Guatemala Shore Excursion Question

[PCruzer]

Has anyone done the shore excursion in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala - The Best of Antigua? It's one of the Medallion excursions. Could you tell me more about it. The write-up is somewhat vague. I know that it is a 90-minute drive by bus each way. So that is 3 hours. I believe the excursion is 7-1/2 hours total. A lunch is included, so maybe another hour? So that leaves 3-1/2 hours. What exactly do you tour? Do you have time on your own? Are there a lot of photo opportunities? I also see that they offer a different excursion to Antigua on your own. It's $100 less - they transport you, give you a map of the city, and you are free to do whatever you want. I'm just not sure how large a city Antigua is and if it is easily walkable. Could anyone tell me what makes the more expensive, Best of Antigua, a Medallion excursion? There must be something special about it since there are hardly any excursions given this distinction. I would appreciate any information that anyone has on these excursions. Thanks! :)

[cp556]

We're doing the Antigua on your Own shorex in October, and I hope to write a review of the cruise, including this.

We're of the mindset that we can wander around Antigua for the 3+ hours, instead of being led around in a group. That allows us to spend time where and as we wish. Hope we're making the right decision....

[Nutrioso]

We took the "Antigua On Your Own" tour and were very happy with our choice. There's lots to see within a 2 or 3 block area of the plaza in front of the cathedral where they drop you off. And textiles! If you're interested in textiles and/or quilts, much to see and admire within those two blocks. We had lunch on our own at a nice restaurant just a block or so from the plaza and had local Guatemalan foods. A chicken stew thickened with pumpkin powder and some of the best pupusas (corn tortillas with cheese in the center) we've ever had. I definitely recommend the pupusas. And of course, the local beer - El Gallo. After lunch we hired a horse drawn carriage (for about $20) to take us around the town for an hour or so. You can find the carriages around the plaza. The guide/driver was most informative about the history and various areas. And the whole time, the volcano above the town was emitting smoke. We were very happy with our Antigua experience. ---- Penny

[Carhut]

Don't know if they still have it, but a number of years ago we took a Lake Atilan tour. It was great. Had meal included, bus ride and boat ride. But DH got the Montezuma's Revenge from something he ate. Think it was goat cheese. Be careful what you eat in Guatamala.

[78232]

I'll second that..be careful what you eat. No ice or water and only fruits and veg that have been peeled. I spent a week in Guatamala on a tour. I was served black beans in some form for every meal..three times a day. It was one of my most interesting vacations.,,,

[Hoyaheel]

We're on the cruise with Cp in SC (Oct 1 Panama Canal) and are also thinking about doing the Antigua on our own tour. I think if you do the "Best Of" tour, you'll have guided tours of the cathedral, museums & shops. I figure we can do that on our own. I love museums but my husband--not so much--so by doing it on our own we can pick and choose. And if we decide to sit in the square and drink El Gallos until the bus picks us up to go back to the ship, that's a decision we'd be fine with:D

For food & drink, remember "boil it, peel it, cook it, or forget it" ;-) I have been known to break that rule on occasions. What can I say, I love street food & market vendors.....

[mrspeck]

If you're looking for food in Antigua, try the "Mono Loco" (Crazy Monkey). Its good food and safe in comparison to the street food you will find. You can still have your Gallo there too. There is also a wonderful bakery where you can get some great bananna bread, which was always a staple of a safe diet down there for me. (I always ate a lot of fresh banannas too to help counteract other foods consequences. Actually its not all bad food, we just aren't accustomed to the same micro-organisms that the locals are. Our food would probably make them sick too.) Antigua is a neat place to visit as you are surrounded by volcanos. If you are really adventurous, skip the tour altogether and just hop on a "chicken bus" to Antigua, it will be an experience you will never forget!

[washaw]

We stopped at the Antigua square for about an hour as part of our coffee plantation tour. That was sufficient time to see the church and visit a few shops but others may enjoy having more free time. Our tour guide on the bus was fantastic, the best on our Panama Canal trip. The views from our bus were fantastic. We felt good about the drive and the tour in general. I loved Guatemala.

[CoconutFish]

A question for those who have visited Antigua, especially on your own: did you feel safe? Were there many vendors, were they aggressive? Did you feel comfortable just wandering around?
We would like to do the "on-you-own" shorex, but really do not like being harrassed. This would be the only real reason for us to do the guided tour. Thanks for any insight.

[billroddy]

I booked this on line for the Oct. 25 Statendam. Better than waiting at the Excursion window and I know I have a reserved booking.
Bill
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Adult $39; Child $29
Duration Approximately 6 1/2 hours
Description Today's journey of begins when one of our staff members greets you at the pier and we begin boarding the air-conditioned bus. Before you depart from the pier, you will receive a map of Antigua with relevant information. The scenic 90-minute, narrated drive will take you through Guatemala's lowlands--with magnificent views of some volcanoes and filled with cattle and sugar cane plantations--and up to 5,000 feet above sea level to Antigua, the colonial jewel of the Americas. Once in Antigua, a World Heritage Site as declared by UNESCO, our supervisors will assist you to disembark the bus at the Central Park and will once again remind you of the meeting time before the buses depart back to the pier. From that point on, you will have free time to explore Antigua's charming streets, churches, monasteries, museums and stores until it is time to head back to the pier and your ship. Please note that if you miss your transportation back to the pier you will be responsible for your return trip, so please mind the time while on Antigua.
Notes Please bring comfortable walking shoes. We recommend you also bring sunglasses and a camera! IMPORTANT if guests miss the transportation back to the pier they will be responsible to pay for their own return back on a taxi.

[twodogmom]

For the individual who asked if Antigua was safe, I believe it is as safe as most other places. I have vacationed there twice. I went there in my mid to late 50's and female. The first time I went, my mother went with me, she was in her late 70's. The second time a co-worker who was an inexperienced travelor. They both loved Antigua and the country. It is one place I always want to go back to. My TA said I had to go other places.

I never got sick on the food, and they have an excellent Italian restaurant. It makes me want to go back and spend a month there. A fantastic place. Stay out of Guat. City the smog is horrible.

Have fun there, and wear good walking shoes.

[Nancyquilts]

In recent years, there have been news reports about buses being attacked and robbed, but we have never felt upsafe in Antigua. I wouldn 't worry about the ship's buses - we will probably use them to go back for another visit - I think they were more local, but I could be wrong (it's bound to happen some day;) ). Nancy