Antigua
is the backpacking mecca of Guatemala. All the
amenities you are used to exist here including WiFi, bars, dance clubs, laundry
facilities, cafes, fast food chains, restaurants and major banks. If you can’t
find something ask another traveler or the Tourist Police. I think Antigua is
the perfect place to get your feet wet as a backpacker.
Transportation
Antigua is usually the base camp for visiting other
nearby attractions such as Lake Atitlan, Xela, Monterrico Beach, Semuc Champey
or even Tikal. Tourists usually take shuttle buses around the country, but
Chicken Buses (old American school buses) are available for the more daring.
More daring in the sense that you really need to speak Spanish, be willing to
travel slower and hope that you can figure out how to get from one destination
to the other. The shuttle buses will take you directly to your destination, but
it will be cramped.
Jason Castellani (to be continued)