10 Tips for Booking a Short Trip To Guatemala
A post by Adventurely’s Founder & CEO, Mita Carriman
True story: Guatamala wasn’t initially on my immediate travel radar, but my curiosity to visit there quickly changed when a friend of Guatemalan descent exposed me to Guatamala’s profound natural beauty and unique culture, making me convinced that I absolutely needed to have it on my travel bucket list!
Guatemala is home to volcanos, breathtaking lakes, coffee farms, and cherished sites in Mayan culture.
I’m glad to say that I finally made my Guatemalan trip happen, and put together these 10 tips if you’re considering to go for a short trip- and yes, you absolutely should travel to Guatemala, and you absolutely can pack in quite a few things to see and do in a few days!
Learn about Guatamala’s Indigenous culture & history ahead of your trip
Photo credit: milmilagros.org on Medium.
I would be remiss to not acknowledge and honor the indigenous people & culture of Guatemala. According to IWGIA.org, Guatemala is home to 14.9 Million people, of which approx 44% are indigenous. There are also 21 Mayan linguistic communities in Guatemala, in addition to two other indigenous groups, the Xinca and the Garífuna.
The folks at Culture Trip put together this awesome list of 8 books to read before traveling to Guatemala which can help you learn about Guatemala’s indigenous culture and history ahead of your trip. A stand out read from the list is I Rigoberta Menchu an Indian Woman in Guatemala by Dr. Rigoberta Menchú a K'iche' Guatemalan human rights activist and feminist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992, and has dedicated her life to publicizing the rights of Guatemala's Indigenous peoples.
Learning about the culture & history of the indigenous people of Guatemala ahead of your trip will not only add context to your experience when you travel there, it will also aid in seizing opportunities to meaningfully support indigenous travel vendors as you make your way exploring the beautiful Guatemalan countryside.
2. Get to Guatemala on a direct flight from 1 of 25 international airports to Guatemala City
La Aurora is the name of the international airport in Guatemala City that you’ll want to book your flight to. According to flightconnections.com, there’s currently 25 airports around the world that you can depart from to reach Guatemala City at La Aurora Airport on a direct flight.
In the US, popular departure cities for a direct flight to Guatemala include Miami, Los Angeles, & Houston. I booked mine in NY @ JFK with JetBlue.
In LATAM, popular departure cities for a direct flight to Guatemala include Cancun Mexico, Mexico City, & San Salvador, El Salvador.
In Europe, there’s only 1 direct flight to Guatemala City, and it departs from Madrid on Avianca Airlines.
3. Depending on your preferred travel aesthetics and risk tolerance for safety issues, It might be outdated advice to entirely “skip” Guatemala City once you land there
One of the most popular pieces of advice frequently shared about traveling to Guatemala, is to skip staying in Guatemala City & immediately head to Antigua or Lake Atitlan as soon as you land in Aurora Airport.
This advice stems from a mix of crime/safety concerns about Guatemala City along with a general sentiment that there’s more to enjoy and do in Antigua or Lake Atitlan.
As a first time visitor to Guatemala (who was also arriving solo), I played it safe and followed this advice, but for my next trip to Guatemala (yes, there will be a next time!) I plan to spend at least a day exploring Guatemala City.
A growing amount of travel blogs have been commenting about a particular area of Guatemala City which I’m curious to visit called Cayala City / Paseo Cayala. It’s described as a walkable district having high security, high-end apartments, luxury boutiques, and restaurants with gastronomic cuisine.
This area along with a number of museums make me curious to explore Guatemala City on my next trip, at least for a day, and i’m ok with accepting the potential safety risks. I’ll also be sure to be back at my hotel before it gets too late as that’s also common advice for people who want to give Guatemala City a try.
Popular hotels in Guatemala City with high reviews include The Hyatt, Barcelo, and the Hilton.
That said- don’t let it be lost: its definitely safer to skip Guatemala City, BUT if you'‘re up for exploring somewhere off the beaten path; are ok with a bit of a grittier experience; and can tolerate the extra safety risks; then it might be interesting to check it out.
4. If you’re debating whether to start first in Lake Atitlan or Antigua for a short trip, I recommend starting first in Lake Atitlan
Yes the ride to Antigua is a shorter distance from the airport in Guatemala City (1-2 hours), but for me it made better sense to immediately knock out the longer ride to Lake Atitlan (3-5 hours depending on your mode of transportation), and have more of a rustic experience there, then ease into a more cosmopolitan experience in Antigua, and be closer to the Airport for when its time to return home.
