Guatemala

I will be travelling to Guatemala City on business in 2 weeks. Any suggestions

on photo opportunities, safety issues with gear, good restaurants, etc.? I will

be staying at a hotel in Zone l and travelling to Zone 10 for a meeting. Thanks.

A lot depends on how long you will be there, how much free time you have and what kind of photos you like to take In the city itself, I like the National Cemetery, the sculptures etc in the middle of Avenida La Reforma/Las Americas and Aurora Zoo. A few hour trip to Antigua (only 45 minutes at the right time of day with the way I drive, from Zone 10) is well worth it. Also, whole day trips to Lake Atitilan, Montericco or Chichicastenengo or even climbing the Pacaya Volcano, are all well worth it. You can also to a whole day trip to Tikal by air, leave at like 6am, return at about 6pm.

 

With regards to places to eat, Zone 10 (Zona Viva) is chock full of good restaurants. A couple of my favorites are Inca Grill (fried calamari rings) and Los Ranchos (for their house steak)

 

Crime and muggings are a problem in Guatemala. Most of it is of the opportunity sort: run up to you, stick a gun in your face and grab some valuables from you....so if you limit your display of valuables (laptop, fancy cell phone, cash and jewelry) you cut your risk a little bit.

 

have fun, good luck - jeffl<div></div>

It sounds like you will be there over a weekend in which case I would head to Chichi. Market day is either Saturday or Sunday and is a photographers dream. Antigua is wonderful also. Local travel agencies can provide car/driver at a fairly reasonable price if you don't want to do a self drive. Get to the ChiChi market early in the day before sun gets high in sky for best photography results. Many of the colorfully dressed vendors will deny your request to take their photo unless you pony up the equivalent of $1. Or, if you buy a small item from them, they'll probably let you have a freebie photo.

I will be staying in a hotel near the American Embassy where I have business, then a quick cab ride to a meeting in Zone 10. I will be there only 2 nights, maybe 3, then back stateside. My interests are landscape and architectural, specifically old churches, cathedrals and the like.

Hello Jeffrey,

 

I am living in Guatemala and let me tell you that if your interest is in Churches and Architecture, you should definetely go to Antigua.

That is an photographers dream. Guatemala City itself is not that interesting.

 

Keep Shooting

Holger Tobuschat

oops, I misread your mention of "two weeks". Thought you said you would be there for two weeks instead of going for two weeks.. Antigua is fairly compact. You can see a lot of it (at least a cursory view) in a half day. Given your apparent limited time, if funds are not an issue, I would hire a driver and have him wait for you and be able to shuttle you around within Antigua. GC is sort of a travelers' cesspool.

Here's another vote for Antigua. If you are in Gua City, Antigua is a "no-brainer." In other

words, you have to go. The city itself is rather small and compact, at least in regard to

areas that offer beautiful churches and other buildings.

 

Frankly, I don't think it is necessary to hire a driver to get there. Shuttle buses leave from

the airport at all hours of the day and generally charge US$10 one way. Have them drop

you off at the Parque Central and start exploring - there is more to photograph than you

can shake a stick at...

 

Don't miss out on the public Lavanderia where you can observe Mayan women do the

week's laundry. It's best to either ask permission (but expect to be asked for a few

Quetzales) or otherwise, use a good tele.

 

Across the street is an old convent - they charge a nominal fee to enter and although the

ruins aren't all that interesting, there are generally almost no visitors inside which allows

you to take photos of the beautiful gardens/courtyards with the ruins and mountains in

the background. Do not hesitate to ask if you can borrow a ladder to get a better vantage

point. I have found the care takers to be extremely accomodating.

 

Also, make sure you climb up to the Cerro de la Cruz but do so only with a police escort.

Although it is rare these days, tourists do get mugged on occasion because they tend to

carry not only wallets but also cameras. There are scheduled police escorts twice a day

that depart close to the central square. The starting point is easy to find and just about

anybody will be able to tell you where to go. The escort is free of charge.

 

Other than that, go and enjoy. Don't hesitate to simply ask people whether you can see the

courtyard of a house. Owners and hoteliers are generally more than willing. I've also found

fellow travelers to be more than willing to let you peek inside their hotels/courtyards.

I may have the services of a driver/interpreter available, so Antigua sounds like a must-see destination, if only for several hours.

 

Thanks to all.