Guatemala is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but it is an ideal vacation spot for Americans looking for an out-of-the-ordinary experience. Less dangerous than many of its Latin American neighbors, and much cheaper to travel than in Europe or Asia, Guatemala offers beautiful scenery, historic ruins and an exotic cultural experience. Since knowledge of Spanish is useful, especially in rural areas, you can easily get by with no more than “please” and “thank you”. It’s hardly the cheapest country to visit, but a round-trip flight from the US is reasonably priced and if you put in a little effort, you can eat and sleep cheaply, especially if you’re traveling in a group. The countries are surprisingly diverse in size, both in terms of geography and people, but almost all of them are fascinating.
Now that you’re rushing to book tickets, here are six key tips to make the most of your time there.
1. Don’t bother with Guatemala City. Your plane will likely land in the capital of Guatemala, but there’s not much there besides crime and dirt. Also for those intrepid visitors who want to see their country at its dirtiest, most gruesome and real, I would like to recommend Guate. You can easily get an experience just as (if not more) powerful and much less dangerous by crossing the bridge from Flores to Santa Elena or wandering through almost any Guatemalan village (tourist towns like Antigua, Panajachel and Flores are the exception. not the norm). Rather than dying, take a half-hour shuttle from Antigua, or take a bus to other, more popular towns in Guatemala. (The bus must be arranged in advance and run directly from the airport, but you will probably need to take a taxi to the bus station. Please write in advance where you want to go and what bus line service there at what time.) If it’s late, take a hotel near the airport and leave early. I drove through the city to the airport and it was enough for me to taste. The rest of the country is safer and far more interesting.
2. Don’t be too shy. You may try to go to the cheapest travel agents you see, but almost all of them are in reputable tourist travel agents towns like Antigua and Panajachel They will offer similar prices and any offer that is too high is likely a scam. You’ll pay for your reservation, but the shuttle will likely never show up. Furthermore, although the chicken bus is a classic Latin American form of transportation, sometimes it makes more sense. Tossing and traveling first class instead. Around Guatemala City, for example, urban traffic should be avoided in favor of taxis, city shuttles, and ‘luxury’ lines, simply for safety reasons. But in other parts of the country you won’t have to be careful enough, especially if you have a traveling light.
3. Know when you can and should do less. All of Guatemala’s major cities offer the luxury of luxury hotels and seated dining, but apart from the occasional shooting, there is there is no need to trouble everyone. The hostels are far cheaper, yet safe and clean. Most of them have showers and running water, sometimes even hot. In many cases you will be able to share a lockable room with a few other travelers or (especially for groups) or a private room. Be sure to check your room before you pay to make sure it’s acceptable. Innkeepers and staff can also make travel reservations for you or recommend reliable agencies, and can also be a source of good information about food. , shopping, and other things to do in their city. If you are in Antiqua, treat me as staying at the Yellow House. It is within walking distance of the city center and the quality is very reasonably priced.
4. Go to Tikal. The ruins are incredible, testaments to Guatemala’s exotic Mayan history. You can get travel packages from Antigua that include airfare, but if you have an extra day, I found it cheaper and not inconvenient especially to just take the bus to Flores and book a tour there. It’s a long journey, but for those who can sleep in moving vehicles, an overnight bus will allow you to travel without over-activating your time. Get a hotel in Flores rather than paying the exorbitant prices charged by hotels actually in Tikal. Booking a tour to Tikal is simple with any of Flowers’ many tour companies. The price of the sun is the best, because the park is guaranteed to be crowned with either darkness or light, beautiful both ways, and the crowds at a minimum. pay a little outside the guide who will describe the history of the city and tell you. what are you looking at?
(Good tip: While in Flores, stop by Las Puertas for margaritas and a nice dinner. The restaurant is slightly challenging to find, but the hunt is well worth it).
5. Take a break in Rio Dulce. On the way from Antigua to Flores, stopping in this riverside town is a good way to break up the length of the bus. Lake Izabel and Castillo de San Felipe are a short boat trip (or long walk) upstream, while Livingston and the scenic Caribbean coast are an hour and a half downstream. Sometimes you’ll be able to watch Guatemalans bungee jumping from a large bridge that spans a dangerous river. Americans are still something of a novelty in a small town, and this is an area where some Spanish is useful, but
6. Do not miss: Lake Atitlan. No trip to Guatemala is complete without a visit to this breathtaking destination. Panajachel, a shuttle destination from Antigua, is very touristy, but the many other towns around the lake offer a more authentic view of Guatemalan life and culture. (Early mornings in Panajachel, while the merchants are still up and before the tourists leave in droves, are very interesting.) Boat trips around and across the lake are cheap and can be purchased at the landing at the preferred time of departure.
I hope you enjoy this wonderful country as much as I did!
