Do I need Reservations? 16 Days
 

Do I really need reservations other than a hotel on the first and last nights. I intend to go to the standard places - Antigua, Tikal, Lake Atitlan, perhaps Copan. The guide books show ample hotels at every location, shuttle buses that connect them and decent travel agents (at least in Antigua and Tikal) to book internal plane tickets and tours. Am I running any grave risk in not making more precise advance plans?

It depends on when you go. For example, Semana Santa (the week before Easter) is one of the busiest tourist weeks of the year in Guatemala; in Antigua you have to reserve a year in advance at many hotels.

At slower times you'll be able to get something, though I booked great places ahead and would have to have gone with 2nd or 3rd choices if I hadn't done so. I tend to fall in love with certain recommended places, usually budget to moderate ones, plus I don't like the idea of having to go from place to place looking for a room. Waiting to book would certainly allow for a more flexible itinerary, though. My photos and travelogues are here if you're interested:

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

Happy trails!

You definitely don't need reservations in advance in Antigua...unless it's Easter week. Plenty of places.

I will be there in late July, which I think is the rainy season. I assume that it would be nowhere as busy as Semana Santa at that time of the year.

You'll be fine. By the way, I recommend Posada La Merced for your first night (assuming you are staying in Antigua). They can hook you up w/ a shuttle at the airport at any time of day as well, and probably help you make other travel plans. Not sure what your budget is, but it was around $30 a night to stay there when I stayed there last May.

http://www.merced-landivar.com/

I was in Antigua the 1st 3 days of August last year and there were a lot of rooms available. We stayed at Casa Cristina which had books up weeks ahead so were glad we had reservations, but you wouldn't have trouble anywhere in the country finding a place to sleep that time of year. Have a great trip and be sure to tell us all about it.