The Pacific Slope - Guatemala - page 346

trouble you'll have sleeping is from the noise of crashing waves. Call ahead and you'll
probably be able to get a better price - there's a 25% discount on weekdays. Surfboards
are available for rent here.
Buses from Guatemala City's Centra Sur terminal (Q32, 3½ hours) pass through La
Democracia en route to Sipacate every two hours.

TOP OF CHAPTER

Escuintla
POP 166,800
Surrounded by rich green foliage, Escuintla should be a tropical idyll where people swing
languidly in hammocks and concoct pungent meals of readily available exotic fruits and
vegetables. In fact, it's a hot, shabby commercial and industrial city that's integral to the
Pacific Slope's economy but not at all important to travelers, except for making bus con-
nections. Banks are located around the plaza. There's an ATM in the Farmacia Herdez (cnr 13a
Calle & 4a Av) , one block uphill from the bus terminal.
Escuintla's hotel and restaurant scene is limited. For budget digs, try the Hotel Costa Sur (
7888-1819; 12a Calle 4-13; s/d with fan Q80/110, with air-con Q110/130; ) , which has decent, cool
rooms with TV and fan. More comfortable is the Hotel Sarita ( 7888-1959; Av Centro América
15-32; s/d Q380/480; ) , behind the gloriously air-conditioned restaurant (mains Q50 to
Q100) of the same name. It's a short walk from the bus terminal. Even closer is Jacobo's (4a
Av 14-62; mains Q20-40;

11am-10pm) , which offers reasonable Chinese food in clean and tran-

quil surrounds.
All buses from the terminal pass along 1a Av, but if you really want to get a seat, head
to the main bus station in the southern part of town, just off 4a Av. The station entrance is
marked by a Scott 77 fuel station. Buses depart for Antigua (Q7, one hour, every half-hour
from 5:30am to 4:30pm); Guatemala City (Q20, 1½ hours, every 20 minutes from 5am to
6pm), from the street outside the station; Puerto San José (Q5 to Q10, 45 minutes, every
20 minutes from 5am to 6pm), with some continuing to Iztapa; and Monterrico (Q25, one
hour, 12:50pm and 4:50pm). Or catch a bus to Puerto San José or Iztapa and make a con-
nection there.
Buses coming along the Carretera al Pacífico may drop you in the north of town, neces-
sitating a sweaty walk through the hectic town center if you want to get to the main sta-
tion.