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Evil Kumqwat |
You should spend at least one night at Tikal. There's no way (without your own car, which you don't want in the Peten) to get from Flores to Tikal in time to catch the sunrise from the top of Templo II, which is an absolute must. I thought Flores is a really pleasant town, although some people disagree with me.
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Armchair Traveler |
Actually when I was there there were minibuses arriving from Flores at Tikal in time to catch the sunrise - although it would mean a hideously early start to do so. But I do agree staying at Tikal makes it much, much easier.
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Evil Kumqwat |
That must've changed. I was there in January 2006, and the first shuttles would leave Flores at 5 am. It's about an hour from there to Tikal, and another half hour to walk from the gate to the Gran Plaza.
Don't use Hernandez Tours for the shuttles - they are notorious cheats. |
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Armchair Traveler |
It must have done - I was there in Feb 2007. Also, when I went, the viewing point was from Templo IV (the highest), which is an even further walk from the gate, although a better viewing point as it's (a) higher than Templo II and (b) gives you a view of all the other Temples that poke above the trees:
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Evil Kumqwat |
There's nothing like being there at dawn, listening to the howler monkeys roar all around you.
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Armchair Traveler |
I was going to mention the howler monkeys! The view and the tranquility on its own would make the Tikal sunrise a magical experience, but the roar of the monkeys takes it too another level.
I wish I were there now rather than sat at home working 
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Armchair Traveler |
Hello again.
I've just found I'll be arriving in Guatemala on Independance Day. Can I expect anything different because of this, ie transport to Antigua/Hostel availability. Also, I might also still be in Guatemala on 12th October, Columbus Day. I've read there are often protests on this day. Anything to avoid? |
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Began Gap Year Trip Six Years Ago |
Yes. Avoid strong drink at 3am and narrow unlighted alleys after 2 am, while drunk.
Otherwise, far as I know, no one really cares unless you run around with a Spanish Flag screaming out "Viva Columbus!!" |
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Armchair Traveler |
Right, I've got a much more clear idea of what I want to do now.
I've found out that theres a crossing from Guatemala into Chiapas north of Huehuetenago, which would let me go to Palenque (which I'd love to see). Then I could carry on to Tikal, then down to Copan and Semuc Champney. My route in Guat & Mexico would therefore be Antigua -> Atilan -> Palenque (via Cristobal) -> Tikal -> Copan. Now, ideally after Copan I'd want to move on from Guatemala. Due to my limited timeframe, I've decided that apart from Coban, I'm going to skip Honduras & El Salvador, & spend more time in Nicaragua. I'm questioning however, about whether it would be better to make my way to Coban Ruinas on various buses from Copan, then make my way through Honduras, or possibly just visit the ruins at Coban on a day trip from Antigua, then after Copan, just make my way back to Guat City and get something like a Tica Bus down to Managua. What would anyone recommend? |
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Holds PhD in Packing |
You asked about things to avoid on holidays in Guatemala.
If you see a parade with a lot of smiling children, enjoy it. They have some great parades here. If, however, you encounter a protest, get as far away from it as possible as quickly as possible, as protests here often become mob scenes, even when what is being protested is a peaceful subject. About your schedule. Are you sure you want to miss the Bay Islands of Honduras? ----------------------------------------- I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.-Mark Twain |
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Armchair Traveler |
Mmmm... Independence Day? ... Just be more patient. Sometimes the main road of a town is completely closed for an hour or two because the parade with the school children is passing by.
