This is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Guatemala. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2005:1018 RealTravel members http://realtravel.com/images/logo-for-feeds.jpg (c) 2006 RealTravel.com 2008-04-08T21:13:56Z 340074http://www.feedburner.comThis is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Guatemala. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-08:6826536 2008-04-08T20:51:19Z 2008-04-08T21:13:56Z cjoliver http://realtravel.com/member-m6775292-cjoliver.html <p><em>"Best. Sunrise. Ever."</em></p> <p>a entry by cjoliver from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/tikal-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9714.html">Tikal, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>After arriving in Tikal the 3 of us rented 3 tents, and unpacked our stuff. If you buy your ticket to the park after 3pm, it's good for the next day as well, so Dave and I waited until 3 and then bought out tickets for the park. After 3 was definitely the time to go, we had the whole place to ourselves, the tour buses were gone and we only bumped into a few people the whole time. These ruins were the best I've seen yet on this trip. There are approximately 4000 building in the area, and only 15% have been uncovered so far. Since we had to pay extra for a map, I just took a picture of it and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/tikal-journals-j6826536.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_uMfQNG8q5h-RAsiCYPjmbF3QAu4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/uMfQNG8q5h-RAsiCYPjmbF3QAu4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_uMfQNG8q5h-RAsiCYPjmbF3QAu4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=uMfQNG8q5h-RAsiCYPjmbF3QAu4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Ftikal-journals-j6826536.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/tikal-journals-j6826536.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-07:5945031 2007-11-07T04:41:24Z 2007-11-07T04:41:24Z alex f http://realtravel.com/member-m2878197-alex_f.html <p><em>"hammock full of monkeys"</em></p> <p>a entry by alex f from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/tikal-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9714.html">Tikal, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>From San Ignacio in Belize we popped back over the border into Guatemala to see the Mayan ruins of Tikal.</p><p>The trip involved some haggled transportation to get to the border and on to Tikal and an exciting night sleeping in hammocks at the Jaguar Inn, just outside the park boundary. Neither of us had slept the night in a hammock before (although I had slept quite nicely in a hammock full of monkeys in Bolivia). There were mosquito nets for each of the hammocks to keep the bugs away, although unfortunately all of Tikal's bugs seemed to be in Alex's net already. And the nets were a bit ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/tikal-journals-j5945031.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_6zrT84ItJU09PFkY7RRtwTbzAcY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/6zrT84ItJU09PFkY7RRtwTbzAcY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_6zrT84ItJU09PFkY7RRtwTbzAcY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=6zrT84ItJU09PFkY7RRtwTbzAcY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Ftikal-journals-j5945031.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/tikal-journals-j5945031.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-05:5935760 2007-11-05T19:04:45Z 2007-11-05T19:05:22Z Esmeralda & Kah-kin http://realtravel.com/member-m5692514-esmeralda__kahkin.html <p>a review of Visiting the Caves of Lanquin, a thing to do in <a href="http://realtravel.com/coban-alta_verapaz-reviews-hotels-d1353537.html">Coban, Alta Verapaz</a>.</p> <p>After a bumpy ride with tight corners on high mountain roads we arrived from Semuc Champey, From Semuc Champey it was short 10km to the caves of Languin. The caves are located just above the river Rio Lanquin. In the past the river would flow through the caves, creating a maze of lime stone. Now it´s been dry for ages and Mayas come and came here to worship the god of the earth. We walked through the first part of the cave which is lighted but after a 30min walk we had to climb a bit and eventually use our own flashlights to venture through the caves. Inside, where few peple came, our guide ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/coban-reviews-a5935760.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_hrdZ4rejjU3RJeDfU9-v0w2rd98_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/hrdZ4rejjU3RJeDfU9-v0w2rd98_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_hrdZ4rejjU3RJeDfU9-v0w2rd98_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=hrdZ4rejjU3RJeDfU9-v0w2rd98_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fcoban-reviews-a5935760.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/coban-reviews-a5935760.