Bon, le choix est maintenant fait, ce sera le Guatemala du 21 juillet au 1er aout (12 jours).
L'itinéraire semble assez clair, mais reste à savoir si c'est cohérent. Donc avis aux experts! :)
J0: départ
J1: arrivée à Guatemala City et direction Antigua
J2: Visite d'Antigua
J3: volcan Pacaya
J4: Antigua > Copan (Honduras)
J5: Copan
J6: Copan > Guatemala City (en bus) / Guatemala City > Flores (en avion)
J7: balade et direction El Remate (recherche d'une agence ou taxi pour les visites des jours suivants)
J8: Tikal
J9: Yaxja
J10: Xunantunich (Belize)
J11: balade
J12: Flores > Guatemala City (avion tôt le matin) / Retour vers la France
Par contre, comment se passe le passage Guatemala/Belize? Car le site de Xunantunich se trouve au Bélize et a priori visa obligatoire pour ce pays... mais pour une journée, c'est un peu lourd... (au pire pas de visite de ce site).
Pour Copan (Honduras), pas de visa, donc pas de problème à priori. non?
Pour le bélize, j'ai peur qu'il faille un visa, même pour un jour. Pour Copan, il y a effectivement un arrangement spécial mais limité dans le temps (vérifie par exemple si tu peux passer deux nuits sur place comme prévu dans ton itinéraire). Pas de visa donc mais dans mes souvenirs un petit billet quand même (1 ou 2 euros). Alors pour ce prix, tu peux quémander un peu pour qu'on te mette le tampon du Honduras pour etoffer ton passport !!
Pour l'itinéraire, ça me parait pas mal. Si tu en as envie, tu peux passer la nuit dans un hamac au jaguar inn sur le site de Tikal. Tu ne dormiras pas beaucoup mais, à 3m de la jungle, tu passeras la nuit la plus belle (et surtout la plus sonore) de ta vie !
Par contre, bonne nouvelle, pas besoin de visa! le passeport suffit.
Par contre, est-ce que quelqu'un sait s'il existe des liaisons de bus entre le Peten et Xunantunich???
Ou si quelqu'un a déjà fait ce trajet (quelque soit le moyen de locomotion), je suis preneur d'infos.
Mille excuses !
Effectivement, peut être qu'il ne faut pas de visa. Mon erreur vient du fait que j'ai souvenir d'avoir payé environ 20€ (si je me souviens bien) pour entrer dans le pays et j'ai assimilé ça à un visa.
Quoi qu'il en soit, c'est pas gratuit d'aller au Bélize.
Pour le Belize, pas de visa, si tu as un passeport d'un pays de l'UE, par contre taxe de sortie, de mémoire 10 ou 20 USD.
Pour le honduras, pas de visa, au poste frontiére du guatemala/honduras, il mettent un tampon "COPAN RUINAS" sur ton passeport, tu n'as pas de tampon de sortie du guatemala. c'est un arrangement spécial, pour les touristes qui veulent juste vister Copan, pareil quand tu reentres au guatemala, il ni a pas de tampon entrée. 2 nuits à Copan, c'est bien, j'aime vraiment ce village, pas mal de bar / resto vraiment sympas. pour le site c'est à 5 minutes du village en tuk-tuk, mais vtu peux y aller à pieds, un guide ? c'est à toi de voir, moi j'avais de la doc, ca m'a suffit.
voila pour le reste, moi j'aurais zapper le belize, pour au moins faire un tour à chichicastenango ou au lac Atitlan.
Pour tikal, pas la peine de venir trop tot le matin, car il y a souvent de la brume, donc pour voir les templs émergés de la jungle, c'est pas toujours évident....sinon pour la visite du site, pense à mettre un pantalon, les moustiques attaquent grave !!!!!
Bonjour,
Votre tour me semble intéressant, cependant je m’étonne que vous n’incluiez pas la région du lac Atitlan, c’est dommage de faire le Guatemala sans y passer, me semble-t-il. D’autre part, pourquoi revenir sur Guatemala Ciudad après Copan alors qu’il est assez simple de continuer vers Rio Dulce et Tikal. Vous économiseriez le prix d’un billet d’avion et au niveau timing ce serait assez semblable. Je ne vois pas trop l’intérêt d’entrer au Belize (pas de visa nécessaire pour les membres de l’Union Européenne) pour un aussi court séjour. Je vous recommanderais plutôt d’inclure le lac Atitlan ou alors un lieu spectaculairement beau comme le Rio de la Passion et les sites d’Aguateca et El Ceibal au Guatemala. Bref, à vrai dire, je trouve que votre itinéraire peut être amélioré.
Je peux vous indiquer en privé, si vous le souhaitez, les coordonnées d'une agence compétente et très compétitive au point de vue prix pour votre dernière partie du circuit.
L'hotel vous pouvez demeurer a Guatemala City, est L'Hermano Pedro ou le Dos Lunas, les deux offrent le service de transport de l'Aeroport a son hotel repectif.
Je vous recommende d'aller en premier a Antigua qui est seulement a une heure de Guatemala, car de cet endroit il vous sera facile de vous rendre au Lac Atitlan, (Panajachel) en prenant les navettes pour le modeste prix de $ 5.00 a $ 10.00.
Une observation, l'hotel Lomas de T'zununa est superbe, es surtout apprecie pour quelqu'un qui cherche la tranquilite, car il n'y a rien aux alentours a l'exception d'une marche sur le sentier battu vers Santa Cruz ou vers San Marcos de la Laguna.
a Rio Dulce vous povez vous rendre directement a Livingstone si vous y arrivez avant 14h00 sinon vous pouriez vous rendre a Puerto Barrios, si vous prenez les Pullman Litegua, de la il se trouve des embarcations vers Livingstone jusqu'a 16h00, le place a demeure est Casa Rosada.
L'hotel Mon Ami qui appartient a l'un de vos compatriotes, son nom est Santiago ici, est un endroit sympatique, mais je vous recommenderais de passer la derniere nuit a Flores, endroit charmant avec une variete d'hotels, un endroit que je recommande est "Los Amigos" restaurant et hotel.
