Why did I choose Guatemala? Tik Tok & Google Flights. I started seeing this destination all over my feed and realized the flight prices were really low (we paid US$170RT) and it’s only a 2 hour flight!
When to visit Guatemala
One thing we loved about Guatemala was the weather! It was cool during the day (72°F – 80°F) and just under 70°F at night. The best time to visit Guatemala is from November to April during the dry season. We visited at the end of April and had sunny, cool days which are great for hiking.
Currency
The current exchange rate is US$1 = Q$7.4 (Check online for the latest rates). Do not exchange your money at the airport, you will get a better rate at the hotel or within the city. You will need your passport for every bank transaction you do. If you use an ATM, make sure it located in a public, well-lit place.
Packing List
Packing for this trip was very easy! You really don’t need to dress up here. Keep it cute, comfortable and casual.
- Sneakers to hike Pacaya Volcano
- Sturdy shoes to walk around Antigua- I found walking in sandals a bit challenging on the cobblestone streets, my converse worked perfectly
- Light jacket if you get cold easily, the temperatures do cool down at night
- Flashlight & insect repellant (cream works best) if you are doing the sunset tour in Tikal
How to fly to Guatemala
We took a direct flight from Miami to Guatemala City for only US$170 round trip! I still cannot believe we flew here for such a low price, use Google Flights to find and track the best deals from your city.
Entry Requirements to Guatemala
At this time (May 2022) you need a vaccine (2 doses) or a negative antigen test to enter.
Where to Stay in Antigua, Guatemala
Casa Santo Domingo ($$$) – This 5 star hotel will amaze you from the time you walk in. The gardens of this former monastery turned hotel are simply stunning along with the historic ruins & colonial architecture that fill the compound. Be sure to checkout the rooftop café with stunning views of the nearby volcano – perfect with a cup of Guatemalan coffee.
The Good Hotel ($) – This 3 star hotel is a private mansion turned boutique hotel with proceeds benefiting underprivileged children in the area. Staying here is a great way to save some money and still experience a new, beautiful property in the heart of the city. We stayed in a room with a loft which was really nice, my only issue was the bedroom was upstairs and the bathroom downstairs. Going to the toilet in the middle of the night and trying not to fall down the stairs was tough!
The restaurant here is also very cute with really wonderful service, the food is reasonably priced and delicious. Note– all rooms here do not have air conditioning, double check before you book your room.
How to get around Guatemala
We had a wonderful driver & tour guide (Freddie & Hugo) through Blue Plant Tours. They spoke great English, were on time and just a joy to be around. I highly recommend using Blue Planet Tours to help you plan your trip to Guatemala, they are a family run business in the tourism industry for 30+ years. Note- there is ALWAYS traffic in Guatemala, be sure to plan that into your day.
Things to do in Antigua, Guatemala
You can spend the entire day walking through the cobblestone streets of this beautiful city, starting with a cup of coffee from one of the many cute coffee shops in the city to venturing into one of the the bustling markets.
Eat some delicious local meals – Guatemala is known to have some of the most delicious food in the region! My favorite dish was Chicken pepián (pictured above) traditionally served with rice and tortillas and deemed the unofficial national dish. A few other things to try are Pupusas, corn tortillas are stuffed with refried beans, cheese and pork or Kak’ik a traditional Maya turkey soup.
Central Park – the heart of the city which comes alive in the evening. You’ll find local ice cream, sweets, crafts and paintings for sale. The park is also located next to the market, a beautiful place to get immersed the colored fabrics that represent the beauty of Guatemala. You can bargain here, but please remember that many of these vendors have not seen many tourist in 2 years and knocking down the price Q20 is really only about US$3. Be kind in your bargaining!
Santa Carolina Arch – Built in the 17th century, the arch originally connected the Santa Catalina convent to a school, allowing the cloistered nuns to pass from one building to the other without going out on the street. Be sure to visit the arch in the early morning (before 7:30am) to get the best view of the volcano and avoid any crowds.
Doña María Gordillo Candy Store – Decorated with over 160 owls that are over 100 years old, this candy shop not only had delicious local treats but is a beautiful historic place in the city. Make sure you find time to stop here, it is a true hidden gem within the city.
Visit a rooftop restaurant/bar
In almost every city I visit I try to go to a roof top bar for a sunset drink. It really is one of my favorite things to do while travelling.
Aqua Antigua– located just 10 minutes from Central park, this rooftop bar has the best 360 views of the volcano and the city. Make a reservation online at the terrace.
Tartines– A small french restaurant just off the main street, Tartines has a stunning sunset view overlooking the ruins and if you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of the volcano. Be sure to make reservations and arrive early, there isn’t much seating on the terrace.
Indulge in local coffee shops
Coffee lovers, this is heaven! Guatemala is known for having amazing coffee, there are local/authentic coffee shops on every corner of Antigua, you really cannot go wrong with any place you choose.
Starbucks – Normally I wouldn’t recommend going to a Starbucks overseas (I prefer local mom & pop shops) but this location is probably the most stunning I’ve ever seen! The décor and patio inside are a must see.
La Vid Coffee Roasters – Their coffee is from Lake Atitlan and roasted in house! Lookout for their open mic nights.
Day Trips outside of Antigua
Pacaya Volcano- Guatemala has 33 volcanos with 3 active, Pacaya Volcano being one of the 3. I was told this was the easiest one, even kids do it! The hike up is about 2 hours (straight up hill) and about 1 hour down, if you are not athletic this isn’t very easy.
