SHAY

Hi everyone. I'm planning a 2 week Spanish immersion school in Honduras in May of this year. After reading all your messages, I've chosen Ixbalanque in Copan, Honduras. I've never been to either Honduras or Guatemala and would like to spend 3 or 4 days, at the end of my trip, to explopre. Should I just plan to stay and see more of Honduras, or venture into Guatemala. I would really appreciate your input in how to best make the most of the 3 or 4 days that I have.
Looking forward to all your input,
Shay

hopefulist

With just 3 or 4 days I think I'd stick with Honduras. What would you like to see or do? It would be easy to bus back to San Pedro Sula and fly to Utila or Roatan for a few days if snorkeling and/or diving appeals to you.

Please say hi to the Ixbalanque folks from Stacey in Oregon - I'll be heading back there in July with a group in tow and have been emailing back and forth with the director, Kathy. Have a wonderful trip and be sure to tell us all about it when you get home. My photos and travelogues are linked below if you're interested. Happy trails!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

mmb23

I studied in Copan for a week in November (based on info on this board) and was SO glad I did! I was surprised by how much there was to do in and around Copan. We didn't get to the Bay Islands, but I think that would be great fun. But if diving/snorkeling isn't your thing, it looked pretty easy to get to Antigua from Copan--lots of shuttles and other travelers going that way. I think it takes several hours, though, so it depends on how you want to spend your time and where you're flying out of.
Whatever you do, have fun!
melissa

SHAY

Hopefulist, I think you are right about staying with only 1 country, since I only have a few days. After reading a lot of your posts, as well as others, it seems to me that if I am picking only 1 country to visit/study, Guatemala may be the one...I'm sure this would just be the begining of my travels to CA, and I could explore Honduras on future trips. You mentioned 2 schools. I think the school in San Pedro La Laguna seems marvelous. I love nature walks, hikes and outdoor activities, and the Lake area looks beautiful. In terms of the itinerary, what do you think of the following:
I will arrive in GUA on Sat. a.m. and would start classes on Monday. Spend Sat in Antigua and then take the shuttle to Panajachel and the ferry to San Pedro, on Sunday. After the 2 weeks of classes, spend another night in Antigua. Fly to Flores from GUA and spend 2 nights there, then back to GUA for flight back home.
How does this look? should I plan it differently?

hopefulist

It's about 6 hours to Antigua, I think. From there you could do a day trip to Chichi and Lake Atitlán. The Hedman Alas buses leave mid afternoon, I think.

hopefulist

Oh my - we were typing at the same time and so I posted a response to a previous post without referencing your latest.

The Cooperativa School in San Pedro is MARVELOUS and an excellent choice. Do please tell Lorenzo and the others hi from Stacey from Oregon; he emails me sometimes to thank me for all the word-of-mouth advertising. I'm planning to head back there in 2009 with a group.

Your itinerary seems great, but I'd consider a few additions. First, try to see the Sunday market in Chichi if you can. It's possible as a day trip from the lake or from Antigua, or you could arrive (reserve ahead) Saturday and leave before the day trippers arrive on Sunday, a plan that worked great for us in August. The produce market alone makes a trip to Guatemala worthwhile. That could be done before, in the middle, or after your Spanish school weeks.

Also, I'd stay in the park at Tikal one night to take full advantage of the cooler evening and early morning hours when the wildlife is active and you practically have the park to yourself. If you pay after 3:30 your ticket is good for the next day. It worked well for us to stay our first night in the park, then head to Flores mid day and stay our last night there. We caught an early flight to GUA to connect with our flight home.

If you haven't read it yet, my travelogue is linked with my photos. Please keep us posted and let me know if I can answer questions. Happy trails!