We decided to leave Playa Del Carmen. It was just too expensive for us to sustain any time there, and we would have had to get the rental car for another day etc... so we decided to get moving to Guatemala. We were pretty excited, and made it to the airport, dropped off the rental, and grabbed our plane for Guatemala. It was a smaller/ older style plane, but seemed to be safe looking (however, I am no master of aeronautical engineering.) Maya Island Air? Ever heard of them? Me neither.
Our Flight on Maya Island Air over Central America
Maya Island Air Mexico to Guatemala
The plane ride was great. The take off and landings in this plane were actually better than a jet. Less turbulence when flying and it absolutely enjoyable. I started talking to a man who sat behind me on the plane named Oliver Barg from Germany. He lives in Hong Kong for a sports equipment manufacturer and is down here for 3 months, on his trip of a lifetime. He stated he was going to Antigua too and we invited him to go with us in our rental car. We really got along well, and took lots of interesting pictures of the ground below.
Hopping All Over Central America
We had two stops to pick up and drop off passengers, the first stop was Belize City. What at tiny airport! Surprisingly so. We took off again for San Pedro De Sula, Honduras and the landscape changed drastically to rolling hills and mountains, with lush green pastures and little farms. It was really beautiful from the air from the Caribbean and lush green to the city of Guatemala, which is a sprawling metro area, of millions of people. GREAT FLIGHT!
Our Flight on Maya Island Air over Central America
Renting a Car and Off To Antigua
We got the rental car for 7 days from the airport in Guatemala City which really didn't cost that much. The rental car guy really made us feel uncomfortable about how dangerous it is to drive here and from the bald tires on the car, I was more worried about equipment than traffic or theft. Nevertheless, he offered for us to come back the next day for new tires (which I doubt would have been "new") and we took off for Antigua.
Palacio Chico 1940
Antigua Guatemala
Arriving in Antigua
The interesting thing about this place is the lack of street signs. You kind of have to drive by instinct. Luckily I am good at this. Shelly, Ollie and I made it to Antigua, and got a really great hotel for 50 dollars a night for Shelly and I, and 38 for Ollie. It was built in 1940 called Palacio Chico, and is the quintessential Latin American hacienda (house). The place only has 7 rooms, and when he showed our room, it was like heaven in Guatemala. Very quaint, and clean, with hot water (YEAH!!!!!) We slept well, and even the TV worked well. 🙂 I am going to post more about Antigua in a different post.
Post script: We didn't realize then but this ride on a plane to Guatemala ended being the catalyst for much more later on the trip, including the Maya Priest we met in Rabinal, and Semuc Champay.