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Back from 3 weeks in Guatemala – self-drive trip
Hi everyone.
I wanted to share a little feedback from our trip to Guatemala—we got back a month ago, and I really appreciated the well-commented posts here that helped us out. So, in turn, I wanted to share our own little recap.
We’ve traveled quite a bit together (we’re 38 and 42), and Guatemala had been on our radar for a while. But with so much info out there, it was hard to sort through it all—especially since we only had 3 weeks on the ground and didn’t want to waste time.
Here’s the itinerary we followed: Antigua, the Pacific coast, Lake Atitlán, a private coffee and bird reserve, Chichicastenango, Sayaxché, El Remate, Río Dulce, and Lake Izabal.
We rented a 4x4, which was essential given the state of some roads.
Our highlights: * **Pacific coast**: So authentic and preserved. We met sea turtles, cooked and baked coconut bread with a women’s community—such a meaningful exchange—and kayaked through a pristine mangrove full of birds. * **Lake Atitlán**: Even though we were worried it might feel too touristy, a private tour let us discover local crafts, hidden workshops (weaving, pottery), and the stunning views from the boat. * **Sayaxché**: The starting point for the Aguateca and Dos Pilas sites—one of our favorite outings. The site is breathtaking: walking through the canyon and jungle-covered ruins with almost no one around. We stayed in a little bungalow on an island, totally off the grid. * **In Petén**, we met an Itza Maya tribe—an unforgettable day sharing a meal and plant-based healing rituals. Wow. This tribe resisted the conquistadors and still lives traditionally. We also took a tour on Lake Petén and swam at hidden little beaches. Tikal was nice, but we preferred Yaxhá. * **Río Dulce**: A day at a private cocoa plantation—an adventure in a buggy with the owner himself. We harvested cocoa and ate the chocolate paste afterward, then swam in a waterfall on the property. Since it’s private, there was no one else around. A real privilege. * **Boat tour on the Río Dulce**: For us, the highlight. We visited a school where they’re committed to giving kids a solid education while blending Maya rituals. * **Lake Izabal**: A peaceful end to the trip in a magical setting. We visited Quiriguá.
We went through an organizer who knows the country really well. We weren’t initially planning on that, but thanks to her, we had experiences we never would’ve found on our own. On top of that, we actually paid less for the trip overall because of her local rates. I’m not getting anything out of this—I just think it could help other travelers. Her business is Secretplaceincostarica (she also does Costa Rica, which we’re now eager to explore).
On the ground, we felt completely safe. The people are lovely, the roads can be a little chaotic at times, but we loved every minute of it.
Happy travels to all! Marie
I wanted to share a little feedback from our trip to Guatemala—we got back a month ago, and I really appreciated the well-commented posts here that helped us out. So, in turn, I wanted to share our own little recap.
We’ve traveled quite a bit together (we’re 38 and 42), and Guatemala had been on our radar for a while. But with so much info out there, it was hard to sort through it all—especially since we only had 3 weeks on the ground and didn’t want to waste time.
Here’s the itinerary we followed: Antigua, the Pacific coast, Lake Atitlán, a private coffee and bird reserve, Chichicastenango, Sayaxché, El Remate, Río Dulce, and Lake Izabal.
We rented a 4x4, which was essential given the state of some roads.
