[oh well]

Hello everyone, just wondering of those of you who have visited Antigua, was it worth the trip? And is there good, cheap shopping there? Also HOW do you get there? Tour, or is there a "shuttle" from the Marriott, (where we will be staying)? Also, how much does a tour or shuttle cost? Thanks for your time and answers, also , if anyone has anything else to add about Antigua, I would love more info. Oh well, (Annie is 2 today)....
waiting for Pink slip now...

[Gabby's Mom]

We loved our tour to Antigua. We hired a driver that took us there and showed us the sights. I think we paid 35 dollars per person....
We ate breakfast at Casa Santa Domingo, and toured the grounds and candle shop. We went to a jade store and a few other shops. We saw ruins, the volcano, a coffee plantation... We went to Carolina's Textiles and met some very talented women who made absolutely beautiful textiles. We did quite a bit of shopping there. We went through and made a couple of brief stops in surrounding villages, but we were short on time. I would love to go back.
I know there are several on this forum who have spent much, much more time there. They can tell you more, I am sure. But it is great; go if you have the chance.

Happy birthday to your sweet baby. I hope you're seeing pink soon.
Maria

[Shoshana]

Hi Oh Well.

I definitely recommend that you visit the Artisan's Market - the Marriott will transport you there for no charge. There is a good selection of handicrafts. It seemed to me that the prices at the Marriott gift store, Artisan's Market, and Antigua were comparable. But then again, I didn't really figure out the whole exchange thing until the end. I did find an out of the way shop (Pedro's Silver, I believe) in Antigua that had excellent prices on jewelry.

My sister and I took a shuttle from the Marriott to Antigua this past Tuesday. We left at 9 and returned at 3. It cost $50, plus tip. To answer the question, is it worth it, I guess it would depend on what you're looking for. To me, the drive alone made the entire trip worth while. The sights are still sharp in my mind. To see how at least a large segment of people live... To see the little men pushing huge fruit-filled wooden carts with three foot wooden wheels up hill. To see cows and goats in 'front-yards'... To see a little boy selling pineaples on a three foot stretch of a dirt-filled median of a busy highway... To see so many different attempts at marketing and selling products... To see ten people in the back of a small Ford pick up... To see starving dogs wandering the highways in search of food or water... To see a drunken and filthy 12-yr-old staggering the city sidewalk... Yes, there were beautiful sights as well, but they were overwhelmed by the other ones. These sights in route to Antigua and even more in Antigua (the young girls carrying baskets on their heads, attaching to me like magnets once they realized I'd pay what they asked) really cast a pall on what might have been a 'fun day.'

My attorney also told me that two of her clients had been robbed in Antigua two weeks ago and to leave everything of value in the hotel safe. (That was a great suggestion & it felt very secure).

It's quite a challenge to push a stroller on cobblestone streets and narrow broken sidewalks, but there's not much choice.

[tootsi20023]

Hello,

There is tons of shopping to do in Antigua. If you want cheap, good stuff go to the Artisan Market down on Santa Lucia Street (right next to Comparo Chicken). You can bargain and get some fantastic deals. Don't buy from the people in the park unless you want to pay more. ALWAYS bargain, never accept the price they give you.

Also, I'm not sure about tours or the Marriott offering a shuttle/tour bus. I do know you can take a taxi for around $20-30 dollars each way. If you take a taxi to Antigua, you can find taxis across from Central Park to take you back to the city. Always bargain with taxi drivers before you agree to get in the car as well.

When I lived there I stocked up on wool blankets (100Q each), hand-sewn baby blankets (300-400Q), silver jewelry and jade. There is a great Jade Factory on 4th Calle. If you buy more than 1 piece you should get a 20% discount .

I think it's worth the trip. Just make sure you have enough time and wear some good sneakers. Take tons of pictures too!

Congrats, I am so happy for you!

[sassafrass]

Hey you,

Antigua is wonderful and if you have a chance to spend a night CASA SAnto Domingo is great. I highly rec. it.
Its something you should see with your child it shows alot of culture and the beauty of guat.
have fun

[oh well]

I am sure thinging about trying to fit it in after her paperwork is final, before we go home. The Marriott shuttle sounds best, it is safe to take baby? Does anyone question the baby with you? Do you just take copies of final papers to prove she is ours? Just wondering! Thanks to all who answered! Oh well.

[Shoshana]

Oh Well,

It's not a Marriott Shuttle - the Marriott arranges a tour company shuttle for you. One concierge at Marriott was really super. Her name is Margarita and she'll help with anything. Another concierge, Monica, suggested a taxi. Both Margarita and my atty thought a tour shuttle was a better idea. Atty said it was okay to bring baby, but bring passport for both baby and yourself.

