🇬🇹 G U A T E M A L A 🇬🇹

If Guatemala isn’t on your travel list, add it NOW! Easily one of my favorite and most memorable trips to date!! I can’t believe that I was so unaware of all the amazing things that this country and it’s people have to offer! Culture, adventure, relaxation, history – they’ve got it ALL!

Usually I’m a huge planner, but my travel buddy and I totally winged this trip! We landed with no plans and ended up having the time of our lives!👯‍♀️ My unpreparedness will help you prepare for the trip of a lifetime!

📝 TIPS/THINGS TO KNOW 📝

• PACK WARM CLOTHES! – Clearly, this is something I did not do😂 The temps in Guatemala were in the mid 70’s but it gets pretty cool at night! If you plan to hike any volcanoes, you need to bring waterproof layers and warm clothes. We stopped at a thrift store and picked up some cheap jackets and backpacks for our hike!

• Hobbitenango – This place is a very unique Lord of the Rings inspired hotel. Never seen the movies, so I don’t care about that aspect; but the views were amazing and it was all in all a cool experience! However, it’s a pain in the behind to get to and there isn’t much to do there other than eat at the restaurant and enjoy the view. The office is in Antigua and you must take the shuttle from the office to the hotel. The last shuttle leaves  at 4pm, although their website said 5pm. We missed the shuttle and had to have local take us which ended up being a complete disaster when the brakes in her Jeep almost went out while trying to go up this steep mountain. We made it alive, barely 😅 It was a unique experience, but I would probably pass on it if I had to do it again.

• La Fortuna de Atitlan – This hotel is EVERYTHING. It’s nestled in the jungle alongside of the lake nearest to the town of Panajachel. To get to different villages around the lake you must take a private boat which will cost 250 Q.

• Acatenango Volcano hike – HOLY MOLY😱 One of the most painful, but also one of the most INCREDIBLE things I have ever done!! Currently I’m hobbling around like a granny – tengo dolor de piernas!! 😩 This hike is a beast, but if I can do it, so can YOU! I hired a private guide because I knew I would need to stop a lot and didn’t want to slow a big group down. The cost of the private guide was 1,500Q which also included a private cabin at base camp, sleeping bags, blankets, food and wine! There is an option to have a porter carry your bag, or you can take a horse for an extra fee. I wanted to push myself so I opted to hike and carry my own bag. Im so proud of myself and so thankful that I did it! It was totally worth every painful step!! This is a MUST DO!! We used Wicho & Charlie’s Tours and our guide’s name was Brandon Figueroa! He was so patient and cheered us on the entire way!

• Covid Requirements – I understand that the women in this group are from all over the world, so requirements may be different depending where you are coming from. I am giving my experienced based on traveling as an American.  A negative covid test is required within 72 hours of travel and you must complete the health form online and pay a fee (I believe it was around $40 USD). Upon return to the USA, you must get a covid test. There is a rapid covid testing center in the airport in Guatemala City. I arrived an extra hour early for for my flight and got tested. It was a very quick and smooth process and will cost you $20 USD!

• Clothes – In case anyone is wondering about my clothes, the majority of them are from Shein, Vestique & Vici😊

• Photos – All pics taken with an iPhone 12 Pro and edited in Lightroom!