About DanRadin

Currently Lives:

Citizen of:

Some Forum Posts:

Guatemala: Airport Transport:

My friend and driver, George, is very good. He grew up in Chicago so his English is excellent and he is a very safe driver. Tell him Dan sent you. 3261 7184

Guatemala: debit card rejected for visa extension:

I went to pick up my passport with my 90-day extension last Friday. I wasn't able to get my passport because the photocopy that I had given them a week before was of a debit card. It was the same debit card that they had accepted the last time I went for my extension. I guess it just depends on how carefully they look.

Guatemala: 2:30 closing for visa extensions:

I was at Migration last Friday dropping off my passport for my visa extension. I got there at 2:45 and I was told that they stop giving out numbers at 2:30. This was the first I had heard of this. Fortunately, the woman at the information window took pity on me and made an exception.

Guatemala: looking for a ride from Pana to Guatemala City:

I am looking for a ride from Pana to Guatemala City on Friday, March 20. I have to go to Migration to get my visa extension. I can leave any time after 11:00 am.

Guatemala: New Rules for flying from the US to Guatemala:

Dear All. On January 1, 2015, I flew from Boston, MA to Guatemala City on American Airlines. I had purchased a round-trip ticket returning to the U.S. at the end of June. I did all of my ticketing on the American Airlines website including choosing seats, checking in, and printing a boarding pass. The only thing that I needed to do at the airport was to check my two large suitcases. When I got to the curbside baggage checker, he told me that my ticket was flagged because my stay was for more than 90 days. He asked for my “visa” which, of course, I did not have. This requirement came up on his computer even though nothing came up on the website when checked in on the previous evening. After much arguing with a higher-up at the American Airlines counter, I was forced to purchase a one-way return ticket that was within the 90-day window. I had to pay full fare since I needed a ticket that I could cancel with a full refund. The ticket cost me over $800. I was fortunate to have a credit card with me with that much credit available. The woman I spoke to told me that these things can change at any time and that the Guatemalan government could sue American Airlines for up to $20,000 for each passenger whom they allowed to enter without proof of return within 90 days. She advised me to keep the new return ticket on me in case Guatemalan customs asked for it. They never did ask. I am sharing this as a warning to you and your friends since this could be an extremely inconvenient and expensive incident if you are not able to purchase a return ticket. I am also interested in hearing if anyone else has experienced this new change in policy.

Guatemala: E-bike Parts:

I am planning to do an e-bike conversion. I will probably bring the parts down from the US. However, I am wondering if anyone has them down here and is interested in selling them. The lithium battery is especially problematic since they are not allowed on airplanes.

Guatemala: Antigua Taxi Driver Named George:

I am living in Panajachel. Last week I was in Guatemala City getting my visa extended. I met a great taxi driver named George who drove me back to Antigua. He is originally from Chicago and he speaks perfect English, which is a big help since my Spanish is still pretty weak. I lost George's business card. Does anybody know how to get in touch with him? Alternatively, can anyone recommend a trustworthy taxi driver who can take me from Antigua to Guatemala City and back to pick up my passport?

Guatemala: england to guatemala:

Hi Poppy, I teach at a non-profit school in Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. We use an American-based curriculum all taught in English. Many of our students are from ex-pat families and some of the wealthier locals or those who have gotten scholarships. However, one thing that makes our school unusual is our ESL program. Every year, at about this time, the local public school year ends. At that time, a new cohort of local students (mostly indigenous) enters our school. Many are supported through scholarships. We have an ESL specialist who works with this new cohort on integration into the general student body. They work all through the summer so that they are ready to be fully integrated with their English speaking classmates when they return at the end of August. It has been a very successful program and I think that it says a lot about the philosophy of this school. The current ESL specialist is planning to move back to the United States with his wife to start their own family. This could be a good opportunity for you, with your particular personal history, to help other Guatemalan children broaden their horizons and open up to new opportunities in life. The school is called Panajachel Colegio Internacional (PCI). You can find it on the Internet. I recommend that you contact them if you have an interest.

Date Joined:

10/21/2014

Total Posts:

15

Posts/Day:

0.02