Antigua (Guatemala)

Introduction

GUATEMALA - Antigua - center

© vanessa

Antigua is an amazing Spanish colonial city known for its well preserved Spanish Mudejar influenced Baroque style buildings, ruins and colonial churches. Due to the wealth of cultural importance the town was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 1543, Antigua was the third capital of Guatemala and held the title for over 200 years. After a series of devastating earthquakes in the 1770s the Spanish Crown ordered the relocation of the capital, with a population of over 60,000 people, to a safer area. Although many people left some still remained even though today the population of the town is still under 35,000. Antigua is a great place to spend a few days exploring and learning about the early colonial history and culture of Guatemala.

Sights and Activities

Volcanos

Volcanos surrounding Antigua

© mtlgal

Looming on the horizon of Antigua is the ominous shadows of three volcanos. The largest is the Volcán de Agua, which is 3,760 metres high and is only 5 kilometres from town at its the closest point. Luckily this volcano has been inactive since the 16th century. This volcano also has been a protected area since 1956 making it a nice wilderness area. To the west of the city are two other volcanic peaks collective known toegether as La Horqueta. The first mountain is Acatenango, which last erupted in 1972 and is 3,976 metres high. The Second is Volcán de Fuego, which is 3,763 metres high and is an active stratovolcano. This means that the volcano is constantly erupting at a low level with large eruption being extremely rare.

Religious Sights

View of Antigua from Cerro de la Cruz

© chris89

• San Hermano Pedro Church
• La Merced Church
• Church and Convent of Capuchins
• Cathedral of San José
• Ruins of old San José
• Church School of Christ
• Church of San Francisco

Other Sights and Activities

• Old Weapons Museum
• The Santa Catalina Arch
• Museum of Santo Domingo
• Museum of the Old Book (El Libro Antiguo)
• The Jade Museum

Events and Festivals

Semana Santa Processions

Every year in the "Holy Week", the time from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, most cities and villages in Guatemala celebrate local processions in which different religious groups carry life-sized, heavy and holy statues through the streets. Antigua is the Guatemalan hotspot and epicenter of these activities. If it happens you are in Antigua during the Holy Week don't miss to watch these processions. Usually there are several a day, organized by different groups or churches on different tracks throughout the streets and during different times of the day. Ask the local tourist information to find the procession that fits best into your plans.

Also visit the churches of Antigua in that time, as every church is proudly decorated and displaying beautiful handmade "carpets". These carpets, made of colorized sawdust, show and form religious symbols and get decorated with fruits and vegetables and is something that Antigua is particularly famous for. Also you find such handmade carpets on the streets as a grounding for the processions to walk over it.

Be aware that prices are rising high during the Holy Week as this is a touristic highlight well-known throughout all Guatemala. Hence, the city is crowded by natives and internationals alike. However, in the week or the two weeks before already there are a lot of processions who "practice" their walk, so it might be a smart choice to move there in the days before when prices did not yet skyrocket.

Getting There

By Car

Driving is not generally recommended in Guatemala. The road network is not very well developed and roads are likely to be in less than perfect shape.

By Bus

You can find a mini bus to pretty much everywhere from Antigua. Whether you want to go to the airport, Guatemala City, Tikal, Lago Atitlan, Copan or to the Mexican border, there'll be one. If you feel adventurous you could also try the chicken busses, the cheapest way to travel around the country. You might need to change bus several times along the way, stop every 5 minutes, share the space with a few too many people and various different animals, but it's certainly an experience.

Getting Around

By Public Transport

Tuk-tuks and taxis can take you to destinations within the city center for Q10 or less; negotiate the fare with the driver in advance. Otherwise, they will routinely charge 50-100% more than they should. Tuk-tuks usually do not go to Guatemala City, so one will need a shuttle or taxi instead. Flag down a cruising tuk-tuk, or pick up a taxi from the queue at Parque Central; or along a main route to the city's periphery.

By Foot

Walking is the best way to explore Antigua. The charming cobblestone walkways may have your eyes focused on the ground more than you are accustomed to. Antigua is very compact and easy to walk around. Most tourist destinations are in an 8-by-8 block area less than 1 km across. You can walk across it in 15 minutes.

