Click here for info on maps and GPS maps we used.

We didn't know what to expect coming into Guatemala, but it all turned out fine. No problems at the border. The incline up from La Democracia to Huehuetenango was unrelenting, but not terribly difficult. The road was actually too busy, but there was a little tiny shoulder a lot of places

The ride from Huehuetenango over to Sacapulas and then to Lake Atitlán was enormously strenuous, but the roads were all fantastic. Mostly new, light traffic. One of the best rides of the trip. But oh those hills.

When we left Lake Atitlán and rode out toward Mazatenango, it was great until we hit CA-2. CA-2 is not worth riding on if you can avoid it. There was just too much traffic.

Mazatenango up to Quetzaltenango was great - and another killer climb. The roads we took turned out fine.

Quetzaltenango to Cuatro Caminos was a little annoying, but past that and to Totonicapán was delightful. And the dirt road pass from Totonicapán to El Quiché was one of the best rides of the trip. A good solid climb out of Toto.

After returning to Guatemala and riding the rest of the country, we successfully avoided Guatemala City by riding south to Palin and then on the south shore of Lake Amatitlan (although people said the dirt road from Santa Maria de Jesus down to Palin was too dangerous, so we hired a pickup). Then we surfed the back roads to the El Florido border crossing. Amazing mountains to cross all the time. I tried to put notes on each day's ride.