Guatemala Guide, 11th Edition

by Paul Glassman

• ISBN13: 9781892975324
• ISBN10: 1892975327
• Edition: 11th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-05-01
• Publisher: Open Road

Summary

This book remains the authoritative guide to this fascinating, nearby Central American country. Glassman gives the reader in-depth background on history, unique Indian culture, arts, and traditions, and gives you all the information you need to get off the beaten track, to explore mountain trails, visit Indian villages not far from Guatemala City, travel by dugout canoe through unspoiled jungle wilderness, or relax on some of the best Pacific beaches in the region. Complete, up-to-date coverage on hotels and restaurants, national parks and ruins, day trips and excursions, beaches and water sports, museums, nightlife, and great pre-trip planning tips and advice, including national and local holidays and celebrations are featured in this 10th revised edition.

Table of Contents

Introduction	13	(1)
Overview	14	(6)
Land & People	20	(21)
The Land of Many Trees	20	(6)
The People	26	(2)
Indian Culture	28	(6)
Popular Arts	34	(7)
A Short History	41	(16)
Planning Your Trip	57	(20)
You, Guatemala, & Tourism	57	(1)
Climate & Weather	57	(2)
What to Pack	59	(1)
Traveling with Children	60	(1)
Hotel Rates	61	(1)
Prices	62	(1)
The Ruta Maya	62	(1)
Schedules	63	(1)
Travel Agencies	64	(1)
Getting to Guatemala	64	(4)
Entering Guatemala	68	(1)
Customs	69	(1)
Border Hours & Fees	69	(1)
Pets	69	(1)
Guatemalan Consulates	70	(1)
Getting Around Guatemala	70	(5)
For More Information...	75	(2)
Basic Information	77	(26)
Business Hours	77	(1)
Charities	77	(2)
Cost of Living & Travel	79	(1)
Courtesy	80	(1)
Earthquakes	80	(1)
Electricity	81	(1)
The Good Life!	81	(1)
Health Concerns	81	(1)
Learning Spanish in Guatemala	82	(1)
Market Days	83	(1)
Fiestas	84	(5)
Money & Banking	89	(1)
Post Office	90	(2)
Retiring in Guatemala	92	(1)
Safety	92	(1)
Shopping & Bargaining	93	(2)
Spanish, Guatemalan-Style	95	(3)
Staying Out of Trouble	98	(1)
Taxes	99	(1)
Telegrams	99	(1)
Telephones	99	(1)
Time	100	(1)
Tipping	100	(1)
Toilets	100	(1)
Weights & Measures	100	(3)
Defending the Forests	103	(4)
Sports & Recreation	107	(4)
Food & Drink	111	(3)
Guatemala City	114	(56)
Introduction	114	(3)
Orientation	117	(1)
Arrivals & Departures	117	(3)
Getting Around Town	120	(4)
Where to Stay	124	(9)
Where to Eat	133	(8)
Seeing the Sights	141	(12)
Nightlife & Entertainment	153	(1)
Shopping	154	(2)
Excursions from Guatemala City	156	(7)
Mixco	158	(1)
San Pedro Sacatepequez	158	(1)
San Juan Sacatepequez	158	(1)
Mixco Viejo ruins	159	(1)
Chuarrancho	160	(1)
Amatitlan	160	(1)
San Vicente Pacaya	161	(1)
Palin	162	(1)
Chinautla	163	(1)
San Jose Pinula	163	(1)
Practical Information	163	(7)
The Western Highlands	170	(135)
Introduction	170	(2)
Antigua Guatemala	172	(27)
Santa Maria de Jesus	199	(1)
Ciudad Vieja	200	(1)
San Antonio Aguas Calientes	201	(1)
San Lucas Sacatepequez	201	(1)
Sumpango	202	(1)
Santiago Sacatepequez	202	(1)
Jocotenango	202	(1)
Parramos	203	(1)
Chimaltenango	203	(1)
El Tejar	204	(1)
Tecpan Guatemala & Iximche Ruins	204	(2)
Patzicia	206	(1)
Patzun	206	(1)
Lake Atitlan	207	(2)
Panajachel	209	(17)
Santa Catarina Palopo	226	(1)
San Antonio Palopo	226	(1)
San Lucas Toliman	227	(1)
Cerro de Oro	228	(1)
Santiago Atitlan	228	(3)
San Pedro La Laguna	231	(2)
San Juan La Laguna	233	(1)
San Pablo La Laguna	233	(1)
San Marcos La Laguna	234	(1)
Tzununa	234	(1)
Santa Cruz La Laguna	235	(1)
Solola	235	(1)
Concepcion	236	(1)