By Bike

Pedal bikes are rarely seen, and public locking areas for them are even more scarce. Motorbikes and scooters are extremely prevalent and easier to maneuver in the busy streets than full-bodied cars are.

Eat

Antigua has cafes and restaurants for all tastes and budgets. The town is the most touristy place in Guatemala so you will find anything you are looking for including international fast food shops. Be careful with where you eat. Facilities lacking in bathroom or bathroom cleanliness suggest a higher probability of food poisoning. Avoid cold salad, fresh vegetables, and undercooked meat. Street ice cream carts are common through the city and popular with the locals, but of are unknown safety for sensitive stomachs.

• The Bagel Barn, 5ª Calle Poniente #2, ☎ +502 7832-1224. Daily 06:30-20:30. Travelers come here to get their fix of bagels, excellent coffee and free Wi-Fi. Bagel sandwiches include different breakfast and lunch selections using quality ingredients such as fresh mozzarella cheese, real cheddar, etc. It's a home away from home, a very cozy environment, with movies shown in the afternoon and evenings. French, Spanish and English are spoken. Q 35-90.
• Doña Luisa Xicotencatl, 4ª Calle Oriente #12, ☎ +502 7832-2578. Daily 07:00-21:30. Has the feel of a well-run corporate restaurant set in a gorgeous leafy courtyard of a historic building. Menu includes well-executed breakfast, hamburgers, and Guatemalan interpretations of Tex-Mex food. They use purified water on their vegetables and for drinking and ice, which means their menu is in-bounds for tender First World stomachs. There is a bakery in the building, which means that when you get close you can follow the delicious smells the rest of the way in. Highly recommended, especially for the cookies and daily selection of delightful breakfast breads. Q50-80.
• Luna de Miel, 6ª Avenida Norte #40, ☎ +502 7882-4559. Daily 09:00-21:30. Luna de Miel opened its doors in July 2006, and Antigua immediately succumbed to the charms of crepes à la française. The first floor area is small, but there is an inviting open-roof terrace upstairs. The menu offers not a lot to choose, but all the products are fresh, selected each morning in the market. Free Wi-Fi. Q30-70.
• Rainbow Café, 7ª Avenida Sur #8, ☎ +502 7832-1919. Daily 08:00-23:00. Tourist-friendly and wholesome breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. An early-bird breakfast special of tomatoes, beans, eggs, rice, and tea or coffee is easy on the wallet. Sandwiches and dinner entrees are inexpensive too, and salads and big desserts are also on offer. Uses purified water for all drinks, ice, and preparation. They have a rich schedule of live music, poetry readings, and interesting lectures about Guatemala. Includes Internet access in its cornucopia of tourist-friendly offerings. If you spend more than GTQ20 in the attached bookstore, you get 25 minutes of Internet time as a bonus. Q45-90.
• Travel Menu, 6ª Calle Poniente #14, ☎ +502 4215-9601. Daily 13:00-23:00. Promises "small place, big portions", and delivers. It seats perhaps 20 people at about eight tables, in small, dim room painted to look like an underground European keller, lit only by candles on stands overflowing with cascades of wax drippings. They offer dinner entrees for low prices, with vegetarian options for everything. The portions are indeed generous. Beer and wine are also available, but not desserts. Topping it all off is the friendly proprietor, Jesper Nilsen of Denmark. Attracts a traveller crowd. Q 40-70.
• Y Tu Piña También, 1ª Avenida Sur #10B. M-F 07:00-17:00, Sa-Su 10:00-18:00. All-day breakfast and some lunch items catering to twentysomething backpackers. Depending on your sense of humor, be prepared to either LOL or be outraged at gleefully profane menu items such as "Monkey's A**" and "Egg McF***in' Muffin" (how trademark law lets them get away with that one in anyone's guess). Licuados. Benito's flavored rums. Luisa's famous hangover soups. Proper espressos. Manu Chao daily. Free Wi-Fi. GTQ 30-80.
• Intenso, 6a. Av. Norte No. 51 (two blocks north of La Merced), ☎ +502 7832-3221, e-mail: [email protected]. Tasty Guate/Asian fusion spot just north of La Merced, just off the normal tourist route. The Sunday processions accompanying Lent and Semana Santa pass by here, so it can be a great spot to grab a view. An enormous bowl of ramen with pork, mushrooms and seasonal veggies can be had for $Q50, and there is a relatively broad selection of beer.

Drink

• Café No Sé, 1ª Avenida Sur #11C, ☎ +502 7832-0563. Cool hipster-backpacker bar serving up a range of drinks including the local favorite, "Ilegal" mezcal. Dim lighting, mysterious vibes, and interesting patrons from all over the world. Friendly staff and prices are a lot more reasonable than you'd expect from such a trendier-than-thou spot. Live music is presented frequently.
• El Muro, 3ª Calle Oriente #19D, ☎ +502 7832-8849. Plays a soundtrack of classic rock and serves real drinks, Asian and vegetarian food and local cuisine. Specials for volunteers and credit cards accepted.
• Reilly's Irish Tavern, 6ª Avenida Norte #2, ☎ +502 7832-2981. Antigua's only Irish pub. Serves Guinness and Jaegermeister, among other things. Every Sunday at 18:00 they hold a pub quiz.
• Sangre, 5ª Avenida Norte #33A, ☎ +502 7832-8978. Fancy wine bar, fine atmosphere. Moderate prices. Large selection of wine per glass. Light snacks also served.

Learn

Antigua is the most popular, though not the cheapest, place to learn Spanish in Guatemala. Prices and hours vary, and can change depending on the season.

Homestays for language students are also available as a cheaper and more culturally enriching living situation. The average homestay with a Guatemalan family costs Q585 for 7 nights in your own room with shared bath and 2-3 meals per day (except Sunday). It is well worth it to pay a little extra for your own bathroom or shower, and for maximum immersion into the local culture, search for a family who takes in only one or a few students at a time (and local Guatemalan boarders). Families often visit each other on Sundays, and no meals are available. If you are the only student in the home, you are often invited for family get-togethers, and it is quite a cultural experience.

Work

You can easily get a job as a waiter, waitress, bartender, or host in any of the many bars, restaurants and hotels in Antigua. Usually they pay from Q65-165 a day plus tips. It is important to speak Spanish in most of these places, but you can slide by without it in some touristy spots, where most of the customers are foreigners. Also you can join in and volunteer at local non-profits. There are many local projects in education, health, and development that accept short and long-term volunteers. An example would be Common Hope, and other local churches and charities. These organisations should be contacted ahead of time for availability and credentialing.

