Overall an oustanding place to visit. Definitely less commercial than CR but not too much. I mean there is a Starbuck, McDonalds and Office Depot in Antigua. It's definitely not as raw/gritty as Nicaragua for example. Perefectly in the middle. I can definitely see going back at some point with some changes and also to get up to Tikal and down to El Paredon.
The weather overall was perfect. I'm normally an AC or not go kind of person but not a single place I stayed had AC and I didnt miss it at all.
Don't bother taking USD. Not even the transport van from Antigua to Panajchel would take my $20. Credit card acceptance was far far more than I been led to believe.
A few other things. Immigration is easy but definitely realize that the big signs with the bar code pertain to you and you do have to fill out the form on your phone and show it. Coming out of GUA is typical central america airport insanity where every brother, sister, cousin, aunt and apparently ever neighbor comes to the airport with ballons etc to greet you. Finding your shuttle isnt the easiest. On the way back home; security is pretty hectic but once you get through that; exit immigration was easy and fast.
Overall the country felt very safe to me. I only got "scammed" once. In San Pedro I gave the guy a 10 for a 5qz purchase and he just looked at me. I said I gave you a 10 and he reached down to his till and brought out a 5qz. I just looked at him and lauged and said Ok sure I did. Im not arguing over $0.60. Other than that no issues what so ever