Guatemala Tours Tips...
Past participants talked up various "must-see" discoveries
we have enjoyed,
so here are few tips from books to coffee houses we enjoyed...
If you have been to Guatemala - Submit your tips to be added here!

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Books (links to Amazon)
1491 (Pre-Columbo historical revisions ~ Bill)
Overthrow (US interventions including Guatemala ~ Bill)
Unfinished Conquest (~ Bill)
Paradise in Ashes (~ Bill)
I, Rigoberta Menchu (~ Marilyn)

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Antigua

Basic Orientation
(Right click map & view to View Image full size & printable)
You will be staying at the Posada la Merced: on 7th Avenue North between Calle Camposeco & 1st Street West; on the east side of the street.
You should recognize the big yellow Merced church; at the north end of 5a Av.Norte & 1a Ca Poniente (5th Avenue North & 1st Street West)
You should get to know the Central Plaza Mayor - Cathedral is on the East side... Banks on North side...
You should always be able to know where South & West are;
Mount Agua is the looming peak to the South; Fuego is the left most smoking tip of the mountains to the West...
Downtown: Avenues run North & South... and number up from 1st to 7th. "5a Av Sur" is 5th Avenue South - South of the PLAZA
Streets (Calle) run East & West... numbered 1st to 9th. "6a Calle Poniente" is 6th Street West, West of the PLAZA Cathedral

~ Café La Escolandia is in a beautiful garden setting with an interesting lunch menu and wonderful smoothies (liquados). To reach this café continue south on
5Avenida Sur (the street with the big arch) past the Parque Central and past Panza
Verde* In another block or so you will come to a driveway on your right which
goes into a nursery. This is where you will find Café La Escolandia. (From Hotel: 7 blocks to end at Calle de Santa Luci / 7th Street West; 2 blocks East to 5th Ave South: 2 blocks then along a long stretch - garden gates on the right) (Ang & Marilyn)

Quetzaltenango (Xela)

Basic Orientation
(Right click map & view to View Image full size & printable)
We will add stuff as we get it!

~ Blue Moon - Have coffee or great hot chocolate at Blue Moon, one block from your bed and breakfast at Dana's. If you look to the left as you enter the Casa Manen you will see it on the next corner. (from Casa Manen: West 1 block down 7a Calle {7th Street} past internet café to NW corner of 15 Avenita {15th Ave} (ang & Marilyn)

Lago Atitlan

Basic Orientation
(Right click map & view to View Image full size & printable)
We will add stuff a soon as we get more!

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Ang & Marilyn's recommendations:

Food recommendations in Antigua:
BREAKFAST
*Next door to your posada is Fernando's, simple, inexpensive. They make a great latte!
*Splurge and have breakfast at the Hotel Santo Domingo. Sunday brunch there is an elegant meal, beautiful setting and wonderful experience.

LUNCH
*There are many places that Richard will point out to you. Here are some other suggestions:
*Café La Escolandia is in a beautiful garden setting with an interesting lunch menu and wonderful smoothies (liquados). To reach this café continue south on
5Avenida Sur (the street with the big arch) past the Parque Central and past Panza
Verde* In another block or so you will come to a driveway on your right which
goes into a nursery. This is where you will find Café La Escolandia.

*Panza Verde, go into this upscale hotel. If you decide on a splurge dinner, this is a great place. There is Cuban music here on one or two nights a week. They also have a nice selection of vegetarian meals. If you are going for music or dinner you must make reservations,

DINNER
*Frida's (near the arch) has very good Mexican food. Crowded, noisy, fun!
*La Escudilla seemed to vary in quality from time to time, however, there is a Greek restaurant in the courtyard that is quite good.

Places of interest
*Casa Santo Domingo - Wander through this converted colonial era convent.
It's one of Central America's most impressive hotels. Sunday mass is held in
the remains of the cathedral. www.casasantodomingo.com.gt
There is a museum of glass which has modern works displayed alongside related
artifacts. Don't miss this!

*Wrought iron - As you exit Santo Domingo there is a wrought iron shop just
across the street. Their work is exceptionally good.

Shopping
*Nim Pot near the arch probably has everything in one place that you will find
throughout Guatemala and their prices seem decent. They also take credit cards.
Look for the shrine to Maximon at the rear of this store.

The BIG Market. .Ask Gail which day is market day. This market is located only
Four or five blocks from Gails.

Miscellaneous places you don't want to miss
*Murals on floor above Richard's zucchini bread bakery, "Dona Luisa's"
*Las Capuchinas, the largest of Antiqua's convents whose ruins are some of the best preserved (pg 115 Rough Guide to Guatemala)
*Wander the grounds of the huge church, San Francisco (small entry fee)
*Look in open door ways, you might discover an art gallery, restaurant,
interesting shop, be surprised. There won't always be signs outside the places.
* The Hotel Don Rodrigo is worth a quick exploration since it is on 5 th avenue between the Arch and the central plaza, It's on the left as you walk south. (toward the volcano Agua)

Santa Maria de Jesus Market day on Friday, ask Richard about this and the 'chicken bus' from Antigua

Xela Have coffee or great hot chocolate at Blue Moon, one block from your bed
and breakfast at Dana's. If you look to the left as you enter the Casa Manen you will see it on the next corner.

Panajachel The Museo Lacustre is dedicated to the Atitlan area and is located on the
grounds of the Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo (p. 169 Rough Guide to Guatemala)

Come back and share your exciting finds with us as we plan on returning to Guatemala in April, 2009!!

Sus amigos, Angelo and Marilyn

There are 18 'Xela Girls' who need sponsorship for 2008!

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