SUMMARY OF GUATEMALA
We stayed 52 days in total.
Our route roughly: we have a bit rushed through El Salvador to Guatemala to San Cristobal. Then a stop in Guatemala City to catch a bus to Antigua. We continued by Chichicastenango and Panajachel. Then head Quetzaltenango (Xela) where we stayed for almost 3 weeks. We spent the Holy Week, have taken courses in English and have visited some villages in the vicinity. We stayed in Todos Santos for the market and took the long road to Coban. We stayed a few days ranchitos del Quetzal to watch this fabulous bird then and have continued to Lanquin Semuc Champey. Finally, we went through the inevitable site of Tikal from El Remate. Subsequently, towards Mexico with a shuttle from Flores.
OUR GENERAL IMPRESSIONS OF GUATEMALA
When we arrived, we found the other passengers who are not present in El Salvador. It took the price to be wary of buses here, they are not all honest (unlike in El Salvador and Nicaragua, where it is rare to get scammed on the price of the bus). Here, many markets, many colors and several proudly wear the traditional dress. From Peru, we had not seen so many color ...
WHAT WE LIKED THE GUATEMALA
finally see the Quetzal.
Pacaya Volcano and be as close to molten lava.
Have an extension of 90 days from the entry.
The wedding Almolonga.
colorful markets.
Tacos! Food
affordable (our budget) in the markets.
WHAT WE HAVE "HATED" THE GUATEMALA
always have to beware of prices on buses.
The price of tourist boats around Lake Atitlan.
Slow bus.
The bad times of several employees INGUAT (they give the tourist price).
The drinking water is rarely directly from the tap (unless there is a filter).
Entrance fee to the site of Tikal.
pepián Chicken (chicken with cinnamon, it is not famous).
frustration of not having my Nikon for this colorful country.
lancha for crossing the border at La Tecnica
WHAT HAS SURPRISED OF GUATEMALA
See also easily Quetzal (bird) in ranchitos del Quetzal.
markets are an integral part of everyday lifestyle. Always
American fast food restaurants (one is not surprised, but ...) Still
old school buses, and they are pro to fill more than anywhere else. Several
have a weapon, but less than what was expected.
So many gifts at weddings and bearing gifts
What people eat much fried chicken with fried!
WHAT HAS SURPRISED OF GUATEMALA
See also easily Quetzal (bird) in ranchitos del Quetzal.
markets are an integral part of everyday lifestyle. Always
American fast food restaurants (one is not surprised, but ...) Still
old school buses, and they are pro to fill more than anywhere else. Several
have a weapon, but less than what was expected.
So many gifts at weddings and bearing gifts
What people eat much fried chicken with fried!
Not many details on the site of Tikal
summary figure :
108 889 square km.
Capital: Guatemala City. Currency
Quetzales. English Language
60%, other 40% (Quiche, Cakchiquel Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, Xinca).
Border with Mexico, El Salvador, Belize and Honduras.
Population 13,276,517 (July 2009).
Urban population 49% (2008).
Religion: Catholic, Protestant, Mayan.
Government Type: Republic Independence
September 15, 1821.
FOOD
In markets, economic meals between 10 and 20 Quetzales. They love all the fried chicken chain Pollo Campero and is present in many cities if there are always sellers of chicken on the main square of the cities or in the markets and is served with fries. There are also many vendors 5 quetzales taco taco complete with 4 tortillas. The almuerzos correct for the cena, the portions are generally smaller for the same price. We understood why the meals are not so large that they have reductions (snack) during the day and those that are so important! So meals are fragmented. The tortillas are with everything, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. There are different, green, yellow or white. The frijoles are also very important and rice is part of almost every meal. We loved nibble small things here and there, many fruits, ice, kind of slush, tostadas all kinds and all colors, tacos and more.
Beverage: Tap water is not always clean everywhere, but several filters. We must learn before drinking.
Weather:
in April and March, we had good weather. A few rainy days in Xela and Coban (but normal in these regions) as many cities are in altitude, it does not feel stifling heat in them.
WILDLIFE:
Finally the Quetzal! And not just one! Almost biotopo del Quetzal, there is the Hotel del ranchitos Quetzal and the rare bird likes to come and eat the fruit. How frustrating not to have my camera! Otherwise, we did not made too many circuits for the animals, take pictures without motivation for our taste was missing. At Tikal, for those who linger, there are many fine specimens to be seen.
Electricity: 120 U.S. catch (attention often both legs straight and the third name)
Internet everywhere, sometimes quite expensive and slow (as in Todos Santos). Otherwise 4Q about an hour for a good connection. .
Banks ATM in all small, medium and large cities.
No charge with my visa card gold, taking care to deposit the amount before making a withdrawal.
TRANSPORT
buses, as in several Central American countries, is a former North American school bus (as always). We call them chickens bus. We pay the amount of travel to a guy Once on board. Many practice a special price abroad. We must look at what others are paying (when possible). We used the day before leaving (always when possible) to ask several different people in the bus terminal. Often, without backpacks, drivers are more honest. It becomes a real frustration in the long run. Unlike Asia, where they were to negotiate all the buses here, there are some (half) that give the right price. So we do not always know when the price is right and when it is not. Since we do not want to negotiate and look bad in front of honest, it becomes a little difficult to manage. In addition, the number of miles does not necessarily indicate the price about $ 1 an hour, because some routes are more expensive, and sometimes it just take 3 hours for 40km! On another occasion, when the transport is fast and he made several kilometers per hour, the price now is more expensive, but the price per km is advantageous. Really difficult for us who are not from here. Suspected drivers also some tourist trips to charge more Guatemalans outer regions. It is easy to understand the reason why these chickens bus drivers trying to make a few Quetzales more (up to double easily) by looking at the price the shuttles is indecent! On some routes can multiply by 8 the price. In fact, it shows almost the same amount as Quetzal: instead of 30Quetzal is U.S. $ 30!