Our highlights: * **Pacific coast**: So authentic and preserved. We met sea turtles, cooked and baked coconut bread with a women’s community—such a meaningful exchange—and kayaked through a pristine mangrove full of birds. * **Lake Atitlán**: Even though we were worried it might feel too touristy, a private tour let us discover local crafts, hidden workshops (weaving, pottery), and the stunning views from the boat. * **Sayaxché**: The starting point for the Aguateca and Dos Pilas sites—one of our favorite outings. The site is breathtaking: walking through the canyon and jungle-covered ruins with almost no one around. We stayed in a little bungalow on an island, totally off the grid. * **In Petén**, we met an Itza Maya tribe—an unforgettable day sharing a meal and plant-based healing rituals. Wow. This tribe resisted the conquistadors and still lives traditionally. We also took a tour on Lake Petén and swam at hidden little beaches. Tikal was nice, but we preferred Yaxhá. * **Río Dulce**: A day at a private cocoa plantation—an adventure in a buggy with the owner himself. We harvested cocoa and ate the chocolate paste afterward, then swam in a waterfall on the property. Since it’s private, there was no one else around. A real privilege. * **Boat tour on the Río Dulce**: For us, the highlight. We visited a school where they’re committed to giving kids a solid education while blending Maya rituals. * **Lake Izabal**: A peaceful end to the trip in a magical setting. We visited Quiriguá.
We went through an organizer who knows the country really well. We weren’t initially planning on that, but thanks to her, we had experiences we never would’ve found on our own. On top of that, we actually paid less for the trip overall because of her local rates. I’m not getting anything out of this—I just think it could help other travelers. Her business is Secretplaceincostarica (she also does Costa Rica, which we’re now eager to explore).
On the ground, we felt completely safe. The people are lovely, the roads can be a little chaotic at times, but we loved every minute of it.
Happy travels to all! Marie
5 weeks in Guatemala in November 2024
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!
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!
Ornithologie au Sri Lanka
Bonjour à tous
De retour d'un séjour au Sri Lanka (12 au 25 mars 2018) je voudrais partager une particularité de ce pays concernant le grand nombre d'oiseaux (500 espèces) relativement peu farouches que l'on peut voir (pas de chasse au Sri Lanka).
Dans ce voyage semi organisé (nous sommes un groupe et travaillons avec une agence pour établir notre circuit et notre programme) nous avions 1 journée et demi de libre à Trincomalee, dont l’attrait est surtout les plages paradisiaque.
Étant de Toulon, les plages n'intéressaient pas tout le monde, et avant le départ nous avons cherché d'autres points d’intérêt au voisinage de Trincomalee.
Lors de ces recherches nous avons découvert l’intérêt ornithologique du Sri Lanka, certains tours opérateurs proposant même des circuits ornithologique. Le groupe comprenant 2 personnes de la LPO (https://paca.lpo.fr/), nous avons réservé au près d'un prestataire Sri Lankais, une demi journée de bateau sur le lagon du "Bird Sanctuary de Kokkilai" à 60 kms au nord de Trincomalee.
Nous en gardons un souvenir inoubliable. Tout ce que je dis ici est réel, ce n'est pas une publicité déguisée !! Ce fut à la fois rustique, très bien et magique. Rustique, car c'était une première à la foi pour nous et pour l'organisateur Donc le bateau (de pêche) avait été équipé de chaises de jardin en plastique, d’où des embarquement et débarquement un peu rock and roll (Pour info j'ai 67 ans..) Rustique car pas de toit au bateau (coque ouverte) , le sachant nous avions pris des chapeaux à très large bord. Très bien car trajet hotel/reserve 1h15 en van climatisé , horaire respecté à la minute près Très bien car l'organisateur à fait le circuit avec nous Très bien car l'organisateur avait une glacière avec boissons fraiches, fruits et gâteaux secs plus que nous pouvions absorber. Très bien car le pilote et son aide sont très compétents, tant en pilotage qu'en détection des oiseaux. Très bien car l'organisateur ne comptait pas son temps, nous avons retraversé le lagon alors qu'il faisait nuit (heureusement les filets de pêche ont des balises lumineuses) Magique car il y a des milliers d'oiseaux, dont de nombreux inconnus en France, par moment on se croirait dans un reportage animalier. Magique car le site est exceptionnel, un lagon immense peu profond, très poissonneux, chenal étroit donc les vagues de l'océan ne rentrent pas. Magique car la navigation dans la mangrove juste notre bateau et la vie sauvage (oiseaux, singes, crocodile ..) à nouveau la réelle impression de tenir la caméra d'un reportage animalier
Si ce genre d'exploration vous tente n'hésitez pas à les contacter, en plus de la partie ornitho nous avons passé ce long moment (de 13 à 20h00) avec ces Sri Lankais dont la gentillesse n'est pas une légende. Voici leur coordonnées "Cross Country Travels Sri Lanka" (http://www.cctsrilanka.com) en particulier notre organisateur Anuradha .