Il serait prudent de reserver car c'est l'epoque que l'on recoit le tourisme europeen, faites le du moins aux endroits dont vous trouvez le courriel sur le web.
Ah, j'oubliais!
Je n'arrive pas à trouver de précision sur un liaison potentiel entre Copan et Rio Dulce....
Quelqu'un a des infos? (moyen de transport, prix, des départs le matin?)
Tu as raison il n'y a pas de conection directe, par bus, il te faudra prendrede deux a trois bus pour t'y rendre. Il est recommendable de partir tot, environ a 08h00, tu seras a la frontiere dans moins de 20 minutes, apres les formalites ttu devras trouver un mini-bus ou Coaster qui t'amenera vers Chiquimula, tente de rester sur la grand route, ne rentre pas a l'interieur de la ville ainsi tu pourras prendre quelques bus qui vont a la croiser des chemins, soit la route Guatemala a Puerto Barios, tu verras que les bus inscrivent sur le devant l'endroit ou il se dirige, alors si c'est Guatemala, tu le prends jusqu'au croise des chemins. Arrive la, tu tentes de prendre le bus qui sera inscrit Rio Dulce, les compagnies de bus qui vont dans cette direction pour certain sont Fuentes des Norte, A.D.N et certains de Litegua. Mais comme je te disais auparavant, il serait recommendable de te rendre a Puerto Barrios, ainsi si tu desires visiter Livingstone tu n'auras pas a te payer l'aller retour en bateau depuis Rio Dulce.
Et entre la croisée des chemins (quelques cabanes au bord de la route dans mes souvenirs mais il faisait nuit !!) et Puerto barrios, c'est là que j'ai pris le bus le plus luxueux de mon voyage pour le prix d'un chichi avec sièges moelleux et la télé dans le bus avec l'intégrale des "predator" durant la route (on s'en serait passé ! héhéhé !)
Je vois que tu habites au Guate! :-)
J'ai qq questions concernant la semena santa... qui est apparemment LE moment touristique de l'année vu que les guatemalteques sont eux-même en congé.
je pars au guate avec mon copain le 4 avril (jusqu'au 21) on a une ébauche d'itinéraire mais nous aimons nous laisser aller et porter par le voyage. On ne sais donc pas vraiment prévoir ou l'on sera à telle ou telle date... nous n'avons fais aucune réservation; est-ce une erreur?
nous serons sans doute au lac Attitlan pour le jeudi/vendredi saint pour fêter Maximon à santiago Atitlan (fête paienne).
Nous sommes conscients que nous payerons sans doute plus chers nos logements mais nous preferons cette liberté.
Le lac Atitlan est-il aussi bondé qu'Antigua pour la semana santa?
Devons-nous réserver toute cette semaine? + les trajets sont-ils "normaux" pendant cette semaine ou les chauffeurs de bus sont-ils aussi en congé? les petites agences de voyages locales sont-elles ouvertes??
Tout peut être décalé en fonction d'une rencontre, d'un coup de coeur, ou d'un imprévu... mais nous serons (sans doute) :
le 5-6 avril à San Cristobal de las casas (mexique)
le7/04 route san cristo - Xela
le 8 - 9 Xela (possibilité de grimper un volcan, d'avoir un guide pdt la semana santa?)
le 9-10-11 lago atitlan
12-13 avril Antigua (volcan pacaya)
Que nous conseilles-tu?
Antigua est-elle fort vivante lors du dimanche/lundi de paques?
le lundi de paques est-il un jour ferié au guaté?
A Quetzaltenango (Xela), dans le centre il y a un petit hôtel Los Olivos, que j’aime bien, sinon en face il se trouve le Black Cat et un autre à coté que le nom m’échappe. Pour te rendre au Lac Atitlán, tu peux utiliser les services de navettes de Adrelina Tours, qui ont un départ a 14h00 dans cette direction, ils ont aussi un départ le matin mais je ne puis, me rappeler l’heure. Je crois que ton idée de monter un volcan te serais plus facile de concrétiser lorsque tu es au Lac Atitlán, ce que je te recommande c’est de visiter Fuentes Georginas, j’espère que ce ne sera pas trop bonde, vas y le matin.
Pour la section Lac Atitlán, je te conseillerais que dès que tu arrives a Panajachel, tu te diriges au quai T’zanjuyu, dont les embarcations vont vers San Pedro La Laguna, la je crois que tu n’auras pas de problème a te trouver un endroit pour y dormir ; au cas que ce serait bonde prends un moto taxi (Tuc-Tuc) et va au petit village d’à coté, San Juan La Laguna. Je tiens a t’informer que le moment culminant de la divinité Maximom, est le Vendredi Saint, je te recommande d’y être a 13h00 pour y sentir l’atmosphère.
Pour monter le volcan Pacaya, tu peux contacter Barco Expeditions, sur la 7ieme Avenue Nord, ils ont 2 départs, l’un a 06h00 et l’autre a 14h00 mais plutôt dire 14h30, car ca leur prend du temps rassembler tout les gens.
Si tu viens a Antigua le 11 en fin d’après-midi, a Antigua, il te sera facile de trouver un hôtel.
Le lundi de Pâques, n’est pas congé, tout retombe normal, les gens sont au travail.
Merci Andre pour ta réponse rapide!
tes conseils sont forts utiles, j'en prends bonne note!
A Xela, nous etions fort intéressés par le volcan santa maria ou le Santiaguito.
Nous verrons bien sur place, s'il est possible de les grimper pendant la semaine sainte.
Les marchés ont quand même lieu pendant cette semaine?
Pourquoi pas aller au marché de Chichi le dimanche de Paques...
HA en fait, j'ai encore 2-3 questions à te poser, si ça ne t'ennuie pas!
