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I was lucky to come across a large group of Black Guatemalans who had a community in Antigua. Apparently all around Guatemala there are small populations of English speaking Black folks that came from Jamaica. They told me all about their history and struggles in Guatemala after being there for many generations. I also had some of the best food I’d gotten to eat during my 2 year trip in South and Central America. I ended up meeting up again with a few ladies in the group for coffee and food their favorite restaurants. I really enjoyed my time there with them, I felt so at home even though I was far away. I also got a signed book from the writer/ historian of the group while I was there. The book went though their history in Guatemala, and showed several of their landmarks and rich history. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.
My visit to Guatemala during the month of April stemmed from my desire to slow travel through Central and South America this year while learning spanish. Therefore I chose the city of Antigua as it was a wonderful combination of old world architecture combined with scenic natural beauty and modern conveniences such as availability of great wifi and transportation options at a very affordable cost. I selected the Spanish Language school of Maximo Nivel due to the many options they provided in terms of classes (group, private or a combination of the two), and accommodation (host home, hostel, college dorms, apartments). My one month stay which included an hour of private lessons followed by 2 hours of group classes 5 days a week, along with one month apartment rental cost me $1100 US The accommodation was in a very central location and I found the city to be extremely easy to navigate on foot. Loved that I could walk almost everywhere. In addition I felt extremely safe at all times.
Outside of the cost of my program I found there was an abundance of places to eat which were very reasonable. You could obtain breakfast of eggs, bacon, beans, toast, coffee for about $5, and typically my lunch, which I chose to make my heaviest meal of the day, would be about $15 at a dine in restaurant and including my beverage. Fast food options were also widely available and would of course be cheaper.
Sightseeing costs ranged from free for walking and food tours, to moderate for day trips to nearby Hobbitenango, (about $15US for shuttle transportation and entrance). While excursions to Lake Atitlan could be done for a one way shuttle price of $20 booking privately to significantly more if using a tour company for arrangements. In summary, Guatemala is a great budget friendly option for anyone wanting to spend time in a beautiful, safe, location with history and lots of natural beauty to enjoy.
Guatemala is relatively more expensive than its neighbors that I’ve also traveled to (Nicaragua and Mexico). Eating out costs about $10 per meal unless you’re eating street food. I spent time in hostels in Antigua (~$10 per night at the Purpose Hostel) and at Lake Atitlan in Panajachel (~20 per night at Selina). Other towns on the lake (like San Marcos) can be even more expensive since they’re centered on yoga retreats and luxury stays. San Pedro at Lake Atitlan is similar to Panajachel pricing, but has more expensive food since it has more tourists. Souvenirs are also pretty expensive. For my girls that like clothes, expect to spend at least around $50 for any hand woven bags or dresses.
I would give Guatemala 10 stars if I could. This was easily one of my most fun trips. At my tour guide Yves suggestion we stayed at Hotel Atitlan. Beautiful views & great food!
If you’re not afraid of heights GO STAND ON THE HANDS. Just tell your yours guide to take you to the hands (there is more than one). I experienced paragliding for the first time. It was an experience like no other and I highly recommend if you’re a date devil like myself.
I never remember the names of where I go but do take the boat ride to the town with the art. There’s also great food there. And check out down town and the market place that only happens on the weekend.
Oh! Always wear your seat belt. Car accidents happen often. Long story short, do and see everything and go everywhere in Guatemala. You’ll love it.
I just got back from a trip at Lake Antigua Guatamala. It was a gorgeous lake, surrounded by 7 small cities. Each city had its own unique personality. The lake was formed 84,000 years ago when a volcano erupted, destroying the city that was there. There are many your hikes that you can take to get a high viewpoint of the lake, that has panoramic views. I did a hike called the Indian Nose. It’s the best one there. The tour company picks you up at your hotel at 4am so you can catch the sunrise. The cost was about $25 but well worth it. The temperature was about 65 degrees as the town is at high altitude and deep in the mountains
This was my first solo trip and it was the best trip of my life!
Before going to Guatemala, all I got was funny / concerned faces. “Where the hell is that” , “what are doing there” , “its dangerous to go there” , but when I got there these same people wanted to know every little part of my itinerary. This is the most underrated country I’ve been to.
Lush Atitlan had a staff pick me at the dock called Posada Schumann and I made my way to the beautiful lush hotel. I checked into the honeymoon suite and it had some of the most beautiful views of lake Atitlan I have ever seen.
Lake Atitlan is beautiful. It is one of the most serene and idyllic places, straight from a storybook. My mornings were quiet and spent taking in the views and being one with nature. If there’s any place where nature SCREAMS out loud
Next site is the Tzampoc Resort, the biggest draw was the infinity pool overlooking the lake. Absolutely breathtaking! there are only 6-8 rooms in the entire property, you are very secluded and have a butler. Talk about living lavish for cheap!
