Author Topic: Guatemala backpacking  (Read 6846 times)

Offline davidch

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Guatemala backpacking
« on: June 28, 2018, 04:35:50 PM »
Just to start I’d like to stay that my trip didn’t consist of fancy spg hotels or the like, it was mainly decent “hostels” in which we got our own rooms and showers, so sort of did it as a backpacker but spent the extra dollar for a private room etc...

So if your looking for a nice/fancy or even family oriented trip report stop right here as you are in the wrong spot!

My trip started of landing in Guatemala City from which we arraigned beforehand a private taxi which drove us all the way to
San Pedro took us longer then expected due to heavy traffic because of a holiday.

There’s a cheaper way to do it and that would be through taking a shuttle (which makes a stop on the way)

San Pedro is a cool little town off of lake Atitlan (there are about 11 other towns surrounding the lake)

We stayed at casa de yag we booked the top floor room (most expensive one) which I believe costed $30 a night which has a great view of the lake and decent rooms
Great spot not much of a vibe but definitely worth the view (can always chill at other hostels which we did)

Trips to do in San Pedro:
You can rent a canoe for a $1 which is nice and relaxing can also stop at any of the tourist booths to do horseback riding canopying...

As well as take a boat to all the different towns around the lake.

Popular ones such as:

San Marcos- great for yoga and cool hippy vibes as well as a decent water jump.

Panajachel aka pana - has a park which has a cool zip lining and hikes

Oh and forgot to mention the chabad in San Pedro is awesome!!!
Rabbi and his wife are great people and fun atmosphere!

We spent a few days based in San Pedro and went to the other towns then we moved on to Antigua

Antigua is a colonial town which is more modern and has more of a city vibe to it
Chabad there as well is nice and from what we heard the main attraction is the accatenango volcano hike

We did it and it was incredible you hike up a mountain for 5 hours sleep there over night while seeing the volcano erupt every half hour and then hike back in the morning it is a tough hike but so so worth it!

So we spent three days in Antigua and then went to semuc Champay.

Semuc Champay is a far trip it takes about 9 hours to drive from Antigua
We took a shuttle arrived in the evening and stayed at a cool hostel which has more of a party vibe. If you want that.

The hostel arranges the day trip which includes a water cave hike plus some cool pools of water and nice water cliffs to jump from. As well as seeing the famous waters of semuc champay

This was a very quick summery of my trip I know it wasn’t so detailed maybe one day I’ll write it more lengthy but as of now this is it

So if you have any questions feel free to message me and would be happy to help.

Bless up and enjoy your adventure!
« Last Edit: June 28, 2018, 05:26:43 PM by davidch »

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2018, 11:18:57 PM »
Pix?
45/50, 46/63

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2018, 11:49:29 PM »
You drove back the 9 hours from Semuc Champay  to Antigua?
My favorite cause: cssy.org

Offline davidch

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2018, 11:50:16 PM »
You drove back the 9 hours from Semuc Champay  to Antigua?

We actually end up taking a taxi back.

Cause the shuttle times didn’t work out.

Wasn’t to expensive


Offline davidch

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2018, 02:18:43 PM »
You drove back the 9 hours from Semuc Champay  to Antigua?

And if I’m not mistaking it should be 7 hours back
Ours took much longer cause our taxi driver needed like 5 naps along the way because he was legit falling asleep at the wheel

Let me tell you it was an interesting drive

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2018, 08:19:44 PM »
Pics please

Offline ludmila

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2018, 09:43:27 PM »
I was the Best,still the Best, and will always be the Best.
Pele Good,Maradona Better, George Best.

Offline davidch

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2018, 05:05:26 PM »
+1

Best way to post pics.  Seems like can only post 4 per post

Offline marduk

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2018, 11:07:22 PM »
Sounds like a great trip David. Waiting for pics.

Offline davidch

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2018, 01:00:19 PM »
how can i post all pictures in one post?

seems like there's a limit to four per post

i am probably missing something.

TIA.

Offline tageed-lee

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2018, 01:01:54 PM »
how can i post all pictures in one post?

seems like there's a limit to four per post

i am probably missing something.

TIA.

Check this out... thanks

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=46084.0

Offline davidch

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2018, 01:05:27 PM »
thanks.   too bad most photos have me in them:) (not looking to share that)

so will post shortly.

Offline tageed-lee

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2018, 04:00:54 PM »
thanks.   too bad most photos have me in them:) (not looking to share that)

so will post shortly.

Most people blurr themselves out etc.... Just saying

Offline davidch

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #13 on: November 21, 2018, 01:40:00 PM »
will try that.

Offline Fan of Dan

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #14 on: December 25, 2018, 12:00:35 AM »
Did you make it to Tikal?

Offline davidch

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Re: Guatemala backpacking
« Reply #15 on: January 15, 2019, 12:07:49 PM »
hey i did not make it to tikal.
for me it was either there or semuc champay and chose the latter.