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-10-26:5852579 2007-10-26T17:57:14Z 2007-11-05T18:28:29Z Esmeralda & Kah-kin http://realtravel.com/member-m5692514-esmeralda__kahkin.html <p><em>"A lost city rediscovered"</em></p> <p>a entry by Esmeralda &amp; Kah-kin from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/tikal-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9714.html">Tikal, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>The ride from Coban to Flores was actually really nice. There was a nice change of landscape, from the high hills to a lower part of Guatemala and we met a fellow Amsterdammer, who travelled from Costa Rica to Coban and we got some good tips for our future trip. We arrived late afternoon in Flores and decided to drive directly to Tikal, the historical site of the Maya city. There we wanted to stay for the night and visit the park in the late afternoon and early morning. Tikal is surrounded by a swampy rainforest, and you can´t see the tempels untill you´re actually standing next to it. Hidden ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/tikal-journals-j5852579.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_pSWWRWw.hA8RD-0F-bW7CTnP0fs_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/pSWWRWw.hA8RD-0F-bW7CTnP0fs_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_pSWWRWw.hA8RD-0F-bW7CTnP0fs_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=pSWWRWw.hA8RD-0F-bW7CTnP0fs_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Ftikal-journals-j5852579.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/tikal-journals-j5852579.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-09-06:5474395 2007-09-06T03:15:04Z 2007-10-18T20:55:46Z Sasha Chernenkoff http://realtravel.com/member-m5006106-sasha_chernenkoff.html <p>a entry by Sasha Chernenkoff from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/santa_cruz_la_laguna-solola-reviews-hotels-d3467547.html">Santa Cruz La Laguna, Solola.</a></p> <p>After San Pedro, I parted from the British and Irish friends I had made. 2 were heading on to Costa Rica, another 2 to Cuba, and the last went to Antigua for work and Spanish school.</p><p>I arrived in Santa Cruz La Laguna on a Thursday. Santa Cruz was immediately appealing to me. I believe it has the most spectacular view of the lake and the volcanoes. La Iguana Perdida is set just off the water, meters from the boat dock. The pueblo (village) of Santa Cruz itself is set on the hill, a very steep walk from the shore. That weekend there was a hurricane warning for Guatemala. I liked ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/santa_cruz_la_laguna-journals-j5474395.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_KqyRdR7nqPUjS8omLI3XFhNSJjU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/KqyRdR7nqPUjS8omLI3XFhNSJjU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_KqyRdR7nqPUjS8omLI3XFhNSJjU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=KqyRdR7nqPUjS8omLI3XFhNSJjU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fsanta_cruz_la_laguna-journals-j5474395.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/santa_cruz_la_laguna-journals-j5474395.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-10-17:5792171 2007-10-17T02:20:37Z 2007-10-17T22:01:01Z Esmeralda & Kah-kin http://realtravel.com/member-m5692514-esmeralda__kahkin.html <p><em>"Great place for a ¨Great trip/ Buen Viaje¨"</em></p> <p>a entry by Esmeralda &amp; Kah-kin from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/san_pedro_la_laguna-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9699.html">San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>Following the market we traveled with a shuttle bus to Lago de Atitlan, a great lake lying at an impressive height of 1,560 m between two volcano's. The lake is created when a big volcano collapsed. http://en.wikipedia.org /wiki /Lago_de_Atitl%C3%A1n</p><p>We arrived in the biggest and most touristic place "Panajachel" but quickly decided to take a boat to the town of San Pedro instead. This town at the other side of the lake (the shuttle speed boat took 30 min to cross the lake) lies at the base of Vulcano San Pedro and is famous for a more laid-back atmosphere and less ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/san_pedro_la_laguna-journals-j5792171.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_D.irRUN3wRgKCkxwrgXbOlM65zM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/D.irRUN3wRgKCkxwrgXbOlM65zM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_D.irRUN3wRgKCkxwrgXbOlM65zM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=D.irRUN3wRgKCkxwrgXbOlM65zM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fsan_pedro_la_laguna-journals-j5792171.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/san_pedro_la_laguna-journals-j5792171.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-10-17:5792157 2007-10-17T02:14:13Z 2007-10-17T21:41:11Z Esmeralda & Kah-kin http://realtravel.com/member-m5692514-esmeralda__kahkin.html <p><em>"the best price for you / mejor precio para ti"</em></p> <p>a entry by Esmeralda &amp; Kah-kin from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/chichicastenango-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9619.html">Chichicastenango, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>After spending a night in Antigua where we finally manage to see the Volcano Agua, (now that the weather improved) we took a bus to Chichicastenango. This town is famous for its trade-market and many tourists come here to buy souvenirs. A great place to visit on the market days " Thursday and Sunday"</p><p>After walking around the markets I (kah-kin) practiced my price negotiation skills by buying new sandals,Mayan shirt and a farmers hat for less than 50% of the "original" price. Luckily, I got help from Esmeralda because I really hate to barter, and it requires some skill in ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/chichicastenango-journals-j5792157.