Here's the places we visited- in order they were, Antigua, the cave at Rey Marcos, Rio Oqueba cave, Candelaria, a couple days at the ruins in Tikal, Chiquibul cave, Semuc Champey to see the fantastic pools with rimstone dams and Kam bah cave, then back to Antigua and a climb up Pacaya Volcano to see the lava flow.

New Airport terminal under construction in Guatemala City.

Upon arrival in Guatemala on Friday, April 6th, the first thing that I noticed was the heat. The second thing was the crowd around the exit from the airport terminal which was chaotic from the construction being done. As I stood facing the crowd, a little dazed from taking the red eye from Sacramento, I wondered how I would find my ride to Antigua in this mass of people. I didn’t have to wonder long. A Distinctive looking man with a large beard was holding up a cardboard sign with ‘Rutahsa’ written on it. With a feeling of relief I wound through the crowd to meet Mike Shawcross, a long time resident of Antigua he had kindly offered to put us up at his home while we waited for the rest of our group, and as I was the first to arrive he had come with his driver Osiel to pick me up. We loaded into the car and I was impressed as he negotiated and maneuvered through the triple parked rows of cars in the temporary parking lot.

Women wearing traditional Maya traje, Antigua, Guatemala. Antigua, Guatemala.



We arrived in Antigua through even more chaos which Mike explained was the Easter celebrations which would be going on all weekend. It was a great opportunity for me to take pictures of the colorful processions. I had an even better chance when I met up with Ric Finch at the Posada de Don Rodrigo where he was staying with a tour group he had been leading during the previous week. Their room had a balcony that allowed for a great view of the main procession as it passed the hotel. Mike had explained to me that the bearers actually pay the Church for the honor of carrying the heavy ‘float’ through town. The largest of which weighs 80,000 pounds and requires 100 men to carry.

Antigua, Guatemala.



That night Mike told me of some of his experiences in Guatemala as we waited at his house for the next members of our group to arrive. Ric Finch came to discuss what supplies we needed to take and wait for the rest of the days arrivals. We received a phone call from Mikes driver that he had returned to Antigua but due to the processions was unable to drive to Mikes home. We headed out through crowded streets to help them carry their luggage. After hastily greeting Dave, Wayne, Ric, and Bob, we grabbed their luggage and began struggling through the crowd back to Mike’s house, right towards a procession. It was a struggle but we finally made it into the alley and back to Mike’s house. We quickly sorted through the equipment that Ric Finch had left at Mikes and decided what we would be taking with us in the morning, most notably, the ropes we would need for Rio Oqueba cave and a SKED. We then settled in for the night.

Heading out on to our next stop- cueva rey Marcos

The next morning we loaded up our bus which would become almost home for the next two weeks, and headed back to Guatemala City to pick up the rest of our group. As is to be expected with international travel there were some delays so we sat around waiting for awhile then headed across the street to a stand that served up cold drinks and grilled meat tacos. We were a little concerned about the fresh greens being served but I ate mine with no apparent ill effects.

After lunch the rest of the group arrived safely and we all loaded up in the bus and headed out of town.

Due to our late start it was late in the evening before we arrived at our hotel in Coban , Hotel El Alcazar de Dona Victoria. Since it was late we decided to eat right there at the hotel and after a good dinner (we were pleasantly surprised to find a number of pasta dishes including lasagna on the menu) we headed to bed.

Dave at the entrance to
Cuevas del Rey Marcos

The next morning we eagerly got up, and after breakfast, loaded the bus anxious to get going for today the caving begins. We arrived at Cuevas del Rey Marcos a well decorated commercial cave. Now mind you the term ‘commercial cave’ has a different meaning in Guatemala then back here in the States. They did have a nice little visitor center with restrooms and showers with picnic areas and a swimming hole, and there was a well built trail to the entrance with a gate on the cave.
However there were no lights installed in the cave and the trail inside the cave had been built up hardly at all. Since we had arranged to go beyond the regular tour part of the cave anyway without a guide we were well prepared for this, though I imagine the average tourist might be a little taken back.

Cuevas del Rey Marcos

Wayne in Cuevas Rey Marcos

Cuevas del Rey Marcos
Chris fords the stream

Cuevas del Rey Marcos


On the way out of the cave we went through a section that required swimming for a short (200’ or so) length then exited and took advantage of the beautiful swimming hole and waterfall by the visitor center.
We then took the long way back to town in order to scout out possible cave locations.
We did not find an entrance but did enjoy a scenic drive and had our first glimpse of coffee plantations. Then back in Coban we went out to shop for snacks for the next day and then an excellent dinner at La Posada.

The road to Rio Oqueba
Rio Oqueba

The next morning we enjoyed a hearty breakfast (huevos rancheros) then loaded up in the bus for the drive to Cueva Rio Oqueba. It was a fairly long drive(18km) on very rough road, but our arrival at the cave made it all worth while.