Guatemala aka: Guatemala

Guatemalan locals recognize foreigners easily and don’t hesitate to sell small goods in markets. It’s easy to give into the young children constantly nagging you to buy what they’re selling. Most of the time, they offer ridiculous prices, knowing that you’ll most likely buy it anyway. Bargain ridiculously low in return; they’ll earn some form of money, regardless of the labor of work, in the end.

If you decide to go to Chichicastenango for one of the big market days, I recommend getting there the day before so you can see the vendors set up. You will literally see the parque central transformed overnight.

I also highly recommend staying at the Hostal El Telefono, which is located along the road toward the cemetary. It costs only $5 US a night. Though not fancy, it is comfortable and there is a mini rooftop terrace with great views of the cemetary. The owner is very friendly and the rooms and bathrooms are kept very clean.

Two things to do when visiting Tikal:

1.) Take the sunrise tour, whether you choose to stay overnight in Tikal or to come in from Flores. I only paid 100q and that included early entrance (not your actual ticket though) AND a three hour guided tour. You get to see the sunrise from atop the tallest temple- Temple IV. A very special experience.

2.) If you stay overnight in Tikal, get there in the early afternoon the day before. You can buy your ticket for the next day early (at like 3 or 4) and also use that ticket to enter that very afternoon. I did this and was bascially ALONE in Tikal, even in the main plaza. I climbed Temple V with no one around snapping photos and enjoyed the jungle and the views in reflective peace and quiet (jungle sounds excepted).

Go to Nebaj! Nebaj is just getting some status as a tourist destination, so it’s still off the heavily trodden path. There are loads of inexpensive places to stay. There is a great, cheap restaurant started by a Peace Corps volunteer a few years ago. They have a lovely parque central. And! there are loads of things to do. Through Trekking Ixil, you can do day hikes as well as short treks in the gorgeous surrounding mountains. I also did a few local cultural tours which included visits to sacred sites (those continuing Mayan rituals), making the local food boxboles with a local woman, and sweating it out in a chu (temescal). Great experience…and really super friendly people.

GO!!! (Even though it may take a bit of local transport hustle to get there…Gotta love being smushed into a microbus! At least the scenery is superb!)

Guatemala is an incredible place to travel to. Though a bit touristic, Guatemalan indigenous culture is ever present. From markets to Mayan temples to beautiful places to hike, Guatemala is an amazing travel experience.

I spent about 4 weeks there. I visited Antigua, Lago de Atitlan (Santa Cruz), Chichicastenango, Nebaj, Xela, Flores/Tikal, and Rio Dulce. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I have tons of recommendations.

My uncle, aunt, and my cousins live here, and they want me to come visit ! I’m so excited !

i decided to go to the Guate for a month to study spanish. Antigua was amazing~ i lived with a family, went to school and mingled with the amazing locals… i hope everyone goes

I can’t wait to go to Guatemala to see Tikal! Antigua! Markets! Lago de Atitlan! Quetzaltenango! I’m going in June! Woohoo!!

I loved my two months in Guatemala and I would go back in a heartbeat.

i went on a medical relief trip and it is amazing.