My flight into Guatemala City landed at around 4:30 am, and once I passed through immigration it was around 5am, which left me just enough time to grab a snack before boarding my coach van to Atitlan for 6am. I reached Atitlan for 10:30 and it worked out great to have a full morning and day to enjoy things there.
5. Popular Transportation options for getting from Guatemala City Airport to Lake Atitlan or Antigua
Uber - yes, it works in Guatemala!
For a trip to Antigua from Guatemala City Airport, this is an easy and comfortable option for most. The ride can be 1-2 hours long depending on traffic, and my Uber bill was approximately $20 USD ($151 Guatemalan Quetzal). I used Uber for my ride from Antigua to the Airport for my flight back home.
Unfortunately it’s not realistic to plan on getting an Uber to Lake Atitlan (or more specifically, the town of Panajachel, which has the most popular land entry to the Lake) from the Airport. Uber’s are rarely available that far out, and not a method most travelers to /from Lake Atitlan are able rely on.
Book a Coach Van/Shuttle on GuateGo.com
Booking on Guatego.com is the most popular way for travelers to get to Antigua or Lake Atitlan from the Airport. I booked my tickets ahead of my trip, got an email confirmation, and they had great customer service in English on Whatsapp.
For my Guatego coach from the airport to Lake Atitlan, it began in a sedan car with one other traveler, which met us at the Airport with the driver holding a sign with my name. He drove us first to Antigua where we transfered to a van that had 4 other travelers in it for the final stretch to Lake Atitlan.
Overall I felt very safe riding with Guatego and the service was good. My ticket with them from the airport to Lake Atitlan (Panajachel) was $42 USD. My ticket with them from Lake Atitlan (Panajachel) to Antigua was $25 USD.
Book a private driver recommended by your Airbnb Host
If you book accomodation in Antigua or Lake Atitlan with Airbnb, it’s not uncommon for some hosts to have a recommended private driver. If you’re staying in an Airbnb & this is something you’re comfy with/prefer, def ask your host about it.
The Chicken Bus (Not recommended)
There isn’t anyone i’ve come across that hasn’t warned that the “Chicken bus” tends to have crime incidents. They’re local busses fashioned out of school buses and cheap to ride. For all the crime warnings about it, its probably not worth using to get around.
Renting a car (also not recommended)
The roads are tricky and full of potholes in Guatemala. For someone who isn’t an experienced driver in Guatemala, the recommendation I found across the board was to skip this mode of transportation as well.
Getting a local taxi @ the airport.
While you can get a local taxi at the Airport, it doesn’t come with tracking like with Uber, and you have no idea if your driver comes with good recommendations, or if it’s a real taxi or not. Taking a local taxi would really be a matter of your comfort level.
Overall, your best bet for transportation from / to the airport, would be Uber, Guatego, or a private driver highly recommended from your Airbnb host.
6. Stay in Lake Atitlan at Lakeview Lodge Guatemala - the 3rd most liked Airbnb on Instagram!
Photo credit: Lakeview Lodge Guatemala
Lakeview Lodge Guatemala is a quaint house perfect for two nestled in the hills directly overlooking Lake Atitlan. This is where I stayed, and it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. It absolutely lives up to its accolade as being the 3rd most liked Airbnb on Instagram.
Getting there was also a fun adventure. Once you reach the Lake Atitlan boat dock in Panajachel, you then take a local boat across the lake to the Tzununa dock. The ride over was gorgeous beyond words!
Views (which barely due justice to seeing this in person) from the local boat ride across Lake Atitlan en route to the Tzununa dock
Once you reach the Tzununa dock, you then can catch a Tuk Tuk to the property.
At the property you’ll be mesmerized by the views of the volcano’s surrounding the lake, the beautiful banana and avocado trees around the property, and the charming cozy details in the lodge rooms.
For health conscious travelers, an added bonus about a stay at Lakeview Lodge is it’s large deck, perfect for a morning meditation watching the sunrise, or some yoga in nature.
Book this Airbnb - you won’t be disappointed!: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19361565
And follow them on IG at http://www.instagram.com/lakeviewlodgeguatemala
7. Have an unforgettable meal (and an adventure getting there) by Lake Atitlan at La Casa Zapote
Photo Credit: La Casa Zapote
La Casa Zapote is an eco hotel + restaurant located in San Marcos, a district surrounding Lake Atitlan. For restaurant visitors close by, the restaurant arranged for one of their recommended Tuk Tuk drivers to pick us up for a direct ride there.
