Todos Santos (Guatemala)

Advantages: Colourful, vibrant markets; a chance to immerse yourself in local culture
Disadvantages: May get hassled to see a pagan sacrifice of a chicken

...Chichicastenango is about an hour from Panajachel, high up in the western Guatemalan mountains. It is a fairly small town, still stuck in its old ways, with a few hostels and cheap hotels for the budget traveller. Even if you are not an avid buyer of local goods, the expansive market scattered throughout the cobblestone streets is fantastic for people watching and taking in of the 'real' Guatemala. Souvenirs (especially masks, beads, and patchwork and embroidery) a plenty, often cheaper than the markets in Antigua. There is also the oppurtunity to kit yourself out in bright indigenous clothing. However, as I learnt to my cost, if you see 1 item you particularly love in one town, buy it, as you might not necessarily see a similar one again! A definite must is a stop off at Iglesia de Santo Tomas (photos not allowed inside... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Probably the most pleasant city in South America ?
Disadvantages: Road from north is very poor

...of San Francisco, the Church of Santo Domingo and the Church of San Blas. The Museo de las Conceptas is located in the centre of the city in a 17th century convent building. It is a peaceful, pleasant museum with a large number of religious paintings and displays illustrating the simple life of convent nuns. To the south, the Museo de Artes Populares is operated by CIDAP and is found off Calle Larga down a wide series of steps that lead to the River Tomebamba. This museum covers local craftsmanship and art. It is free and also has a shop. Other museums include the Museo de Arte Moderno located in the west of the city and built into an old convent building. The ruins of Todos Santos are located in the southeast corner of the city in a small park now owned by the Central Bank of Ecuador. The site features architectural ruins from... Read review

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Advantages: Very picturesque colonial town
Disadvantages: Not much to do

...I was very pleased to be arriving in Antigua. I'd heard a lot about it, and it was one of "the" places on the Guatemala circuit. I arrived late afternoon and booked into accommodation. There is plenty of it, and to suit every budget. Shortly afterwards, I headed towards the main drag - the central plaza. I looked at all of the "places of interest" mentioned in my guidebook, took my photos etc. Right, now what? Well, er, nothing. I soon realized that there was little else to do. Antigua is well known as a place to take Spanish classes. And it is a lovely setting, I'll give it that. So if you want to brush up/learn some Spanish, then pass the time in a cafe with classmates in a particlarly pleasant ambience, then I'm sure you'll do just fine there. But I found that I'd seen everything in an hour or so, and after that it was a bit boring... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful