Guatemala Planning

[jmbklj]

When traveling abroad in the past, I've often used ATMs. I thought that was safer than carrying lots of cash on me.

[bonniejoy03]

I did hate to carry cash however, I also am not a fan of ATMs abroad. It is a tough situation and not sure of the best answer. I really try to use the credit card for most items though.

[jmbklj]

I'm looking for some advice from the LL members who have done this LL package before. With the Casa Palopo package, we have the choice of one of the following activities:

- Boat trip across Lake Atitlan, including visit to local village
- Visit to Solola local Indian Market
- Visit to Panajachel Nature Reserve, including entrance fees

Not knowing too much about any of the three, I would lean toward the first choice. But what village? What can you tell about these three options? What did you do? What are the "Do Not Miss" things to do while we are there?

We'll be there for our anniversary. Is there a special restaurant you could recommend for dinner? Other recommended restaurants?

Should we plan our all activities in advance or is it fine to do so (or plan some) after our arrival?

Thanks all!

[omegaet]

I'm looking for some advice from the LL members who have done this LL package before. With the Casa Palopo package, we have the choice of one of the following activities:

- Boat trip across Lake Atitlan, including visit to local village
- Visit to Solola local Indian Market
- Visit to Panajachel Nature Reserve, including entrance fees

Not knowing too much about any of the three, I would lean toward the first choice. But what village? What can you tell about these three options? What did you do? What are the "Do Not Miss" things to do while we are there?

We'll be there for our anniversary. Is there a special restaurant you could recommend for dinner? Other recommended restaurants?

Should we plan our all activities in advance or is it fine to do so (or plan some) after our arrival?

Thanks all!

Depends on what you want to experience...of course Chichicastanango has the most famous market (always loaded with tourist and backpackers), but Sololá still retains a great deal of Mayan authenticity, you will see indigenous people actively engaged in commerce with other indigenous (you will have a guide/driver provided by Casa Palopo...so it can be an more personal encounter, if that is your desire)

We were in Panajachel several times (we road the colectivos into Pana from Casa Palopo), but can't say it was our favorite village....we enjoyed Santa Catarina Palopo
and recall our time in Jaibalito as providing the most realistic impression of indigenous daily life.

Maybe you will take a boat over to see Santiago....if so, visit Maximon...pay the fee and take his photo.

We actually hired a boat for a full day and bounced all around the lake....we really enjoyed the time with our 'captain' and invited him to join us for lunch at one of the small restaurants tucked just below the main hiking trail. Can't recall the cost, but it was reasonable and turned out to be a great experience.

As for you special dinner....Casa Palopo will pull out all of the stoppers to make your celebration unforgettable. There are loads of restaurants in Pana, but many of them are 'average,' at least that was our experience, and may not be able to pull off the same level of celebration you anniversary deserves.

You will need to confirm with Casa Palopo what day the market is held at Sololá.

I did find this link, which will give you some insight as to what you might expect, if you go there: Solola Market, Guatemala

[jmbklj]

o, thank you for the tips. Hiring a boat for a full day sounds great! How did you go about making those arrangements?

I'd like to visit a village on market day, but it doesn't need to be the biggest - smaller & authentic may be better.

As for days of the week, we'll be at CP Wed - Sun.

Thanks for the link!

[omegaet]

o, thank you for the tips. Hiring a boat for a full day sounds great! How did you go about making those arrangements?

I'd like to visit a village on market day, but it doesn't need to be the biggest - smaller & authentic may be better.

As for days of the week, we'll be at CP Wed - Sun.

Thanks for the link!

Most likely, you will make the short walk down the hill to Santa Catarina Palopó, which has regular ferry service to most of the villages around the lake, including regular service to Pana. Usually you will find several boats available for hire by the hour or by the day....you may or may not be comfortable negotiating with these individuals. Casa Palopó will be able to arrange a boat and captain for you, but as is the case with most 'hotel excursions,' they will add on an additional fee.

We simply mentioned our interests to several of the hotel staff members at breakfast the first morning there and by Happy Hour we had several 'private' suggestions. We negotiated a 'private' arrangement for the boat, which arrived for us 'on time' at Casa Palopó's private boat dock (about 100 steep steps down the hill to lake level).

If you are up for a hike, you might enjoy heading out to San Antonio Palopó. It is commonly called the village ¨at the end of the road¨ and doesn't get a lot of tourists....they have a small local market and you might enjoy looking at the wide selection of hand weavings done by the local women. I have two colorful hand made shirts, which were purchased there for the sum of $4US each and are well made and designed to last 20 years or more. If you want to go there, but don't feel safe walking, there is a colectivo, which stops on the road in front of Casa
Palopó which will take you to the square. One note about the fare structure for colectivos....tourist generally are charged more than locals....ask the local what they pay which you are waiting for the colectivo to arrive and then tell the driver you will only pay the same amount!!!

If you go to the market at Solola (it may still be Friday Solola, Guatemala), "wear comfortable shoes," the little town is constructed on the side of a steep hill and the market goes up and down at at steep angles....we didn't mind the hike, but some of the other gringos were complaining about their feet!

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Lots of nice little places to eat in Panajachel - lake ferries are inexpensive and pretty frequent. Have been to both Solola and Chichi markets and liked them both - depends on what sort of things you are looking for. In Antigua we always use the ATM machines and never had any problems - we use one that is usually inside a bank area - there are a few like this on the main square in Antigua

[jmbklj]

I came across an interesting article in the Guatemala Times newspaper about the Antigua Bank ATM problems.


In late November of 2011, at 8:30 in the morning, the lobby of the Antigua bank branch known as BAC was crowded. The manager, three ATM technicians and two shot-gun toting guards kept the curious away. The technicians were replacing the innards of the three machines and nervous looks were the order of the day. No, this was not your typical morning but for the bank known as Banco Centro America aka Credomatic, owned by one of Colombia’s wealthiest persons, the week had turned sour.

Over a year ago when BAC was bought by the Bank of Bogota, there began an immediate spate of ‘unauthorized’ ATM thefts. The electronic trail at first led back to Bogota. The Embassies held meetings, the bank officials and local law enforcement people came and Guatemala’s Tourist Board acted as a referee. The fifty or so local ex-pats who were victims then crowded the rooms to overcapacity and tempers rose as the explanations given were just a vague acknowledgement that “they needed more proof.

”Not only were the international tourists that are the life blood of Antigua targeted, but local people also were now victims: Guatemalans using Guatemalan bank cards, which hitherto were not affected by this cybercrime, were likewise milked and mistreated. Its one thing to be a tourist with money and credit cards but it’s another world for a local Guatemalan depending on their bank to safeguard what little money they have.

What's also interesting is the one comment at the end of the article, made on Jan 13, 2012.......FWIW........."A good advice for all travelers, when they are in Antigua Guatemala, is to use safe ATM's located inside the Camino Real Hotel, Hotel Porta Antigua, and inside Citi Bank located at the corner of the main plaza. Those ATM's are really safe and have security."

Guatemala News | Banking troubles in Antigua again

[jmbklj]

I didn't think we'd go to the ChiChi market but now I'm thinking of doing so, on Sunday. It will be on our way (sort of) anyway when Elizabeth's shuttle driver takes us from CP to Guatemala City.

Decisions, decisions.....

[bonniejoy03]

Hi J...glad you will be using Elizabeth's services. We have used her company a few times and were quite happy. Chi Chi is definitely worth visiting.

ps- we LOVED the nacho platter at CP. We would eat a big lunch out and then have the special treat in the evening with drinks on their deck. ....lovely!! We even had a special treat with the previous manager and enjoyed PLATES of these nachos in a special location!!!