Once at the entrance, be prepared for a fun hike approx 15-20 minutes down the jungle to reach the property. They have a staff person accompany you both ways (recommended) with flash lights if it’s getting dark, and be sure to wear sturdy shoes for hike down.
On arrival to their outdoor seating you’ll be greeted with a delicious complimentary glass of Agua Jamaica, hear charming low-fi electronic downtempo music that sets the vibe, see several outdoor fireplaces lit to make the space a bit more cozy with the evening breeze, and enjoy amazing charcuterie plates and a fantastic wine list, set in the middle of nature. The service was also really outstanding.
You can book a reservation for dinner on their site here, and visit them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lacasazapote
8. Enjoy the Sightseeing & Charms of Antigua
Antigua is quintessential quaint. Its absolutely pretty with its cobblestone streets, mountain + volcano views that surround the city grid, gorgeous cathedrals, and endless chic shops and coffee lounges.
It’s common for many of the hotels and cafes in Antigua to have an indoor courtyard, and even the Mcdonalds in Antigua has an infamously beautiful setup. If you’ve been to Oaxaca Mexico, Antigua has a similar feel.
While in Antigua you’ll want to bookmark sightseeing stops at Parque Centro, Iglesia de la Merced (pictured above), and the Santa Cantalina Arch, which you might recognize from famous photos that usually represent Antigua.
Overall you’ll feel very safe walking around Antigua and will want to take pictures of pretty much everything. There’s also a low-key poshness to Antigua on several streets, and a few high-end retailers and restaurants.
9. Have lunch in Antigua at Rincon Tipico
Photo Credit Ricon Tipico.
After a long day of traveling to Antigua or exploring it’s beautiful streets, you’ll be ready for an authentic hearty meal. Rincon Tipico was the place that everyone recommended me to try out, and it’s the perfect spot for lunch.
It’s a casual, local, economically priced lunch spot situated in a charming courtyard with roasting pits that you can see the selection of chicken & beef being fired up on, and picnic style tables to eat on. If you’re craving a filling meal of Guatemalan rice and chicken, this is the place to go. Your palete as well as your pocket will be muy muy happy.
Find them on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/restauranterincontipico/
10. If you want to hike one of the Volcanos in Guatemala without camping overnight- consider a Hike on Pacaya Volcano in Antigua
Guatemala has 3 active volcanos - 2 of which are in Antigua, and each has varying levels of difficulty.
A popular choice for a volcano hike that can be done without an overnight stay is on the Pacaya Volcano, which on some tours can take approximately 2 hours to directly hike.
Pacaya is considered by many to be an essential bucket list item to do when in Antigua which I didn’t have time to squeeze in, but will save for next time!
Bonus tips + closing thoughts
One thing I couldn’t help but consider on my trip, is how incredibly difficult it would potentially be for a traveler with physical disabilities to easily get around Guatemala, especially for a visit to Lake Atitlan. Thankfully the folks at Frommers put together this great list of resources if this is a potential concern for you.
As a black woman traveling in Guatemala I didn’t personally feel any particular racial tension walking about. I learned that Guatemala does have a recognized Afro-Latino population, and I didn’t encounter any unusually long stares from locals which does sometimes happen as a black traveler in certain countries.
I’ve been trying to research if Anthony Bourdain did any of his travel show episodes in Guatemala. I’m a huge fan of his, and couldn’t help but think of all the interesting comments he would make in a travel show episode to Guatemala. The whole experience I had from start to finish was full of a very Bourdain-esque adventure - risky at times, immersive, and completely authentic.
If you’re considering to come to Guatemala as a digital nomad traveler, Antigua would make the most sense for a base. Although Atitlan was absurdedly beautiful, the wifi was far from reliable, and much better in Antigua. Also, Antigua has more of a formal city grid, a local Selina with a coworking space, and more opportunities to mix and mingle with other digital nomads.
…If you’ve made it this far in my article and haven’t booked your ticket to Guatemala, what are you waiting for?
Go! It will be an outstanding trip, you’ll be floored by its natural beauty, and you’ll have an adventure of a lifetime.
-Mita Carriman Founder & CEO of Adventurely.
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