solano

We have been given a gift of a week at the time share Club Premier at Soleil La Antigua. We are planning on going in late August. We would like to send a few days both before and after our week at the time share. I'm assuming we will fly into Guatemala City and spend some time there. Questions are
1. how much time should we plan in the Guatemala City
2. how to travel from the city to La Antiqua
3 possible day trips from the time share
4. normally we would just rent a car and wander - we do not feel comfortable doing this from a safety perspective - what travel agencies do people recommend
5. all forms of advice and recommendations are welcome

In advance, thank you the Fodor forum has help us tremendously in our planning of prior trips.

wintersp

1. Guatemala City. As little as possible! Guate actually has 2 or 3 good museums but nothing else is appealing. I leave as soon as I can.

2. Shuttle from in front of the airport. You may can go online and make a prior arrangement for one but I've always found one outside at the arrivals doors. And there is always a taxi.

3. I'm not sure where the time share is located but there are several good day trips from Antigua. ChiChi on market day (Thurs, I believe, and Sunday). I would try to get a tour (shuttle or taxi to the surrounding villages - each has their own speciality. I would also go to Lake Atitlan - maybe 1 or 2 nights.
4. I would never try to drive in Guatemala either.
5. Travel agency - usually there are 2-3 per block downtown.
You might want to google, check a guide book, and investigate ahead of time, but I walk into the 1st one I come to. I have found them to all be offering mostly the same trips. In fact they often share transportation. There are some speciality trips you may want to look into. Bicycle trips or volcano climbing trips.

I would probably leave Antigua the end of my time there and go to Lake Atitilan (or a surrounding village) for 2 nights or 3 nights. Then I would return from LA to Guate for my flight to prevent backtracking. Or do it in reverse.

I hope you enjoy it as much as have. But you need to research and find out how many things are possible.

Outside of Antigua, they have some treehouse accommodations which I enjoyed. There is a very good tourist site for Guate you can find just by googling.

wintersp

Please read the post below this one by Jennapana re food safety.
Take plenty of wipes or hand sanitizer and use it. Yes, I have been sick there. It's not fun!

solano

Thanks for your quick and very helpful response. Yes, I did read the post on food safety. Are you hearing anything about safety issues due to the political situation. The attorney general Ms. Paz y Paz has been asked to step down in May.

My husband is fluent in Spanish and should help with our travels.

hopefulist

For such a quick visit I, too, would not choose to spend time in Guatemala City. Consider flying on the day of your arrival to the north to visit Tikal, or for a later arriving flight stay near the airport and fly to Flores (for Tikal) on the early am flight. It's worth 2 nights imo - see Yaxhá, too, if you can.

Here are 2 recommended hotels just a couple of minutes from the airport that offer free airport shuttles as well as breakfast in the morning; the 1st is budget, the 2nd midrange, both great value:
http://hoteldoslunas.com/
http://hostalvillatoscana.com/

I'd spend the days on the other end of your Antigua stay on Lake Atitlán, as noted. Chichi is a long day trip from Antigua - maybe you'll be transitioning between the 2 on a Sunday or Thursday and could make a stop at the market enroute.

Here are 2 transportation providers I’ve been pleased with in Guatemala for share shuttles, private transfers, and flight arrangements:
Adrenalina Tours: http://www.adrenalinatours.com
Rainbow Travel: http://www.rainbowtravelcenter.com

Share shuttles are cheaper but private shuttles offer schedule flexibility, you can stop and sightsee enroute, and you'd be more comfortable.

Since safety questions come up a lot I'm reposting my response from a previous thread below. Obviously not everyone agrees with this list - some prefer cities and travel to party, for example - but it helps me feel safe when I travel and that's a good thing.
_________________________________

I travel in Central America every year. Sometimes I travel alone, sometimes with one or more of my kids and/or my husband, sometimes with a group in tow. I don't feel overly paranoid but have never had a problem and would like to keep it that way.

Here are my concessions to safety when I travel in Central America:
:: I avoid the big cities as much as possible
:: I don't "party"
:: Where recommended I take specific transportation (ex: Hedman Alas in Honduras, avoid chicken buses on the mountain runs in Guatemala, take taxis after dark)
:: I know where I am and where I'm headed and make major transitions with plenty of daylight left
:: I don't wear jewelry (not even my wedding band) and try not to flash camera equipment or money around
:: Some trips I carry a “throw down wallet” with an expired card or 2 and the day’s cash in it
:: I keep important documents and cash under my clothes (except what I need for shopping, buses, etc. for that time period) and keep close watch on my things, especially in crowded places and when I’m tired
:: I ask locals about safety in an area - evenings, hiking, etc.
:: I travel really light so I don't feel vulnerable getting my bag off and on buses, shuttles, etc.
:: I continue to build skills in Spanish

My photos with blog, travelogue, and review links on the main page of each collection are below in case you're interested - all my recommendations are embedded there.
Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

wintersp

After I answered this post, I clicked on a site for "the 10 most dangerous cities in the world". AND Guatemala city was one of the 10. As long as I can remember, I have heard GC & Guate in general is 'dangerous'. It has never stopped me from going when I want to - and since hopefulist goes yearly, it obviously hasn't stopped her. I will add to her list, to avoid political gatherings on the street. I believe a lot of the American cities are more dangerous and there are many places in my big city where I'm not going at night - and maybe not even in the daytime. Ask at the hotel re the streets around and which ones to avoid.

hopefulist

That's a good one to add, wintersp!!

pattyroth

We just got back from Guatemala two weeks ago. I used a lot of hopefulists' suggestions! From the airport, we used a private driver with adrenaline tours and that was great since we were a little late in arrival and the streets were closed off for Semana Santa. Our driver never gave up! After Easter, we had another three days later on in the trip in Antigua and loved the low key level and ease of finding great restaurants and walking around. No sickness at all, but we are pretty careful about using bottled water. People there are great. Have fun!

hopefulist

Sounds like you had a great trip - would love to hear more!

solano

I'm planning on using everyone's suggestions. Im so pleased that the safety issue has been discussed as we would love to just enjoy this trip. Much thanks.