General Info

[Coonrod]

Gentlemen, I am traveling within the next week to Guatemala. Don't always have the opportunity to hit the city. Looking for any information about casas in Escuintla or PSJ.

Coonrod

[Coonrod]

Anyone know of casas in Escuintla or Puerto San Jose?

Coonrod

[Strangeman]

Hola fellow mongers. New guy here. I have RTFF for some time now, but will soon be in a position to contribute as well. This fall I intend to spend a month or more south of the US, most likely in a Spanish immersion class whilst partaking of the local culture (heh). What I am looking for is a place where the cost of living is low(ish), the monger scene is prolific and the amateur scene is fair to good and good diving water is not too far away. Just a couple quick questions for those who know.

- Does anyone have a good recommendation regarding a particular Spanish immersion course? There are plenty online, and plenty that are given by reputable universities. What I am looking for are any personal experiences, bad or good, that will give me further information. The prices for the classes in Guatemala seem very low. That will certainly be a factor in my decision so long as they are not absolute shite.

- From what I understand, the cost of living in Guatemala is low for Central America, the monger scene is kind of hit-or-miss and the amateur scene is bad to non-existent. Is this about right?

- CR, Belize and Panama are famous for their diving. Hows the diving in Guatemala?

[Psychman]

Anyone have any info on "bars" (casas) in Chichicastenago, Panahanchel, and Flores/Santa Elena? I will be on a very straight tour, but will have time to play in the evening. I am not going to these places to monger, but........ I know that picking will be slim, but any info would be appeciated.

[Professor 1]

Travelled that route myself less than two weeks ago. Taxi was all of $15 (one-way). There is transit running GCity-Antigua: other than the public bus (with many stops) there are private shuttles -- vans, mini-bus, et. al. which you can use. Through the 'travel agent' desks in Antigua, you'll find the info you need.

Thanks, Brother. Whew, US$15, that's a LOT of money in America Central.

[Golfinho]

Thanks, Rio. While reviewing a travel website, I noticed that a bus runs from Antigua to Guatemala City between 6 A.M. and 7 P.M. I may take the public bus into the city, then take a taxi back to Antigua in the evening. Thanks, again.

Travelled that route myself less than two weeks ago. Taxi was all of $15 (one-way). There is transit running GCity-Antigua: other than the public bus (with many stops) there are private shuttles -- vans, mini-bus, et. al. which you can use. Through the 'travel agent' desks in Antigua, you'll find the info you need.

[Professor 1]

For someone who does not know the city I would recommend using taxi's.

The biggest problem with renting a car is finding your way around. Streets are not well marked and many are one way. You will often get on a one way street and then have great difficulty getting back to where you want to be. It's very easy to get lost and Guate can be very frustrating. On the other hand, you may want a car to do other exploring such as Lake Atitlan.

Not sure why you would care about parking if you took a taxi but maybe you meant if you rented a car. There are public parking lots but they are not always close to where you want to be. I drive in the city and generally find parking but it can sometimes be difficult. At night I always use a taxi to go to places like La Club because public parking is closed and there is no street parking available.

I think I would rent a car for roaming outside Guate and use taxi's inside the city.

Thanks, Rio. While reviewing a travel website, I noticed that a bus runs from Antigua to Guatemala City between 6 A.M. and 7 P.M. I may take the public bus into the city, then take a taxi back to Antigua in the evening. Thanks, again.

[Riodulce]

I will be visiting Guatemala soon, and staying in Antigua. I understand the action is in Guatemala City. Do you guys suggest that I rent a car for the week, and commute to the city, or simply take a taxi once per day in each direction. Also, if you suggest a taxi, how is the parking? Thanks.

For someone who does not know the city I would recommend using taxi's.

The biggest problem with renting a car is finding your way around. Streets are not well marked and many are one way. You will often get on a one way street and then have great difficulty getting back to where you want to be. It's very easy to get lost and Guate can be very frustrating. On the other hand, you may want a car to do other exploring such as Lake Atitlan.

