Joy44

My husband and I (both in our 60's) have the opportunity to take a trip with our daughter (late 20's) for 8 days in mid January 2016. We live in the U.S. We are thinking of going to Guatemala, we would like to see Tikal National Park and do some day hiking. We have never been to that world before and are just starting to plan our trip. We do not have a lot of planning time - leaving about Jan 18th.

Whatever help we can get would be much appreciated. Where to go? What airport to fly in to? Time in each place? Getting place to place? Where to stay? I am not even sure what questions I should be asking. We have never been in that part of the world before.

We are not looking for first class, but should be something comfortable and safe. We would like to explore the local culture. We are easy-going, enjoy doing yoga, and doing things and going places with the occasional relaxing day on the beach.

Thank you in advance!!

hopefulist

8 days is enough time for Tikal, Antigua, and Lake Atitlán, especially if you can afford to fly between Guatemala City and Flores (for Tikal).

Try to get as many days/nights as you can; with 7 nights I'd spend 1-2 in the park at Tikal, 2-3 in Antigua, and 3-4 on Lake Atitlán but more nights each place would be a joy. I like staying at budget to mid range places that are clean, cute, safe, and well-located; I save money on lodging but sometimes shell out for special tours and comfortable transportation.

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

Our favorite private driver, Alfredo Garcia, is bilingual, personable, prompt, and safe, and has nice vehicles: [email protected]

If you don't have one already, in my opinion you should get your hands on a guidebook and devour it, even an older 1 from your local library would work. They have good historical and cultural background sections and suggested itineraries in addition to travel, food, and lodging specifics. When you have a better idea of what you’re wanting, you can get more updated info from the internet and come back with more specific questions so we can help you better.

In the mean time here's a link to my photos with blog, travelogue, and review links on the main page of each collection - all my recommendations are embedded there.
Happy planning!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

Joy44

Thank you so much! I will look at your links and am heading to the library today.

What are your thoughts about renting a car? That way we could go places on our own time schedule.

Again, much thanks!

glover

We two, your contemporaries, are in Antigua now. Availed ourselves of lots of info here on fodors, especially hopefulists. Happy to help also from here. Just posted notes so far.

Joy44

Thank you. I will look for your notes and enjoy them.

hopefulist

I've never been tempted to rent a car in Guatemala - so easy to get around using buses, share shuttles, private drivers, boats, and flights.

Joy44

After more information gathering and talking about what we want to see and do, we have changed our itinerary and decided not to rent a car.

Our daughter really wants to do an overnight trek to tajumulco. We have decided to stick to the western area of Guatemala and save the Tikal side for another trip next year and include Belize, hopefully more of the family will be able to come with us then. This will give us more time to really enjoy the places we see in Guatemala.

So this is our new itinerary, one we can adjust easily. Let me know how this sounds please, any comments would be appreciated!

Arrive late Sun. 1-17, stay overnight in Guatemala City

Mon. Travel to Quetzaltenango by bus

Tues-Wed. Husband and daughter will go on overnight trek with Quetzaltenango Trekkers up Tajumulco, returning Wed 5pm. I will explore the city of Quetzaltenago. Any places I shouldn't miss?

Thurs. We all explore Quetzaltenago. Maybe the glass factory nearby. Or we could go to our next stop one day earlier.

Friday - travel to San Pedro la Lugana by bus, stay at Mikaso Hotel (thanks for the recommendation hopefulist!)

Sat - Sun explore the Lake area

Monday - travel to Antigua Suggestions on where to stay?

Tues - Antigua

Wed - Antigua with an afternoon bus to Guatemala city to overnight near the airport

Thursday - Plane departs about noon.

I welcome any comments. I would like to know if we should make all hotel reservations ahead or it is easy to find a place to stay so we can make reservations as we go.

Again, thanks for your help. I will do a trip report when I return to help others. I sure appreciate those that do!

hopefulist

That's 5 places for you to sleep and 6 for your husband and daughter out of 11 nights; that means you'll be transitioning every other day which is bad trip math in my opinion - so much time spent sitting when you could be out exploring.

Would your husband and daughter consider an overnight on Acatenango based out of Antigua instead? I've heard it's epic and with Fuego erupting the views would be incredible.
http://guatemalavolcano.com/AcatenangoVolcanoHike.html

That would save you some long transitions, reduce your sleep stops, and put you exploring Antigua instead of Xela while they're gone which I'd recommend. You could cut out another transition by staying your last night in Antigua instead of GC; it's only about an hour from Antigua to the airport so you'd have time to have breakfast and head out from there.

So 1st night in GC or hire a driver to your lodging in Antigua for a few nights, then 3-4 on the lake and back to Antigua for the last night. Head from GC or Antigua to Lake Atitlán and end up in Antigua. Here's my home away from home in Antigua - clean, cute, safe, well located, great value, friendly owners:
www.casa-cristina.com

Here's my go-to place 2 minutes from the airport, lovely, great value, airport shuttles and breakfast included:
http://hostalvillatoscana.com/

Happy trails!