Do not visit I Guatemala without going to Lake Atitlan! This is the most beautiful lake I’ve ever seen. I stayed at the “Iguana Hostel & Free Cerveza hostel.” In Santa Cruz. If available, book the private lake room at the Free Cerveza. You won’t regret it.
I stayed in Antigua for two nights. Like San Ignacio Belize, it is a hub filled with backpackers. Most people come here to do the two-day hike for the active volcanoes. I found myself doing a tour around the city visiting every museum and ruin in site. There so is much music, history, art, and culture to count for. There’s a place called Ricon Topico that has cheap local food for less than 5 USD. When the sun falls that’s when the real fun begins. There are packed bars on every street and I learned from the locals that there are plenty that ventures down from Guatemala City on the weekends to have a good time. Would recommend!
My chunky butt climbed 13000ft to the top of 2 volcanoes in Guatemala! Those hikes were the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life (and yes I have a child)! I was ready to quit after the first 10 minutes! After the first hour I ugly cried all my lashes off??? ! I actually ended up hiring a horse to help me some of the way! Yeah I cheated but at that point I was ready to jump off the cliff! That hike was 7 hours total to the top, 3 hour climb to the bottom. So Imagine hiking uphill on a super steep mountain: 2 hours into the hike you are in the clouds with oxygen decreasing and visibility so low you can only see a few ft in front of you! Okay now I’magine that it starts raining for like an hour straight! Okay so now you’re soaking wet, keep mentally hiking; You’re cold but you’re motivated because you have hopes that it’s almost over! Something just hit you in the head hard, but you ignore it. Few seconds later, Oh hell noooo!! It’s a full on hail storm! WTF did I sign up for? After about 4 hours hiking we made it to base camp! 2 more hours left to hike to the top for sunset! Yeah f that, wasn’t any more sun cause it was raining like crap! I’m wasn’t climbing anymore, i was done! I was so mad at myself for even committing to doing such a task ! Like full on mentally beating myself up thinking this some serious white ppl shit. So I get ready for a nap, yeah that turned into full on sleep. I slept from like 4pm to 9 when I was suddenly woken up to the earth just shaking so horrifically I thought id never see my son again! I’m literally too terrified to move, my tentmate looks out the tent what do we see? Another volcano ERUPTING with such a rage! The lava shooting up so high and flowing down the side of the volcano so gracefully! Quite the site but I’m still panicked! Sooo mad I didn’t bring my weed up there with me! So that continued to happen all night so I didn’t get any sleep. It was like beautiful, amazing and terrifying all in one. It’s pitch black up there ! All you see are stars but it’s still not enough light to make you feel comfortable especially with the roar of the volcano every few mins! In the morning I did the 2hour hike to the top to watch the sunrise! Omg, a spectacular site! Was it worth it? At this point HELL YES! as we start our descent to the bottom..HELL FUCKING NO! So I made it down volcan Acatanengo safely meanwhile still a bit shaken by all the eruptions. I thought I was ready for a different kind of adventure but unfortunately I underestimated my strength! I made it back to Antigua on Saturday morning just lazing and catching up on some rest! Sunday morning I wake up to mom blowing up my phone telling me the volcano I told her I was at had just erupted and there are casualties. I was too lazy to contact her when I returned so she was obviously nervous that she hadn’t heard from me. I turn on the news and what I saw was beyond shocking! I can’t believe that I was just there! The volcano I was watching explode all night had a mega eruption and neighboring towns were being evacuated! God is good, I survived!
I had such a great time!
Xela Guatemala is amazing. It’s quiet , full of cultural experiences and extremely affordable. I took a bus from Guatemala City for around $10-$15 US dollars. A meal is around $4 usually less (leave a considerable tip). I stayed with a host family for $109 for 10 days. The people are amazing, it should be on your bucket list.
Guat is the Bomb!! Too bad I can only pick one category. So much adventure. We flew in to Guatemala City and took a three and a half hour Uber to Panajachel. Nuff said. That was enough adventure for most. Once we arrived safely to Pana (and for less than $20US I might add) more adventure awaited. You have to google Panajachel to understand the location but you have to see it in real life to believe it. We stayed at Hotel Jardines Del Lago right on the water surrounded by 3 volcanoes and one of the most beautiful lakes. It is breathtaking. There are 12 other villages around the lake each one named after the Apostles. You can take boats across to each one. Lots of tours to see how they get the coffee, to how the ladies make the clothing literally from the ground up.
Antigua it’s my favorite place in Guatemala. I went to Guatemala for 3 weeks last year. We stay to a little village near Antigua. The people are very lovely. They have always some gift for the visitors. It’s the best place to do adventures like jump the volcano, visiting the ruins of maya of going to the local market in Panajachel.