HEALTH
Three poisoning two of us to who knows what! You can find everything in pharmacies all prices. The more expensive ones are better?!
SECURITY
After the flight that had just happened in El Salvador, we were often on our fears. Guatemala has not very good reputation, but, given the large number of tourists roam the country, the risks are divided! We did a little more carefully than in other countries, we have avoided the narrow paths that we made before. We find that the country feels safe as long as all countries of the genre. There have to watch his bags into the buses, pickpockets and all flights are common in all countries with large tourist. As usual, we do not go out at night and we're pretty morning.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are of all prices. The hospedaje or hotels, hostals economic always shared bathroom. INGUAT, gives a maximum rate for each hotel. It is usually displayed behind the doors of the room or hotel lobby. It is believed that it is mandatory. Warning that the taxes are included in the price, because it is a 24%. (Rooms included the super cheap always). We had rooms from 32 Quetzales per night for two people up to 60 quetzales. Our room was the most expensive of ranchitos del Quetzal, where you pay for the site than the room which is 120 quetzales night for two. Small accommodation listed style hostel sometimes abuse because of their popularity.
summary figure :
108 889 square km.
Capital: Guatemala City. Currency
Quetzales. English Language
60%, other 40% (Quiche, Cakchiquel Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, Xinca).
Border with Mexico, El Salvador, Belize and Honduras.
Population 13,276,517 (July 2009).
Urban population 49% (2008).
Religion: Catholic, Protestant, Mayan.
Government Type: Republic Independence
September 15, 1821.
FOOD
In markets, economic meals between 10 and 20 Quetzales. They love all the fried chicken chain Pollo Campero and is present in many cities if there are always sellers of chicken on the main square of the cities or in the markets and is served with fries. There are also many vendors 5 quetzales taco taco complete with 4 tortillas. The almuerzos correct for the cena, the portions are generally smaller for the same price. We understood why the meals are not so large that they have reductions (snack) during the day and those that are so important! So meals are fragmented. The tortillas are with everything, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. There are different, green, yellow or white. The frijoles are also very important and rice is part of almost every meal. We loved nibble small things here and there, many fruits, ice, kind of slush, tostadas all kinds and all colors, tacos and more.
Beverage: Tap water is not always clean everywhere, but several filters. We must learn before drinking.
Weather:
in April and March, we had good weather. A few rainy days in Xela and Coban (but normal in these regions) as many cities are in altitude, it does not feel stifling heat in them.
WILDLIFE:
Finally the Quetzal! And not just one! Almost biotopo del Quetzal, there is the Hotel del ranchitos Quetzal and the rare bird likes to come and eat the fruit. How frustrating not to have my camera! Otherwise, we did not made too many circuits for the animals, take pictures without motivation for our taste was missing. At Tikal, for those who linger, there are many fine specimens to be seen.
Electricity: 120 U.S. catch (attention often both legs straight and the third name)
Internet everywhere, sometimes quite expensive and slow (as in Todos Santos). Otherwise 4Q about an hour for a good connection. .
Banks ATM in all small, medium and large cities.
No charge with my visa card gold, taking care to deposit the amount before making a withdrawal.
TRANSPORT
buses, as in several Central American countries, is a former North American school bus (as always). We call them chickens bus. We pay the amount of travel to a guy Once on board. Many practice a special price abroad. We must look at what others are paying (when possible). We used the day before leaving (always when possible) to ask several different people in the bus terminal. Often, without backpacks, drivers are more honest. It becomes a real frustration in the long run. Unlike Asia, where they were to negotiate all the buses here, there are some (half) that give the right price. So we do not always know when the price is right and when it is not. Since we do not want to negotiate and look bad in front of honest, it becomes a little difficult to manage. In addition, the number of miles does not necessarily indicate the price about $ 1 an hour, because some routes are more expensive, and sometimes it just take 3 hours for 40km! On another occasion, when the transport is fast and he made several kilometers per hour, the price now is more expensive, but the price per km is advantageous. Really difficult for us who are not from here. Suspected drivers also some tourist trips to charge more Guatemalans outer regions. It is easy to understand the reason why these chickens bus drivers trying to make a few Quetzales more (up to double easily) by looking at the price the shuttles is indecent! On some routes can multiply by 8 the price. In fact, it shows almost the same amount as Quetzal: instead of 30Quetzal is U.S. $ 30!
HEALTH
Three poisoning two of us to who knows what! You can find everything in pharmacies all prices. The more expensive ones are better?!
SECURITY
After the flight that had just happened in El Salvador, we were often on our fears. Guatemala has not very good reputation, but, given the large number of tourists roam the country, the risks are divided! We did a little more carefully than in other countries, we have avoided the narrow paths that we made before. We find that the country feels safe as long as all countries of the genre. There have to watch his bags into the buses, pickpockets and all flights are common in all countries with large tourist. As usual, we do not go out at night and we're pretty morning.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are of all prices. The hospedaje or hotels, hostals economic always shared bathroom. INGUAT, gives a maximum rate for each hotel. It is usually displayed behind the doors of the room or hotel lobby. It is believed that it is mandatory. Warning that the taxes are included in the price, because it is a 24%. (Rooms included the super cheap always). We had rooms from 32 Quetzales per night for two people up to 60 quetzales. Our room was the most expensive of ranchitos del Quetzal, where you pay for the site than the room which is 120 quetzales night for two. Small accommodation listed style hostel sometimes abuse because of their popularity.
By Dany Thibault Maryse Guévin and
Voyage Round the World 2006-2010
Photos, videos, and budget travelogue (travel)
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