On m'a dit dis que c'était compliqué de se déplacer pendant la semaine sainte. Cela veut-il dire que les bus locaux interurbains ne roulent pas ou bien que tous les transports sont arrêtés? Est-il quand même possible de trouver une camionette ou un taxi pour faire les trajets pas trop longs (par ex Xela - panajachel ou encore panajachel - Antigua) et les agences touristique locales sur les itinéraires touristiques roulent-ils?
est-il possible de faire en une journée le trajet panajachel /chichi + visite du marché + trajet chichi/Antigua. Si oui, que fait-on de nos gros sac à dos? Y a t'il des infrastructures pour ça (comme au mexique) ?
Merci pour tes 2 adresses d'hotel, je retiens!
Je vois également qu'il y a un black cat hostel à antigua. Est-il bien et bien situé?
Est-il tout à fait cretin de rater le vendredi saint à Antigua, alors qu'on est dans la région? la fête doit être bien folklorique, mais c'est peut-être pas la meilleure façon de visiter la ville...
On en parle beaucoup comme un MUST mais la fâte de Maximon au lago atitlan a l'air aussi très depaysante et surtout très intriguante!
Ouf ! je vois qu’il y a beaucoup d’interrogations, nous allons petit a petit démêler le tout en commençant graduellement dans le même ordre tu me les a envoyé.
Tu fais mention d’escalader le Santa Maria ou le Santiaguito, les deux ne sont point facile, le premier pour le temps et l’ascension et le second pour ses fréquentes explosions, il est l’enfant terrible des trois volcans en activités au Guatemala. Une solution qui pourrait te plaire c’est de monter le Volcan Chicabal, il est plaisant d’ascension en sus que d’un endroit tu peux admirer le Santiaguito et descendre le cratère dans lequel repose un lac considéré encore de nos jours par les gens de la place. Si cela t’intéresse rentre en contact Rogelio de Chicabal Tours, situé a San Martin Chiquito a coté de Chili Verde; au numéro suivant (si tu veux faire contact a ton arrive au Guatemala) 5553-3115 ou au courriel chikabaltours@hotmail.com
Lors de ton passage a Xela, les marches seront tranquilles, il peut y avoir de l’activités a celui de Zunil, le Mercredi, il faudrait se renseigner sur place, et si vous désirez aller a Fuentes Georginas, vous passez a cote, celui d’Almolonga pourrait bourdonner du que ce sera une longue semaine de congé vous pourriez y jeter un coup d’œil.
Le marche de Chichi sera en opération, tu dois t’organiser de prendre une navette qui t’amènera ou de Panajachel, si tu y couche ou encore de San Pedro pour ce marche et a 14h00 la navette poursuit la route vers Antigua, il se peut qu’a Chichi tu dois changer de navettes, mais ne te préoccupes point de tes effets personnels, ils vont les garder jusqu'à ce que tu abordes l’autre si c’est nécessaire.
Tu ne devrais pas te préoccupe outre mesure pour ce qui est des navettes touristiques, je te recommande de ne point utilises les « camionettas » transport publique durant cette semaine, elles sont bondes de monde et les pilotes roulent comme des fous ou imbéciles. Lorsque tu auras bien défini ton itinéraire il te sera facile de t’assoir a l’une des agences de tourisme de Panajachel ou de San Pedro, pour arranger la portion de trajet que tu désires. A Quetzaltenango, tu vas trouver beaucoup de publicité de l’agence Adrelina Tours, qui sont dans un édifice qui fait face au Parque Central, et ou se trouve aussi un populaire bar « Tecun »
Pour tes sacs et le trajet a Chichi j’ai répondu précédemment.
J’ai aussi vu qu’il y avait un hôtel Black Cat a Antigua, il est bien situe, mais ne pourrait te donner d’information sur le type de chambre, quoi qu’il en soit je ne crois pas que tu es un inconvénient de te trouver un endroit pour dormir en arrivant le Dimanche après-midi. Assures toi que le pilote de la navette te donnes le temps de t’informer a l’hôtel de la disponibilité.
L’idée ne serait pas mauvaise d’être a Antigua, mais je ne te le recommande point a moins que tu désires être foulé et refoulé dans une mer de monde et de te faire arnaquer sur le prix des hôtels que l’on vend pour un minimum de 5 jours a prix fort. En sus tu perdrais trop de temps sur la route car il te faudrait revenir sur tes pas. Quand tu seras plus âgé tu pourras toujours aller voir les processions a Séville.
Je crois que tu vas aimer te trouver dans une ambiance qui imprègne le syncrétisme des peuples natifs des hautes terres du Guatemala.
Sur la question des agences ouvertes le Dimanche de Pâque, comme je t’écrivais il est recommandable que tu ais réservé une journée avant quelques déplacements que tu désires.
Merci pour ton offre mais pour le moment rien ne me vient a l’idée, bien que j’aurais aime une « Gueuse ou une Mort Subite ». Vois tu dans les années 83 et 84 j’ai passe beaucoup de temps a Bruxelles, je logeais a l’Hôtel Métropole pour raison de travail, j’ai eu la chance de manger beaucoup de moules et boire une variété et quantité de bières.
J'ai regarde le site que tu fais mention, je dois t'avouer qu'il est tres general, et qu'il ne repond point sur l'endroit ou le prendre ainsi que le nom.
A titre d'exemple, si tu veux te rendre a Panajachel depuis Antigua, ;le bus que tu dois prendre le bus Rebuli, qui fait son arret en face de la Bodegona.
Quoiqu'il en soit tu ne devrais pas t'inquieter outre mesure, au cours du parours tu auras la chance de rencontrer d'autres voyageurs qui te feront part de leurs experiences.
Mais rappeles toi que la semaine sainte est l'une dont il y a le plus de gens de toute la republique qui voyage.
Amérique Centrale › Belize / Guatemala · 7 replies
Je vais partir 12 jours au Guatemala vers mi-decembre. Je cherche de conseils sur un itineraire sympa et faisable dans ce temps assez court. Le debut de mon…
Je pars au Costa Rica du 17/10 au 01/11/2020 avec mon compagnon. Nous souhaitons louer un 4x4 pour parcourir le pays. En restant 12 jours sur place, nous…
Le Costa Rica en 12 jours? Bonjour J'aurai besoin d'aide sur un séjour qui aurait lieu en avril 2015. Voici l'itinéraire prévu et j'ai essayé d'éviter de…
JE souhaite partir au costa rica en février je reste 12 jours quel est pour vous le meilleur périple (je ne souhaite pas manger trop de route..enfin tt est…
I’m heading to Guatemala for 18 days in August with my 11-year-old and I’m wondering if renting a car makes sense—not so much because of the road conditions, but because I’d like to spend about 3 days in Livingston. Since it’s only accessible by boat, I’d have to leave the car in Río Dulce. Maybe possible at a hotel, but that means paying for a rental for 3 days without using it...
