Guatemala Master Thread

[efflpetzel]

I'm planning a trip and this would be extremely helpful.

Anyone here that has been with children to Antigua and San Pedro? I'm trying to see what activities there are that might interest them.

I'd base myself in Antigua & visit San Pedro as a day trip

[Yaalili]

I'd base myself in Antigua & visit San Pedro as a day trip

That’s a long day trip! It’s a good few hours each way.

[Something Fishy]

I'm planning a trip and this would be extremely helpful.

Anyone here that has been with children to Antigua and San Pedro? I'm trying to see what activities there are that might interest them.

@Lou Bob @MC

[Moshe Green]

Can one get a minyan by Lev Tahor?

[TB12]

Hi
How old are the children?
In Antigua we did a 6 hr ATV tour of the villages around the city which includes a short chocolate factory tour and some others, theres also  several attractions that you can find on Chabads page
At the lake theres tons to do !
Ziplining, kayaking, exploring the villages, nature reserve we were there 3 days and definitely  could have stayed for more

[Mordyk]

Hi
How old are the children?
In Antigua we did a 6 hr ATV tour of the villages around the city which includes a short chocolate factory tour and some others, theres also  several attractions that you can find on Chabads page
At the lake theres tons to do !
Ziplining, kayaking, exploring the villages, nature reserve we were there 3 days and definitely  could have stayed for more

Ages 10 and below.

Any of those outdoorsie activities work with kids this age(s)?

[TB12]

For the ATV tour, definitely 8 and up can be passengers, I dont know your adult/child ratio etc

Hobbitenango outside Antigua should be great, and again Chabad is a fantastic resource

At the Lake, whats your set up? Its beautiful there, do you have your own property? I think more info would help me help you

Feel free to PM me

[Mordyk]

For the ATV tour, definitely 8 and up can be passengers, I dont know your adult/child ratio etc

Hobbitenango outside Antigua should be great, and again Chabad is a fantastic resource

At the Lake, whats your set up? Its beautiful there, do you have your own property? I think more info would help me help you

Feel free to PM me

We had to scratch the lake for chol hamoed idea for logistical reasons. But chabad antigua is being extremely helpful.

We might make a day trip to see the lake

[Mordyk]

I'd base myself in Antigua & visit San Pedro as a day trip

we are planning a trip to the lake but not to san pedro. thats too far. we are doing panajachel and surrounding towns

we have a good itinerary planned. hope ot post a TR when I return iy'h

[TB12]

For a day trip definitely no need to hit SP
Right outside Pana maybe 10 minutes drive u can take a tuk tuk or taxi is a nature reserve with ziplining and bike Zipline gorgeous, overlooking the lake and lots of fun

If you're into coffee check out cafe loco there as well 
Just keep in mind it's around 2 &1/2  hrs each way, windy mountain type so not easy for kids and you need to build in travel time on the lake itself between the villages

[shlomoandtam]

I’m landing Thursday night at 1040pm and flying out Monday night at 1150pm.
should I try to go to Antigua at night right when we land (is traveling at night safe) or sleep near the airport?
 And if I drive there that night what would anyone recommend to do on Friday.
If I sleep near the airport will I be able to do/see anything on Friday or will my whole day be traveling to Antigua.

[efflpetzel]

I’m landing Thursday night at 1040pm and flying out Monday night at 1150pm.
should I try to go to Antigua at night right when we land (is traveling at night safe) or sleep near the airport?
 And if I drive there that night what would anyone recommend to do on Friday.
If I sleep near the airport will I be able to do/see anything on Friday or will my whole day be traveling to Antigua.

Go straight to Antigua, you'll avoid the crazy morning rush-hour traffic in Guatemala City,

there's tons of things to do in Antigua check the Chabad website, just walk around & explore the markets & main square, its such a charming town

[Mordyk]

I’m landing Thursday night at 1040pm and flying out Monday night at 1150pm.
should I try to go to Antigua at night right when we land (is traveling at night safe) or sleep near the airport?
 And if I drive there that night what would anyone recommend to do on Friday.
If I sleep near the airport will I be able to do/see anything on Friday or will my whole day be traveling to Antigua.

Antigua is an not far from the airport.  Book your transportation through antigua chabad. Good rates, safe, and reliable.