A votre disposition pour toute info Cordialement Christian R.
Nous en gardons un souvenir inoubliable. Tout ce que je dis ici est réel, ce n'est pas une publicité déguisée !! Ce fut à la fois rustique, très bien et magique. Rustique, car c'était une première à la foi pour nous et pour l'organisateur Donc le bateau (de pêche) avait été équipé de chaises de jardin en plastique, d’où des embarquement et débarquement un peu rock and roll (Pour info j'ai 67 ans..) Rustique car pas de toit au bateau (coque ouverte) , le sachant nous avions pris des chapeaux à très large bord. Très bien car trajet hotel/reserve 1h15 en van climatisé , horaire respecté à la minute près Très bien car l'organisateur à fait le circuit avec nous Très bien car l'organisateur avait une glacière avec boissons fraiches, fruits et gâteaux secs plus que nous pouvions absorber. Très bien car le pilote et son aide sont très compétents, tant en pilotage qu'en détection des oiseaux. Très bien car l'organisateur ne comptait pas son temps, nous avons retraversé le lagon alors qu'il faisait nuit (heureusement les filets de pêche ont des balises lumineuses) Magique car il y a des milliers d'oiseaux, dont de nombreux inconnus en France, par moment on se croirait dans un reportage animalier. Magique car le site est exceptionnel, un lagon immense peu profond, très poissonneux, chenal étroit donc les vagues de l'océan ne rentrent pas. Magique car la navigation dans la mangrove juste notre bateau et la vie sauvage (oiseaux, singes, crocodile ..) à nouveau la réelle impression de tenir la caméra d'un reportage animalier
Si ce genre d'exploration vous tente n'hésitez pas à les contacter, en plus de la partie ornitho nous avons passé ce long moment (de 13 à 20h00) avec ces Sri Lankais dont la gentillesse n'est pas une légende. Voici leur coordonnées "Cross Country Travels Sri Lanka" (http://www.cctsrilanka.com) en particulier notre organisateur Anuradha .
A votre disposition pour toute info Cordialement Christian R.
4 jours en bateau sur l'Irrawaddy
Bonjour à tous
Je recherche des avis (posts, forums, blogs, carnet de voyage) concernant un circuit en Birmanie (proposé par plusieurs enseignes : Tiu, Havas, Leclerc ..) durée 15 jours incluant 4 jours et 4 nuits sur l' irrawaddy (de Pakokku à Mandalay) dans un bateau de 10 cabines appelé "chindwin thimbo"
Les 11 autres jours du voyage sont "classiques"
Je crains un peu un "petit" bateau, dans un pays peu rodé au tourisme. Impossible de trouver des photos ou des retours d' expérience liés à ce bateau sur le net Merci à ceux qui ont fait ce parcours (ou ceux qui ont passé 4 jours, repas et nuits sur un bateau de 10 cabines sur l' Irrawaddy) de me donner leurs impressions. Désolé de vous brusquer mais je souhaiterais une réponse urgente car option à prendre après demain
Cordialement Bons voyages à tous Chris
Je crains un peu un "petit" bateau, dans un pays peu rodé au tourisme. Impossible de trouver des photos ou des retours d' expérience liés à ce bateau sur le net Merci à ceux qui ont fait ce parcours (ou ceux qui ont passé 4 jours, repas et nuits sur un bateau de 10 cabines sur l' Irrawaddy) de me donner leurs impressions. Désolé de vous brusquer mais je souhaiterais une réponse urgente car option à prendre après demain
Cordialement Bons voyages à tous Chris
