Excursion to Antigua Guatemala!

We settled into Marina Chiapas and discovered that there was a nearby airport with cheap flights to anywhere in central America. Time for a side trip, or as we like to call them- “land excursions”! We had decided not to sail to Guatemala because of political unrest and risk of piracy but it was safe to fly there. We decided to fly to Antigua which is a preserved colonial city. In the area, there were several active volcanos to hike, and the ruins of a Mayan city called Tikal to explore. With the help of a local travel agent we got everything arranged and off we went for a 4 day whirlwind tour.

We flew into Guatemala City, a sprawling city that looked just like any other modern city with freeways, box stores, and fast food. It could have been the US except the ads for McDonalds were in Spanish! We hopped in the shuttle that took us up into the mountains and into a whole different world. Our charming hotel was previously a convent. It was located next to the famous yellow arch of Antigua. The next day we were scheduled for a walking tour of the city followed by a volcano hike on an active volcano. We spent a little time walking around our neighborhood and enjoying the beautiful open-air courtyard restaurant at our converted hotel.

The following morning we met 5 other tourists at a coffee shop for the walking tour with Elizabeth Bell, an historian who has spent most of her life living in, learning about, and helping to restore the area. It was fascinating to learn that the town, established in the 1500’s as the seat of government, had been abandoned in the late 1770’s after a series of earthquakes did major damage to the city. The governor of the district decided to move it for political reasons and associated personal financial gains. The only people left behind were native squatters and they still live in the properties they claimed. They did much to clean up damage and work toward rebuilding the city before it was officially resettled in the mid-1800’s. Some of the larger buildings are still in ruins but able to be toured and we even had access to some subterranean areas. It was really cool! The town is completely colonial style and most of it still original because of the desertion, with beautiful Spanish Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, and stunning views of three volcanos rising above the jungle. We were even treated to an amazing sundog, which everyone kept remarking on and looking at all over town!

Three hours later we were picked up for the drive to our hike. We ate lunch in our shuttle car as we drove up the mountain through smaller and smaller towns. The volcano hike was perfect! Not too long, not too steep, and plenty of steam vents and freshly-cooling lava from an eruption a couple of years prior. It felt like we were on a different planet! We returned to our hotel in time for a late dinner and an early bedtime. The next morning we were scheduled on a 5am “puddle-jumper” flight to Tikal, a sight with Mayan ruins, with another flight back the same evening.

Tikal was one of the largest and most powerful Mayan cities thriving between 200 and 900 AD. The site is massive, covering about 23 square miles. To uncover the entire city would require clearing so much land it would be an environmental disaster, so all but about 6 square miles remains claimed by the rainforest. The city has tall temples, pyramids, palaces, and religious sites. The view from one site here was used in the filming of Star Wars. The tour was fascinating and well worth the early morning wake up, multiple plane flights, tour van drive, and several miles of walking! We arrived back to our hotel just in time for dinner.

We drove back to Guatemala City in the morning and flew back to the boat the next afternoon. What a trip! I would highly recommend going to Antigua, Guatemala if given the chance. It is a beautiful little city with amazing history and preserved cultural sites. Now back to the pool for cocktail hour to meet more cruising folks!!