dfarmer

Ok guys!

Tikal Inn? Everyone suggests the bungalows, but I don't recall reading anything about the rooms. Is there a reason that I would not want to stay in a room? Justify the extra expense, please. AND my quote includes breakfast, dinner and sunrise tour, however it seems we can easily arrange all of this once we arrive. So should I book lodging only or is it best to book with the inclusions?

I have one night left, where to put it? !! Do I need to add a night to any of these areas? I am tempted to just add a night to our beach time. But if I am shorting ourselves in any of these areas please let me know.

So far:
Arrive GUA 12:37 - shuttle directly to Lake Atitlan
3 nights at Posado de Santiaga (our interest thus far - explore the villages and lake and possible horseback, probably not going to do either of the large markets? mistake?)
3 nights in Antigua - hotel TBD (our interest thus far - coffee tour, city tour, surrounding villages, cooking class, simply explore this town and area)
Fly to Flores
2 nights TIkal Inn ( I ditched La Lancha - their quote was outrageous - just not worth it IMHO)
Fly to Ambergris Caye, Belize
5 nights Caribbean Villas
Fly home from BZE

As always, I truly appreciate and respect your advice.
Thanks

dfarmer

Oh dang it ! One more question! Looking at domestic air from GUA to Flores. What are the differences between TAG and TACA? Do you have a preference? Why? Do both have the same luggage weight restrictions? You know I have to bring home Guatemalan Coffee!!!!!

dfarmer

Fingers working faster than mind! TAG has a 20 lb restriction. Which could be difficult with the addition of coffee weight! LOL! Tropic Air to Ambergris has a 35 lb restriction, which will be no problem. Can't find anything on TACA.
But every report I read the writer used TAG.

RAC

You have more privacy in the bungalow, presumably more space, and you're feet outside of the swimming pool.

RAC

Also, I would include the sunrise tour but not the meals. You don't get to order from the full menu if you do the meals-included plan, and you may want to eat at one of the other areas around there for dinner one night.

JeanH

We've consistently had 50 pound bags flying into Ambergris (only when we're staying for three months). Tropic Air has never batted an eye. If all the luggage won't fit, it just goes on the next flight. If there is really a lot of luggage, sometimes they fly a plane over with nothing but luggage on board.

hopefulist

Sounds like a wonderful trip. I would add the day at the beach or cross into Belize by land and stop in western Belize at least a night to do the ATM cave trip - amazing! That may already have come up in your research on the forums - I can't remember.
http://pacztours.net/actun-tunichil-muknal/

I love the bungalows - bigger and nicer location - but the rooms are nice, too, so no worries. I might book hotel breakfast but not dinner and arrange my tours directly through Roxy Ortiz - she's really wonderful and some are not great.
www.tikalroxy.blogspot.com

We like to eat in the open air comedores - cheap and interesting. If you arrange ahead, Tikal Inn will make a box breakfast for you to eat somewhere during your sunrise tour; here's where we ate ours during our sunrise tour with Roxy in 2009:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyh...57622232779322

hopefulist

PS I've only used Taca for that route and have never had problems. Be sure to confirm the night before and show up when they say - probably 2 hours early - since they do overbook sometimes.

dfarmer

Thank you all very much. Just what I was looking for.

Stacey - we looked at ATM tour a few years back when we were in the San Ignacio area. But just never did it. May take a relook. Thank you for all your help, your trip reports and pics!

Jean - if we show up on AC with 50 lbs of luggage each - you will KNOW we are there to stay!LOL

RAC - perfect, thank you so much for clarifying the food question.

Looking forward to creating our own memories.

JeanH

We certainly don't normally have 50 pounds of luggage when we travel. Currently on a two week trip to Curacao/Bonaire with only carry on bags....

Cattail

Hope and others, can dfarmer get to the outdoor eating areas without a car? That was our problem when we visited earlier this year. We ended up eating at the Tikal Inn, whch was fine, just not as interesting.

dfarmer, I hope that you're able to get Roxie. We made the mistake of booking directly with the inn, rather than contacting her directly. Although we were assured that we would get her, we didn't.

hopefulist

The comedores are easy walking distance from the hotels and as I recall they are closest to the Tikal Inn.

RAC

The Jaguar Inn also has a restaurant.

ginger50

Another vote here for Roxy. She really is worth the money and the effort. I did not heed advice and failed to book in advance. She was not available for my afternoon tour or sunrise tour and the guide the hotel set me up with was adequate enough, but once I took a tour with Roxy, the difference was HUGE. Another person I met there had booked Roxy to take her to Uaxactun and I was able to go with them that afternoon. What a difference!!! I cannot stress enough the importance of prebooking with Roxy!

Also, I really enjoyed the comedores right near the Tikal Inn. Good and very inexpensive.

Cattail

Oh.

dfarmer, you're wise to be asking questions - and following advice - unlike some people.... lol!

dfarmer

OK! I will definately get on this - Note to self - email Roxy for best overall experience of Tikal. It has become very clear that you all are very passionate about this guide. In all my questions to you over the years, you have never steered me wrong. Honestly I was thinking I would email her sometime, but now I feel it is NEVER to early to prebook Roxy!

Jean sounds wonderful! Hope to get to meet you when we are on AC.

Great info from everyone, thank you very much. Trying to get this trip nailed down before Christmas. Got my Caribbean Villa reservation changed to add one night. So now, 8 nights Guatemala and 6 nights Ambergris.

Left to do - make my decision on lodging in Antigua - just TOO MANY great choices! Book my transfers and domestic air and Email Roxy!!

Thanks again

dfarmer

Thankfully hubby gave me my trip budget early this year! No last minute rushing. I am so excited about this trip! Can't wait!
Lodging, all air travel and land transfers to and from Tikal are all set! Still have a few land transfers to take care of.
And still waiting on reply from Roxy.

But the final details are:

Arrive GUA 12:30 PM - shuttle directly to Lake Atitlan
3 nights at Lake Atitlan at Posado de Santiaga
3 nights in Antigua at Casa Florencia
Fly to Flores on TACA
2 nights Tikal Inn
Fly to Ambergris Caye, Belize on Tropic AIr
6 nights on Ambergris at Caribbean Villas
Fly home from BZE

Thanks again,
Merry Christmas!

volcanogirl

Have a wonderful time!

Cattail

Exciting - enjoy!

hopefulist

Happy trails!!