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hi , i would like u guys to give me some scoop about guatemala.
i live in italy and i would really love to take my next trip there.
anyone who would be so kind to give me some advice
about places to see that are worthy and what to do and what to do
not??
i really appreciate it
ursula

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Orsola wrote:
> hi , i would like u guys to give me some scoop about guatemala.
> i live in italy and i would really love to take my next trip there.
> anyone who would be so kind to give me some advice
> about places to see that are worthy and what to do and what to do
> not??
> i really appreciate it
> ursula
>
>
Like 99.9% of the people who travel to Guatemala, I am sure you will
love the country. Guatemala is a small country you can cross in less
than a day. But in that small space you will find very high volcanos to
climb, very low and humid jungle to walk through and fabulous lakes and
waterways; you will be cold on the summits and hotter than you have ever
been in the Peten jungle. Volcano ringed Lake Atitlan is one of the most
beautiful places on earth. The Todos Santos Indian market is the
greatest in Latin America. Tikal is the most fantastic ruined Mayan city
you can visit and there are dozens of others, each with its own
fascinating history. There is still real adventure travel such as the
jungle trip to El Mirador, in the North.
All the main roads you must take to travel around the country are paved
and well serviced by busses, mostly the crowded chicken variety but the
7-hour run from the capital to Peten is also serviced by awesome luxury
busses.
The last bad road, between Coban and Sayaxche and on to Flores is now
perfect blacktop, making the wonders of la Candelaria and Semuc Champey
a Sunday drive. And you cannot find a more hospitable people than the
Guatemalans, rich and poor, educated or not.

The bad side is too much insecurity in the capital and the usual stories
of tourist van assault and bus roberies on some roads. It is certainly
a concern but, looking before I leap, not getting drunk in bars, picking
my friends carefully and a bit of good luck has allowed me to travel
alone throughout the country a few times, at all hours, without a
problem.
All that said, the new government is taking this issue seriously and is
upgrading the tourist police around the tourist areas which had the most
complaints such as Tikal, the volcanos around Antigua and lake Atitlan.
The regular Civil police is also getting a makeover so I expect things
to get quite good soon.

I suggest you read the Lonely Planet,the Footprint Handbook and the
Rough Guide to get a better Idea of what you want to do.

I wish you a good trip,
Louisg

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hi,
thank you so much for giving me all the infos.
i will treasured them.
i'm determined more than ever to take this trip.
against all odds.
everyone here says its not safe , but then and again i lived in LA for
10 years and that it's brutal to your mind.if u dont get shot first.
milan is not better off. so there.
have a good one
orsola

"Louisg" <Louis_Gravel@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:4126B7ED.7020609@Yahoo.com...
> Orsola wrote:
> > hi , i would like u guys to give me some scoop about guatemala.
> > i live in italy and i would really love to take my next trip there.
> > anyone who would be so kind to give me some advice
> > about places to see that are worthy and what to do and what to do
> > not??
> > i really appreciate it
> > ursula
> >
> >
> Like 99.9% of the people who travel to Guatemala, I am sure you will
> love the country. Guatemala is a small country you can cross in less
> than a day. But in that small space you will find very high volcanos to
> climb, very low and humid jungle to walk through and fabulous lakes and
> waterways; you will be cold on the summits and hotter than you have ever
> been in the Peten jungle. Volcano ringed Lake Atitlan is one of the most
> beautiful places on earth. The Todos Santos Indian market is the
> greatest in Latin America. Tikal is the most fantastic ruined Mayan city
> you can visit and there are dozens of others, each with its own
> fascinating history. There is still real adventure travel such as the
> jungle trip to El Mirador, in the North.
> All the main roads you must take to travel around the country are paved
> and well serviced by busses, mostly the crowded chicken variety but the
> 7-hour run from the capital to Peten is also serviced by awesome luxury
> busses.
> The last bad road, between Coban and Sayaxche and on to Flores is now
> perfect blacktop, making the wonders of la Candelaria and Semuc Champey
> a Sunday drive. And you cannot find a more hospitable people than the
> Guatemalans, rich and poor, educated or not.
>
> The bad side is too much insecurity in the capital and the usual stories
> of tourist van assault and bus roberies on some roads. It is certainly
> a concern but, looking before I leap, not getting drunk in bars, picking
> my friends carefully and a bit of good luck has allowed me to travel
> alone throughout the country a few times, at all hours, without a
> problem.
> All that said, the new government is taking this issue seriously and is
> upgrading the tourist police around the tourist areas which had the most
> complaints such as Tikal, the volcanos around Antigua and lake Atitlan.
> The regular Civil police is also getting a makeover so I expect things
> to get quite good soon.
>
> I suggest you read the Lonely Planet,the Footprint Handbook and the
> Rough Guide to get a better Idea of what you want to do.
>
> I wish you a good trip,
> Louisg

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Orsola wrote:
> hi,
> thank you so much for giving me all the infos.
> i will treasured them.
> i'm determined more than ever to take this trip.
> against all odds.
> everyone here says its not safe , but then and again i lived in LA for
> 10 years and that it's brutal to your mind.if u dont get shot first.
> milan is not better off. so there.
> have a good one
> orsola
>

You are right not to worry more about security in one place rather than
another. It can be dangerous anywhere if you are not aware of your
surroundings. Montreal and Toronto might be the safest cities in the
world but they have their dangerous moments. Matter of fact the only
place I was ever mugged was Montreal, the safest of all and the city I
know best???
Guatemala, Belize and Chiapas have their problems but, in my mind, I
usually still feel safer there than in any of the world's great cities.