Sleep

• El Pasar de los Años. As of early 2016, the cheapest place to stay during the week. Reasonable hostel with a lot of beds put into a room. Has a kitchen, free WiFi, and a spacious patio. Q35 (Q55 during the weekend).
• La Casa del Rompecabezas, 2ª Avenida Sur #19, ☎ +502 7832-6694, e-mail: [email protected]. There are four private rooms available for rent at this friendly homestay: two singles and two doubles. Free Wi-Fi, three meals served daily except Sunday, free purified water, coffee and tea, shared baths with hot showers. US$20/person/day daily or weekly (3-day minimum stay); US$15/person/day monthly.
• Hostel 5, 4ª Avenida Norte #33, ☎ +502 7832-5462. Wonderful owner who will take very good care of you and is a great cook. Comfortable beds, clean facilities, lockers, very hot showers, awesome rooftop terrace with picnic table, hammock, and a great view of the volcano. The bar/restaurant downstairs has very cheap cold beers and serves great food. Q50 for a dorm with full breakfast included.
• Jungle Party Hostal, 6ª Avenida Norte #20, ☎ +502 7832-8975. A mid-sized hostel with a courtyard, bar, restaurant, and hammocks. The operative word here is "party", so if you want a peaceful place where you can hit the hay early, look elsewhere. Wi-Fi free and daily happy hour. Hot water showers (hot water tank, not electric showerheads). Rate includes breakfast from anything on the menu. Dorm rooms from 4-6 beds. No outside food or drinks permitted. US$8-10/night.
• Posada Don Valentino, 5ª Calle Poniente #28, ☎ +502 7832-0384. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Spacious, light-filled rooms and common areas with Guatemalan furniture and textiles. All rooms have private bath, cable TV, 24-hour hot water, and views. 18 standard rooms and 3 suites. 2 large terraces with city and volcano views. An Internet cafe, international phone service, travel agency, use of a shared kitchen, laundry service, bag storage, free bottled water. Bilingual staff. Discounts for large groups and longer stays. US$14-34/night.
• Posada Juma OCAG, Alameda de Santa Lucía Norte #13, ☎ +502 7832-3109. Rooms with private baths and cast-iron beds. Rooms set around a small pretty courtyard. Small sun terrace upstairs. Friendly and helpful staff. Q120 single, Q160 double.
• El Viejo Danés, Alameda de Santa Lucia Norte, Callejón San Jerónimo #31, ☎ +502 7832-3881, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00-16:00, check-out: 11:00. Small hostel. Close to the market, ruins, and chicken bus station, run by a friendly couple Roberto and Claudia. Clean, shared toilet and showers with hot water. Kitchen with cooking facilities and dining area on the rooftop terrace overlooking the ruins. Two-bed rooms also available. They can also organize tours to different sights in and around Antigua. English-speaking staff. US$14 for double room, US$19 for quadruple.
• Villa Esthela, 2ª Avenida Sur #48, ☎ +502 4102-4122. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. A nice quiet guesthouse in Antigua. You can use the kitchen to make your own meals but breakfast is included. Nice clean rooms and shared bathrooms are also very clean. Garden with hammocks and a living room with cable TV/DVD, nice way to meet other travellers. A little bit further from the center (10-15 minute walk), but then you have also something good for a very good price. Bunk beds US$6.50/night; private rooms US$9-11/person/night.
• Chez Daniel, Calle de San Luquitas #20, ☎ +502 4264-1122, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: noon-14:00. Spacious and modern rooms, complete with a comfortable double bed, along with a single bed, a huge bathroom with giant tub. Free Wi-Fi. US$54 single, US$59 double, US$15 for each additional person.
• Entre Volcanes (formerly Posada Lazos Fuertes), Alameda Santa Lucia Sur #5, ☎ +502 7832-8614. A 15-room hotel, very clean, with an upscale colonial-style elegance that belies a quite down-to-earth room rate. In a busy part of town, but very quiet. Pleasant patio and rooftop terrace. Breakfast (ample portions!) included in the rate. Fast, reliable wireless Internet. US$85-95/night.
• Hostal Las Marias, Calle a San Bartolo, Las Jacarandas, Lote #7, ☎ +502 5516-9147. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. A beautiful bed and breakfast in a very quiet and safe area, about 5 blocks from Parque Central. Comfortable rooms, hot water, Wi-Fi, complimentary water, shampoo, etc. Discount for groups, students, volunteers, adopting parents. US$50-80 for standard rooms, apartments US$85 for 1-2 guests or US$100 for 3-4 guests.
• Hotel Casa Antigua, 3ª Calle Poniente #5, ☎ +502 7832-9090, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Historic hotel only a two-minute walk from Parque Central. 22 rooms all with baths, 3 gardens with fountains and a rooftop terrace. All rooms are decorated with antiques. Discounts for large groups or weekly stays. Free Wi-Fi & Internet terminals, free purified water, breakfast is available, coffee, use of kitchen, laundry service, bag storage, travel services, airport pickups, cable TV & hot water 24 hours. US$47-73.
