javaheads

My daughter and I are spending a week in El Salvador on a house build with Habitat for Humaity. Afterwards we'd like to spend about 10 days in Central America. I'm not super interested in Costa Rica and am looking for suggestions of where else to go. Who loved Guatemala? What about Honduras? Should we just go to the Yucatan? We like beaches but are more interested in local culture and jungley ruins. And no zip lining!
Thanks,
Hazel

volcanogirl

If you like jungly ruins, then I would put Tikal on your list. You might take a look at Belize as well.

Arriba627

The town of Antigua in Guatemala is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has wonderful architecture. It is about an hour from Guatemala City and is easily reached. I wouldn't spend much time in guatemala City. In Antigua, there are walking tours, La Azotea coffee plantation, museums, shopping (either at stores or their wonderful artisans market where you can bargain,climb Pacaya volcano, and so many other things. If you go to the main plaza, there are guides whom you can hire to take you on walking tours, and at the end of the tour you tip them. They are government-sponsored guides and really know their stuff. Antigua is also a good base to use if you would like to do some other excursions. One of the most popular is a trip to Lake Atitlan (a beautiful lake surrounded by volcanoes - incredible picture taking!) and/or a trip to the famous open-air market in the town of Chichicastenango...I just got back from my 11th trip to Guatemala. Let me know if I can answer any questions. [email protected]

javaheads

Thank you so much. That's very helpful!

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Guatemala is the easiest neighboring country to reach if you're already in El Salvador. Guatemala City is five hours by comfortable international bus from San Salvador.

Vttraveler

We have been to Guatemala twice and would highly recommend a trip there. We have also visited Copan Ruinas, Honduras which has beautiful Mayan ruins near a charming small city in a beautiful area. There are frequent buses and vans from there to Guatemala City. Probably you could go there en route to Guatemala from El Salvador. Tikal while more "jungley" and very impressive is much harder to get to.

Guatemala City has good museums but I would not spend much time there.

I have written two TRs and would be glad to answer any questions, but for real detail about these areas I would suggest you read hopefulist's great reports.

hopefulist

Guatemala is our favorite - we visit every year and are having a little home built for us overlooking Lake Atitlán. We enjoy Belize and Honduras, too - both great if you want blue water time - but there's more than enough to keep you busy in Gautemala.

My photos with blog and travelogue 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