My mom decided to take three months vacation and volunteer at an orphanage in Guatamala. She wants some company, so she is flying my Uncle and I down for a couple of weeks in about a month (the tickets were only $300!).
I’m a pretty experienced traveller, but I’m a little worried about the crime situation. It seems like bus travel is hard to avoid, even though the state department warns against it. Is there anything I can do to be safer?
Any must sees? I know very little about the place, and I won’t be there for that much time. But I’m flying in to Guatamala City and my mom is in Livingston, so I’ll see a good swath of the country. I plan to spend a few days in the orphanage and then travel around a bit.
Anything else that is good to know?
We were in Guatemala in ‘98 for a (kids’) soccer tournament.
I do not have fond memories of Guatemala City; we were fine but we witnessed plenty of petty street crime. Our bus broke down in the jungle and yeah it was kind of freaky but we soon repaired it and we were on our way.
There was not much of a middle class, there were the very comfortably off and there were the poor.
But the Guatemalans we met were friendly and kind.
We enjoyed the market at Chchicastengo (yes that is the correct spelling.)
Lake Atitlan was stunningly beautiful. Tikal is a must-see.
We went to Belize for two weeks and stopped in Tikal and Lake Atitlan for a few days. I second the must-see. Tikal is breathtaking and rich with history. The bus rides from Belize to Tikal are a little scary as you go past several “military” check points. It leaves you wondering if you will return safely.
Yeah, the state department doesn’t seem to encouraging. But then I went to Nepal in the middle of a Maoist uprising for some reason (don’t worry, I was in the West which was already controlled by Maoists) and only had a few guns pointed my way. Anyway, the tickets are bought and there is no turning back, so where should I go?
Guatamala City seems like a kind of place to get out of ASAP. The market at wherever it is sounds amazing. Antigua seems like a mixed bag- a beautiful place but perhaps not the most adventurous place to be. Livingston seems pretty interesting, although the drug laden backpacker scene is kind of a turnoff. Tikal sounds great, but I’ve already seen most of the ruins in the Yucatan in Mexico, so I may be tempted to spend the time in Belize or Honduras instead. Are there interesting places in Belize and Hoduras within striking distance?
How do people dress? Will I have to vigilent about covering my knees and shoulders? Are loose-fitting pants generally okay? Will I attract a whole lot of attention, or just a little bit? Would it be worth my time to dye my blonde hair brown, or is that going to far? I like to be as respectful with my dress as I can. Are there a lot of backpackers? It seems like there is at least some kind of backpack scene no matter where you are, so I’m sure I’ll do all right. What sort of temperatures will I see in Feb?
I’m vegetarian, which I realize is something I might not be able to adhere that strictly to there, and I’m to worried if I have to down a hunk of meat now and then. It seems like beans and rice are generally available. Are there a lot of tortillas? Is there a lot of seafood? I’m a lot more comfortable eating a fresh fish than a hunk of cow thats been sitting there all week. Are there any common meatless dishes that I can order? Is the water at restraunts generally filtered, or do I have to stick to bottled everywhere? What are the common scams?
Which places are total tourist traps? Any hidden gems that didn’t make it in to any guidebooks? I’m not a big fan of fancy resort cities nor do I enjoy places where backpackers hang out and do drugs and eat bad fake American food. I love interesting cities that are fun to walk around, a bit of hiking, small colorful towns that have an existance other than tourism, and religious sites.
We went to Guatamala twice back in the days when there were armed soldiers (who all looked to be about 12) at every bridge and the State Department highly discouraged travel there.
We had a wonderful, safe time.
If you exercise simple common sense-don’t drive at night, don’t wear extremely skimpy clothing, stay alert and avoid the slum areas, you should be fine.
Some places are touristy and filled with young backpackers but worth a visit anyway.
Antigua is a glorious city, filled with wonderful ruins from the earthquake that occurred in 1700’s.
It’s about 45 minutes from Guatamala City and the drive up through the mountains is lovely.
It’s also crowded with ex-pats and students from the various language schools but please don’t let that put you off.
There are guided tours offered to the volcanoes but tourists have been held up while hiking there.
Lake Atitlan is also a popular destination with hippe backpackers who are all over Panajachel but once again, still worth a visit.
The lake is beautiful and you can take a boat around to the different little villages on it’s shore.
Every afternoon the Xocomi wind (the wind that carries away sins) picks up across the lake and can make the water quite rough.
Chici is definitely worth a visit on market day.
Whatever you do, do not go up the main steps of the Church. The Mayan shamans do corn blessing there and it’s just rude.
Go in the side and check out the altars in the aisle.
Tikal is one of the wonders of the Mayan world and you can also take a boat tour of the lake around the town of Flores.
Finding vegetarian food should not be a problem except perhaps in Flores.
You may have to request rice and beans and tortillas 'tho as the Guatemalans find it hard to believe that gringos want to eat the same food that they do.
It will be hot in the Petan in February and cool in the mountains-make sure you take a couple of sweaters or a jacket.
Do stick to bottled water.
The Maya are very reserved and often do not speak Spanish or English.
read as much as you can about the history before you go-it’s really interesting.
Have fun.