Blogs from Capital Region, Guatemala, Central America Caribbean

Antigua Guatemala is the place where every visitor heads for at some stage on their trip to Guatemala. For this reason we were a bit wary of going there, but we booked anurl=https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24201941?check_in=2024-01-24&check_out=2024-01-27&guests=1&adults=2&s=25&unique_share_id=79981e93-c9f9-4f8a-80d1-2a426ac31bad&fbclid=IwAR29QlJ65CEDwvowbOgI0vn4rCx63OlfNN4aWjYMAFH2QEUpeS4OxQ0Iugw&source_impression_id=p3_1707578583_rYLOQunsRpHUNH3C Air B&B so we were away from most of the action which suited us. Luckily we were located just a block away from where the bus dropped us off, and right opposite the office where my sunglasses would just arrive in the nick of time!! We enjoyed our time just wandering the picturesque cobbled streets. For us there was no need for excursions to climb a volcano or anything... read more

While I was in the capital, my friend Carolyn was in Tikal, and then we continued our journey together to Antigua. This is a lovely old town, Unesco World Heritage site, and for a reason. There are so many beautiful buildings from 16th to 19th century with distinct architectural features, which our tour guide explained in detail (highly recommend Nelson from Guruwalk!). It used to be the capital, but after a major earthquake in 1773, the capital was moved to today's site. And when you look around, you'll see at least 3 volcanoes, one of which was very active, with smoke blowing up every day (but far enough from the city). We spent three days enjoying many, many lovely cafes, restaurants, various museums, including Museo de Cacao (ok, it's touristy, but it was a fun hour ... read more

We took two note worth tours while in visiting Antigua. The first one was a classroom adventure to Finca la Azotea, Jocotenango. A short Q5 Chicken Bus ride to Jocotenango, then a 4 block walk and we arrived at the coffee farm. Chicken bus explanation: Chicken buses by the way are refurbished school busses from the USA. They are purchased for about $2000, driven all the way to Guatemala, then adorn in multiple bright colors and decorations. They gained their notable name due to the fact that they have been known to carry all types of cargo other than people, including chickens. People are primarily on the busses today, however the chicken bus name has stuck. At the coffee farm we were greeted by our tour guide who explained to us the effect the elevation, volcanos ... read more

I leave rising from the plains burning dry heat a landscaped apron of mango trees stretched drum tight under smoking volcano Fuego his sister Agua their brother Acatenango west wind raising a loose horsetail of pumice dust from Acatenango’s flank rust colored against turquoise the gouged once molten rivered mountainside is etched deep trampled glowing red they lied when they told us who is buried here was it 200 hundred no senor it was certainly 2000 mas mas they lie to us here but we know who did not come home that night never came home that morning the truth is washed away when they spray the cobbled streets with precious water while people here are waterless the cane fields burn behind me the armless man waits and I shake his stump and say good morning ... read more