Antigua Guatemala travel guide

Bus

To Guatemala City. Buses leave when full between 0530 and 1830, US$1, 1-1½ hrs, depending on the time of day, from the Alameda Santa Lucía near the market, from an exit next to Pollo Campero (not from behind the market). All other buses leave from behind the market. To Chimaltenango, on the Pan-American Hwy, from 0600-1600, every 15 mins, US$0.65, for connections to Los Encuentros (for Lake Atitlán and Chichicastenango), Cuatro Caminos (for Quetzaltenango) and Huehuetenango (for the Mexican border). It is possible to get to Chichicastenango and back by bus in a day, especially on Thu and Sun, for the market. Get the bus to Chimaltenango and then change. It’s best to leave early. The only direct bus to Panajachel is Rebuli, leaving at 0700, from 4 Calle Pte, in front of La Bodegona supermarket, US$5, 2½ hrs, returning 1100. Other buses to Pana via Chimaltenango with Rebuli and Carrillo y Gonzalez, 0600-1645, US$2.50. To Escuintla 0530-1600, 1 hr, US$1.25.

International

To Copán, with Hedman Alas, http://www.hedmanalas.com, from Posada de Don Rodrigo to its terminal in Guatemala City for a connection to Copán. The bus leaves at 0330 and 0630 from Antigua, US$41, US$77 return and then 0500 and 0900 from Guatemala City, US$35, US$65 return. Return times are 1330 and 1800 to Guatemala City; the earlier bus continues to Antigua.

Shuttles

Hotels and travel agents run frequent shuttle services to and from Guatemala City and the airport (1 hr) from 0400 to about 2000 daily, US$6-10 depending on the time of day: details from any agency in town. There are also shuttles to Chichicastenango, US$6-18, Panajachel, US$5-12, Quetzaltenango, US$16, Monterrico, US$15, Flores, US$20-40, Copán, US$10-25 and other destinations, but check for prices and days of travel.

Banks

Banks are closed Wed-Sun of Holy Week and none change money between Christmas and New Year. Most banks are open Mon-Fri 0900-1800, some until 1900 and Sat 0900- 1300. Banco de América Central, on the plaza, Visa and MasterCard ATM (Cirrus and Plus), but bank hours only. Banco Industrial, 5 Av Sur 4, near plaza, gives cash on Visa ATM (24 hr) and Visa credit card at normal rates, no commission. Extremely quick service. Banco Industrial on plaza, good rates, no commission, MasterCard (Cirrus) ATM.

Internet

Some internet cafés offer discount cards, which are worth buying if you are in town for any length of time. The following are recommended: Enlaces, 6 Av Norte 1. Funky Monkey, Paseo de los Corregidores, 5 Av Sur 6.

Language schools

Footprint has received favourable reports from students for the following language schools: Academia Antigüeña de Español, 1 Pte 10, T7832-7241, www.spanishacademy antiguena.com. Alianza Lingüística ‘Cano’, Av El Desengaño 21A, T7832-0370. Private classes are also available. Amerispan, 6 Av Norte 40 and 7 Calle Ote, T7832-0164, http://www.amerispan.com. In the US, 1334 Walnut St, 6th floor, Philadelphia PA 19107. Centro Lingüístico Maya, 5 Calle Pte 20, T7832-1342, http://www.clmmaya.com. CSA (Christian Spanish Academy), 6 Av Norte 15, Aptdo Postal 320, T7832-3922, http://www.learncsa.com. Don Pedro de Alvarado, 6 Av Norte 39, T5872-2469, www.donpedro spanishschool.com. 25 years’ experience. Proyecto Bibliotecas Guatemala (PROBIGUA), 6 Av Norte 41B, T7832-2998, http://www.probigua.org. Gives a percentage of profits towards founding and maintaining public libraries in rural towns; frequently recommended. Proyecto Lingüístico Francisco Marroquín, 6 Av Norte, http://www.plfm-antigua.org. Sevilla Academia de Español, 1 Av Sur 8, T7832-5101, http://www.sevillantigua.com. Tecún Umán, 6 Calle Pte 34A, T7832-2792, http://www.tecunuman.centramerica.com.

Private lessons

Check ads in Doña Luisa’s and others around town and the tourist office. Recommended: Julia Solís, 5 Calle Pte 36, T7832-5497, julisar@ hotmail.com (she lives behind the tailor’s shop). Armalia Jarquín, Av El Desengaño 11, T7832-2377. There are, unbelievably, numerous No 11s on this road. Armalia’s has a sign up and is opposite No 75, which has a tiled plaque.

Laundry

All charge about US$1 per kg and most close Sun and half-day Sat. Delilah in La Unión on 1 Av Sur provides an excellent service. Lavandería Gilda, 5 Calle Pte between 6 and 7 Av, very good and can do a wash and dry in 2 hrs. Central, 5 Calle Pte 7B.

Medical services

Hospitals and clinics

Casa de Salud Santa Lucía, Alameda Sta Lucía Sur 7, T7832-3122. Open 24 hrs, good and efficient service. Consultation prices vary. Hospital Privado Hermano Pedro, Av El Desengaño 12A, T7832-6419.

Opticians

Optica Santa Lucía, 5 Calle Pte 28, T7832-0384. Sells contact-lens solution and accessories.

Police

Tourism police, Rancho Nimejay, 6 Calle, between 8 Avenida and 4 Calle del Ranchon, T7832-7290. The office is open 24 hrs. Just knock on the door or ring their number. National Police are based in Antigua, in the Palacio de los Capitanes General, on the south side of the plaza.

Post office

At Alameda Sta Lucía and 4 Calle Pte, near the market. Mon-Fri 0800-1830, Sat 0830-1400.

Courier services

There are several in town, including DHL, 6 Calle Pte and 6 Av Sur.

Telephone

Telgua, 5 Av Sur, corner of the plaza for international and local calls. There are public phone boxes inside the Telgua building, which are quieter to use than the couple under the arches on the west side of the square. Mon-Fri 0800-1800, Sat 0800- 1200. Try Funky Monkey for internet calls.