THE PACIFIC COAST - Guatemala - page 313

If you're spending some time in Puerto San José or just passing through, you may want to
stop by the local ostrich farm for a look. Avestruces Maya (tel. [phone] or 5608-8075,
www.avestrucesmaya.com , 10A.M.-6P.M.daily,$3.50adults,$2.65children10andover,
children under 10 free) occupies 27 acres, mostly devoted to raising ostriches, but also in-
cludesasmallpettingzoo,plantnursery,andriverlikeswimmingpoolwhereyoucanrelax
in an inner tube.
A restaurant (open weekends) specializes in ostrich meat and a small shop sells ostrich-
leather wallets, boots, purses, and assorted eggshell trinkets. The surprisingly supple leath-
er can be very expensive.
The park is at Km. 100 along the old road from Guatemala City to Puerto San José. You
can camp here for $3.25.
Also at the farm, you'll find light aircraft rides. Contact Christopher at tel. [phone]
for details.
Aqua Magic
Another recreational option well suited to escaping the characteristic heat of Guatemala's
Pacific plains is Aqua Magic (tel. [phone], 10 A.M.-5 P.M. Wed.-Fri., 9 A.M.-6 P.M.
Sat. and Sun., $8.75 adults, $6 children), where you'll find a small water park with nu-
merous water slides, a wave pool, and beach access. There are also several restaurants and
snack bars spread throughout. Though nowhere near as big or elaborate as Xocomil, in
Retalhuleu, it is certainly adequate. You'll find the park by turning left after you cross the
bridge across the Canal de Chiquimulilla leading to the beachfront part of town.
Accommodations
Most of the town's acceptable accommodations are oddly not found beachside. An ex-
ception is Posada Quetzal (along the main drag in Barrio Miramar, tel. [phone] or
7881-2493),whereyou'llfindapleasantbeachsiderestaurantonacoveredwoodendeck,a
swimming pool, and simple but clean bungalows with ceiling fan and cable TV. The beach
fronting the property is somewhat dirty, as it's right in town.
Some nicer options can be found in the heart of town. Turicentro Martita (tel.
7888-4848) has a very good restaurant with indoor or outdoor (poolside) seating and a var-
ied menu of sandwiches, soups, grilled meats, and seafood. Its spotless rooms have com-
fortable beds, private bath, and air-conditioning, among other amenities. Rates vary, ran-
gingfrom$65s/dmidweekto$80pernights/donweekends.Guestsenjoyhalf-offadmis-
sion to Aqua Magic water park.
Heading west outside of town along Km. 113 on the road to the beachside development
of Chulamar, you'll find Hotel Costa Verde (tel. [phone] or 7881-1161,
www.hotelcostaverdeguatemala.com ,$65-85dependingondayofweek),averyniceprop-