[nacgirl]

We had both of the children we are adopting with us and did not have the first problem. People would stop us to oooh and Ahhhh over the children. At no time did I feel unsafe or worried. It was great and the market is a good place to get stuff to bring back.

[csw]

Hi,
I have been there 2x, and am going to Antigua again for our third trip down. I had the baby with me all the time and was fine..I even went up to a police officer and asked them for directions! I went without a tour the first time,,and the second time I hired Eugenia with Top Team Tours (Velocity travel)..she speaks very good English. We went to the coffee plantation, Casa Santo Domingo, Posada de Don Rodrigo, the Jade factory,
and of course saw some beautiful cathedrals..(I posted photo's of them on the AF recently)..
The first time the shuttle for Top Team picked me up at the Westin, the second time, Eugenia used her private car with a car seat and everything..and she picked us up at the Holiday Inn.
There is also Clark tours,, we had a wonderfull man named Victor take us on a tour of Guatemala City.
I will probably go to Antigua on the 19th..when are you going?
The prices are better than in the hotel gift shops, for sure,,,the jade factory is a little pricey, but the quality is exquisite.
Antigua is very safe, it is the only place that our facilitator allows us to go with the baby (besides GC of course)...she says we have to wait until our adoption is final and we have her papers before we go to Lake Atitlan or anywhere else...I am sending my husband and son there without me on the 18th.
Have a great time,,take care, Cathy

[oh well]

Has anyone else used a Christian Taxi driver named "Hugo"
to take them to Antiqua? If You have time, I would love to hear how you liked him...had a wonderful pm. about him, and like to double check before we try new things!!! esp. in Guatemala.
I am excited to possibly go,(to antiqua) don't have dates yet, as we are still waiting for the pinkslip to go get her...Thanks again for all the suggestions. This forum has encouraged me so much, I may have quit without you all...Sincerely, oh well.

[Gingerella_68]

Hello ,

It's surely a nice trip to do if you can do it. My husband and I didn't want to stay in Guatemala City. We stayed for a week (we come from Europe) and wanted a safe city to walk around normally. We had chosen Antigua and have not spent one night in the capital. Our lawyer brought us our son to Antigua. On your way you can see a little bit of the "real life". We stayed at the Hotel Antigua, beautiful hotel with pool and beautiful garden with view on volcanos.
We went out a lot and it was very sure. When the little one was sleeping, one of us use to go alone to the cybercafe to write to the family. We never felt in danger, it's very touristical and you see white people everywere (there are very good Spanish schools there).
The places that were mentioned above are really good. I also recommend the Market (yes, bargain!!!). We bought hand painted letters of the name of our son, they hang on the door and are much nicer as the ones we can buy here.
And the food... hmmmmmmm there are many great restaurants, and also Burger King if you miss it .

Have a good trip and stay.

Here a little website to visit: http://www.enjoyguatemala.com/antigua.htm

[4kids4meTN]

I had Jose Pineda take me to Antigua for the day! He is absolutely wonderful!! We had lunch, went shopping, and he knows all about the history of Guatemala and Antigua. If you need his contact info...just let me know!!

[catbite]

I hired a tour guide recommended to me by my coordinator. He took us where ever we wanted- I asked to see Guatemala City including the not so great side of town and he took us. We went to Antigua a different day - I am single and was by myself with 2 kids (3 & 7) and he was invaluable in showing us good places as well as helping me accomplish the shopping I wanted with 2 kids. We had a very long day which cost me $100 (Henry + driver) but I could not have done it without him. I would do it over in a flash!

Mary Anne
Mom to Maria (8-Mexico) & Johana (4-Guatemala)

[teachergal]

I was rereading these posts while doing some research on Antigua. We are considering taking a day and doing some sightseeing.

I'm trying to determine how much money a person would take with them here. It doesn't sound like credit cards would do you any good in an open market setting. About how much would you suggest? Did the venders accept American $$ or only quetzals?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[csw]

Hi,
Most of the shops in Angtigua take credit cards..they seem to like Visa better than MC. Did not see any place that took Discover. In the park, we used American money and Quetzales. In the Artisian market we used Quetzales...most hotels will exchange travelors cheques with no problem..we brought ones down in $50 increments. We used Top Team Tours , Ana Silvia was our tour guide, she speaks very good English,,we had a private Mercedes van take us there and back..spent a full day there with her (have used her 2x, the first time I went by myself) I can e-mail you some photo's of Antigua also..give me your e-mail in a PM...Cathy