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_qqTxBgX-rdXpXAjA5VJ75sOhGBM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/qqTxBgX-rdXpXAjA5VJ75sOhGBM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_qqTxBgX-rdXpXAjA5VJ75sOhGBM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=qqTxBgX-rdXpXAjA5VJ75sOhGBM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fchichicastenango-journals-j5792157.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/chichicastenango-journals-j5792157.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-10-17:5796984 2007-10-17T21:36:14Z 2007-10-17T21:37:08Z Esmeralda & Kah-kin http://realtravel.com/member-m5692514-esmeralda__kahkin.html <p>a review of Hotels in Monterrico, a place to eat in <a href="http://realtravel.com/monterrico-santa_rosa-reviews-hotels-d3419471.html">Monterrico, Santa Rosa</a>.</p> <p>In Monterrico you can choose to eat in a not so good looking restaurant or simply in a hotel which provides some ambiance.</p><p>Here are just some of the dishes:</p><p>Fish (caught at the sea by the local fishermen), normally served with some vegetables and rice or French fries.</p><p>Chicken (just some pieces of chicken)</p><p>Something European (one hotel has a Swiss chef, so they sell Rosti with eggs)</p><p>Be careful with some of the food served at the local restaurants, they might not use fresh shrimps (which are kinda small here) or use unpure water. Especially be careful with the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/monterrico-reviews-c5796984.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_JDydOT-KIaDHDxNs0XgPRv3qcqU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/JDydOT-KIaDHDxNs0XgPRv3qcqU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_JDydOT-KIaDHDxNs0XgPRv3qcqU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=JDydOT-KIaDHDxNs0XgPRv3qcqU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmonterrico-reviews-c5796984.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/monterrico-reviews-c5796984.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-10-14:5773563 2007-10-14T01:27:42Z 2007-10-17T21:05:49Z Esmeralda & Kah-kin http://realtravel.com/member-m5692514-esmeralda__kahkin.html <p><em>"Waiting for ..."</em></p> <p>a entry by Esmeralda &amp; Kah-kin from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/monterrico-santa_rosa-reviews-hotels-d3419471.html">Monterrico, Santa Rosa.</a></p> <p>To escape the "hectic" life in Antigua, we went to Guatemala´s most laid-back location: Monterrico. This small beach town is located at the pacific coast quite close to Antigua and El Salvador. People usually come here in the weekends and stay at one of the many hotels at the beach.</p><p>It seemed like a good idea to us, and it promissed us a walk to find Sea Turtles!</p><p>We were picked up by a normal car instead of the shuttle bus, since we were the only 2 people that would be going up to Monterrico today. We knew it wasn´t high season and we just heard that bad weather was predicted, but ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/monterrico-journals-j5773563.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_.h9MtkGXoZ2OqmQ.QvM9KH-AvMc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/.h9MtkGXoZ2OqmQ.QvM9KH-AvMc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_.h9MtkGXoZ2OqmQ.QvM9KH-AvMc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=.h9MtkGXoZ2OqmQ.QvM9KH-AvMc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmonterrico-journals-j5773563.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/monterrico-journals-j5773563.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-09-05:5470476 2007-09-05T15:50:49Z 2007-09-10T17:04:36Z ChristineMc http://realtravel.com/member-m4982631-christinemc.html <p>a entry by ChristineMc from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/panajachel-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9654.html">Panajachel, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>This entry is way overdue. A lot has happened the past 2 weeks so I will try my hardest to remember it all but be warned it is kind of long. We took a tour of Antigua for 5 hours and visited all of the main cathedrals. The main Cathedral near the Central Park was built in 1543 and destroyed in the devastating earthquake of 1773. This same earthquake also prompted the transfer of the country’s capital from Antigua (where it had been for 233 years) to Guatemala City. The Cathedral was eventually rebuilt but only 25% of it and the other 75% still stands in ruins. The coolest part was that ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/panajachel-journals-j5470476.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_myW5uhwfWVtYWvJnNDuZRFYYpTo_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/myW5uhwfWVtYWvJnNDuZRFYYpTo_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_myW5uhwfWVtYWvJnNDuZRFYYpTo_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=myW5uhwfWVtYWvJnNDuZRFYYpTo_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpanajachel-journals-j5470476.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/panajachel-journals-j5470476.