Message from Iain Stewart, Rough Guide Guatemala author.

Bit of shameless self-promotion here, as the new edition of the R Guide Guatemala will be available very shortly, published Jan 2002, and now 550 pages. It's been thoroughly updated, with lots of new maps, 24 page colour introduction and new sections on the Guatemalan national parks of Bocas del Polochic and Punta de Manabique, extensive voluntary work contacts, comprehensive Spanish school info and the latest Mayan archeological findings, including the cities of Wakná and Cancuén. It also includes Copán and the Honduran Bay Islands.

BTW, since my research trip a new surf camp has opened in the Pacific village of Sipacate (south of La Democracia) which sounds very interesting. You'll find more details and travel information at

http://aventurasnaturales.tripod.com/ecotourism/id9.html

If anyone has any Guatemalan travel queries I'll try to answer them on this site. Happy New Year-Feliz Año Nuevo to all

Iain