Forums » Central America and Caribbean Travel Forum & Central America Caribbean » Guatemala

Antigua or Quetzaltenango

Anyone have any suggestions?

deleted_61512
Post Count: 7

Msg: #1 88 weeks ago, April 16th 2008

I'm traveling to Guatemala this summer and I can't decide on Quetzaltenango or Antigua, Any suggestions?
How was your experience there?

Thanks,
K

Ali

Ali Watters
Post Count: 3913

Msg: #2 87 weeks ago, April 17th 2008

How long do you have? are you going to study Spanish?

They are about 6 hours bus ride from each other - why not visit both ;)

deleted_61512

deleted_61512
Post Count: 7

Msg: #3 87 weeks ago, April 17th 2008

I wanna go down for around 3-4 months but I can stay as long as I wish,

Yes I will be studying Spanish, I will also be working as a hiking guide while I'm there and I can either work in Antigua or Quetzaltenango

I will visit both for sure, although I will be living in one city for my time there.

Thanks

Ali

Ali Watters
Post Count: 3913

Msg: #4 87 weeks ago, April 17th 2008

Generalising based on my experiences 6 years ago - in Quetzaltenango (Xela) - you'll have a more authentic experience - if you study and make a homestay you'll be the only student staying with the family.

In Antigua - it's much more of a tourist ghetto - several students stay in each homestay - if you have a few months though - head to Xela - study for a while - there is probably more work in Antigua - you can always move on to there.

You can also consider the smaller towns around Lago Atitilan - San Pedro etc - they also have spanish schools etc.

I had a fantastic few months in Guatemala - I don't think there any wrong choices in your cases :)

deleted_61512

deleted_61512
Post Count: 7

Msg: #5 87 weeks ago, April 17th 2008

k thanks man

RJT

Rachael Trotter
Post Count: 13

Msg: #6 87 weeks ago, April 18th 2008

I recently visited Guatemala on holiday. I loved both places, but agree with Ali. Antigua is lovely, but compared to Xela it's very touristy. I thought Xela had a great atmosphere and that would have been my pick if I were staying on.

KRog2020

Kiersten
Post Count: 5

Msg: #7 56 weeks ago, November 20th 2008

I am travelling to Xela in January to visit a friend who is doing a homestay and studying Spanish there. We possibly want to travel to Belize...did you head that way at all? Any suggestions...we want a beach to camp or hammock. Or are there spots on the coast or right off the western coast of Guatemala...or for that matter are there spots off the eastern coast? I'd love to see Belize, but if its not worth all the extra money, then I might not.

RJT

Rachael Trotter
Post Count: 13

Msg: #8 56 weeks ago, November 20th 2008

I did go to Belize and I absolutely loved it. But I can't compare to beaches in Guatemala as I didn't visit any. I think Belize is well worth it - but it is much more expensive. However I had such a good time I don't begrudge a cent of it!

deleted_61512

deleted_61512
Post Count: 7

Msg: #9 56 weeks ago, November 20th 2008

I have not been to Belize but people have told me that the bay islands in honduras are the better choice especially because belize is way more expensive, so check those out as well

If your going to xela i rreally recomened to bike ride from xela to the coast (champerico, i have many nice pics and i will post them soon) it is really an amazing ride.

just out of curiousity is your friends name Kari or Dilan?

KRog2020

Kiersten
Post Count: 5

Msg: #10 56 weeks ago, November 20th 2008

no...it is chris. are you in xela now? and how far are the bay islands in honduras from guatemala? far trip? ooh and that bike ride sounds amazing...how long and far is that?

KRog2020

Kiersten
Post Count: 5

Msg: #11 56 weeks ago, November 20th 2008

And RJT....do you remember how much it cost to get to Belize and stay there? where did you go? any recommendations?

deleted_61512

deleted_61512
Post Count: 7

Msg: #12 56 weeks ago, November 20th 2008

yes im in xela its great here, really cold at night

not far, check a map

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