Same issue for Semuc Champey—it’s only reachable by 4x4, and I won’t be renting that type of vehicle.
Also, has anyone traveled from Panajachel (Lake Atitlán) to Cobán (to explore the caves and waterfalls in the area)?
According to Google Maps, it’s a 6-hour, 44-minute drive... so whether by car or minibus, it’s *really* long (same for Cobán-Flores later).
Are there any interesting stops along the way where I could spend a night? And if I’m not renting a car, is it possible to take two private shuttles for this route?
Hello,
We're planning 15 days in Chiapas. We already spent 3 weeks in the Yucatán 4 years ago.
What would you recommend in Chiapas? Our idea is to rent a car so we can move around freely—there’ll be two of us.
Thanks for your tips on great places to stay, restaurants, and sights to visit!
In 2024, I spent two months solo in El Salvador. While I’m still putting together my travel journal on Myatlas, here’s a quick recap.
It’s a country where it’s really easy to travel without a guide or agency.
SAFETY:
For a long time, the country was considered one of the most dangerous in the world because of the "maras," ultra-violent gangs. But today, I think it’s the safest country in Latin America.
BUDGET:
For French tourists, the country is very affordable, especially in the less touristy regions.
TRANSPORT:
I got around everywhere by local bus.
Local buses go everywhere and run all the time. For me, it’s the best way to travel in El Salvador—you’re fully immersed, moving at the pace of the locals, and interacting with Salvadorans who are eager to connect with travelers.
I saw all sorts of things on those buses—I’ve got dozens of stories!
PEOPLE:
I’m used to traveling all over Latin America, and for me, Salvadorans are the warmest and most welcoming. Everywhere you go, people say, "Welcome to El Salvador!"
The connections and long conversations with locals were my favorite part of the trip.
TOURIST CROWDS:
The country isn’t well-known among European tourists, but Americans and Quebecers visit. Overall, it’s still pretty low-key, especially compared to other Central American countries. That said, tourism has been growing since security improved significantly.
WHAT I LOVED ❤️
-Suchitoto, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Central America.
-The volcanoes—there are so many! Santa Ana is the most touristy.
-The lakes—also plentiful. Coatepeque is the most famous, but there are lots of lagoons too.
-The mountainous regions, where the cooler weather is a nice break: La Palma, Perquín, Cerro El Pital, etc.
-The charming villages along the Ruta de las Flores, especially Nahuizalco with its nighttime atmosphere and food stalls. Juayúa and others are great too.
-The conversations with people who lived through the horrors of the civil war in Perquín and Cinquera. I met one of them by chance while waiting for a bus.
For surfers, El Salvador is a paradise, with world-famous beaches.
WHAT I LIKED LESS:
I loved almost everything, but I found the archaeological sites a bit underwhelming. Joyabaj de Cerén is billed as the "Pompeii of El Salvador," which is a stretch (though it *is* a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical value).
I’ve been reading some really conflicting info about the best ways and advantages of exchanging euros for Mexican pesos. For those with recent experience, could you shed some light? Is exchanging at the airport currency exchange offices more worthwhile? Other advice suggests that withdrawing with an international bank card is the best option. Thanks for sharing your experiences on this!
Philippe
Hi,
We’re planning a trip to Mexico this summer (loop through Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche). We’re thinking of using public transport or possibly renting a car. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website has a lot of recommendations. Are these states safe for solo travelers? Are there any precautions we should take or areas to avoid?
Thanks,
Hi everyone, I’m planning to go to Panama in December and I’d like to know which city is closest to the Panama-Costa Rica border—and just across the border in Costa Rica—to buy the cheapest bus ticket? Just so I have proof of onward travel when I take my flight, thanks.
When planning a trip to Panama, you often hear about Panama City, Bocas del Toro, Boquete, or even San Blas. Yet, there’s a region that remains relatively under the radar in travel guides: the Arco Seco.
Located on the Pacific coast, between the provinces of Panamá Oeste, Coclé, Herrera, and Los Santos, the Arco Seco enjoys a generally drier climate than the rest of the country. Even during the rainy season, you’ll often find more sunshine here than in other parts of Panama.
For travelers who love alternating between beaches, nature, hikes, and local discoveries, this region is definitely worth a detour.
A few ideas for visits:
• The beaches of La Ensenada, El Palmar, Punta Barco, and Coronado
• Surfing at El Palmar, one of the most well-known spots on the Pacific coast
• Kitesurfing at Punta Chame, which is highly reputed!
• El Valle de Antón, nestled in an ancient volcanic crater, with its hikes, waterfalls, artisan market, and hot springs
• Various hikes offering stunning panoramas
• The waterfalls in the San Carlos and El Valle areas
• Golf at Vista Mar or Coronado
• Fishing villages where you can still buy freshly caught fish directly from local fishermen
What I particularly love about this region is that it lets you discover a more authentic and peaceful side of Panama while remaining easily accessible from Panama City.
I’ve been living in San Carlos for several years now, and I’m still discovering new places, trails, beaches, and hidden gems.
If anyone is planning a trip to this region and has questions, I’d be happy to share my favorite spots and personal recommendations.
I’m reaching out to tap into your knowledge and experiences, as my partner and I are heading to Guatemala and Belize for the entire month of February 2020, and we could really use some tips.
I was thinking of spending 20 days in Guatemala and 10 days in Belize, especially since our flight arrives in Guatemala City and departs from Belize.
We were considering hiring a driver-guide for part of our time in Guatemala. Which part do you think would be best? We’re choosing this country for all the culture and traditions it has to offer, so skipping a guide entirely would be a shame—but I can imagine it’d be tough to keep one for all 20 days.
