Guatemala: Stay safe with careful planning
Associated Press
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Updated 10:46 am, Wednesday, June 5, 2013
With common-sense precautions and careful planning, I minimized risks and was able to enjoy one of the most fascinating and affordable countries I've ever visited. Arriving in the sleek La Aurora airport on the outskirts of the capital, we were whisked away by our waiting driver to Antigua, the country's former capital, and its most popular tourist destination. Antigua is built on a grid of cobblestone streets and boasts one of the best collections of Spanish colonial buildings in the Americas. The Finca tour was an in-depth look at how coffee beans are planted, harvested, selected and roasted, then shipped all over the world. After the hike, your reward will be roasting marshmallows in a blistering hot hole on the side of the volcano. Often compared to Italy's Lake Como, Atitlan is surrounded by several volcanoes that make the scenery breathtaking. Famed for its expansive local crafts market, Chichicastenango is the place where you can shop for colorful Guatemalan textiles. Short of time and wary of reports that those nighttime buses are easy crime targets, we chose to take the 45-minute flight from Guatemala City. Spread over 220 square miles, Tikal encompasses thousands of structures in addition to a primary tropical forest and a variety of wildlife. There are also palaces, a jail, several sport complexes, burial tombs, and a canal system. Once you try it, you will understand why Guatemalans carry sealed boxes of the delicious stuff from the Guatemala City airport outlet all the way to their loved ones back in the U.S. Finally, to cool off, try licuado, a cold drink made with fresh fruit that is ubiquitous in the country. Most hotels in Guatemala do not have their own websites and take their time replying to emails or phone reservation requests, so don't be alarmed if you don't hear back in a day or two. Ask your hotel to recommend local tour guides and safe transportation. ATMs are abundant but take precautions by using machines in well-lit locations and stash your cash quickly in multiple pockets. Reported by SeattlePI.com 4 days ago.
Associated Press
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Updated 10:46 am, Wednesday, June 5, 2013
With common-sense precautions and careful planning, I minimized risks and was able to enjoy one of the most fascinating and affordable countries I've ever visited. Arriving in the sleek La Aurora airport on the outskirts of the capital, we were whisked away by our waiting driver to Antigua, the country's former capital, and its most popular tourist destination. Antigua is built on a grid of cobblestone streets and boasts one of the best collections of Spanish colonial buildings in the Americas. The Finca tour was an in-depth look at how coffee beans are planted, harvested, selected and roasted, then shipped all over the world. After the hike, your reward will be roasting marshmallows in a blistering hot hole on the side of the volcano. Often compared to Italy's Lake Como, Atitlan is surrounded by several volcanoes that make the scenery breathtaking. Famed for its expansive local crafts market, Chichicastenango is the place where you can shop for colorful Guatemalan textiles. Short of time and wary of reports that those nighttime buses are easy crime targets, we chose to take the 45-minute flight from Guatemala City. Spread over 220 square miles, Tikal encompasses thousands of structures in addition to a primary tropical forest and a variety of wildlife. There are also palaces, a jail, several sport complexes, burial tombs, and a canal system. Once you try it, you will understand why Guatemalans carry sealed boxes of the delicious stuff from the Guatemala City airport outlet all the way to their loved ones back in the U.S. Finally, to cool off, try licuado, a cold drink made with fresh fruit that is ubiquitous in the country. Most hotels in Guatemala do not have their own websites and take their time replying to emails or phone reservation requests, so don't be alarmed if you don't hear back in a day or two. Ask your hotel to recommend local tour guides and safe transportation. ATMs are abundant but take precautions by using machines in well-lit locations and stash your cash quickly in multiple pockets. Reported by SeattlePI.com 4 days ago.