THE COUNTRY
Home to volcanoes, rainforests, lakes, historic colonial buildings, and the Mayan ruins, Guatemala is a vibrant country just waiting to be explored. One of the places you need to see if you're in Central America.
Although the country continues to struggle with climbing rates of poverty, crime and drug trade, this unstable country (as what many may perceive..) is a place where so much beauty is just waiting to be discovered.
VISA/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Prior to entering Guatemala, ensure that your passport is valid for the next 6 months from the date you enter the country. You are required to have several blank pages available in your passport. Pages that haven't been stamped yet.
A free tourist visa is valid for up to 30 days for British, EU, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and USA passport holders. Other nationalities should check their requirements with the embassy. You can do so by looking it up online as other nationalities may have different requirements.
CURRENCY
Quetzal is the currency in Guatemala. ATM's are available almost everywhere. Debit and credit cards are accepted in most places like hotels, hostels, restaurants etc. Try not to carry too much cash if you can. Just enough to hold you up in the next 5-7 days then take out some cash again.
Budget and try to plan your daily spendings wisely especially if you're going to be constantly on the go so you can be more efficient with handling your cash.
TRANSPORTATION
Chicken bus - The cheapest way to get around (and probably the most stylish since these buses have awesome neon lights, a tv, and a booming sound system) in Guatemala within a city or when getting from one city to another. At times they overpack (overpack may be an understatement..) the chicken bus but there’s nothing like a more authentic local transportation experience when you get in one.
Shuttle service - Sometimes this option makes sense to take a shuttle service when going from city to city in Guatemala. There may be several reasons to consider this option. This is a good option if you want to avoid the hassle of taking multiple chicken buses to get to your destination, or if you're pressed for time, or if you don't feel like taking the chicken bus late at night. Hostels, hotels and travel agencies is where you can book your ticket for these shuttle services if you need one.
THINGS TO DO
Volcán Acatenango (Antigua) - This is an amazing 2 day trek to one of the volcanoes in Antigua that stands at 3,976 m. If you're lucky like me, you will see smoke coming out of Volcán de Fuego and spitting bits of lava. It's quite the sight!
Semuc Champey (Lanquín) - The beauty of this place will leave your jaw on the ground. Take a dip in the water surround by the lush surroundings.
Volcán San Pedro (Lake Atitlan) - This volcano is a one day hike standing at 3,020 m. Once you get to the top you will have an amazing view of the lake and the towns around it.
Take Spanish Lessons - If you're travelling around Latin America, you at least need to know basic Spanish. Spanish is an amazing language to learn and what better way to learn Spanish than a Latin country.
Lake Atitlan - A beautiful space to ease up and unwind. It's very peaceful here.
Boqueron (Izabal) - Not that many people go here so you can have your own canyon and thermal waterfall for the day here.
Tikal and Yaxha (Flores) - These are 2 of the most important Mayan archeological site.
Rio Dulce (Izabal) - Stay on the river, relax and enjoy the sights and sounds away from the loud noises of the cities.
Antigua - This is a very colourful and historic city. Although it's a hot tourist destination, this radiant city is a great place to explore.
The Santa Catalina Arch (Antigua) - An iconic site in the city.
Cerro de la Cruz (Antigua) - A great small hike offering a panoramic view of the city of Antigua.
Volcán Pacaya - Hike up here to catch the sunset. The volcano stands at 2,552 m. If you go with a tour group you will also most likely be roasting marshmellows at the top to show you that this volcano is hot and alive. Pretty cool I know.
One concern that people associate Guatemala or the rest of Latin America with is safety. This country is fairly safe as long as you use the basic rules of common sense when travelling. I know things may happen such as being at the wrong place at the wrong time, but just know that things are likely to happen in our own backyard. Be responsible at night and try to avoid parks/city centres as this is an attractive spot for thieves since it's filled with tourists. Avoid bringing expensive things such as flashy electronic devices when you're out and about. If must bring these out, try not to flaunt it as much and always look out for it. Aside from this Guatemala is a beautiful country that I would want to go back to and also a safe country! It's not as dangerous as what the media plays it out to be. I hope you found these tips useful and if you have any questions or feedback, do leave your comments down below as I would love to hear from you. Happy travels everyone!