You can go up with a horse (Q200/US$27) or an ATV (checkout Simoon Tours) but I highly recommend the hike – the views and nature experience are worth every minute. You will also take a different route hiking up and going down seeing both sides of the mountain. This was one of my favorite experiences of our trip!
Entrance to the park is Q50/US$7 per person and you are required to hire a local guide which costs Q200 + tip (we tipped Q50). Our guide Fausto spoke great English and was wonderful! At the entrance you will also find kids selling wooden walking sticks for Q10/US$2 – highly recommend you get one to stabilize yourself on the way down!
Be sure to ask your guide if they have marshmallows for roasting in the underground lava heat, these will be the best roasted marshmallows you’ve ever had! If you do visit on the weekend you might get lucky and spot the pizza guy (Pizza Pacaya) cooking up fresh pies in the crater. Pro tip- For the best views hike the mountain early in the morning before the clouds arrive. There are a few eco lodges like the Santa Teresita hot spring hotel that you can stay over night or even camp if you’re feeling adventurous.
Volcan Acatenango– This hike is significantly longer and will take you 6-8 hours each way. Instead of this grueling hike you can take a ride on the back of a pick up truck to cut out ¾ of this hike leaving only 1 hour to get to the base camp at the top. Most people do stay over night to catch the incredible sunset and sunrise views of Volcan Agua and lava coming out of Volcan Fuego. Note- don’t expect to sleep overnight, the volcano erupts and makes a loud noise often and it can be very cold. We did not do this hike.
Altamira Oriole
Love taking cute photos? Altamira Oriole is the place for you! Located just 30 minutes outside of Antigua you could spend an entire day taking photos, enjoying lunch or a sunset drink with one of the best views in the city. If you have a drone, this is also a great place to get some shots. No drone? No worries! There’s someone stationed here to take those IG worthy shots for you (Q100/US$13 for 25 shots). Note – avoid visiting on the weekend or public holidays, this is a hot spot for locals and can get very crowded. Also, be prepared to walk up and down LOTS of stairs.
Tikal National Park
I had a short amount of time in Guatemala and kept debating on whether I should go to Lake Atitlán or Tikal National Park but after I heard the drive to Lake Atitlán could be 4-5 hours long, Tikal was the easy choice for me. Tikal National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important cities of the Mayan classical period with beautiful, monumental structures that have stood the test of time.
How to get to Tikal (Flores)
There are two ways to get to Tikal from Guatemala City, the chicken bus or hire a driver, both journeys taking 10+ hours. We opted for a 45 minute flight from Guatemala City on TAG Airlines, a local carrier (checkout my How to Get to Tikal Tik Tok). Most of their fleet are small propeller planes but they do have one small jet called Bitty (photographed above) that is the most comfortable ride and cuts your in flight time to 30 minutes. Look for the Embraer ERJ-145 flight when booking.
Where to stay in TIkal
The most convenient accommodation in Tikal is the Jungle Lodge, the only hotel inside the National Park. Staying here is a little more expensive than in Flores where there are many hostels to choose from but for sunrise or sunset tours, this will save you a 1 hour drive to the park.
A few things to know about the the Jungle Lodge:
- There is no air condition in the rooms, only a ceiling fan
- They turn off the electricity from 11pm to 3am, the front desk told us the fan would stay on but it didn’t, this is when the heat really kicked in
- If you’re a light sleeper, just know you won’t sleep. Between the heat and the noise from the birds and monkey’s, it’s a lot
- There is only 1 restaurant in the hotel, stick to the local food options to keep it simple and get your food quickly
Should you take a Sunset or Sunrise Tour in Tikal?
Either of these tours can be taken directly from the Jungle Lodge for US$10, we opted to tip our guide an extra $20 for his time. Note- You MUST purchase your park entrance tickets at the airport before you get on the bus, there is no where else to buy them once you get to the lodge nor can you buy them online.
The sunset tour starts at 3:30pm and the sunrise at 4am, neither of us are morning people so we opted for the sunset tour. I also read from other bloggers that sunrise tours run a higher risk of clouds blocking your view. Watching the sun go down over the temples while hearing the many birds chirping was truly a magical experience. My only regret was not visiting the great square in the daylight before the sun went down, we only got a small glimpse of this magical tower. Ask your guide to spend more time at the main tower, it is the best one.
To really see all the temples you will need at least two trips into the National Park. You are able to free roam inside the park without a guide. The hotel can provide you with a map that is easy to follow.
Things we missed
If you have some extra time, here’s a few things to add to your itinerary. Some of these locations are long drives away from the city but if you’re up for a road trip you can add any of these onto your Guatemala tour. If you need additional information, ask our friends at Blue Planet Tours.
- Valhalla Macadamia Farm or a Local Coffee Farm
- Lake Atitlan – considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world
- Semuc Champay – swim in natural limestone pools
- Chichicastenango– here you can find the largest indigenous market in the region (Thurs to Sun). Experience a Mayan ceremony inside the Santo Tomas Church in the town’s center or the Pascual Abaj Hill
- Sport fishing in Guatemala’s Pacific waters, known for the best breeding grounds for sailfish in the world
- Maya Trek- if you’re feeling adventurous, you can take this 3 day, 2 night hike from Cruce Dos Aguadas to Tikal National park
- River Rafting in Río Cahabón, Río Candelaria, or Rio Chiquibul
- Mountain Biking
Follow my Tik Tok & Instagram pages for more videos and photos of our adventure!