• Hotel Casa Cristina, Callejón Camposeco #3A, ☎ +502 7832-0623. This small and charming 10-room hotel is only four blocks from Parque Central. All rooms have private bath and hot water. Free coffee, tea and purified water. Wireless accessible from all rooms. Discounts for longer stays. US$25-45/night.
• Hotel Casa Rustica, 6ª Avenida Norte #8, ☎ +502 7832-0694, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. All rooms are private, have comfortable anti-stress beds and lots of natural light. Free purified water, use of large shared kitchen, laundry service, bag storage, Internet terminals, small cafe, Internet cafe, travel services, airport pickups, cable TV & hot water 24 hours a day. The Wi-Fi signal is fast, strong, and free for hotel guests (Q5/hr, Q20/day or Q70/week for nonguests). Check your email while relaxing by the garden, on the terrace or in a hammock, while sipping on a cool one or eating a snack. And if you're a dog lover, you're in luck - there are three friendly ones who live on the property. Weekdays: US$32 (single)/US$39 (double) with shared bath, US$40 (single)/US$49 (double) with private bath. Weekends: US$37 (single)/US$45 (double) with shared bath, US$46 (single)/US$56 (double) with private bath.
• Hotel Quinta de las Flores, Calle del Hermano Pedro #6, ☎ +502 7832-3721. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Located a 10-minute walk from the center of town, this hotel offers several quiet, almost free-standing rooms spaced around a central fountain. A special treat is the working fireplace, with firewood at the ready. US$65-95, US$140 for detached "casita"; higher for New Year's and Semana Santa.
• Posada Doña Luisa, 7ª Avenida Norte #4, ☎ +502 7832-3414. There is nothing fancy about this place, but the people there are warm and friendly and it is clean and quiet. Single, double, and triple rooms available. US$39-45/night.
• Posada la Merced, 7ª Avenida Norte #43, ☎ +502 7832-3197. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Clean, well-kept hotel with helpful staff. The owner used to be a tour guide and offers great advice. US$46-56/night.
• Casa Madeleine, Calle del Espíritu Santo #69, ☎ +502 7832-9848, toll-free: +1 877 325-9137, fax: +502 7832 9358, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. A beautiful B&B about six blocks from Parque Central. Comfortable rooms, hot water, Wi-Fi, complimentary water, shampoo, etc. Whirlpool and Jacuzzi, spa services and packages. Great view of their courtyard and the volcano. Discount for groups, students, volunteers, adopting parents. US$110/night for standard twin or double room; US$157/nt for suite.
• Casa Santo Domingo, 3ª Calle Oriente #28A, ☎ +502 7820-1220, fax: +502 7832-4155, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: noon. A luxury international-class hotel built in the remodeled ruins of an old convent. Access to three great museums in the Paseo de los Museos is included in your room rate. Gorgeous landscaping and all the services. US$176-198/night for standard room, US$253/nt for suite.
• Hotel Casa del Parque, 4ª Avenida Norte #5, ☎ +502 7832-0961, fax: +502 7832-3709, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Centrally located luxury hotel. 16 rooms and 9 suites, all with bath, breakfast, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, (massages available), 3 gardens with fountains and a 2nd level terrace. All rooms are decorated with beautiful Guatemalan furniture. Free Wi-Fi & Internet terminals, free purified water, free breakfast & coffee, laundry service, bag storage, travel services, airport pickups, cable TV & hot water 24 hours. US$82/night.
• Hotel Convento Santa Catalina, 5ª Avenida Norte #28, ☎ +502 7832-3080, fax: +502 7832-3610. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. In the shadow of the famous Arco de Santa Catalina, the Hotel Convento Santa Catalina offers singles, doubles, triples, and junior suites. 16 furnished rooms, seven of which have kitchenettes. 2 beautiful gardens and a wonderful view of the volcanoes. US$81/night.
• El Marques de Antigua, 4ª Avenida Sur #30, ☎ +502 2836-1012, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: noon. An all-suite hotel. Two types of suites: Loft Doña Beatriz (1-4 guests) and Loft Don Pedro (4-6 guests), fully furnished and equipped with kitchen, living room, dining table, mini-patio with a fountain, washer and dryer, 42-inch LED TV, Wi-Fi, and more. US$120-136/night.
• Hotel Palacio de Doña Leonor, 4ª Calle Oriente #8, ☎ +502 7962-0202, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: noon. Named after the daughter of Pedro de Alvarado, conqueror and first governor of Guatemala. Twelve rooms and suites around a magnificent garden courtyard. GTQ1250-1900/nt.
• El Palacio de Doña Beatriz, Las Gravileas, Calle de los Duelos, ☎ +502 7832-4052. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Luxury B&B inside a coffee plantation, near Santo Domingo convent and museum, 40 minutes from the Guatemala City airport. GTQ880-1350/nt.
• Porta Hotel Antigua, 8ª Calle Poniente #1, ☎ +502 7931-0600, fax: +502 7832-0807, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: noon. A beautiful hotel, just a few blocks away from the park on a quiet street. The hotel has a great pool, parrots that live outside your window and great meals in the dining area. Tip: try their amazing hot chocolate. US$195-235.

