Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
South of the city along Calzada Aguilar Batres, the city sprawl continues into the adjacent
district of Villa Nueva, a suburban housing and industrial area that has been swallowed by
thelargercity.Fromhere,theCarretera alPacífico, orPacific Highway(CA-9)leadssouth
to Escuintla and the Pacific Coast.
Amatitlán lies 30 kilometers south of Guatemala City on the road to the Pacific Coast. The
lake is in the process of being rescued from what would have been certain ecological death
caused by wastewater from nearby industry and uncontrolled urban growth. A new sewage
treatment plant now filters the filthy waters of the Río Villalobos, which once flooded un-
treated sewage into the lake. Trees have been replanted and the lake is being pumped with
oxygen and cleaned of plants in an effort to reverse its eutrophication. It's still not possible
to swim in the lake's waters, though it may be some day.
Recreation
The public beach of
Las Ninfas
was being remodeled by tourism authorities to include
boatdocks(forsailboatsandmotorboats),newfoodstalls,walkways,andlandscaping.The
long-closed
Teleférico
(Aerial Tram, 9 A.M.-5 P.M. Fri.-Sun., $2 adults, $0.85 children)
wasreopenedin2006,kickingofftherebirthofoneofGuatemalaCity'soldestrecreational
enclaves. The funicular climbs 350 meters up a mountainside along a 1.5-kilometer route.
There's a lookout point at the top of the mountain where you can get out, appreciate the
view of the lake and Guatemala City, and grab a bite to eat at a small cafeteria serving ta-
cos, hot dogs, chicken wings, and salads.
Another recreational option is
rock climbing
on the rock cliffs overlooking the
lakeshore on 20 different routes ranging in difficulty from 5.8 to 5.13.
Vertical Expedi-
tions
(tel. 5801-6871, ask for Manuel Vanegas, or 2232-0044, ask for Julioandre Piedra
Santa,
www.verticalexpeditions.com.gt
)
does full-day climbing trips for $35 per person
with a three-person minimum, including guide, gear, and transportation. It also offers
a one-day rock climbing school for $50, covering all aspects of safety, equipment, and
climbing techniques. Further options include climbing (5.8 to 5.13) and rappelling along
a 70-meter (230-foot) waterfall in the eastern province of Jalapa, 100 kilometers from
Guatemala City. You can also rappel down the actual waterfall, a practice commonly re-
ferred to as canyoning. Day trips cost $65 per person with a four-person minimum and
include guide, transport, and gear. Antigua-based
Old Town Outfitters
(5a Avenida Sur
#12C, tel. 5339-0440,
www.bikeguatemala.com
) also offers rock-climbing day trips to
Amatitlán for $35 per person, including all gear, and can provide instruction.
