Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
swirly columns. Proceed one block south to a small plaza with a fountain. Go left alongside a high yellow wall to
glimpse the
Templo de Santa Rosa de Lima
, a small church with an elaborate facade that stands on a
private estate. Turn around and head west along jacaranda-lined Alameda de Santa Rosa. Take the first left, onto
2a Av, past an ironworks shop. At the next corner on the right are the ruins of the convent of
Las Capuchi-
nas
, with its unique tower. Go right on 2a Calle two blocks. Passing 3a Av, look down to your left to see the mul-
ticolumned facade of
Iglesia El Carmen
and the adjacent handicrafts market. Continue another block west
and turn right on 4a Av. Near the next corner on the right is the old
Convento de Santa Teresa
, which until
recently served as the men's prison. Go left on 1a Calle. You'll see the yellow bell tower of the
Iglesia de
Nuestra Señora de la Merced
. Turn left down 5a Av, jam-packed with tourist-friendly locales, including the
handicrafts center,
Nim Po't
. Proceed beneath the
Arco de Santa Catalina
. A remnant of the 17th-cen-
tury convent that stood here (now occupied by a luxury hotel and B&B), the tunnel-like arch enabled nuns to
cross the street unseen. Continue down 5a Av to
Parque Central
. Ascend to the balcony of the
Palacio
del Ayuntamiento
for photo ops of the square and nearby
Catedral de Santiago
. Finally, stop into the
Café Condesa
, on the square's west side, for a well-deserved wedge of pie and cappuccino.
Activities
The following are professional, established outfits offering a range of activities. Drop by
any to chat about possibilities.
Old Town Outfitters
ADVENTURE SPORTS
( 5399-0440;
www.adventureguatemala.com
; 5a Av Sur 12C)
Mountain biking, rock climbing,
kayaking and trekking are among the high-energy activities offered by this highly re-
sponsible operator, which works with guides from local communities.
Guatemala Ventures
MOUNTAIN BIKING
(fax 7832-3383; 1a Av Sur 15)
Offers hike-and-bike tours to Pacaya volcano along with some in-
teresting cloud-forest, bird-watching and ridge-hiking options. You can rent Giant and
Marin all-terrain bikes here too (per hour/day Q30/200).
Ox Expeditions
( 7832-0074;
www.guatemalavolcano.com
; 1 Av Sur 4B)
Offers rigorous climbing opportunities in
the area. Part of their profits go to local environmental projects.
ADVENTURE SPORTS
