I've heard that those lodges prefer tour groups and that the only way
sometimes to stay there is to be a part of a tour... If you're going to
visit Tikal multiple days, it would probably be great to stay at one of the
lodges... But for a single day visit, you could certainly stay in Flores. I
met people there last week who were happy lodging in Flores.
At Tikal, according to the Lonley Planet, the Jaguar Inn has campsites (w/o
equipment) and dorm beds... So maybe there still is an option with them. But
might want to check the temps for March -- it probably is getting hot by
then.
San Juan Hotel provides bus service from Flores to Tikal for $5 USD
roundtrip, departing on the hour from 5AM to 10AM. Telephone: (502)
926-2146, 926-0562, or 926-0042. I am trying to remember how long it took on
the bus, but I can't... Maybe 2 hours. We stopped many times at we got
closer to pick up locals who were going to Tikal to work. The hotel is on
the right side of the road just before you cross the bridge from Santa Elena
into Flores. A family I met in San Ignacio recommended I stay at the San
Juan Hotel, but I arrived late in Santa Elena, arriving by collectivo (cost
is only 15 Quetzales or about $2USD) from the Belize border near Benque. The
driver dropped me off at the Santa Teresa hotel (Q50 for basic room with
private bath and COLD water from a pipe) in San Benito, so I stayed there...
But this I regretted as in the morning I walked over to Flores and found it
much more accomodating for tourists. I am pretty sure I was the only
foreign tourist in San Benito! I had found a bite to eat at a comedor (Q10
for nice meal of tortillas, beans, cheese, creme freche, and coffee) nearby,
and the very friendly mother and her abuelita running the establishment were
very concerned about me walking only a block at night back to the hotel, let
alone walking before dawn to the bus station 3 blocks away...
So.... if you can't stay at Tikal, a good option would be to find a place in
Flores. The hotel can call San Juan Hotel and Travel and arrange for the
bus to pick you up at your hotel in the morning. Or of course, you could
stroll across the bridge into Santa Elena and catch the bus at their office
where it leaves on the hour.
Tikal is magnificient!!! In addition to the ruins, you'll see spider
monkees and white-nosed coatis. http://www.tikalpark.com/residents2.htm
Tour guides are available for $40 USD. I've heard they can be very
informative... I started to join a group and share the cost, contributing
$10 USD. However, there was a mother and her son who immediately started
whining and asking if they would have to walk much... So I abandoned the
group. The best price I could find for a private guide was $30 USD, which
was more then I had brought with me... But going on at my own pace and
stopping to soak up the ambiance and the sun was most enjoyable.
Some potentially helpful links:
http://www.passplanet.com/Guatemala/flores.htm
http://www.gocityguide.com/city/Central_America_and_Caribbean/Guatemala/Flores.html
who recommend against San Juan Travel, but don't say why... Again, I had no
problems.
http://www.lacasadedondavid.com/slocate.html
Wish I were going back soon.
--Dayle
"NYCutler" wrote in message
news:20031226144858.14277.00001853@mb-m28.aol.com...
>
> Hola...
>
> I am planning to be in Tikal area in March of 2004 and I am having a lot
of
> trouble booking hotels.
>
> I know there are only three hotels in the Tikal area but I am having
trouble
> with all of them....
>
> The Jungle Lodge only will book me a package deal with transports, meals,
> guide, etc....for almost 400 DOLLARS for two nights....thats a lot of
money for
> Guatemala.........they wont just give me a room...it must come as part of
a
> package.
>
> The Jaguar Inn confirmed my reservation....and then emailed me back to let
me
> know that a tour group booked the entire hotel and they cancelled my
> reservation ....
>
> The Tikal Inn wont return my emails or faxes.....
>
> What does a guy have to book a room in Tikal...???
>
> I'm really sorry to vent my frustration....but is it always this difficult
to
> book a cheap room in Tikal??
>
> Thanks for listening...
>
|