Guatemala is one of the cheapest countries in Central America, whether it’d be food, accommodation or even the various sights and tours. Yes, you will pay $20US to get into Tikal, but places like this often cost a lot more to get into. If on a budget, this is definitively a great destination.
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Showing posts with label Guatemala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guatemala. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tikal: An Ancient Maya City
Monday, March 28, 2011
Semuc Champey: Cascading Pools
Hard to reach, but incredibly rewarding when you get there, Semuc Champey is a magical place. It is a 300 meter stretch of a river where a natural limestone bridge consisting of numerous pools has been formed. Most of the water flows below this bridge, but a decent bit of it fills the pools and offers an amazing place for swimming and chilling. It was very reminiscent of Plitvice Lake National Park in Croatia, just on a smaller scale and more enjoyable since you could take a dunk in these fantastic pools.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Bikinis with Legs: Yet Another Random Theft
I guess generally when you think of bikinis you also think of legs – nice long straight legs protruding from them. Yet that is not what I’m referring to here. Instead I think that the bikini bottoms grew legs and walked away while illuminating their path with my favorite headlamp.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Los Tumulos: the Obsession with Sleeping Policemen
They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are fat, others have really protruding bellies. Some have decayed a bit with age and are crumbling around the edges. Still others are double-breasted. A few are quite bright but most tend to be quite grey and blend in with the surrounding. Central America, and Guatemala especially, seems to be obsessed with sleeping policemen. They appear everywhere, whether it’s on a dirt road or on a highway. Sometimes they appear from nowhere, other times they prefer to stay in groups and slow your progress every 100 meters. Their most common characteristic is that they are insanely annoying.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Chichicastenango: Market Day
Chichi, as this town is affectionately called, turns into a chaotic mass of stalls, goods and people two times per week. The main square disappears and if you climb onto the stairs of the church, all you will see are the endless tarp or tin roofs of all the stalls. We were warned that this market, famed as being one of the largest in Central America, is very much a tourist affair. However, depending on what you want from such an experience, you do not have to leave disappointed.Thursday, March 24, 2011
Volcano San Pedro
The 3020m high summit of this extinct volcano was our goal on our second day in San Pedro. The ascent was to start at 6am with a hike up to the entrance to the National Reserve. However, as Antonio, our elderly guide showed up to pick us up, he recommended taking a tuk-tuk these 4km so that we would at least have some nice views before the rising sun disappeared behind the prevailing clouds.
Volcano-Ringed Lago de Atitlan
A number of weeks back I described Isla de Ometepe in Nicaragua as a fairytale setting that could easily have played host to either Shrek or Lord of the Rings. Lago de Atitlan, although completely different in appearance, could easily compete with Ometepe for that distinction. It is a beautiful lake set amongst gorgeous green mountains and ringed by what seems like an endless number of volcanoes. Little towns and villages dot its shores, coffee plantations climb the sides of the mountains whose peaks are often covered by clouds. It is a truly magical setting.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Antigua: The Chaos of Municipal Markets
One of my favorite activities to do when traveling is to visit the municipal markets. Not the tourist stands, but rather the place where all the locals go to buy their vegetables, meat, fish, clothes, toiletries and anything else that they might need. The chaos of these spots is unforgettable.
Antigua: One of the most picturesque cities of Central America
Antigua is by far one of, if not the, prettiest city I have visited in Central America. It, like Granada, is a colonial jewel. However, Granada lacks the setting and the culture that is so abundant in Antigua. Cobblestoned streets lined with multi-colored colonial buildings are juxtaposed against the gigantic conical shape of Volcano Agua and the traditionally dressed Maya women. Yes, Antigua is an incredibly touristy city with travel agencies, hostels, and tourist catering restaurants on every street and around every corner. Yet if you make the effort and take your time you will be able to see past all the gringo stuff and truly appreciate the city for all of its own beauty.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Antigua: Roasting marshmallows on Volcano Pacaya
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Price Wars: Make Sure you Shop Around
Antigua is probably one of the touristiest places in all of Central America and as a result is chockfull of tourist agencies offering an every kind of possible service. However, do not assume that two places right next to one another will be offering those services at the same prices.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Chicken Buses #2
Were you late getting up and did not have time to have any breakfast? Did you forget about your nephew’s birthday and are now rushing there empty-handed? Are you feeling a bit under the weather? Did you have to stay at work late and now need to head home in the dark? Or maybe you missed your Sunday service? Well, no worries. All that you might desire will be provided for you. Whether it is a cold Fanta, a breakfast snack, a meal comprised of chicken with rice, a kid’s toy, a flashlight, some vitamins and even a 20 minute sermon, all of this can be found on your local chicken bus.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Chicken Buses
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