Not sure why you would care about parking if you took a taxi but maybe you meant if you rented a car. There are public parking lots but they are not always close to where you want to be. I drive in the city and generally find parking but it can sometimes be difficult. At night I always use a taxi to go to places like La Club because public parking is closed and there is no street parking available.

I think I would rent a car for roaming outside Guate and use taxi's inside the city.

[Professor 1]

I will be visiting Guatemala soon, and staying in Antigua. I understand the action is in Guatemala City. Do you guys suggest that I rent a car for the week, and commute to the city, or simply take a taxi once per day in each direction. Also, if you suggest a taxi, how is the parking? Thanks.

[Riodulce]

Returnng to P.G. via Puerto Barrios and curious is there is any massage available. Must be something although walking about, you'd never know. Newspaper no help, unless you're in Guatemala City. Anyone?

Mama Thelma's is probably your best bet. It's right next to the container terminal but I don't remember the street numbers. Ask a taxi driver to take you.

[Generous Gent]

Returnng to P.G. via Puerto Barrios and curious is there is any massage available. Must be something although walking about, you'd never know. Newspaper no help, unless you're in Guatemala City. Anyone?

[Riodulce]

Going on a cruise in March and I am going to have 8hrs to kill in Santo Tomas, Guatemala. Does anyone have any info?

Thanks

Santo Tomas / Puerto Barrios is a very good area for playing.

In Puerto Barrios is Mama Thelma's, any Cab driver should know where it is. It is upscale and a little more expensive ($50 US) than the regular Bars but generally has good quality.

If you want a little cheaper ($20 US) try the California Bar or the Diana Bar or just about any other place that says Bar. There are a number of other Bars in PB that you can check out. Basically if the establishment has the word "Bar" in the name there are chicas for P4P.

There is also a place called the Kiosk just outside the main gate at Santa Tomas. Go out the gate and turn right. About a half block down on the right is a restaurant with an Ice Cream store in front of it. Chicas hang there, mostly in the evenings.

Happy hunting.

[Gator5556]

Going on a cruise in March and I am going to have 8hrs to kill in Santo Tomas, Guatemala. Does anyone have any info?

Thanks

[Mountain Guy]

But if the door has a Gallo sign above it, it is a chica house. Knock and they will let you in. The talent was not much, but I figure if you knock on enough doors you might finally find a chica that is not fat, ugly, or both. If you have to get serviced in Xela, your best bet is to head over to Cumbala II.

Just found out some funny Guatemalan trivia. Noticed down the street from a Guatemalteca friend's house in Xela was a door with a red light over it. I've noticed this before in other parts of town, in fact at a house near Los Gemales and Cumbala I, and I just assumed it had the same meaning as other parts of the world, "red light district."

I asked her about it, and my friend said, "Oh, that means they sell comida tipica, like tamales, tamalitos, tortillas." I explained what it means in other countries, as in Zona Roja, red light district, her eyes got big and she said you mean a casa de sitas? She thought it was funny.

So don't go knocking on a door with a red light expecting anything other than a Guatemalan mother to open it and offer home-made tamalitos.

[Stiffmeister]

Just found out some funny Guatemalan trivia. Noticed down the street from a Guatemalteca friend's house in Xela was a door with a red light over it. I've noticed this before in other parts of town, in fact at a house near Los Gemales and Cumbala I, and I just assumed it had the same meaning as other parts of the world, "red light district."

I asked her about it, and my friend said, "Oh, that means they sell comida tipica, like tamales, tamalitos, tortillas." I explained what it means in other countries, as in Zona Roja, red light district, her eyes got big and she said you mean a casa de sitas? She thought it was funny.

So don't go knocking on a door with a red light expecting anything other than a Guatemalan mother to open it and offer home-made tamalitos.