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Quickie to Antigua, Questions

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TooMuchSnow
  3/21/2019 09:27 EST

My family and I (with our Costa Rica registered car) are doing a quick road trip ~10days. We are situated in northern Nica but plan on a quick tour to Antigua via Copán Honduras, then onwards to Santa Ana (El Salvador) and back to Nica. A few questions, any feedback appreciated:
1. We will likely just follow Google Maps instructions from Copan to Antigua. But, is there a particular route around Guat City that is better, faster or safer?
2. Not sure where we are staying yet but hopefully central to town. We plan to hike Pacaya one day and spend another just wandering to streets, parque central and ruins/sites of Antigua. Any other must do’s while there? We don’t have time/budget unfortunately for some other big things that sound really neat like Tikal or Semuc Champey.
3. How is the border crossing into Guat along CA11? And, heading out of Guat towards Santa Ana El Salvador, there appear to be multiple border options - is any one a better option than the others? Google would suggest cross along route CA8.

We will take all the normal precautions, ie careful at night, drive during the day etc... We have heard so many things about the lovely people of Guatemala that we felt we needed to have a visit, albeit a short one.

armandatitlan
  3/21/2019 10:16 EST

hi there
1-Copan to Antigua is a very nice road you will have some constructions work going up toward Guatemala city and when arriving to Guatemala city most probably google maps will take your through calle Marte Marti and then the periferico

2-make sure you find a place with parking in Antigua as you don't want to leave your car on the street

3- I don't know

Yes it is indeed a great country
living here for 30 years
Cheers
Armand

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TooMuchSnow
  3/21/2019 10:23 EST

Thanks!
You make mention of a specific route through Guat City - is that a good one or to be avoided? Since our destination is Antigua, our goal is to get around Guat City with the quickest/least hassle route. Suggestion?
Thanks!

Normando
  3/21/2019 10:49 EST

adventuretrek.com recommends for Santa Ana ES, use border crossing on CA2 southbound, stay on CA-2 to CA8, then left, back to CA-1 and Santa Ana (for a beautiful drive thru coffee country and the National Park Cerro Verde, cut across thru Los Narajos - most beautiful in El Salvador.

CLIMB PACAYA-LEAVE FROM TURICENTRO AUTOMARISCOS HOT SPRINGS KM34, Carreterra al Pacifico...leave early to do the same day...

scn9677
  3/21/2019 11:29 EST

My wife and I are currently living in Antigua. You will absolutely love it.
Parking can be a little tricky. When you start walking around you will find many places that will offer walking tours. Also plan on walking/driving on the large cobblestone streets. They can take a toll on shoes and cars.

My wife is from El Salvador and recommends you visit the beaches of El Salvador. They are some of the most beautiful in Central America and have some world class surfing areas.

Crossing the border is not a big issue however they do have what I call a gringo tax of $10 per person per crossing unless you are a resident of or born in one of the three neighboring countries.

TooMuchSnow
  3/21/2019 16:41 EST

Thanks. We’ll check into the pacaya tour! How much in advance does this need to be reserved?

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TooMuchSnow
  3/21/2019 16:51 EST

Thanks SCN9677, appreciated!
We would love to check out the beaches of El Salvador but have opted out if that since the rest of our trip is dedicated to surfing. We wanted to do this without the load of boards and force ourselves to take a break!
If your wife has any suggestions about a route to take from Santa Ana to Alegria, we are all ears, and any tips on things to see in those two places. Also, any suggestions on how to stay out of trouble are also handy for us! We are kinda sorry that we have to make a short trip out of this.
Cheers

scn9677
  3/21/2019 19:02 EST

I can answer that first question easily, Any route that bypasses San Salvador will save you hours. My wife's family lives in San Salvador and we always dread visiting because of the traffic. You can spend 30 minutes just to go a block.

Unfortunately she has not been in those cities for many years and doesn't have any suggestions.

We have never had safety issues when traveling in El Salvador but then she is a local. In any event we always keep ourselves aware of our surroundings when out and about.

Have a great trip!

scn9677
  3/21/2019 19:02 EST

I can answer that first question easily, Any route that bypasses San Salvador will save you hours. My wife's family lives in San Salvador and we always dread visiting because of the traffic. You can spend 30 minutes just to go a block.

Unfortunately she has not been in those cities for many years and doesn't have any suggestions.

We have never had safety issues when traveling in El Salvador but then she is a local. In any event we always keep ourselves aware of our surroundings when out and about.

Have a great trip!

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