Suzie2

Trying to find avg temps for Atitlan, Antigua, and Tikal. Going next week.

Super bowl. Any ideas for Antigua?

Money. What is best....cash, travelers checks, atm. Should we exchange right away (going to a big market next day) or is U.S. currency okay? Going to the market in Solola next Friday. ATM there?

How are the banks in Guatemala? They can be horribly long in Costa Rica. We are thinking of stopping on our way from the airport to our destination in Atitlan.

Thanks for the help
Suzie

cmcfong

for historical weather data www.weatherbase.com.

sandy_b

Antigua is known as the land of eternal spring or something like that . . . the weather is pretty much always in the 70s.

I've been to Tikal twice, once in Jan and once in July, it was HOT and HUMID both times, I think it is always like that.

Plenty of ATMs in Antigua (and at the Guatemala City airport) . . . several in Chichicastenango and lots in Panajachel . . . don't know about Sololá, I only passed through there on a bus. Don't bother with traveler's check or you'll be standing in long lines trying to get them cashed.

Have a great time . . . Guatemala is one of my favorite destinations!

Buen viaje,
Sandy (in Denton)

AndrewW

Last night in Guatemala - heading back to Panama early tomorrow morning...

Keeping in mind that I am more than used to Panama City weather - 33C/90F...

Antigua is very spring like - quite warm in the sun during the day - light sweater needed in the evenings... I was glad to have my blazer or track suit jacket on in the shade with the breeze blowing during the day...

Panajachel was a bit colder at night but I was okay with a track suit jacket...
Tikal will most likely be hot and sweaty...
It was 16C (about 60F) last night in Guatemala City - really could have done with a thicker jacket...

ATM's are the way to go - carry some TC's for emergency backup in case ATM's are down etc... Try not to go to the banks...
I would withdraw some Quetzales at the ATM at the airport or in Panajachel rather than waiting until Solola - don't carry anything valuable to the market and only as much $$ as you might want to spend - while safe these are areas where pickpockets thrive...

There are a number of little bars in Antigua that I am sure will be showing the SuperBowl - Frida's, a Mexican restaurant/bar just past the arch had the playoff games on last weekend.

Cheers,
Andrew

Suzie2

Thank you everyone for some great information. Just what I needed.

One more little money question. I know we shouldn't have a lot of cash. Having trouble convincing hubby of that. Did talk him out of half of what we were going to bring to put in the ATM account for withdrawals. Will we be able to use American down there? I don't want to have to stand in line for ages just to change dollars into Quetzales. Seems like it would be easier (and safer) all around to just withdraw as needed.

Sandy, I am sure we will enjoy it and are relaxing more and more as we hear from people like you. If all goes well we are hoping to return next year with our adopted (from Guatemala) nephew for his high school graduation. He hasn't been back since he was a baby.

Andrew, always a huge amount of help. Having been to Panama I am sure we will feel warmer in some places than you did. David has got to be one of the hottest places I have ever been. Haven't been to PC yet but hope to one of these years on a trip to the Darien area. Thank you again. We are excited about the game. We are just across the state line from Steeler country!
Suzie

Goros

I've enjoyed reading all your posts. Most informative. Where did you stay in Antigua? Do you have any suggestions for hotels in Guatemala City?

AndrewW

Hi Suzie2
I found it very easy to pull quetzales from the ATM's when I needed it... check with your bank what their charge is for international withdrawals so you don't waste money doing lots of little withdrawals but one or two good size ones...
Much safer than carrying lots of cash and you get a decent exchange rate usually...

Goros:
I stayed at a super little hotel in Zona 10 called Otelito (Hotel Santa Clara) www.otelito.com - one of the most comfortable beds I have had in a hotel since the Heavenly Bed at the Westin Seattle... down duvet and pillows and very nicely set out rooms... Great little restaurant and bar - very handy to the Zona Viva - safe area to walk around at night (usual precautions...)
Another decent hotel is a few blocks away called Ciudad Vieja - not as "hip" but comfortable as well... www.ciudadvieja.com
I also popped my head into the Hotel San Carlos that's right on Reforma in Zona 10 as well, looked very nice but didn't see the rooms as they were full... www.hsancarlos.com

Hope this helps,
Andrew