So maybe a week or ten days. What kind of budget should we plan for? And most importantly, do you have any contacts for reliable driver-guides?
Thanks in advance for your valuable advice.
Marilyne
Hi there! We’ve decided to head to Panama this summer and would love to do a road trip with a rental car—there are four of us, and our kids are 20 and 23. Do you have any recommendations on must-see spots and things to avoid? Any great tips for accommodation, restaurants, or activities? Thanks so much for your help
Hello,
We’re heading to Playa del Carmen for two weeks in August with our 4-year-old child.
We’ve seen that you can visit places like Tulum or Cozumel on your own using colectivos. For Coba, we’re hesitant to go alone because we’d like to see the cenotes and the Mayan village.
But we’d prefer to find a French-speaking agency that guarantees small-group tours, especially for Sian Ka’an.
We’d rather avoid the "mimi tours" even though they’re recommended by a lot of people and the *Guide du Routard*, based on the reviews we’ve read.
I’m interested in the agency Muuch Ximbal, which seems to offer slightly different outings. There’s also H and L Tours or Delphine Fautré’s agency (though the last two don’t list excursion prices). We also found Promomaya, but apparently, they don’t have an on-site agency.
Do you have any tips or other agencies to recommend?
We’d also like to swim with dolphins but outside of the Xcaret and Xel-Há parks. Do you know of other ways to swim with them, maybe even in the open sea???
I’ve also seen that it’s possible to swim with whale sharks—is this doable with a 4-year-old who doesn’t like putting her head underwater yet? Have any of you done it? This excursion is quite expensive, and I’d be okay with swimming with them, but just sailing on a boat without being able to see them would be disappointing.
PS: Our Spanish isn’t very good.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
we’re traveling as a couple to Guatemala from Feb 8 to 22.
We’ve realized that given the distances, it feels a bit short.
So, we’ve decided to limit ourselves to:
- Antigua: 3 nights (from Feb 8 to 11), including the arrival day
- Lake Atitlán: from Feb 11 to 14 – 3 nights in San Juan La Laguna, including the morning trip from Antigua to Lake Atitlán
- Chichicastenango: from Feb 14 to 15 – 1 night to attend the Sunday market and visit the cemetery
We have 7 days left that we’re not sure how to organize to cover:
Flores – Tikal – El Remate, then head back to Guatemala City for our flight on Feb 22.
Actually, I have a few questions:
Do you think the time in Antigua and at the lake is enough?
We might do the Pacaya Volcano, which is accessible for beginners, and that’s it.
Should we spend a bit more time at these two spots: Antigua and the lake? If so, we’d have to skip the Chichicastenango market.
We’re also thinking of leaving Chichicastenango to head to Flores, then staying overnight in El Remate. Does that seem doable in one day?
We’ve noted that the trips are long, and since we don’t want to rush, we’ve reduced the number of accommodations. Even though we know we won’t see everything, we don’t want to miss the must-sees.
We’re also wondering if we’ve planned the route in the right direction, or if we should head straight to Tikal when we arrive.
Anyway, I know this is long, but we’re a bit lost.
Thanks so much for your help!
Annick
My partner and I would like to travel to Mexico during the Christmas holidays. We’re well aware that this is a peak tourist season, but it’s the only time of year when we can take a long trip (over two weeks) due to work commitments.
We’re looking to avoid overly touristy areas and travel independently (renting a car). We want to explore Mexico’s history, take our time, and enjoy nature and the sea.
I’ve never been to Mexico before, and I’m considering the following regions (not all of them, of course): Yucatán (outside Quintana Roo), Baja California, Oaxaca, or Chiapas.
I’ve more or less ruled out Chiapas for safety reasons (even though the nature there looks amazing), and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the other regions. From experience, I know that even in highly touristy areas, you can often find quieter spots with good planning and by avoiding the main hotspots. For example, we were in Thailand last year during the same period, and aside from 2-3 places, we had a very peaceful trip—sometimes even being the only Westerners around. Would the same be true for Yucatán or Baja California?
Do you have any recommendations for nice, less touristy spots? What are your thoughts on the regions I mentioned?
Thanks so much for your help, and I hope you have a great weekend!
Hi there,
We’ve had to change our plans, so we’re heading to Guatemala from October 16 to 25, 2025 (in just 6 days 😱 😊😕), with two kids aged 8 and 10. No time difference for us.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Morning: Arrival in Guatemala City at 9 AM. Drive to Antigua (1-hour shuttle) / Afternoon: Stroll around Antigua / Night: Antigua
Day 2: Explore Antigua / Night: Antigua
Day 3: Visit the area around Antigua OR hike a volcano (Acatenango?) / Night: Antigua
Day 4: Drive to Chichicastenango for the big market (how many hours?) / Afternoon: Iximche ruins? Or the hanging bridges at Atitlán Reserve? Or spend the day in Chichicastenango / Night: Panajachel
Day 5: A day by boat visiting villages around the lake and checking out local crafts (which villages to pick?), Night: Panajachel
Day 6: Drive to Flores with 1 stop? Should we go to Semuc Champey? (how many hours?), Night: ??
Day 7: Drive to Flores (how many hours?), Night: Flores
Day 8: Yaxha (1.5-hour drive each way with a driver), Night: Flores
Day 9: Day trip to Tikal, Night: Flores
Day 10:: Flight from Flores to Guatemala City, then departure at 4:30 PM
About hiking a volcano, I’ve read mixed reviews. Some say it’s easy, others say it’s tough.
Is there a kid-friendly hike where we could see lava from a volcano? Is it only visible at night? Do we *have* to sleep at the top and come down the next day?
I’ve heard of people doing it with 2-year-olds by carrying them, and others using horses—but I guess the horses don’t go all the way up? Seeing a real volcano would be amazing! I think it’d be a memorable experience for the kids. It’d be so cool to say, "We did that as a family!" But maybe it’s way too hard and a bad idea...
I’m struggling to find reliable info on travel times:
- How long is the drive from Antigua to Chichicastenango, please?