Friday you can go see the local town, shuk, filidelfia coffee plantation, macadamia plant and just see the place

There is tons to do there.

[shlomoandtam]

Ok thanks I will go straight to Antigua.
Motzei shabbos I plan on heading to Lake Atitlan, it seems like Panajachel is our best option because it’s pretty close. However most of the nice Airbnbs are booked any other spot I should check out?
And what activity would you recommend we only have Sunday and half of Monday.
And what time do we need to leave to make it to a midnight flight.
Thanks 🙏

[Mordyk]

Ok thanks I will go straight to Antigua.
Motzei shabbos I plan on heading to Lake Atitlan, it seems like Panajachel is our best option because it’s pretty close. However most of the nice Airbnbs are booked any other spot I should check out?
And what activity would you recommend we only have Sunday and half of Monday.
And what time do we need to leave to make it to a midnight flight.
Thanks 🙏

I stayed at the hotel in panajachel.  Was actually pretty decent. You can also look in San pedro.  All these villages around Lake Atitlan are similar. 


Regarding when you need to leave is a really great question.   We were stuck in Panajachel for five hours due to the government protests. Not sure what the current climate is.  It's definitely a bumpy few hour ride, so imagine you would want to leave midday once the rain hits.


I really need to get to writing my TR.  There is so much to do there and so little info here in ddf

[efflpetzel]

Ok thanks I will go straight to Antigua.
Motzei shabbos I plan on heading to Lake Atitlan, it seems like Panajachel is our best option because it’s pretty close. However most of the nice Airbnbs are booked any other spot I should check out?
And what activity would you recommend we only have Sunday and half of Monday.
And what time do we need to leave to make it to a midnight flight.
Thanks 🙏

I dont know if it works for your dates but here's the amazing Airbnb I stayed in Panajachel https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/733348142035838103

you can do a Simoon tours ATV Lake Atitlan Villages Tour from Pana https://www.simoontours.com/en/tours/pana, book through Chabad for a discount

& of course explore all the villages around Lake Atitlan by Lancha boats, buy round trip/multi trip tickets

Give yourself three hours to get from Pana to the airport


I had the same Itinerary as you, instead of leaving motzash we took the shuttle from Antigua on Sun morning to San Pedro,
ate at chabad, explored SP & the other villages by boat towards Pana where we stayed the night & did the above mentioned stuff the next day

[efflpetzel]

Antigua is an not far from the airport.  Book your transportation through antigua chabad. Good rates, safe, and reliable.

Friday you can go see the local town, shuk, filidelfia coffee plantation, macadamia plant and just see the place

There is tons to do there.

The taxi from the airport through Chabad is $30, i'll try to find her number later

book a chocolate tour in advance through Chabad

I found Filidelfia Coffee plantation very overrated & boring, it might be more interesting if you go in the right season where you can watch them harvesting & processing the coffee

[shlomoandtam]

The taxi from the airport through Chabad is $30, i'll try to find her number later

book a chocolate tour in advance through Chabad

I found Filidelfia Coffee plantation very overrated & boring, it might be more interesting if you go in the right season where you can watch them harvesting & processing the coffee

is the chocolate tour good even if I won't eat it because of kashrus?
And how close to Chabad Antigua do I have to stay for it to be safe to walk home Friday night? I know they have a hostel but I want something a little nicer for DW.

[Yaalili]

And how close to Chabad Antigua do I have to stay for it to be safe to walk home Friday night? I know they have a hostel but I want something a little nicer for DW.

They have a lot more than hostel rooms, see here - https://www.chabadantigua.com/book-a-room, though they do sell out of the better rooms in advance, at least in my experience. Otherwise Antigua felt quite safe, Chabad is only about 7 minutes walk (a few blocks) from the main area.

[Mordyk]

They have a lot more than hostel rooms, see here - https://www.chabadantigua.com/book-a-room, though they do sell out of the better rooms in advance, at least in my experience. Otherwise Antigua felt quite safe, Chabad is only about 7 minutes walk (a few blocks) from the main area.

Surrounding area is much nicer than chabad and worthwhile to walk and see the area. It's safe.  Search on airbnb(specify adult only as you will have more options come up)