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Evil Kumqwat |
Be careful switching Coban with Copan. There's a town in Guatemala called Coban that's popular with backpackers, with a strong influence from German settlers who grow coffee. It has nothing to do with Copan Ruinas, which is the town just across the border in Honduras near Copan, which is the ruins site. Anyway, Copan Ruinas is too far for a day trip from Antigua. It's at least five hours each way, if the border at El Florido is quiet (which it usually is). How are you planning on getting from Tikal to Copan Ruinas (if that's what you mean)? Coban is a few hours south of Tikal/Flores, while Copan Ruinas would take you at least half a day. And yes, like juan asked, are you really sure you want to miss the Bay Islands? If you're not scuba certified, you can do it on Utila for about $200. If you are, you can get a package of ten dives for about the same price, and the diving is some of the best in the Western Hemisphere. |
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Holds PhD in Packing |
Felix,
There are some tour operators in Antigua who offer one day trips to Copan, Honduras. These are the same people who put 12 tourists in an 8 passenger van. They leave Antigua at around 5AM, arrive in Copan around 11Am, give the people 2 hours to see the ruins and have lunch, then leave Copan to return to Antigua around 1:30 or 2PM. I have been in Copan and seen some of these groups come through, and they look miserable. These tour operators should not be in business, but there is no regulation of them here. I am sure the people they take advantage of go home with a bad feeling toward Guatemala in general, but these operators are not concerned about repeat business or national good will. ----------------------------------------- I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.-Mark Twain |
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Armchair Traveler |
Firstly, I knew I'd mess up Coban and Copan. My apologies. I mean Coban in Guatemala, primarily because I want to visit Semuc Champney, and Copan in Honduras.
Perhaps I've been given some wrong information about day trips to Copan. I certaintly don't want to be some sardine forced to cram into a bus, and be herded around for a couple of hours before being shoved back into the can. How is onward transport from Copan Ruinas then? Now the Bay Islands would be lovely, and the only reason I'd not currently decided to visit them, is that being as I don't have much time, I was trying to cut down on the places I visit, as I was hoping to be fully enjoy the places I do. I've noticed that a lot of people seem to recommend them, so perhaps I'll rethink. I've never done scuba before, but this trip is meant to be about new experiences! |
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Thorn Tree Refugee |
What ever you do don't skip El Salvador. Although the smallest country in Centarl America and many times overlooked by travellers, it is well worth the time to explore. I have been living here since 1994 and now consider it home. If you do decide to come Roque's suggestions are very accurate. If coming to Suchitoto ( see Suchitoto, El Salvador Travel Information) or look me up when you get here. For general travel information about El Salvador see the site in my signature. Otherwise have a great trip...
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Armchair Traveler |
OK, I'm off in a week (eek!)
I've just about got my itinerary planned out, does this sound feasible for 6 weeks. As I have been to the Caribbean, I have decided to not go to Caribbean coasts, although I am aware I'll be missing out on some amazing things. Guatemala: Antigua, Atilan, Tikal, Lanquin Honduras: Copan El Salvador: La Palma, Suchitoto, Alegria, Perquin Nicaragua: Matagalpa, Leon, Granada, Ometepe Costa Rica: Arenal, Monteverde Obviously, those are just centres, and around those places I'd want to do bits and bobs. I'm not going to be sticking rigidly to any schedule, but they are the places I've picked out as holding the most interest to me. Finally, in Guatemala, I'm looking to do a week of Spanish lessons, probably at the Cooperative in San Pedro la laguna. So the rest has to take up 5 weeks. |
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Began Gap Year Trip Six Years Ago |
Heres a hint about your language lessons. Memorize your conjugations now, present, preterite, and preterite perfecto, also imperfecto. Future is easy. Its Voy a ________. Get yourself a book.
101 Spanish Verbs. Get flash cards. Memorise like crazy. That way when you get to lessons, the teacher can do more than give you memory drills, and you'll learn how to USE your grammar. Alas, my memory is leaky, and this is difficult for me. I hope it isn't the case for you. |
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Armchair Traveler |
Tortuga, my memory is decent, and I've got a good grasp of French, which has helped with learning Spanish for me so far. I reckon with a weeks immersion I could be at a decent standard (well good enough to get by).
I've had a recent idea about my time in Guatemala, in order to best fit in the weeks lessons, could someone tell me if this sounds do-able. Arrive Antigua Monday 15th September Head to Flores on the Tuesday night bus, and have time to go to Tikal and Semuc Champney, and get back to San Pedro La Laguna in time for Spanish lessons starting Monday 22 Sept. It's a hectic first week, I'll then be able to relax for a week in San Pedro for my lessons, and start them on Monday. Afterwards I can go back to Antigua and see it properly. |
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Began Gap Year Trip Six Years Ago |
That sounds good. If you're already studying Spanish and have decent French, you should be fine.
Your itinerary isn't TOO rushed, provided you leave 2-3 days for Tikal. |
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