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-09-06:5474208 2007-09-06T02:56:52Z 2007-09-06T02:56:52Z Sasha Chernenkoff http://realtravel.com/member-m5006106-sasha_chernenkoff.html <p>a entry by Sasha Chernenkoff from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/antigua-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d1104757.html">Antigua, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>In Lanquin, I made friends with Aidan, from Ireland, Lacey, Jenny, Jamie, and Tom. They happened to be leaving Lanquin the same day I was, so we all took a shuttle together to Antigua. We were unsure whether our Shuttle would ever arrive in Antigua as the motor seemed to be having problems. Anytime we were going up an incline, the engine sounded like it was about to burn itself out, and we would immediately lose a lot of speed. However, we finally arrived in Antigua and checked into the Black Cat Hostel.</p><p>The next day we checked out the market in Antigua. There was a lot to look at: ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/antigua-journals-j5474208.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_o6rlBE4.gVajmAsSjb3AiiU5A9s_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/o6rlBE4.gVajmAsSjb3AiiU5A9s_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_o6rlBE4.gVajmAsSjb3AiiU5A9s_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=o6rlBE4.gVajmAsSjb3AiiU5A9s_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fantigua-journals-j5474208.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/antigua-journals-j5474208.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-14:5301019 2007-08-14T21:50:37Z 2007-08-14T22:20:24Z Jamie and Tal http://realtravel.com/member-m2011291-jamie_and_tal.html <p>a entry by Jamie and Tal from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/san_pedro_la_laguna-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9699.html">San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>After 4 days in Antigua we decided it was time to move on to Lake Atitlan. We took a shuttle (luxury as we normally take the chicken bus, but that would be too much of a hassle to Lake Atitlan), which took about 2.5 hrs with beautiful views along the way. Lake Atitlan is surrounded by several volcanoes (San Pedro, Toliman and Atitlan) and several steep hills, which makes it a beautiful sight.</p><p>The bus took us to Panajachel, a horrible and touristy town at Lake Atitlan. From Panajachel we took a lancha (water taxi) across the lake to a village called Santiago Atitlan . According to our ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/san_pedro_la_laguna-journals-j5301019.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_IpXA2u1WsHer5WFN1VzI2ZCfkfk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/IpXA2u1WsHer5WFN1VzI2ZCfkfk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_IpXA2u1WsHer5WFN1VzI2ZCfkfk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=IpXA2u1WsHer5WFN1VzI2ZCfkfk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fsan_pedro_la_laguna-journals-j5301019.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/san_pedro_la_laguna-journals-j5301019.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-30:5170102 2007-07-30T18:24:15Z 2007-08-14T21:34:11Z Jamie and Tal http://realtravel.com/member-m2011291-jamie_and_tal.html <p>a journal by Jamie and Tal from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/san_pedro_la_laguna-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9699.html">San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>Guatemala</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/san_pedro_la_laguna-trips-i5170102.html">[Read full journal]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_jBET5wE5OwnTUQuhTw-Sxw6aVVM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/jBET5wE5OwnTUQuhTw-Sxw6aVVM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_jBET5wE5OwnTUQuhTw-Sxw6aVVM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=jBET5wE5OwnTUQuhTw-Sxw6aVVM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fsan_pedro_la_laguna-trips-i5170102.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/san_pedro_la_laguna-trips-i5170102.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-03:5203580 2007-08-03T23:08:08Z 2007-08-04T21:02:08Z Dan Haug http://realtravel.com/member-m5014415-dan_haug.html <p>a review of Visit Tikal with Dread Tours, a thing to do in <a href="http://realtravel.com/el_remate-peten-reviews-hotels-d2584303.html">El Remate, Peten</a>.</p> <p>Juan Ignacio Benfeldt, Maya Route Tour Guide, is tremendously well-informed. If you want better and more current info about the ruins of Tikal and the Mayan world than you can get at the visitor center, choose the dude with dreadlocks. He helped us avoid the crowds, showed us Mayan medicinal plants, translated pictoglyphs, and explained the Mayan calendar.</p><p>dreadtours@gmail.com</p><p>502-5522-1061</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/el_remate-reviews-a5203580.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_z9u-MISU9Khi2VhbsCWs4AZMBEg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/z9u-MISU9Khi2VhbsCWs4AZMBEg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_z9u-MISU9Khi2VhbsCWs4AZMBEg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=z9u-MISU9Khi2VhbsCWs4AZMBEg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fel_remate-reviews-a5203580.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/el_remate-reviews-a5203580.