Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Takalik Abaj, which had strong connections with the city of Kaminaljuyú (in present-
day Guatemala City), was sacked about AD 300 and its great monuments, especially those
in Maya style, were decapitated. Some monuments were rebuilt after AD 600 and the site
retained a ceremonial and religious importance for the Maya, which it maintains to this
day. Maya from the Guatemalan highlands regularly come here to perform ceremonies.
To reach Takalik Abaj by public transportation, catch a shared taxi from Retalhuleu to
El Asintal (Q7, 30 minutes), which is 12km northwest of Reu and 5km north of the Car-
retera al Pacífico. Less frequent buses leave from a bus station on 5a Av A, 800m southw-
est of Reu plaza, about every half-hour from 6am to 6pm. Pickups at El Asintal provide
transportation on to Takalik Abaj (Q5), 4km further by paved road. You'll be shown round
by a volunteer guide, whom you will probably want to tip (Q20 per person is a good
baseline). You can also visit Takalik Abaj on tours from Quetzaltenango ( Click here ) and
Retalhuleu ( Click here ) .
Sleeping
HOTEL
Takalik Maya Lodge $$
( 2334-7693; www.takalik.com ; bungalow/ farmhouse Q490/330) Set on the grounds of a working farm
2km past the entrance to Takalik Abaj (and on top of a large, unexcavated section of it)
this is by far the most comfortable place to stay in the area. Accommodation options in-
clude the old farmhouse or newly constructed 'Maya-style' houses set in the middle of the
forest.
Check the website for deals including accommodation, meals and tours of the coffee,
macadamia and rubber plantation as well as guided horseback tours of the waterfalls on
the property and the archaeological site. Any pickup from El Asintal passing Takalik Abaj
will drop you at the entrance.
Nueva Alianza
This fair-trade coffee farm ( 5348-5290, in Quetzaltenango 4950-4283; www.comunidad nuevaalianza.org;
dm Q65, d Q230, s/d without bathroom Q85/170; ) was taken over by its ex- employees when the
owner went bankrupt and ran off with their back wages. It now offers a range of tours
(Q25 per person) around the farm and local countryside as well as workshops detailing the
community's fascinating history and present. Set on a hillside overlooking the coast, the
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search