In your original post you did not indicate what your budget will be nor
what your preferences are. So I was not specific about any Guatemala
destination. Read up a bit and ask more pointed questions. Many people
on this group should answer with different opinions but great info.
Louisg

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"Louisg" <Louis_Gravel@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:4126B7ED.7020609@Yahoo.com...
> been in the Peten jungle. Volcano ringed Lake Atitlan is one of the most
> beautiful places on earth. The Todos Santos Indian market is the
> greatest in Latin America. Tikal is the most fantastic ruined Mayan city
> you can visit and there are dozens of others, each with its own
> fascinating history.

Try to get to Chichicastenango, a lovely place with perfect climate,
beautiful hotels and a fascinating indian market. The market is active once
a week (Thurdays I think) so check before going. Tikal is amazing, Antigua
IMO overrated but heck, worth a day or two. You can fly from Guate to Tikal,
the rest you do in buses or minivans. Guate City is just to fly in and out,
not worth spending any time there.

http://www.rutahsa.com/chichi.html

Robert

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Hi,

I too am concerned about the safety in Guatemala, specifically in the
Lake Atitlan area. What do people think about the below comment left by
a reviewer of the Lonely Planet "Guatemala" guide on Amazon.com?

"Things didn't improve much in Lago de Atitlan, where I also studied
for week. There are now five Spanish schools in San Pedro, though the
book only mentions one. Also the book seems to have a rather naive,
hippy-dippy sensibility towards the nature of the village, talking
about "being greeted by the sweet waft of marijuana" and so on. Yes,
San Pedro has a dope-smoking scene, but several travellers were being
busted (some set up) for a joint or two while I was there, and there
was also a (un) healthy cocaine (including crack) "scene". The LP
seemed be blissfully ignorant of all this, locked in some sixties
nostalgia timewarp. There are also serious social problems, gangs and
abject poverty in San Pedro. Travellers are being mugged on a very
regular basis on the volcano. A warning wouldn't have gone amiss."
Thanks in advance for your comments?

Jakers

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I'm looking for mail lists or groups that talk about or give updates on
Guatemals news, current events and politics.
Any Hints?
Thanks

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I spent a few weeks at lake Atitlan last year. Your comment that travellers
are being mugged on a regular basis on the volcano was well known when I was
there. Despite this, people still go up on their own or in pairs or without
any protection. It is largely these reckless idiots that get themselves
into trouble.
It really doesn't take much to find out what and where is dangerous - the
locals are falling over themselves to warn you. If you decide you are
feeling lucky or just plain stupid then you must accept the consequences.


As regards travel books - how often do you think these are updated? To
trust that they contain all relevent up to date information is a little
naieve, in my opinion, given that things can change on a daily basis. Wise
up.

Gareth.



<countertransference@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1103134125.940962.271610@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> I too am concerned about the safety in Guatemala, specifically in the
> Lake Atitlan area. What do people think about the below comment left by
> a reviewer of the Lonely Planet "Guatemala" guide on Amazon.com?
>
> "Things didn't improve much in Lago de Atitlan, where I also studied
> for week. There are now five Spanish schools in San Pedro, though the
> book only mentions one. Also the book seems to have a rather naive,
> hippy-dippy sensibility towards the nature of the village, talking
> about "being greeted by the sweet waft of marijuana" and so on. Yes,
> San Pedro has a dope-smoking scene, but several travellers were being
> busted (some set up) for a joint or two while I was there, and there
> was also a (un) healthy cocaine (including crack) "scene". The LP
> seemed be blissfully ignorant of all this, locked in some sixties
> nostalgia timewarp. There are also serious social problems, gangs and
> abject poverty in San Pedro. Travellers are being mugged on a very
> regular basis on the volcano. A warning wouldn't have gone amiss."
> Thanks in advance for your comments?
>
> Jakers
>

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I Must say that I am in complete agreemente with Mr. Magennis' comments.
If we wanted we could speak more about our own North American ignorance,
but that would be a little embarrassing, no? I hope no one else makes any
more comments to mis-represent those of us who like to find out before
shooting our mouths off.

A R Petterborg
arpetterborg@sdf.lonestar.org

SDF Public Access UNIX System
http://www.freeshell.org

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I Got married and spent honeymoon in lake Atitlan,i went every place and
never got hermed in any way Al.

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On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 01:58:08 -0700, alfordsteele@webtv.net (alford steele) wrote:

>I Got married and spent honeymoon in lake Atitlan,i went every place and
>never got hermed in any way Al.

If you didn't get hermed on your honeymoon then I guess your bride didn't get himmed
either.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. :> )


Jack from Taxacola (formerly Pensacola), Florida

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Jackson wrote:
> On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 01:58:08 -0700, alfordsteele@webtv.net (alford steele) wrote:
>
>
>>I Got married and spent honeymoon in lake Atitlan,i went every place and
>>never got hermed in any way Al.
>
>
> If you didn't get hermed on your honeymoon then I guess your bride didn't get himmed
> either.
>
> Sorry, I couldn't resist. :> )
>
>
> Jack from Taxacola (formerly Pensacola), Florida

Hola, Taxajack,
I went all around lake Atitlan and up San Pedro Volcano with my
friend's wife and did not get himmed or hermed either. The area is one
of the most beautiful on earth and its inhabitants are great.
After thirty years of travel I have to believe that violence favors
violent people as," touch wood", I haven't ever felt it directed my way.
Louisg

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