For years, hiking Pacaya Volcano was the #1 tour from Antigua. Nothing’s more fun than getting up close to molten lava, especially without the rules and restrictions that most other countries apply. But in Guatemala, you were free to poke the lava with a stick or count how long it takes for the soles of …
Hiking Pacaya Volcano is a Must-Do in Antigua Guatemala Read More »
Nestled in the Western Highlands is the Ixil Triangle Guatemala: three towns — Nebaj, Chajul, and Cotzal— that appear to form a triangle when you draw lines connecting the towns on a map. Each of these towns suffered greatly, particularly in the late 1970s and early 80s during Guatemala’s Civil War and a period of tragic genocide. …
When I started telling people I was going to Guatemala, I was surprised that the most frequently asked question is, “What’s on your packing list?”. Believe it or not, packing for an extended trip is almost the same as packing for a week. As long as you get used to the idea of doing laundry, it’s …
Carry-On Packing List for Guatemala (Even for Long Trips!) Read More »
My love for Central America is no accident. Like with any interest, once you grasp the basics, you can move onto learning the intricacies of something. With the details you go from a passing interest to a richer understanding and often the desire to keep going deeper. That’s how one trip to Guatemala led to another, …
There’s probably no better snack than peanut butter and when it’s made from organic peanuts grown in volcanic soil, it’s even more indulgent. No one knows that better than Lilian and her family since they spend the better part of a year roasting and grinding the peanuts from 10,000 plants grown on the hills near …
As much as I love traveling solo, it’s not always a picnic. I struggled when I arrived on the Atlantic coast of Guatemala. I had spent the past two weeks or so traveling through the country, first with my husband and then with my mom. We had great experiences, funny stories, and lots of memories. …
Sometimes Solo Travel Sucks: Lonely in Livingston and Rio Dulce Guatemala Read More »
When I arrived in Quetzaltenango, it was cold, rainy, and nearly dark. I had spent all day on a series of bus rides from San Cristobal de las Casas, and all I wanted was something to go smoothly. My host mother (a grandmother, really) arrived at the Spanish school I was waiting at to walk …
I’ve never been much of a history buff. I’ve learned the basics of world history and when I feel like diving further in-depth, I prefer a well-written book to learning facts of dubious accuracy from a tour guide. So when I was planning my trip to Guatemala, I almost excluded the Mayan ruins of Tikal. The …
“You’re traveling for two months? How are you going to afford that?” I heard that question before I left home and again once I was in Guatemala. To the average American who only has two weeks of vacation time a year and thus spends their whole travel budget in two weeks, it seemed impossible to stretch …
The Real Deal: Total Guatemala Travel Costs (for 2 Months!) Read More »
In Antigua, it’s hard to forget that Guatemala is home to roughly 30 volcanoes. At times, you can even hear nearby Fuego’s eruptions, echoing through the city like a crack of thunder, almost beckoning you to come closer and check it out. To get closer, you have to hike Acatenango volcano: a strenuous trek with tremendous …
