Guatemala to Costa Rica/Panama, early Dec...
 

Hi folks,

I'm Australian, on a KLR 650, studying Spanish at the moment at Lake Atitlan Guatemala, and looking to ride to Costa Rica soon.... Early December-ish.

If anyone is passing thru I'm keen to meet up.

Zane
zanebeck@gmail.com

Hey Zane,
Ill be in CA from next week on, but probably not in costa rica until early jan....
Let me know if your plans change/you need stuff en-route etc.

jamesobrady@yahoo.co.uk
mob: 00353 872279519

Cheers,
James

Will do.

Guatemala to Panama soon
 

Just to update...

I´m at Lake Atitlan Guatemala, near Antigua. If anyone is riding through on their way to Panama and beyond I´d be keen to hook up. BTW, if Lake Atitlan is not already on your itinerary it should be! This place is heaven on earth. And learning Spanish here is cheaper than anywhere in the Americas.

Zane
Australian
KLR 650

I'll be spending 2 weeks to a month at Lake Atilan taking Spanish courses as well, probably arriving in early January. Hopefully we can meet up further in Central America!

When are you planning on going to Costa Rica and crossing the Darien?

I´m just taking the days as they come really. And would ideally cross borders with other riders.

I may stay here at the lake for some time yet. The Spanish lessons are cheap, the views are stunning and the people are wonderful.

Email me when you´re near, i´ll give you the low down on best places to stay ($3 per night!) and the a little about each of the schools. I´ve studied at 2 different ones and know others studying at the other schools.

Also, the Solola road is still out, so I can send you info on the best way in with your bike.

Here´s my email zanebeck@mail.com

Zane

do you reckon you'll still be there in Jan?

I'm looking at doing a spanish course soon what are costs like there?

the $3 bed sounds great!

Spanish courses
 

January? Possibly. Not sure yet.

The Spanish schools I´d recommend are...

San Pedro Spanish School - $90 per week for 5 x 4 hour days. Add $60 for a homestay including room and 3 meals 6 days per week.

Coopèrativa Spanish School - maybe $20 more than the school above, but 10% goes to local community projects. Both are the better schools here... professional teachers, tranquil environments AND study notes.

I took a week at Mayab Spanish School first up before changing to San Pedro School. Mayab is cheaper ($105 per week including 3 hours per day, homestay and meals) but they don´t give photocopies from books to help with study. For a beginner, notes are essential and speed up the learning process. But if you have a good level of Spanish and not so much cash, then Mayab may be a good option.

Peneleu Hotel has rooms for $3 on the top storey with 360 degree views of the town, lake and volcanoes. Cheaper rooms below.

San Francisco Hotel is nearby with similar offerings.

Produce is cheap at the daily markets in the centre of town up the hill, and the town itself up there, away from the gringo bars and restaurants, is quaint and a step back in time, with traditions strong here.

Zane