[BosMom]

My family and I would like to take a day trip (maybe overnight) to see a bit of Guatemala while we're there for pick-up. I've heard of some day trips leaving from the Marriott. Can anyone share some details? Did you book the trip before you left? Did you use Trent at Velocity Tours or did you sign up for something once you got down there? Is it even possible to make a day trip and return to the Marriott each night? What is of particular interest? We'll be doing this traveling before they bring us the baby. in advance!

[AdoptAmiga]

On a non-adoption trip to GC in 2005, we did a city tour from a trolley company. They service all the hotels and are advertized there as well. We opted for the half-day tour. (Their full day tours may include more stops and/or admission to the museums.) It was real nice and costs around $20. You can get an overview of the city and see some neighborhoods that you wouldn't typically get to see. This tour hit the basics and highlights - the National Palace and Cathedral, el Mercado Central, and the Popul Vuh and textile museums, and maybe one or two other stops (my memory is faltering!). The guides stayed within viewing distance at the market and let us shop - I don't think they wanted to lose us in that labrinyth... You don't go into the museums b/c of the short time, but it's fantastic - we went the day before. We were the only guests on the trolley, so the two guides made it very personal. They were very prompt (in fact early!) to pick us up. If you want to return to the market or the museums, you now have an idea of where it is and what to expect. Have a wonderful trip!

[BosMom]

That sounds fantastic! On our visit trip we stuck to the hotel and I feel like we really missed a lot. I'm surprised to not hear from more folks....

[DFNY]

The sight-seeing tour sounds great--maybe something we'll consider on our pick-up trip. We've now been in Guatemala 4 times; the first and most recent times, we were able to leave the hotel and we went to Antigua. It's only 45 minutes from GC and it's absolutely beautiful. Wear comfortable shoes because the cobblestoned streets & curbs can be a little difficult to navigate in uncomfortable shoes. The park in the center with its beautiful fountain, the architecture of the beautiful old buildings, the restaurants, the cathedral & monasteries, the market are all great. My husband and I plan to stay 2 nights at the Casa Santo Domingo, a gorgeous hotel that was a former monastery. Even if you're not planning to stay there, consider going in and looking around. It's amazing. The first time we went to Antigua, we went with a couple who lived there and showed us the hotel; a few weeks ago, we took a cab from the Grand Tikal ($60 for round trip & the driver staying with us about 4-5 hrs), a lot less expensive than the hotel tour that cost $45/person for a half-day. PM me if you want the name of the cab driver--I'm sure he'll go to the Marriott to pick you up if you'd like or just take a cab from the Marriott. Enjoy!

Damaris

[Guatemomtobe]

On my visit trip I took a full day tour of Antigua. We left the hotel at 10am and returned at 7pm. There was just me, my friend and another couple and driver and tour guide. I think it cost us $40 per person and we arranged it through the concierge at the Clarion. I have a card from the tour guide if anyone is interested. He spoke very good English (had lived in the states for several years).

When I go back for pickup I would like to do a city tour or just explore the city as I lived there for a year many years ago. The downtown area around the Palace, Cathedral and Market are pretty. I love the post office building. It has an arch over the street that used to be quite beautiful.

If you have a full day, you could do Lake Atitlan or Chichicastenango. If you do Chichi it is best on Thursday or Sunday as those are their main market days.

It is a beautiful country and I would recommend that you get out and see at least a slice of it if you can.

Susan

[JunipersMom]

I fostered in Antigua and can tell you it is WELL worth the trip. It's great for tourist stuff, history, ruins, shopping etc... and its a very very safe drive. Any hotel conceirge should be able to find you an English speaking driver, most of which just LOVE to show off their country.
Have fun!

[BosMom]

These are fantastic tips! I had no idea Antigua was so close. How long a drive would it be to see the ruins? Is a cab the best option or should I arrange a tour through a company.

[krambk]

We went to Lake Atitlan, and Panajachel and Solola all in ONE day, it was do able but we was exhausted at the end of the day, I would recomend staying the night and coming back the next day.

On another day we went to Antigua, it was nice, not so much in the car like going out to the lake was.


We had a great person take us out recomended by our agency, excellent English/Spanish, he helped with translation for us in the Market places. Couldnt have done it without translation.

Our cost was $250 for trip out to lake which included a tour of the lake by boat AWESOME, and we stopped for some shopping, and also included breakfast and lunch.

Trip to Antigua was only $100 dollars.

But I spent Way more than that SHOPPING

[tlcsha]

We took a 2 day (overnight) tour before our baby arrived on the first visit trip. We were the only ones on the tour, available from the concierge in the Marriott. We visited a coffee factory, Antigua for lunch and the afternoon. We then went to Chichicastenango for the night in one of the best hotels (not 5 star, but 5 star for character). The next morning was spent at the large local Mayan market and then on to Lake Atitlan on the way home. Reasonabley priced and a wonderful english speaking driver.

We booked before we left from a website but since we were the only ones on the tour it probably wasn't necessary. We also did a half day city tour as well. Feel free to PM me if you would like more specific details.

Tara

[JunipersMom]

Antigua is about 45 minutes from Guatemala City - and it has alot of ruins right in the city. Great churches, markets, and a really great town square park. You should go and see it!