I’ve read shuttles leave at 7 AM and arrive at the market by 8:30 AM, but I’ve also seen people say it’s a 4-hour trip 😕.
Are the times on Google Maps reliable?
A blog mentioned visiting Chichicastenango’s market in the morning and Iximché in the afternoon. That seems like a lot of driving, especially after leaving Antigua in the morning. What should we do in the afternoon instead?
Days 6 and 7: The trip from Panajachel to Flores. Any advice on taking an overnight bus?
Should we go during the day with a stop at Semuc Champey? Or fly and spend the extra day somewhere else?
Day 8: Is a full day at Yaxha too much?
Thanks so much for your help—it’s *so* valuable with such short notice! 😅 😅 😅 THANK YOU
PS: If you have recommendations for private drivers, shuttle services, or any firsthand experience, I’d love to hear it!
Hi, a friend will be in Panama at an all-inclusive resort and was wondering if it's worth visiting the Canal in a single day, and also which attractions shouldn't be missed.
Is it better to choose a package deal? What's the recommended mode of transport for this trip?
Thanks
We’re a retired couple in our 70s looking to spend six weeks in Costa Rica between mid-January and mid-March 2026. We’d like to stay in comfortable bungalows (2x3 weeks) and rent a car for the entire period. We enjoy light hiking and some beach time, but we also love relaxing on a shaded veranda, reading, and unwinding. Which places would suit these preferences? We have a lot of experience with this kind of stay in the French West Indies or Indian Ocean islands but have never been to Central America. Does anyone have good tips?
Hi there, after my trip to Nicaragua in January, I’m planning to visit Honduras and El Salvador during the same journey. Can anyone tell me where to cross the border from Nicaragua to Honduras by bus? Is it doable? Safe? And most importantly, what’s a good route to take and what’s worth seeing in Honduras in a safe way?
Is it better to travel with a group (through an agency) or is solo travel no problem?
P.S.: And for El Salvador, same question—what’s a good route and what’s generally worth seeing? Is it better to start in the south (El Salvador) and then head north to Honduras before continuing to Guatemala, or...?
I spent two months alone in Guatemala this summer, without a guide or agency, and I’d love to share a quick recap of my impressions.
● First off, it’s really easy to travel without a guide or agency.
If you want a guide for excursions, you can easily find one through the many agencies in Antigua or Panajachel. In Flores, there are also plenty of agencies offering multi-day jungle treks.
● I got around by shuttle for part of the "classic" and more touristy route. To step off that path, I took "camionetas" (chicken buses) or minibuses.
For me, "camionetas" are the best way to get around Guatemala. They let you travel everywhere, fully immersed, at the local pace. They run all the time and are even an adventure in themselves.
Shuttles are direct, but local buses aren’t.
No matter how you travel, trips take a while because roads are often in bad shape, and in the mountains, you can’t overtake.
● As for safety, there’s nothing unusual compared to other Latin American countries. Just keep in mind it’s not Europe. As a solo woman, I try not to draw too much attention—though traveling alone already does that. Like in other countries, I was often asked where my kids and husband were, and I just gave whatever answer I felt like.
● Budget-wise, Guatemala isn’t too expensive for French tourists, but Antigua and Panajachel—two very touristy spots—are pricier.
● Guatemala is a small country but incredibly rich in culture and nature (volcanoes, mountains, beaches, etc.). You can easily spend several days (or even weeks) in each region.
● My top picks ❤️:
- The Mayan markets, especially the one in San Francisco El Alto
- The Ixil Triangle: Nebaj, Chajul, Acul
- The stunning landscapes around Todos Santos Cuchumatán
- Antigua, very touristy but beautiful
- Lake Atitlán, also touristy but gorgeous
I planned to climb Pacaya Volcano, but early in my trip, there was an earthquake in Antigua, and by the end, I wasn’t in the mood. Climbing Acatenango is more spectacular but also more challenging.
● Biggest highlights ❤️ ❤️:
- Tikal—it’s THE must-see site, an incredible mix of archaeology and nature!
- The Joyabaj Fair, which I hadn’t planned to visit but ended up spending a week at: Mayan ceremonies, equestrian parades, diverse dances, processions with Mayan priests, and especially the "palo volador"—the highlight of the festival!
● Small letdown 👎:
- Ranchitos del Quetzal, where I went hoping to spot the quetzal. I knew it wasn’t the right season, but I was still disappointed—I didn’t see any other birds either, and the hiking options were limited. It also took me a slight detour from Cobán.
If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them.
● If you’re interested, I kept a more detailed travel journal, and I’m working on another one just about the Joyabaj Fair:
We’re planning a 15-day family trip in February 2026 (with 3 teens). We’ll be visiting friends who live in Puebla. Initially, I was thinking of the Yucatán, but after reading up on it, I don’t think it’s the right fit for us (too crowded, too touristy).
So, we’re leaning toward something like this:
- Mexico City: 2 days (Teotihuacán + city)
- Puebla: 3 days
- Tehuacán: 2 days (to break up the trip—is this a good choice? Is there enough to do for 2 days?)
- Oaxaca: 3 days (Hierve el Agua, Monte Albán, city/tours)
- Pacific Coast: 4 days (snorkeling, excursions)
Does this seem balanced? We’d like to end on the coast for some relaxation, ocean time, and fun for the kids. I’ve seen lots of excursions offered along the coast but can’t decide where to stay. Puerto Escondido? Huatulco? The beaches seem better for snorkeling in Huatulco, but I’ve read mixed things, and it’s farther away. What do you think?
For transportation, is this doable by bus? I’m struggling to find a decent bus between Tehuacán and Oaxaca (overnight schedules), and I’m not sure how to get around the coast. Also, how do we handle luggage between cities? We usually rent a car.
Finally, I’d love feedback on the Pacific Coast excursions—I get the feeling some are worth it and others aren’t. Is bioluminescence really magical? Are dolphin-watching tours ethical and not too "factory-like"? (We skipped them in Quebec and just watched whales from shore.) Can you see sea turtles up close?
