MonicaKD

Has anyone ever stayed at the Aaculaax or Villa Sumaya? I am a woman traveling solo and speak very little Spanish. I like the idea of San Marcos because of the village, yoga etc.. but Villa Sumaya looks amazing.

1. Are both these villages equally safe and easy to get around? Also, I love to hike and if it's not really that safe are guides easy to find or are there any organized hikes?

2. Is it pretty easy to catch a boat 'taxi' during the day to visit other villages?

3. Will I be able to make a 1pm flight leaving Guatamala if I'm staying somewhere on the lake, or will I need to stay in Antigua or Guatamala City the night before?

I'm sure I'll have lots of other questions, but this will help me get started. Also, if anyone has any other suggestions of places to stay, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Monica

hopefulist

1. I can't help you with lodging because I've only stayed in Panajachel and in homestays in San Pedro La Laguna, but finding guides shouldn't be hard - ask the folks at the loding option you choose.

2. It's easy to catch boats to other villages. The lake can get very choppy in the afternoon so morning crossings tend to be more pleasant and safest. Last lanchas in late afternoon.

3. In theory you could get to GUA before 11am from the lake but it would be a touch risky. Even staying the last night in Panajachel where it's easy to catch a shuttle or pullman you might run into problems. there's been a lot of construction on that route and the shuttles usually stop in Antigua to hang around and pick up others before heading to Guatemala City. It depends on what your risk tolerance is for missing that flight.

Have a great trip and be sure to tell us all about it! Below is a link to my photos and travelogues if you'd like to check them out. I'm heading to Guatemala again in July with a group in tow. Happy trails!
http://flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

MonicaKD

Hi Hopefulist,

Thanks for your advice. When I first started thinking about Guatemala I came across your pictures and they pretty much sold me. But then, when it turned out that I would be traveling solo, I was going to back out until I read your trip report - so thanks so much for sharing.

Monica

hopefulist

Thanks for thanking me - can't wait to read your trip report (hint hint)!

MonicaKD

Hi Hopefulist,

I was going to do Antigua for 2 nights first before heading to Lake Atitlan.

You mentioned that trying to make a 1:00 flight from Pana may be tough so I'm thinking of going to Lake Atitlan first and then going to Antigua.

I will be arriving in GUA at noon on a Sunday. I understand that the water taxis on Lake Atitlan stop running in the afternoon. Do you think I'll have enough time to make it to my hotel in San Marcos or Santa Cruz before they stop running?

Does it make more sense to do it this way?

hopefulist

You should be fine but you might want to try to arrange a shuttle in advance as opposed to leaving it to fate. It's easy to shuttle or taxi from GUA to Antigua and shuttles leave from there for Panajachel, but maybe not at a time convenient for you. Try Rainbow Travel and Adrenalina Tours and see what they say. If you can't make the last boat (not sure when they stop or how long the rides to your villages are) then spend the night in Pana and head out 1st thing in the morning. Happy trails!

http://rainbowtravelcenter.com/
http://adrenalinatours.com/