Guatemala travel tips

About

NOTE: This page is a daughter page of: Travel

I've never visited Guatemala, but in 2023, I decided it was time to visit! On this page I'll link to any good tips and videos I come across.

Videos

• The PERFECT Guatemala 7 Day Itinerary | Antigua + Lake Atitlan | Travel Guide - A couple that does a amazing job, explaining so many details of their trip! They start by explaining that Guatemala can be split into South and North. Almost all people people enter at the Guatemala City International airport. With 7 days it's best to just do the South > Antigua + Lake Atitlan.... To go to the ruins in the North is a 10 hour drive. Ouch! Eating out very cheap. Is a famous party town on the lake. Advice is that Guatemala City itself isn't very safe, so leave to Antigua immediately > you might even pay a private driver for 1 hour trip (~4 hour).... Once there do a volcano hike > Acatenango volcano tour is the best one (~$50 but includes food) < don't do night tour. Stay 4 nights in Antigua. Then get a shuttle to Lake Atitlan (2.5 hours drive for ~13 USD) take motion sickness pill - best to go to Panajachel (biggest of lake cities) and from there can boat to other lake cities ($3 taxi boat or $30 private taxi boat) to avoid windy roads. Most backpacker destination is San Pedro La Laguna > most nightlife > probably get shuttle. Other town: San Marcos La Laguna > hippy town with yoga etc.
• Island hopper TV > EVERYTHING To Know BEFORE Visiting Guatemala 2023. Great video. Suggests the big three as: (1) Lake Atitlán, (2) Antigua, (3) Tikal (ruins), markets... and I like the he shows some of these things on Goggle maps. Talks about money > go to ATMs..... > some places do USD, but get quetzal. Everyone arrives at same airport. Transport > has Uber > motion sickness > pre-arrange transport. Food, clothes, altitude sickness.
• Travelmogi - Top 10 Things To Do in Guatemala - Not the best video actually, but mentions Actoon caves etc, Cherro de la Cruz, Great Jaguar Tacal (temples) the Basilica of Esquipulas (church), The Lost World (pyramid), Xetulul Theme Park (amusement park), Iglesia de la Merced (church). Transportation is the hardest part. Same guy has a videos specifically about Lake Atitlan and Antigua.
• Guatemala - 10 Things That Shock Tourists in Guatemala - warns that ATMs often don't work, used TP goes into a big, people with big guns, the chicken bus (people bring everything, old US school busses), the distances (takes a while to get anywhere - 3 hours to the lake and ruins, and want to throw up, big speedbumps), hikes are not easy, do not use tap water or eat fruit without washing it, 60% of people here are mayan (and they speak Mayan), colonial towns are stunning, people are chill, lots of TRB (tortillas, rice and beans).

Links

• nomadicmatt.com - Guatemala Travel Guide - talks about top things to do: (1) Visit Lake Atitlán, (2) Head to Antigua, (3) Explore Tikal National Park, (4) Visit Semuc Champey, (5) Explore the Chichicastenango Market. Bonus: (1) Visit the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, (2) See the Yaxha ruins, (3) Explore Quirigua, (4) Hike the Volcán de Pacaya, (5) Wander Flores, (6) Visit the ruins at El Mirador, (7) Explore Rio Dulce, (8) Visit the Antigua Market, (9) Relax at Monterrico, (10) Hike Acatenango, (11) Watch the sunrise from Indian Nose, (12) Learn to surf.
• Things to know before visiting Guatemala - mentioned getting shots, but I hope doesn't apply to me... also mentions: sunscreen, pack lightweight clothing (you don't need jeans), dress a little conservative (religious), know when to be polite and when to be assertive (in lines).
• alittleadrift.com Guatemala - includes tips about a LifeStraw and Tigo SIM card + via (American, EU. and British passport holders enter for free and can stay for up to 90 days) + booking.com recommended for hostels + transport (chicken buses and shuttle buses) - arrange with your guesthouse/hostel > transportation is the most dangerous aspect of traveling because the drivers hug corners and drive far faster than is safe & keep your daypack on your lap > never above you > and don't fall sallied you will be robbed > same for pickpocketing at night > night travel has the highest risk factor > stay on the tourist route.