Guatemala
GUATEMALA
LOCATION
MUST DO
- Visit the ancient Mayan ruins in Tikal
- Spend time in the rural villages in the highlands
- Stay at a resort near Lake Atitlan
- Ride in a chicken bus
- Shop at a local market
- Souvenir shopping in the old capital of Antigua
Trip Details
When: August 2004, May 2009, December 2016
Where: Guatemala City, Antigua, Chimaltenango, Panajachel, Quetzaltenango, Momostenango
How: Independent travel with family
TRAVEL TIPS
- It’s worth it to spend a little extra to fly to Tikal instead of the bus; you can technically do it in one day from the capital, but i recommend an overnights stay to not rush it.
- Market days in Momostenango are Sunday and Wednesday
- Eat: Paches de papa, enchiladas, black beans, tamales, jocon
- Stay:
- Antigua: Casa Santo Domingo
- Lake Atitlan: Hotel Atitlan
- Guatemala City: near airport with shuttle, safe neighborhood: Grand Hotel Futura
- It’s called the “Land of the Eternal Spring” for a reason – take your rain gear! The weather is nice all year round, but it gets especially hot and humid during our winter. Even during the rainy season, it usually downpours for twenty minutes, then it clears up for the rest of the day.
NOTES
I love visiting my family in Guatemala. It’s where my mom is from, and where most of her 10 siblings live with their families. I spent summers during my childhood there, and have been back many times to explore different parts of the country. Some trips are to visit relatives, some are to go on adventures, and some are to go and do humanitarian work.
Everyone is welcoming and loving in Guatemala. Great hospitality and great food. The scenery is spectacular. There are rain forests, ancient Mayan ruins, volcanic beaches, tropical beaches, mountains, lakes, and small villages where the indigenous locals wear colorful clothing called huipiles and cortes.
Every time I visit this beautiful country, I never want to leave. It definitely holds a special place in my heart, and I will always be grateful that the people and culture are part of my ancestry, my life.