Homestays

Homestays with Antiguan families can be arranged through language schools or directly with the family in question. Because the families are prepaid, you can switch your school at any time and try a different school. Your shuttle from the airport is also prepaid if arranged through a school, so if your driver asks for Q40 or Q80 in tips, just smile, and give him Q10 or Q15 at most (a 20% tip), more if your luggage was lugged up a steep hill and dozens of steps.

The homes are often on hilltops, so be prepared to encounter large black scorpions on the lit walls at night, when you are walking home late. They are harmless unless you disturb them, but you might consider wearing shoes if they are abundant. Choose a home in the town to avoid climbing hills, and you will also get fewer mosquitoes. Families charge about Q580 for 7 days of bed, shared toilet, and 2 meals. Expect to pay about Q80 or Q160 more if you want to add lunch (the main meal), or if you expect a private bathroom (well worth it if you don't want to share with up to a dozen other boarders).

An advantage of a home stay for the Spanish language student is a chance for language immersion, as well as the cultural experience. The fewer students the family board, the better the experience. Too many students prefer to speak in English to each other and destroy your "immersive" experience. Ask first how many people are in the home, and how many boarders there are. You might avoid a situation where, say, there's one sink and two toilets shared by 14 people, and there's no way to take a proper shower because so many people are using the hot water. If you value cleanliness and convenience, book a room with private toilet and sink.

Ask the house mother to explain how to get the switch to activate on the shower, or you might have to deal with a cold shower. Buy your own soap and shampoo, as the home might use the same soap for washing dishes and clothing as for bathing. The housing may be more basic than in a hotel: simple concrete block or adobe construction, shared bathroom, and small rooms. Ask if there is a secure lock for your room, as the home is often shared with local boarders, and you do not always want to lug your camera and laptop everywhere you go.

You must provide your own hand towels and bath towels. If you leave them in a common bathroom, don't be surprised if everyone uses them. Eating hours are often different, with dinner often served at 19:30 or 20:00, so you might want to procure your own meals if you intend to go to bed early. Remember that dinner is simple: a few pieces of cold bread and perhaps very light soup. For American-style dinners, go out and buy your own food at the restaurants. Fresh fruits and vegetables are not often served, so eat plenty of beans or bring along your own source of fiber.

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet access is widely available. Even most of the more remote areas have some type of internet access available. Many larger areas also have WiFi. All of the Camperos chicken/pizza restaurants (which are numerous) offer free WiFi, as well as many other restaurants and cafes. Some hotels may also offer computer banks with internet access. Just ask and you eventually will find some sort of free access.

If you have a smartphone such as iPhone, Google Android, you just need a local SIM card (roughly Q25) and can start enjoying the prepaid access plans, which generally come in lots of an hour, a day, or a week.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Guatemala's emergency phone numbers include 110 (police), 120 (ambulance) and 123 (fire). Guatemala's international calling code is 502. There are no area codes. Phone numbers all have eight digits.

The phone system isn't great, but it works. Tourists can call abroad from call centers, where you pay by the minute. It is also easy to purchase a calling card to use at public pay phones. The phones there do not accept money, so to use a public phone on the street you must purchase a telephone card. Typically, the cost is around 8 quetzals for a 10-min call to North America, and slightly more to Europe. Cell phones are quite cheap and calling overseas through one can get as low as $0.08 a min. If you are planning to stay for a while and plan to use the phone, you should consider buying a cheap prepaid phone. Wireless nation-wide internet access for laptops is also available as a service from some companies. Telefónica has good coverage with their PCMCIA EV-DO cards.

Post

El Correo is the national postal company in Guatemala. It offers a wide range of services, including sending cards and packages both domestically as well as internationally. Most Guatemalan towns have a post office, although your best bet is to send mail from a large city. Service at El Correo is improving, thanks to consultation and assistance from Canada Post. Most post offices open from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Airmail letters to North America and Europe cost from Q6.50 and take a week or two to arrive. High-end hotels can usually send your mail for you, too. Expect packages you send through the Guatemalan mail system to take a very long time to arrive. They usually get there in the end, but it's worth paying extra for recorded delivery (correo registrado). Many stores can ship your purchases for you, for a cost. Valuable items are best sent with private express services. Couriers operating in Guatemala include DHL, UPS, and FedEx. Delivery within two to three business days for a 1-kg package starts at about Q500.

External Links

• Official Governmental Website