From personal experience where are the best places to stay in Guatemala?

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Italian Guy

Go to Antigua s among the world's best conserved colonial cities its well-preserved
Baroque architecture as well as a number of spectacular ruined churches. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
you can visit

Church and Convent of Capuchins
Cathedral of San JosÃ©
Ruins of old San JosÃ©
Old weapons Museum
Church School of Christ
Church of San Francisco
Museum of Santo Domingo
Museum of the Old Book (El Libro Antiguo)
The Jade museum

travel tips

Violent crime in Guatemala is not as frequent for tourists as a simple robbery or pick-pocket.

Safety begins when you pack. To avoid being a target dress conservatively, act respectfully in churches. Leave extra / expensive jewelry at home.

Have a photocopy of your passport, credit cards or other important items with you and leave them at home with a friend in case you need the info while traveling.

Carry the minimum amount of valuables necessary for your trip, but make sure you have enough in case of an emergency.

Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe if possible. When you carry your money best to carry it in several places rather than in one place. Handbags, fanny packs and outside pockets can be easy targets for thieves. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest are somewhat safer.

One of the safest places (against pick-pockets) is to carry valuables in a pouch or money belt hidden under your clothing. Bring Travelers Checks and some US Dollars in small denominations.

A major credit/debit card are also advised for emergencies. Note that many places add a fee of 4-10% if you use a credit card. VISA is most frequently accepted. Always change money at bank or hotel. Never on the streets. There is a bank at the airport that is usually open until 9:00pm as well as a few ATM machines that give Quetzales (local currency - Q) or US Dollars.

Is a good idea to bring several $1. US bills for tips and taxis. In general, smaller denominations in $ & Q are better than a large bill. If anyone ever asks you for you money in a threatening way, by all means give them your valuables. Statistics show that more assaults happen when a tourist is resisting a robbery than in the general tourist population.

In general, always try to travel light. If you do, you can move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand. You will also be less tired and less likely to set your luggage down, leaving it unattended.

There is laundry service available with clothing and other essential items readily available for purchase if needed.

Since many flights have minimum time between connections, pack any medicines you need and a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage - just in case your primary suitcase does not arrive with you Always check twice before you leave a bus, plane or hotel room for any forgotten property. If you did leave something behind consider it a "donation"... !

Hondu

There are dozens of good places to stay in any of these Central American countries. Where in Guatemala are you going, what will your budget allow? You can find anything from a simple 3 dollar a night, share the outdoor toilet type room in a village to a very expensive, top of the line hotel in one of the cities. Spend some time on the Internet, look at the areas you are planning on visiting and chose your lodging. A couple of the other posters have lectured you enough on safety and site seeing so have fun.

Red Hat

This is a great place along Lake Atitlan. You got boats that come right up to the resort to take you to any of the towns along the lake. Great restaurant too.

http://www.atitlan.com/posada.htm

sarahe152

I stayed in several different hotels/hostels while in Guatemala and some were great some were okay and one was just horrible. I have to say my favourite place to stay was Casa San Jose in Guatemala City it is nothing like our hotels here in America. It is almost like a bed and breakfast it is run by a small family that does all the cooking for you. There is about 5 different rooms I stayed with a church group so all the girls roomed together. If you are looking for something "nicer" travel to santiago atitlan and stay at the Tiosh Abaj this was such a nice hotel after being told we would be staying at not so nice places to arrive at this place by boat and come up and see this beautiful hotel and large spacious rooms it was wonderful. They even have turtles in there ponds. They have a great resturant and pool and you can walk right down to the lake to watch the sun set. There was also a great hotel we stayed at in Chichi if only I could remember the name. ( I will have to look into it for you) It was just a block up from the market and they had there own traditional guatemala band that played in the little plaza. There was a great resturant and a nice gift shop and many exotic birds just sitting around in the plaza. And I cant forget the pool it was seculded and heated such a great place. I have included pictures of the hotels in the sources section. I hope I helped I dont know the websites or if you could stay at some of these hotels because we traveld through my church and a local church organization in guatemala planned our trip for us. I hope you have so much fun.

HijoDelSol

Antigua is a good place to base your stay. There are tons of very nice small hotels and several very nice big hotels.

La Casa De Musica is very nice small inn like hotel..
Casa Santo Domingo is a very nice large hotel.

From Antigua, you will have no trouble planning day trips to other destinations in Guatemala like Tikal, Panajachel, and Chichicastenengo.

RACER _X Lord Sith

Antigua Guatemala is a peaceful city, if you love the culture this is the place to find it, also from here you can go in a tour to another's interesting places: lake of atitlan, Guatemala city, Chichicastenango.
If you want to know about the mayan cities in peten, you can take a fly from guatemala city, and in a half hour you will be there.
Generally the Guatemalan is very kind with visitors.

Elizabeth M

Guatemala has AMAZING places to visit. Don't be led to believe otherwise :) All of the previous suggestions are definitely must-sees. I would also suggest taking some time to visit Guatemala City (being that you'll be flying in there anyway). Parts can get shady, especially for women, but you'll have your boyfriend with you so it shouldn't be all that dangerous or frightening for you during the day. As with any urban environment, however, be cautious. Guatemala City is packed with history, culture, life, etc. - the perfect mix of the old with the new, as Guatemala is a country coming out of war. The people, in my experience, were so beautiful, kind and welcoming.

If you can work out a home stay in Antigua (usually through one of the Spanish schools), do it! What better way to get a tast of the culture than to live among those who know it so well?

I've stayed at Hotel Aurora in Antigua, loved it. Hotel Spring in Guatemala City was also nice and super cheap. In Panajachel (on Lake Atlitan) I stayed at Posada de los Volcanes - also a beautiful place to stay. Have fun and happy travels!

Also, if you're spending time in Antigua and would like a solid tour or even safe and helpful travel advice, contact Elizabeth Bell. She's American but has lived in Guatemala for years - runs her own travel business in Antigua. She's wonderful.

TOMBRADY12

go to Antigua, atitlan lake and tikal

Gabriel

To be honest Guatemala does not have very good places to visit.

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