CanadianRedneck

Hi all,

Please let me know what you think about my itinerary. I enjoy hiking, fishing, birding, meeting new people and eating good food. I have done my homework and based on my experiences in Granada and Cartagena I don't have much interest in Antigua other than the Volcano. Kind of bummed I won't be making it to Cemuc Champey but just not enough time. Although I am considering it over going to Atitlan.

January 4- San Salvador
Jan 5-San Salvador city tour- El Tunco
Jan 6-El Tunco-tamanique waterfalls
Jan 7-El Tunco-fishing
Jan 8-El Tunco-surf lessons, pupusa cooking
Jan 9-Juayua -waterfall hike
Jan 10-Santa Ana-volcano-shuttle 4am
Jan 11-El Paredon-fishing
Jan 12-El Paredon-fishing
Jan 13-El Paredon-fishing
Jan 14-Antigua- catch shuttle 8am
Jan 15-Antigua- acetenango volcano jeep camping
Jan 16-return from volcano- head to Atitlan
Jan 17-Atitlan
Jan 18-Atitlan-spearfishing
Jan 19-Atitlan--->Shuttle 4pm-Guatamala City for flight at 2am

hopefulist

A few notes:
Juayua's Ferria Gastromica on the weekends is one of the greatest food events anywhere in Central America imo. I loved that waterfall hike, though not for the faint of heart. Lake Atitlán is my favorite place to be in Guatemala - I head there at least once or twice/year. I enjoyed Semuc Champey (in large part for the group I visited with and I'd already visited Guatemala ~20 times by then) but it's definitely not worth a visit on such a quick trip imho - you give up 2 whole days to get there and away for just one day at a pretty natural site. Happy trails!

CanadianRedneck

Thanks so much! I'll have to make sure I'm there for that market in Juayua. Where do you like to stay on Lake Atitlan? So many options!

hopefulist

Your choices at the lake are secluded, view places outside of the main towns which = meals and evenings at the hotel, generally, since boat transport is very limited after dark (6pm) or staying in/near one of the towns; your guidebook will help you there, but note that every town has hyper touristy areas around the docks and more traditional areas off the main roads. My favorite is San Pedro - tough to beat for access to hiking, kayaking, and visits to Santiago and neighboring San Juan; it's a transport hub which makes getting around easier.

CanadianRedneck

Thank you! Here's my updated itinerary. Will be fun to be in Juayua for the food festival and Festival del Cristo Negro

January 4- San Salvador-late arrival
Jan 5-San Salvador city tour-9-1130am- juayua
Jan 6-Juayua-waterfall
Jan 7-juayua-volcano
Jan 8-El Tunco
Jan 9-El Tunco-tamaniqe
Jan 10-El Tunco-fishing
Jan 11-El Paredon-fishing
Jan 12-El Paredon-fishing
Jan 13-El Paredon-fishing
Jan 14-Antigua- catch shuttle 8am
Jan 15-Antigua- acetenango volcano jeep camping
Jan 16-return from volcano- head to Atitlan-san pedro
Jan 17-Atitlan- free cerveza
Jan 18-Atitlan-free cerveza
Jan 19-Atitlan--->Shuttle 4pm-Guatamala City for flight at 2am

CanadianRedneck

Hopefully things are back to normal by then. Not going to book anything in Guatemala until things are resolved. Looking like I might have to pivot to an all El Salvador itinerary. Hoping everything can be resolved peacefully there.

hopefulist

Guatemala president-elect Arévalo's inauguration will be January 14, God-willing, so hopefully things will be fine by then but it's good to keep track. My next visit to Guatemala is scheduled for next week - I haven't cancelled yet but it's looking likely. The level of commitment to democracy by the Maya people has been inspiring - hope it works.

CanadianRedneck

Agreed- can't complain about the inconvenience for myself when they are fighting for democracy. Looking like it will end up being a longer trip to El Salvador with a trip to the Copan Ruins for me. I have a flight back to Canada from NYC and there are some cheap flights back from San Salvador so it shouldn't be too bad.