Guatemala
Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America with 17,600,000 people. It was part of the ancient Maya civilization until the 16th century, when Spain began to colonize the area. The country gained its independence from Spain and Mexico in 1821.
Bucket List Experiences
Hike up an active volcano … boat across Lago Atitlan … roam the ancient ruins of Tikal … swim in the crystal clear waters of Semuc Champey … wander the streets of Antigua. Make sure to cross these experiences off your bucket list in Guatemala!
HEALTH NOTE: Avoid drinking the water in Guatemala! There is often bacteria in the water in Central America that can make stomachs that aren’t used to it very upset. What to do to avoid getting sick:
- Fill your water bottle with filtered water, not tap water (always available in hostels)
- Brush your teeth with filtered water
- Do not drink your shower water
- Be careful with purchasing salads, fresh fruits, or vegetables – they may have been washed in unfiltered water, so either stick to things with peels or rewash them in filtered water.
What to Expect
Language: Spanish
Currency: Quetzal
Electric Outlet: Type A or B (same as USA)
Banking: Mostly cash – ATMs available in cities
Transportation
Transportation in Guatemala is far from formalized. There are several different shared transport options that all vary in their methods of pickup, payment, and luggage storing.
Shuttles – When traveling long distances or between cities, these are your best option. You can often ask your hostel to book them for you or you can book online. They will normally come right to your accommodation, however, sometimes drivers are inconsistent with schedules or pickup locations.
Chicken Buses – Crowded and full of locals, these are an icon of Guatemala. They are refurbished and painted US school buses that you will definitely see at some point on your trip. You can catch them at designated stops (ask locals to help you find these) where you can confirm price (often between Q15-40) and ask the bus ayudante if they go to the location you want – make sure you get a solid YES. You will pay in cash when the ayundante comes to collect during the ride.
If you are traveling with luggage, be prepared to have it thrown on top of whatever vehicle you’re in and tied down with a couple cords. Surprisingly, it is very secure, so do not stress – just remember to keep any water bottles or loose items with you.
Cost
Guatemala is a pretty cheap country to visit. I budgeted about Q100 per day including accommodation and transportation. If you are staying in hostels, anticipate paying about 10-20 USD per night. Most transactions will be made with cash, so be sure to take out plenty whenever you find an ATM.
Guatemala has a large bartering culture. Do not barter in restaurants, however, prices at markets and shops are almost always negotiable. Just be sure you know your numbers in Spanish!
Additionally, anticipate getting overcharged if you do not look Guatemalan. Transportation is much cheaper for locals than for tourists.
TIP: Always pay the exact amount in cash. Sometimes if you ask for change, you will not receive it back, especially with transportation.
How to Barter
Although nerve wracking at first, bartering is quite easy. First, determine the amount you are willing to pay for an item. Respond to the asking price with one much lower than your goal price and gradually raise it. The merchant should fold by the time you get to the price you want.
When to Visit
The temperature in Guatemala is relatively stable, maintaining a comfortable to warm climate all year round.
It is best to visit during the dry season – November through April. However, we visited in the middle of the rainy season and still had plenty of beautiful days to enjoy. It tended to rain more in the late afternoon and evening, so we usually still got a full day of exploring in.
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