Hi,
I've backpacked before in Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia and
Guyana. I've volunteered in the Caribean before but would
like to go someplace new. I'm thinking of Mexico or
Guatamala. I only have 2-4 weeks if I can but most likely
two weeks. I want to go:
1) Someplace relaxing with beautiful beaches and very little
tourism
2)With alot of history and culture
Any recommendations? Guesthouses? I'm not a "hardcore"
backpacker - this trip is more a vacation than an adventure
but I don't like tours or expensive hotels. I appreciate
any suggestions about sites, festivals and local activities
I'm hoping to hear about your positive and negative
experiences. Thanks
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I haven't gone yet, but I'm planning a 3 week backpacking
trip for the end of this coming June. I chose it for all
the things you are looking for: archaeological sites,
beaches, cheap hotels, adventure on a crazy bus with the
natives. If you'd like, I can let you know what I found out
when I come back (the most current info is always the
best). Also, I'm quite interested in hearing about your
volunteering in the Caribbean. What company did you go
through, did they pay life (food,room,etc) expenses, etc?
As for Thailand, what would you recommend to hit or miss?
If you used the LP guide, would you say it was helpful
(good maps,etc)? Hope you don't mind the questions..Just
respond under this same posting and I'll find it.
hey thanks for the info! Please email me when you get back
about your experiences.
As for your questions: I'm Canadian and the organization
I volunteered with was an NGO Canadian Crossroads
International. You fundraise a year before your trip and
they will pay your airfare and accomodation (staying with a
host family) This organization promotes cultural exchanges
with developing countries.
The lonely planet was an excellent guide for a starting
point in Thailand. In Bangkok, Kao San road is expensive to
stay in but a good place to meet other travellers. Chang
Mai is great to really get a taste of the local life, but if
you do any trekking it is wise to pick carefully.
Hope this answers your questions, if you have any other ones
feel free to ask.
Happy Travels! Look forward to hearing about the Yacatun
Peninsula!
Nicole: Guatamala is a beautiful country--especially in
thge highlands. However, the one thing guatamala does not
have is beautiful beaches. if that's your main objective,
i'd try Honduras or Ecuador (something different). That
said, Guatamala is beautiful--the landscape and the people.
For me, getting out into the mayan/ixil villages around
Nebaj was the best part--seeing an indigeneouus culture
along with stunning scenery made the whole trip worthwhile.
jp
I agree with the above posting. Guatemala my favorite
destination in Central America, with loads of history and
culture, but poor beaches. Lake Atitlan is great for
relaxing, and the indigenous culture is incredible in the
Western Highlands. Antigua is also beautiful. As for
festivals, the calendar is full of them there (what time of
year are you going?), and they're also amazing.
If you want simplicity and beaches try Livingston, on the
caribbean coast of Guatemala. It fills all of your
requirements and the beaches are actually pretty nice too.
Monterrico is on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. Its a
sleepy beach town that is accessible by boat only (because
of mangrove swamps). They have an awesome beach that is
black sand and stretches miles and miles. The
accomodations are on the beachfront (really cheap) and have
pools. There is no concrete roads (only sand) and if you re
going to eat in the restaurants you have to tell them
during the day so they can go catch your dinner. There is
an awesome turtle reserve about a 2 hr walk down the beach
called Hawaii. The waves are calm enough for bodysurfing.
Monterrico is on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. Its a
sleepy beach town that is accessible by boat only (because
of mangrove swamps). They have an awesome beach that is
black sand and stretches miles and miles. The
accomodations are on the beachfront (really cheap) and have
pools. There is no concrete roads (only sand) and if you re
going to eat in the restaurants you have to tell them
during the day so they can go catch your dinner. There is
an awesome turtle reserve about a 2 hr walk down the beach
called Hawaii. The waves are calm enough for bodysurfing.