Hi everyone,
There’s not much info out there on Nicaragua in general, which is why I posted my questions here on the forum... but didn’t get many answers since it’s tough to find any anyway.
It’s a stunning country, but my experience was mixed.
There are areas with very few tourists (which is exactly what we were looking for), but as a result, there’s almost no way to get around (unless you walk, and even that’s not easy or always possible) and no real tourist infrastructure.
Finding info is nearly impossible—there’s practically nothing, so it’s hard to know what you’ll find in a given place, whether it’s worth taking a 12-hour bus ride across the country, only to turn around 48 hours later.
The easy and pleasant spots: Granada, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur and the Pacific beaches, León, and the Corn Islands. These are the places mentioned in guidebooks (the rest is jungle to the east, not many roads south of the lake, and no boats on the lake either—except for the Rivas-Ometepe connection). Venturing off the beaten path is really tough.
The Caribbean coast: aside from the Corn Islands (which are very touristy but not easy to reach by ferry from Bluefields), or if you want to take a flight with La Costeña, book in advance—there are often very few seats! The rest isn’t particularly satisfying, especially Pearl Lagoon, where swimming isn’t possible due to unsafe water. Don’t expect a postcard-perfect setting. But everything’s worth it if you have the time...
Buses: there are plenty, and they’re super cheap—but be warned, they stop everywhere, take forever, and are loud (though kind of charming in a vintage way). Too many buses can ruin a trip.
Lodges: affordable on a small budget, except in Managua and along the entire Caribbean coast! For example, beaches like El Tránsito (which is gorgeous) charge at least $50 or $60 per night for a basic room. Good to know.
In Matagalpa, we tried to rent a motorcycle to get around—impossible. I asked everywhere, but there was no way. So we cut our stay short because once you’ve explored Selva Negra, there’s not much else to do (an 8-hour bus ride to see a waterfall? No thanks). These might seem like small details, but they really matter when you want to enjoy where you are and discover nice spots—you end up stuck.
Bring plenty of mosquito spray + oral antihistamines: mosquitoes and bites are a *serious* nuisance. (I got over 200 bites in one go during a trip to a humid tropical forest, even though I was covered and protected.)
All in all, it’s an adventurous, exploratory trip. The people are great, and we never felt unsafe (even though some travelers have had *really* bad experiences). I thought there’d be a carnival since it was the right time of year—nothing. No dancing, not festive at all (compared to Brazil, for example, it’s the complete opposite).
We saw animals, but no toucans, for example!
For a beautiful, pristine, and well-organized trip, everyone agrees—go to Costa Rica, but be prepared to pay a lot more. Nicaragua is something else entirely. For surfers, though, it’s amazing! Personally, I love watching fish in clear, calm waters, hiking in nature, and swimming—I think I picked the wrong destination, but I’m glad I got to experience this totally wild side of Central America! :-)
Here’s our itinerary for 15 days in Guatemala.
Does it seem logical in terms of distances to avoid overly long trips? If not, which stop should we cut?
- Antigua
- Atitlán
- Lanquín
- Río Dulce
- El Remate – Flores
- Guatemala City
Could you help me estimate the approximate travel time for these routes by tourist bus or shuttle?
- Atitlán – Lanquín
- Lanquín – Río Dulce
- Río Dulce – El Remate
- Flores – Guatemala City
Hi everyone,
I’m so happy 🙂 to be traveling again after 5 years without a trip. I’m heading back to Costa Rica for 18 days from December 12th to 30th with a friend. We’re doing San José-Sarapiquí (2 nights), then Sarapiquí-Tortuguero (3 nights), then from Tortuguero heading to the Cahuita and Puerto Viejo area. We’ll spend about ten days in that region, then make a 2-day stop somewhere before flying back out of San José.
From what I’ve read on this blog, Puerto Viejo seems like the "rasta," party-friendly spot, which is honestly the kind of place I tend to avoid—too touristy. I’m looking for places surrounded by beautiful nature. I’ve already spent several weeks in Drake Bay (in 2019 and 10 years before that) and loved it. My friend also wants to visit the Bri Bri.
Could you recommend some authentic spots in this southern Caribbean area? Your favorite places—whether it’s sights to see, accommodations, or even your favorite little restaurants 😛?
What’s the most authentic way to visit the Bri Bri? What’s your take on that?
And finally, what beautiful stop would you recommend before heading back to San José?
A huge thank you to everyone!
Have a great day,
Zineb
We’d like to do a tour to Yaxchilan and Bonampak from Palenque, but it seems there are tons of travel agencies offering this tour. We’ve also read about a lot of disappointments... any recommendations?
Hi,
I’m heading to Cancun next January and I’m looking for a rental car.
I’m overwhelmed by all these cheap offers from sites like Booking, Carigami, and others...
Some reviews mention extra insurance fees that had to be paid on the spot.
I’d love to hear about your experiences—what company did you use? Were you charged any additional costs?
A lot of ads redirect to Touracancun, but they don’t seem trustworthy to me.
Thanks for your feedback!
My son is finishing up a year of working holiday in Canada soon. His plan is to take a bus from Montreal to Florida on 10/26, stay there for a few days, then fly to Cancun, Mexico. From there, he doesn’t have a precise plan yet, except to head down to Panama if the security situation in the countries he’ll cross allows it. Then, in March 2026, he’ll take a flight to Martinique, where he’d like to either find a sailboat (as crew) for the return transatlantic crossing (option 1) or do a sailing internship that includes the crossing (option 2).
So my questions are:
- Will he be able to re-enter Mexico without an exit date or proof of a flight back to Belgium? Would being able to prove his return by sailboat with a specific date (option 2, the sailing internship) make things easier?
- Are there any countries to avoid between Mexico and Panama? He’s traveling backpacker-style on a small budget.
Hi everyone, absolute travel lovers after our 20 trips to the USA, we’ve decided to head to Mexico in February (flight already booked: Nice to Cancun on February 20th, returning on the evening of March 1st).
