage to an effigy of a man who resembles a colonial settler. Eggs, fruit and other items are incinerated in piles outside the temple by shamans. Inside there are plaques giving thanks for miracles that have been performed, and the effigy is offered cigars and alcoholic liquor by worshippers.
ANTIGUA - Coffee mill - with beans drying in the sun
We also enjoyed a trip round a coffee mill where we learned how complicated the coffee business is from the picked coffee cherries to a roastable bean of high quality. The mill used traditional methods and some old machinery. In the main factory area the newest piece of equipment was 50 yrs old!
PANAJACHEL
It is a 2 hour minibus ride from Antigua to Panajachel, passing through some fabulous countryside and interesting small towns/villages. Panajachel sits on the edge of Lake Atitlan which is a large volcanic crater lake 5,000 feet up, and surrounded by volcanoes standing a further 7,000 feet above lake level.
PANAJACHEL - Lake Atitlan
This is a spectacular setting which you can enjoy both from the shore and in boat trips to villages around the perimeter. What Panajachel lacks in architectural merit it more than makes up for with a slightly hippy quirkiness with very good facilities for the traveller.
SANTIAGO ATITLAN - Saturday market/church goers in traditional dress
We visited the Saturday market at Santiago Atitlan by boat, and then went into the impressive church just as the locals in traditional dress were leaving after the morning service. A plaque inside the church commemorates the slaughter of their Oklahoma born priest by the army, who died along with many other locals during the civil war that raged for more than 30 years up until 1998.
PANAJACHEL - Reserva Natural Atitlan
Back in Panajachel we enjoyed the trail around the Reserva Natural Atitlan just a short walk out of town. This has a bird reserve, butterfly collection, monkeys and other animals in beautiful natural surroundings including a waterfall.
It's about a three hour minibus ride back to Guatemala City for your flight out.
Have a Safe journey home!
ANTIGUA
Antigua is a gem amongst Spanish colonial cities with its cobbled streets, preserved colonial-era houses and grand churches, monasteries and other public buildings. We stayed in a traditional house with nice grounds and fabulous views of Volcan Agua from the veranda outside our upstairs room.
 |
| ANTIGUA - Catedral with Volcan Agua on right. |
The city also has a number of ruins that have well kept remnants and beautiful gardens - a testament to the earthquakes that have affected the area in the past. This is a very lively city, particularly at the weekends when the locals and visitors from across the country descend onto the streets.
 |
| ANTIGUA - Street performer |
Three volcanoes which are all over 12,000 ft. overlook the city - Fuego, which is active and sends out frequent puffs of smoke, Agua and Acatenago. We went on a trip via taxi which our host organised for us that took us round the villages and markets in the valley, with a visit to an eco-farm and to a temple run by the Maximon or San Simon cult.
 |
| ANTIGUA - Maximon (San Simon) temple |
This religion appears to be a cross between Mayan and Catholic beliefs and involves paying homage to an effigy of a man who resembles a colonial settler. Eggs, fruit and other items are incinerated in piles outside the temple by shamans. Inside there are plaques giving thanks for miracles that have been performed, and the effigy is offered cigars and alcoholic liquor by worshippers.
 |
| ANTIGUA - Coffee mill - with beans drying in the sun |
We also enjoyed a trip round a coffee mill where we learned how complicated the coffee business is from the picked coffee cherries to a roastable bean of high quality. The mill used traditional methods and some old machinery. In the main factory area the newest piece of equipment was 50 yrs old!
PANAJACHEL
It is a 2 hour minibus ride from Antigua to Panajachel, passing through some fabulous countryside and interesting small towns/villages. Panajachel sits on the edge of Lake Atitlan which is a large volcanic crater lake 5,000 feet up, and surrounded by volcanoes standing a further 7,000 feet above lake level.
 |
| PANAJACHEL - Lake Atitlan |
This is a spectacular setting which you can enjoy both from the shore and in boat trips to villages around the perimeter. What Panajachel lacks in architectural merit it more than makes up for with a slightly hippy quirkiness with very good facilities for the traveller.
 |
| SANTIAGO ATITLAN - Saturday market/church goers in traditional dress |
We visited the Saturday market at Santiago Atitlan by boat, and then went into the impressive church just as the locals in traditional dress were leaving after the morning service. A plaque inside the church commemorates the slaughter of their Oklahoma born priest by the army, who died along with many other locals during the civil war that raged for more than 30 years up until 1998.
 |
| PANAJACHEL - Reserva Natural Atitlan |
Back in Panajachel we enjoyed the trail around the Reserva Natural Atitlan just a short walk out of town. This has a bird reserve, butterfly collection, monkeys and other animals in beautiful natural surroundings including a waterfall.
It's about a three hour minibus ride back to Guatemala City for your flight out.
Have a Safe journey home!