San Jorge La Laguna	237	(1)
San Andres Semetabaj	237	(1)
San Jose Chacaya	237	(1)
Santa Lucia Utatlan	237	(1)
Nahuala	238	(1)
Chichicastenango	239	(9)
Santa Cruz del K'iche'	248	(1)
Utatlan Ruins	249	(2)
Zacualpa	251	(1)
Joyabaj	251	(1)
Sacapulas	251	(2)
Nebaj	253	(3)
San Juan Cotzal	256	(1)
Chajul	256	(1)
Cunen	257	(1)
Uspantan	257	(1)
Quetzaltenango	257	(15)
Los Vahos	272	(1)
Almolonga & Los Banos	272	(1)
Zunil	273	(1)
Fuentes Georginas	273	(1)
Cantel	274	(1)
Salcaja	274	(1)
San Andres Xecul	275	(1)
San Cristobal Totonicapan	275	(1)
Totonicapan	275	(1)
San Francisco El Alto	276	(1)
Momostenango	277	(2)
Olintepeque	279	(1)
Ostuncalco	279	(1)
Concepcion Chiquirichapa	280	(1)
San Martin Sacatepequez	280	(1)
Chicabal Volcano	280	(1)
San Pedro Sacatepequez	281	(1)
San Marcos	281	(3)
Tacana	284	(1)
Huehuetenango	284	(8)
Zaculeu Ruins	292	(1)
Chiantla	293	(1)
Aguacatan	293	(1)
Todos Santos Cuchumatan	294	(3)
San Juan Ixcoy	297	(1)
Soloma	298	(1)
Santa Eulalia	298	(1)
San Mateo Ixtatan	299	(1)
Barillas	299	(2)
San Sebastian Huehuetenango	301	(1)
San Juan Atitan	301	(1)
Cuilco	301	(1)
Nenton & Further North	302	(1)
San Antonio Huista	303	(1)
Jacaltenango	303	(1)
La Mesilla/Mexican Border	304	(1)
The Pacific Lowlands	305	(21)
Introduction	305	(1)
History	305	(1)
Travel Strategy for the Coast	306	(2)
Talisman-El Carmen	308	(1)
Malacatan	308	(1)
Tecun Uman	309	(1)
Ocos	310	(1)
Coatepeque	310	(1)
San Sebastian	311	(1)
Retalhuleu	311	(1)
Champerico	312	(1)
El Zarco	312	(1)
Cuyotenango	312	(1)
Mazatenango	312	(1)
Chicacao	313	(1)
Tiquisate	313	(1)
Cocales	314	(1)
Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa	314	(4)
La Democracia	318	(1)
Escuintla	319	(1)
Puerto San Jose	320	(1)
Iztapa	320	(1)
Taxisco	320	(1)
Monterrico	320	(3)
Las Lisas	323	(1)
Ciudad Pedro de Alvarado	323	(1)
Cuilapa	323	(1)
El Molino	324	(1)
Jutiapa	324	(1)
Asuncion Mita	325	(1)
Lake Guija	325	(1)
San Cristobal Frontera	325	(1)
To the Caribbean	326	(48)
Introduction	326	(1)
El Rancho	327	(1)
Santa Elena (La Cumbre)	328	(1)
San Jeronimo	328	(1)
Rabinal	328	(1)
Quetzal Reserve	329	(3)
En Route to Coban	332	(1)
Coban	332	(8)
San Cristobal Verapaz	340	(1)
Tactic	340	(2)
San Pedro Carcha	342	(1)
Lanquin	343	(2)
Sebol	345	(1)
Rio Candelaria Caves	346	(1)
Parque Nacional Lachua	346	(1)
Down the Polochic	347	(1)
San Julian	348	(1)
Tamahu	348	(1)
Tucuru	348	(1)
Senahu	348	(1)
Panzos	349	(1)
El Estor	350	(1)
Mariscos	351	(1)
San Agustin Acasaguastlan	351	(1)
Pasabien (Santa Cruz)	352	(1)
Rio Hondo Junction	352	(1)
Estanzuela	352	(1)
Zacapa	353	(1)
Chiquimula	354	(1)
Vado Hondo	354	(1)
Jocotan	355	(1)
Camotan	355	(1)
El Florido	355	(1)
Copan Ruinas & Copan ruins, Honduras	356	(15)
Back to Guatemala - Esquipulas	371	(3)
The Caribbean	374	(23)
Quirigua	375	(1)
Quirigua ruins	376	(2)
La Trinchera	378	(1)
Bananera & Morales	378	(1)
La Ruidosa	378	(1)
Puerto Barrios	378	(5)
Santo Tomas de Castilla	383	(1)
The Caribbean Coast & the Rio Dulce	383	(1)
Livingston	384	(8)
Frontera-Rio Dulce Bridge	392	(3)
Castillo San Felipe	395	(1)
Lake Izabal	396	(1)
Parque Nacional Rio Dulce	396	(1)
The Peten	397	(37)
Travel Strategy	398	(1)
Puerto Modesto Mendez	399	(1)
San Luis	400	(1)
Poptun	400	(1)
Flores, Santa Elena, & San Benito	401	(11)
El Cruce & El Remate	412	(1)
Cerro Cahui Reserve	413	(1)
Tikal	414	(14)
Uaxactun ruins	428	(1)
Lake Yaxja	429	(1)
Melchor de Mencos	429	(1)
Rio Azul	430	(1)
La Libertad	430	(1)
Sayaxche	430	(2)
El Ceibal	432	(1)
Altar de los Sacrificios	433	(1)
Yaxchilan	433	(1)
Piedras Negras	433	(1)
Index	434