LAS VERAPACES - Guatemala - page 444

Recommended is Maya'ch Expeditions (1a Calle 3-25 Zona 1, across from Hotel La
Posada, tel. [phone]), offering one- and two-day trips to Semuc Champey in comfort-
ablevanswithbreakfastandlunchincluded.Overnightvisitorsstayattheoutfitter'slodge,
Casa El Zapote, 2.5 kilometers from Semuc Champey. You can also book transport-only
to Semuc Champey or a package including round-trip transport and lodging at Casa El Za-
pote.
Casa D'Acuña (4a Calle 3-11 Zona 2, tel. [phone] or 7951-0484, casadeacuna@ ya-
hoo.com) also does trips to Semuc Champey and has some excellent guides. It has daily
shuttles to Tikal and Antigua leaving at 6 A.M. and costing $28 one-way. Unlike on other
shuttles, however, you can get off at intermediate points such as Chisec, Candelaria, Say-
axché, and Flores on the trip north, or at the Quetzal Biotope heading to Antigua.
Proyecto EcoQuetzal (2a Calle 14-36 Zona 1, tel. [phone], [e-mail],
www.ecoquetzal.org ) is a local NGO working with indigenous people in two communities
nearwell-preserved areasofcloudandrainforestinChicacnab (southeastern AltaVerapaz)
andRokjáPomtilá(nearLagunaLachuá)tooffereconomicalternativestodeforestationvia
sustainable tourism. Guides are rural Kekchí Mayans who know the forest intimately and
have received thorough training as nature guides. Trekkers to these remote parts stay in the
guides'homes,whichhavebeenfittedwithbeds,toilets, andboileddrinkingwater,among
other basic comforts. It allows for a true cross-cultural experience as well as a means for
providing locals with a viable alternative to the destruction of the fragile ecosystem they
call home. Your chances of spotting a rare quetzal bird are also fairly good. A two-night
trip to Chicacnab costs about $45 per person, including guide, food, and accommodations
with additional nights available for about $15 apiece. A two-night stay at Rokjá Pomtilá
also costs $45.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Under $10
In the budget range is one of the best values you'll find anywhere in Guatemala. Casa
D'Acuña (4a Calle 3-11 Zona 2, tel. [phone] or 7951-0484, [e-mail])
liesatthebottomofasteephillsouthofthemainplazaandhasfourcomfortabledormitor-
ies with four beds apiece ($7 per person) as well as two private double rooms ($13 d). All
rooms have shared bath. There is also an excellent restaurant built around the main court-
yard of the colonial building in which the lodge is housed. On the next street over toward
the park is Posada de Don Pedro (3a Calle 3-12 Zona 2, tel. [phone]), with accept-
ably comfortable beds and five rooms with shared bath at $5.50 per person along with two
rooms with private bath for $8 per person. The main entrance doubles as a small corner
store. Though not a budget accommodation per se, Hostal de Doña Victoria (3a Calle