I’m mainly hesitating about trying to do too much, as usual when discovering a new country. Here’s my itinerary—I’m unsure about a few things:
- **Day 1**: Should we stay relaxed at the resort we booked, or should we do Isla Mujeres instead? If we stay, when’s the best time to visit the island?
- **Day 3**: If we visit Chichén Itzá right at opening, will the Ik-Kil cenote be quieter in terms of tourists? If not, which cenote nearby would you recommend?
- **Big decision**: Should we go all the way down to Bacalar or not? After that, it feels a bit rushed. **Day 6** is mandatory, or are there other options? Honestly, I’m counting on your advice!
For context, we’re a family of four (with very grown-up kids who are used to traveling), and we’ve already rented an SUV for this period. Thanks in advance for your help—it’ll be invaluable!
**Departure – February 20th**: Arrival in Cancún
Arrival at 8:20 PM, pick up rental car.
Overnight in Cancún.
**Day 1 – February 21st**: Isla Mujeres
Ferry from Cancún to Isla Mujeres.
Playa Norte, snorkeling, golf cart tour.
Return to Cancún. Overnight in Cancún.
Drive (~3.5h). Settle in Tulum.
Visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum (stunning ocean view).
Swim in Gran Cenote or Cenote Calavera.
End the day at Playa Paraíso.
Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 6 – February 26th**: Sian Ka’an Reserve
Guided excursion:
Option Muyil (half-day): boat tour + swim in the Mayan canal.
Option Punta Allen (full-day): dolphins, turtles, snorkeling on the reef.
Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 7 – February 27th**: Tulum → Akumal → Playa del Carmen
Morning: snorkeling with turtles in Akumal.
Lunch, then drive to Playa del Carmen.
Evening on 5th Avenue.
Overnight in Playa del Carmen.
**Day 8 – February 28th**: Playa del Carmen → Puerto Morelos
Free morning in Playa del Carmen (beach or Cenotes Azul & Cristalino).
Afternoon: drive to Puerto Morelos (~30 min).
Overnight in Puerto Morelos.
**Day 9 – March 1st**: Puerto Morelos → Cancún → Return flight
Relaxing morning in Puerto Morelos.
Drive (~30 min) to Cancún Airport.
Return rental car. Return flight.
Back in 2002, we spent two weeks in Playa del Carmen. We did day trips to Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Chichén Itzá, Tulum, and Xcaret.
We’re heading back at Christmas with our two daughters, aged 15 and 19. I’m sure it’s changed a lot with the booming tourism.
Flights are booked: Paris-Cancún on 19/12 (arriving at 8:20 PM) and Cancún-Paris on 01/01 at 1:30 PM. We’re still finalizing the itinerary because we want to explore but don’t want to switch hotels too often. We’ll be there for 13 nights and 12 days, so we’re choosing among:
- Playa del Carmen
- Cozumel
- Holbox
- Valladolid
- Tulum
- Mahahual
We won’t do everything, so any tips would be great! I’m also unsure if renting a car is the best option.
Hi, can you tell me if there’s a bus or shuttle from Alajuela to the Nicaragua border via Los Chiles? I’d like to avoid going through San José.
Thanks for your help!
A fantastic trip, dominated by the Altiplano, volcanoes, and especially the Mayan people!
Our route: Antigua – San Lucas de Toliman (Lake Atitlán) – Chichicastenango – Sayaxché – El Remate – Flores – Río Dulce – Livingston – Antigua
I won’t describe our trip in detail but will highlight a few points that go beyond the usual routes and really won us over.
In Antigua, it’s easy to take a chicken bus from the bus station next to the central market in the eastern part of the city to visit nearby villages. We went to Santa María de Jesús on a Sunday without seeing any other Westerners. We got lost in its colorful market, ate at a *comedor* with local dishes we didn’t find anywhere else, and were surrounded by incredibly welcoming Mayans.
Several villages around Lake Atitlán are well-covered by travelers and guides like *Routard* and *Lonely Planet*, but if you want to stay somewhere more authentic, I recommend San Lucas de Toliman (we stayed at *Casa Qatzil*—great place!). It’s in the southeast of the lake, with a market on Tuesdays and Fridays, a central square full of locals (more of those super-friendly Mayans!), and the option to visit other villages by *lancha* (boat) for the day. A walk toward the lake lets you pass by the washhouses, and there are hikes accessible by *pick-up* (shared transport), like the twin volcanoes Tolimán and Atitlán or Cerro del Oro (less challenging!). We loved visiting Santa Catarina Palopó—get lost in its maze of steep alleys, admiring the blue facades with their characteristic paintings. There are direct *chicken bus* connections to Chichicastenango in 1.5 hours. Cheap and convenient, though a bit bumpy!
Chichicastenango is famous for its market, described as the largest in Central America, on Thursdays and Sundays. A flood of tourists arrives between 10 AM and 1 PM, shuttled in by organized buses from Lake Atitlán and Antigua. But if you have time, stay overnight the day before and enjoy the market before 10 AM or in the afternoon. This little town (more of those welcoming Mayans!) is worth lingering in for a day or two to visit the cemetery, extraordinarily colorful and a site of Mayan rituals. Also take time to go to *Plaza Baktun*, a site considered sacred in Mayan culture where religious ceremonies take place around seven sculptures several meters tall.
The ruins of Aguateca are barely excavated (most structures are still covered in vegetation) and are only accessible by boat, traveling up a tributary of the Río de la Pasión to the sound of howler monkeys and birdsong (1.5 hours from Sayaxché). We felt like we got a sense of daily life in the ancient city—not just its religious dimension—with its ravine for sheltering women and children during attacks, its cliff, and defensive walls. Alone with our *lancha* driver, who acted as our guide in the barely cleared jungle, this site doesn’t overlap with Tikal at all—the vibe is completely different.
We stayed in El Remate instead of Flores to visit Yaxhá and Tikal, at *Posada Ixchel* (great place!). This quiet little town lets you stroll along the lake and hike in *Cerro Cahui*, a protected biotope leading to a viewpoint. Plus, it’s on the way to the sites, saving 45 minutes per trip.
Feel free to ask me questions about the places, accommodations, etc.—I’d be happy to answer!
