N E X T J O U R N E Y . O R G



Some trips need to be carefully planned. Guatemala is not one of those. This is not to say that you should drop in unprepared. But Guatemala is a small country with an outstanding transportation infrastructure - its intercity bus lines.

You need to have a clear idea of which highlights you want to visit. My itinerary covered most of the popular destinations, with the exception of Lago Atitlan, said to be one of the most attractive lakes in the world, and a legendary place to just chill. Alas, I don't do chill. Most visitors avoid Guatemala City after a brief glimpse.
Once you know where you want to go, simply locate the bus depot at each stop in your journey: no need for reservations or to purchase tickets in advance. The smaller a bus, the safer it is. Ordinary looking minivans are said to be much safer than the garish schoolbuses. The conductor usually stashes the equipaje (luggage) of a gringo in a luggage compartment - not on the roof with everyone else's.

As is often the case, the Lonely Planet guidebook proves reliable for basic orientation. Another resource is the Virtual Tourist web site. The web site Mostly Maya is also very informative about the more isolated recesses of El Petén.

I recommend the following hotels: La Casa de Don David in El Remate, Hotel Casazul in Flores,  and Hotel La Posada in Cobán.

Side trips such as volcano ascents in Antigua, or airport shuttles, should definitely not be booked in advance. When you are in Antigua or in Flores, you will find many small tour operators willing to adapt to your schedule and your budget.

    

    


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