Anyone have been in Guatemala...??

I will be in the Central American country for the second time, I was on flight transit a couple of years ago, but now, I'll spend like a week there for working purpouses.... was anyone there on the past...?? Is it as bad as Mexico...??? I've heard is not as bad as Mexico City.... but you know, when I've arrived in Mexico, suddenly, I started crying, my shirt's neck was dirt, full of smog, my nose started bleeding, it was gross, horrible.... so my question is.... is the same in Guatemala...?? which places do you recomend me to visit...?? Thanks a lot....!!!

Also, I've heard you can drink water... is that true...?? So what are we supposed to drink...??

I麓m in Guatemala right now. Because i live here. And the smog is nothing compared to Mexico City, so you don麓t have to worry about that.

Next.... which places to visit?

Antigua Guatemala is 45 minutes from the capital, a beautifull colonial place.
Tikal is 1 hour in plane, 15 hours in car. the biggest mayan city.
Izabal is 5 hours in car. You have good rainforest there.
Xetulul and Xocomil is 4 hours on the way to Mexico, are the greatest aqua and roller coaster parks in latin america.

enjoy my beautifull country.

i havent been since 87 but it was not as cramped and filty as mexico city was back then.....

Only Dr Ropata has been to Guatemala...

we where there for a whole month, we loved it!!
I'm not sure I'm alot of help, i was born there and hadn't been there in 10 years.. and to me it was beautiful!
my husband LOVED it.

we went to Mexico about a year ago and yeah Mexico's City smog is really bad, i don't think Guatemala City smog is as bad...

if you do go I recommend going to the Antigua, Tikal and if you have more time go to Izabal there are lots of nice beaches and really cool places to visit Coban is also a really cute small town with lots tourists and really beautiful places you can see

Nothing in the world is as bad as Mexico City. Even thou Mexico City is the biggest city in the world, the levels of polution and criminals in there is just terrible.

Guatemal is ok for me

I recommend Lake Atitlan. It is the most beautiful place anywhere. No smog at all, and perfect weather. You will never go back to Mexico, once you have visited Guatemala.

Also, check out the videos at http://www.atitlan.net . They will give you a good overview of the entire country.

Guatemala is beautiful, and no it isn't as bad as Mexico, I am sure you'll fall in love with it, it's climate and it's people.

Guatemala City, like most large Latin American cities, does have air pollution from all the aging buses and trucks. It is not anywhere near as bad as Mexico City, which has some of the worst air in the world. Outside of Guatemala City pollution is not much of a problem at all unless you're standing next to an old bus. And if I were you I'd spend most of the trip outside of the capital, because it's not a terribly appealing place and there isn't much of interest to do or see there.

Crimewise, they are both pretty bad, but there's no reason to stick around.

In general, Mexico City aside, Guatemala is a poorer country than Mexico, so things are a bit grubbier and chaotic on the whole. Still, it is a beautiful country,

Good places to go include Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, and, if you don't mind a small plane trip or long bus ride, Tikal.

guatemala is the cheapest place in latin america
to study spanish
the school in san pedro la laguna
are awesome and scenic

viva la gente de guatemala!

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Guatemala has it's negative sides as well (crime, just don't flaunt anything of value). If pollution is your main concern, no doubt it is better than Mexico City. Though Mexico has so many beautiful places, excluding Mexico City... Setting that aside, Guatemala has plenty to offer and everyone that has given you suggestions, are wonderful places to consider.