Guatemala Dos and Don'ts

If you are interested in taking a look around a coffee farm on a horseback, you should go to Parramos. Type in Posada de me abuelito, Guatemala on Google. You will find some information about this german country farmhouse converted to a BB. Get a weekend package that includes bed, brekky and horse riding for Q.300 or something(apprx. $40) Take a chicken bus to Chichicastenango at Antigua bus terminal and get off in Parramos it cost like 3 Q's p/p. Then get a local taxi to the hotel...it takes around 5 minutes from town center. I loved everything about this place - its coffee(fresh coffee from the owner's finca), its food(authentic guatemalan), its atmosphere(green, fresh, cool and quiet), unforgettable horse riding(though it hurt my unprepared arse bit too much) and the hospitality of the hotel owner couple! Bet you'll have a great time.

Panajachel was great! We timed our visit just right to see the Festival for Saint Francis of Assisi, which was one of the most impressive fireworks displays I have ever seen, mostly for its enthusiasm and uniqueness. You can take a boat trip to all the different towns around the lake. It is lots of fun, beautiful scenery and each town is unique. You get the best rate for the boat trip at the door of the boat on the docks. So don't bother with the travel agencies on the main street. What is good with the travel agencies though, is they arrange a mini bus to take you to the Chichicastenango markets, keep your bags on the bus while you wander the markets for a few hours and then drive you on to Antigua. This is a great way to do it if you are on a time limit. Otherwise, the local buses will be a lot cheaper. We stayed at Mario's Casa (maybe not that name but similar.) There was a beautiful flowery courtyard and the rooms were nice, but the shared shower was a little iffy. The owner however was one of the friendliest people we have ever met. Even though we don't speak Spanish and he didn't speak English we seemed to understant each other easily. We thought the festival was over and came back but it turned out it was still leading up to the finale, he explained this to us and told us we could make it if we ran, and then he waited up for us so he could lock the door when we came in. Really went out of his way to be nice to us so definitly stay there. If I remember the name properly I will re-post it.

Xela is a bit of a rough and ready town in the Guatemalan highlands. There are quite a few foot treks in the surrounding area and I would hire a local guide. There is great food to be had around the market square.

Driving is an extreme sport in the city. If possible hire locals to drive. If attempting to drive keep stay focused as traffic laws are rarely if ever followed.

If you for some reason ever should need to have some work done on your motorcycle in the area, stop at local gas station and ask for Manuel. He has bike repair shop and seems to now what he's doing. Charged me 40 quetzal for 2 hours work, after paying for parts of course.