After Tikal, I headed for the Finca Ixobel, a legendary traveler's spot. Everybody who'd been there insisted I had to go. I heard about the amazing food, congenial atmosphere, comfortable acommodations and beautiful surroundings and decided I'd check it out for a night or two.
I got there around 4 in the afternoon the next day. I have to say, I was duly impressed. I'd expected a primitive grouping of huts and treehouses in the jungle. Instead, it was a well-organized, low-budget resort.
It was started 20 years ago by an American couple, on a farm. They turned the farm organic and opened a lodge. In 1990, the husband was killed by government paramilitaries as part of the Civil War. This, incidently, was what finally convinced the American government to suspend (temporarily) military aid to Guatemala.
However, his wife has kept the place going and built quite an institution. I wound up spending 3 days there, hanging out with other travelers, eating healthy food and spending too much money. The clever thing about the Finca is that you don't pay for anything as you go - you write everything down and pay at the end. Sounds nice, but it's dangerous!
Anyway, the three days there were very nice. The Finca attracts some great people, and it was nice to just relax and speak English for a few days.
If you're in Guatemala, I would suggest stopping off there. Here's the website - www.fincaixobel.com