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-06-18:4810670 2007-06-18T09:30:54Z 2007-07-11T16:15:11Z Trudie http://realtravel.com/member-m2826047-trudie.html <p>a entry by Trudie from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/antigua-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d1104757.html">Antigua, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>Antigua is a lovely town.. plenty of great places to eat. First thing, we did the trek in Pacaya - an active volcano. It was an amazing experience, being so close to hot lava. The walk took about 1.5 hours each way and it was shrouded in smoke - the visibility was not the best. We walked over the coals for about 20-30 minutes to reach the top where the lava was spilling down. It was very eerie with all the smoke and clouds rolling in, and the heat was strong, but bearable.</p><p>The following day, Nath and I did a coffee tour which is something I'd been wanting to do for a while. It was very ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/antigua-journals-j4810670.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ALqrSR5e0EfHRwrubeesTUQYZE8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ALqrSR5e0EfHRwrubeesTUQYZE8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ALqrSR5e0EfHRwrubeesTUQYZE8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ALqrSR5e0EfHRwrubeesTUQYZE8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fantigua-journals-j4810670.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/antigua-journals-j4810670.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-06-18:4810658 2007-06-18T09:29:26Z 2007-07-11T15:46:08Z Trudie http://realtravel.com/member-m2826047-trudie.html <p>a entry by Trudie from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/panajachel-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9654.html">Panajachel, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>In Panajachel, the main attraction was Lake Atitlan. On the first day at the lake, we all decided to have an active one! The boys decided to canoe it (it was way to rough for me to even think of risking my life in that water!) so 2 of the guys canoyed one way, while 2 ran to Catalina, and then swapped for the return journey. I rented a bike and biked it.. lots of uphill struggle - the hills were so steep I often had to get off and walk the bike up them.</p><p>The following day we take the boat across the lake for 20 mins to San Pedro - an absolute must do. It was such a great little place, ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/panajachel-journals-j4810658.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_KJqBMTlSsCg6ES4saO5TmHSObjo_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/KJqBMTlSsCg6ES4saO5TmHSObjo_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_KJqBMTlSsCg6ES4saO5TmHSObjo_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=KJqBMTlSsCg6ES4saO5TmHSObjo_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpanajachel-journals-j4810658.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/panajachel-journals-j4810658.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-07-09:5002672 2007-07-09T14:56:19Z 2007-07-09T15:11:43Z Becs and Chris http://realtravel.com/member-m1066345-becs_and_chris.html <p><em>"The hills are alive"</em></p> <p>a entry by Becs and Chris from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/panajachel-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9654.html">Panajachel, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>If the land that Dorothy dreamed of is somewhere over the rainbow, then Guatemala must be slap bang in the middle of it. Put your sunglasses on folks, this country is a walking, talking painter’s pallet.</p><p>As you cross the border from Mexico into the south west corner of Guatemala it’s not just the landscape that dramatically changes. As rolling hills become verdant mountains and mountains morph into perfect coned volcanoes, ‘western’ clothes are instantly transformed into beautiful textiles that would make Josephs’ Technicolour Dreamcoat look dull.</p><p>Being the indigenous stronghold in ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/panajachel-journals-j5002672.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_RjekeXYJHvdr7KBPo78UQMMzWBs_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/RjekeXYJHvdr7KBPo78UQMMzWBs_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_RjekeXYJHvdr7KBPo78UQMMzWBs_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=RjekeXYJHvdr7KBPo78UQMMzWBs_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpanajachel-journals-j5002672.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/panajachel-journals-j5002672.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-06-02:4667672 2007-06-02T00:41:58Z 2007-06-14T01:59:40Z Ciccia* http://realtravel.com/member-m3532087-ciccia.html <p>a entry by Ciccia* from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/antigua-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d1104757.html">Antigua, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>One week and a bit in Guatemala really isn't enough. There is far too much culture to absorb and history to get a proper idea of what this country is about. It really reminded me of Bolivia in that the weavings are full of colour and the women continue to proudly wear their traditional bright clothes. It was certainly a culture shock to be back on buses that seemed to be on their last legs and to talk to a Latino whose first language was not Spanish.