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XELA PAGES GUATEMALAN NEWSLETTER http://www.xelapages.com/ Issue #5, April 21, 1999 Current Subscriber - 702 ============================================= Copyright 1999 By Tom Lingenfelter -- Xela Pages NOTE: This Newsletter is sent to subscribers, friends, and business associates. This is NOT UCE or SPAM everyone on this list has contacted me in the past or subscribed to this newsletter. Xela Pages will NEVER provide its subscriber list to ANYONE. We respect
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In January we finished printing our first edition of a Xela tourist map. It is a fold up pocket size street map containing advertisements from a variety of Xela businesses. Spanish Schools, Hotels, Travel Agents, Bookstores, Coffee Shops, Internet Cafes, Bars, Volcano tours, Restaurants...and more! We are currently working on the second edition which will be out soon. You can find these maps all over Xela. Pick one up when you arrive. I am also putting together a package of info that can be sent to you before you arrive. For example: Xela Map, English Language Newspaper - Siglo News, English Language Magazine from Antigua - Revue, Guatemalan Newspapers in Spanish, Prensa Libre, Siglo XXI, Regional...etc. (You will have to pay for the shipping cost.) If anyone is interested email me at: mailto:tom@xelepages.com In late March my wife, Marylú, our 2 1/2 year old son Kain and I all took a trip to California. While so many people were flocking to Guatemala for Easter, we decided to escape! March 18th we boarded the Galgos (pullman or greyhound) bus in Xela paid our Q26.00 and ventured out on a 5 hour ride over "Tierra Fria" the mountain or cold route from Xela to Guatemala. There are 2 routes from the Capital City - Guatemala to Xela.
The way the pullmans go is refered to as "The cold" way or Tierra Fria.
It is a curvy, mountain road under heavy construction right now. It is
a beautiful route but with all the construction is very long. This
is the way you would go to Lake Atitlan/Panajachel or
We prefer the coastal route and always take this way when we drive.
The coastal road has been completely reconstruction and is almost
finished all the way to Guatemala city. In most places the road is
wide, smooth and freshly paved. However, there are no direct buses
that take this route, I don't know why?? Driving time
After 5 hours on the bus, we finally made it to Guate in one piece. We would normally get off the bus at "Trebol" which is a local bus and taxi stop, but the last time we did that the bus dropped us off on the opposite side of the road and we had to run across a busy 5 lane road to get a taxi, not a very good idea especially if you have luggage or a small child. So, we asked to get off at Tikal Futura a large shopping center and Hyatt Hotel complex. The bus stopped on the correct side and because of the shopping mall and hotel a taxi was waiting right there for us! The taxi was owned by the Hyatt and was a bit over priced Q45 for a ride to Zona 13 or the airport. We stayed the night in Guate at Dos Lunas Guest House. Stop by
and see Lorena if you need to stay near the airport for an early departure
or late arrival. But make reservations because she is very busy!
We needed to buy a few gifts for family members and have found a great Artisan Market on the same road as the Airport, Blvd. del Aeropuerto 6 Calle 10-95, Zona 13. This a great place to stop if you need some late minute gifts or have some time to kill. The grounds are well kept green grass, with some stores weaving items on site. You can find most anything made in Guatemala here and the stuff we bought was very reasonably priced. The next day we had a 7:00am flight to the US and even though we arrived 2 hours before our flight we stood in line at Continental Airlines for about a 1/2 hour. EXIT TAX: Guatemala is charging a $20 US exit tax on all travelers flying out of the country. So, be prepared to pay this tax at the ticket counter or you can't leave! I suggest having a $20 bill ready because the exchange rate they were charging was very high. Our return to Guatemala was quite uneventful. We flew in and made our way back to the Galgos bus station by taxi Q35.00. The bus left right on time and we made the 5 hour bus ride with very few stops. Upon arriving in Xela we found a taxi to take us home Q12.00 and that is where we are now! TIDBITS: Did you know that 40 minutes from Quetzaltenango is one of the best waterslide parks in all of Central America? Probably not! Xocomil or IRTRA has been winning awards for its unique design and is fast becoming a tourist attraction for the town of Retalhuleu. It has 2 large wave pools, 10 large water slides, a great play area for kids, man made river around the whole park where you can ride inter-tubes while enjoying the hot sun along with several restaurants. They are also beginning construction on an amusement park with roller coasters and all! Entrance Fee: Q75 You can get there by taking any bus headed for the Retalhuleu, Coatepeque or the Coast. Travel time less than 1 hour. That is all for now! Happy Travels Tom
You can buy these guides directly from Amazon.com simply by clicking on the Web Address. (URL may be too long, make sure you copy entire URL to find guides) Lonely Planet Central America : On a Shoestring (3rd Ed)
Lonely Planet Guatemala, Belize & Yucatan LA Ruta Maya (3rd Ed)
Rough Guide to Guatemala by Rough Guides, Mark Whatmore
The Rough Guide to Guatemala and Belize (3rd Ed)
Fodor's Belize & Guatemala : The Complete Guide With Beaches, Maya
Ruins and Dive Sites (1st Ed)
To see all my recommendations goto: http://www.xelapages.com/guides/ =======================================
Send an email to the one that best represents your thoughts. "Is is safe to travel to Guatemala?" ***Email addresses do not work*** If you would like to comment about safety send comments to:
Yes, and I have visited Guatemala mailto:yes1
I will post the results of this question in the next issue. Please only reply once & thank you for playing! +==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+
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Latin Rhythm Dance School - Private one on one Salsa and Merengue Lessons with Sandra Ramirez http://www.xelapages.com/latinrhythm/ Hotel Modelo - Family owned since 1892. Singles, doubles & triples.
Fresas y Chocolate - Xela's first gay bar.
Spanish School Latin Arts
Proyecto Ligüístico Quetzalteco de Español
ACEEQ - (Coordinating Association of Spanish Schools of Quetzaltenango)
Student email page. Current and past students willing to answer your
questions about Spanish Schools in Xela
=========================================== 5. Publishing & Advertising Information Xela Pages Guatemalan Newsletter is published online from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. If you would like to advertise in this newsletter send request to mailto:xela@trafficman.com
Cost will be
Have a great trip!! Tom Lingenfelter - Editor
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