</p><p>Guatemala is bursting with beautiful countryside, wildlife, warmth, love and culture which has made it by far the most interesting place I ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/antigua-journals-j4667672.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_tFMoalrIg-wZ5qBycfTwZdSkv4k_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/tFMoalrIg-wZ5qBycfTwZdSkv4k_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_tFMoalrIg-wZ5qBycfTwZdSkv4k_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=tFMoalrIg-wZ5qBycfTwZdSkv4k_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fantigua-journals-j4667672.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/antigua-journals-j4667672.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-06-10:4744567 2007-06-10T21:06:29Z 2007-06-10T21:06:29Z Just popped out4milk http://realtravel.com/member-m3172338-just_popped_out4milk.html <p>a entry by Just popped out4milk from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/tikal-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9714.html">Tikal, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>Sleeplessly sober I got into St Elena to get a Tuc Tuc to the hostel, avoiding the mass of unshaven hobo looking guys who ascend upon you the moment you step off the bus into the tropical climate of northern Guatemala.</p><p>Signed myself up for a sunrise tour of Tikal at 3am...another of the many far too early wake ups. Took a rickety old minibus to the the national park, to then be greeted by an overexcited US/Guatemalan guy shouting and pushing us into a pick up truck to make the beginning of the sunrise...still slightly asleep. However hanging on by your finger nails for 20 mins in the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/tikal-journals-j4744567.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_OHWkRATnQY90C-eYcMKcJPWf-0k_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/OHWkRATnQY90C-eYcMKcJPWf-0k_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_OHWkRATnQY90C-eYcMKcJPWf-0k_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=OHWkRATnQY90C-eYcMKcJPWf-0k_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Ftikal-journals-j4744567.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/tikal-journals-j4744567.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-06-07:4712018 2007-06-07T02:07:18Z 2007-06-07T02:07:33Z DrugstoreCowgirl http://realtravel.com/member-m4692986-drugstorecowgirl.html <p>a entry by DrugstoreCowgirl from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/panajachel-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9654.html">Panajachel, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>After spending the day in Antigua, my friends and I boarded a van and headed out to the town Panajachel, which is on Lago de Atitlan. The drive was a bit scary as a lot of it is through very tall mountains with nothing but a strip of grass or gravel between you and a very big drop. While it was quite beautiful, I was happy to arrive in the town. We ate a quick lunch, then found a hotel.</p><p>We walked down to the lake and immediately we were surrounded with people trying to get us to go on their boats for a tour. They lied and said the public ferry is $60 American each way across the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/panajachel-journals-j4712018.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_X-nd3C-WC4P7oz0KpSd02F1d1RA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/X-nd3C-WC4P7oz0KpSd02F1d1RA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_X-nd3C-WC4P7oz0KpSd02F1d1RA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=X-nd3C-WC4P7oz0KpSd02F1d1RA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpanajachel-journals-j4712018.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/panajachel-journals-j4712018.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-06-05:4693024 2007-06-05T05:14:25Z 2007-06-05T05:14:25Z DrugstoreCowgirl http://realtravel.com/member-m4692986-drugstorecowgirl.html <p>a journal by DrugstoreCowgirl from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com//d-1094-guatemala">Guatemala.</a></p> <p>I had never really given much thought to traveling to Guatemala. Really, who does? But when I got the call from my friend that Spirit Air had a deal to go down there for $8 each way, I jumped on the opportunity. I was very nervous, especially after reading about the crimes that have happened against travelers there, but once I got there, all of the fear faded away. Guatemala was one of the most amazing places I have ever been, and the trip really changed my life.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/guatemala-trips-i4693024.html">[Read full journal]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_SYIPhxHHgAu5-vfATX2GQIcrIG0_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/SYIPhxHHgAu5-vfATX2GQIcrIG0_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_SYIPhxHHgAu5-vfATX2GQIcrIG0_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=SYIPhxHHgAu5-vfATX2GQIcrIG0_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fguatemala-trips-i4693024.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/guatemala-trips-i4693024.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-03-13:3967370 2007-03-13T20:48:03Z 2007-03-27T16:36:10Z slam http://realtravel.com/member-m3182566-slam.html <p><em>"someone in the crowd discovered eggs and soon everyone was pelting the cops with them."</em></p> <p>a entry by slam from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/guatemala_city-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d1394562.html">Guatemala City, Guatemala.</a></p> <p>i finally succumbed. yes, i know it happens to everyone. and yes we all think we are special and somehow immune. but i too finally found myself hopeless sick, persistently flatulent, and making a dozen trips during the night to squirt fluids out one end of my body or the other. oh, the horrors!</p><p>on the bright side medical care here, when you can find it at all, is significantly more easier to navigate. my first stop was a local labritorio. i didn't even need a doctor's visit, i just needed to walk into the corner lab that operates out of what appears to be a large closet on one corner ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/guatemala_city-journals-j3967370.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_opEWRcg7by-ynEhXtuTt1Pwnxw8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/opEWRcg7by-ynEhXtuTt1Pwnxw8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_opEWRcg7by-ynEhXtuTt1Pwnxw8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=opEWRcg7by-ynEhXtuTt1Pwnxw8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fguatemala_city-journals-j3967370.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/guatemala_city-journals-j3967370.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-03-27:4099035 2007-03-27T15:10:01Z 2007-03-27T15:10:11Z slam http://realtravel.com/member-m3182566-slam.html <p>a review of tikal campground, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/tikal-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d9714.html">Tikal, Guatemala</a>.</p> <p>basic camping for about Q30 (us$4) per night. relative quiet with some generator noise, clean toilets and cool showers. three local restaurants are relatively expensive. nearby internet available at a high price. reliable camp host will lock up your bag for you.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/tikal-reviews-b4099035.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_UNMUR6wjkel2iuAguJh1aEFE6uw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/UNMUR6wjkel2iuAguJh1aEFE6uw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_UNMUR6wjkel2iuAguJh1aEFE6uw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=UNMUR6wjkel2iuAguJh1aEFE6uw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Ftikal-reviews-b4099035.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/tikal-reviews-b4099035.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-03-24:4074579 2007-03-24T16:32:21Z 2007-03-24T17:24:04Z slam http://realtravel.com/member-m3182566-slam.html <p>a entry by slam from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/antigua-sacatepequez-reviews-hotels-d4073816.html">Antigua, Sacatepequez.</a></p> <p>touristy, but sweet</p><p>that is how i would describe antigua. fresh off the bus i was instantly impressed with the spirit and friendliness of this town. it feels very unlike any other guatemalan town, and it really has an artistic, modern, even international flavor for such a small city. it felt a bit like a guatemalan version of tuscon, arizona, or los gatos, california. you know, kind of a wine and brie crowd, but not really so pretentiously upper-class about it.</p><p>the two hostels i had read about and was interested in were both full, but on my way down the street past them, i was ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/antigua-journals-j4074579.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_K6.2W7fgcs-tkMcpjXW4cu3LkJU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/K6.2W7fgcs-tkMcpjXW4cu3LkJU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_K6.2W7fgcs-tkMcpjXW4cu3LkJU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=K6.2W7fgcs-tkMcpjXW4cu3LkJU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fantigua-journals-j4074579.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/antigua-journals-j4074579.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-03-24:4073832 2007-03-24T13:49:25Z 2007-03-24T16:08:17Z slam http://realtravel.com/member-m3182566-slam.html <p>a review of estella's place, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/guatemala_la_nueva-guatemala-reviews-hotels-d4073972.html">Guatemala la Nueva, Guatemala</a>.</p> <p>estella's place, across the street and down a bit from yellow house on the north end of antigua, is a far better deal. cute rooms, very quiet, very private, and the cutest friendliest hostesses in the world. three rooms w/o bath and two rooms with. "cozy" comes to mind.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/guatemala_la_nueva-reviews-b4073832.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_KlACd1JhueIMUPBoP9XlQTnvYUg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/KlACd1JhueIMUPBoP9XlQTnvYUg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_KlACd1JhueIMUPBoP9XlQTnvYUg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=KlACd1JhueIMUPBoP9XlQTnvYUg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fguatemala_la_nueva-reviews-b4073832.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/guatemala_la_nueva-reviews-b4073832.html