GUATEMALA
Guatemala is without a doubt a paradise for the more adventurous traveler! This country is home to 37 volcanoes which are still active. Climbing the volcano Acatenango to see the smaller volcano, Fuego, erupt is like a dream come true! But not only is this country known for its volcanoes, but it’s also known for its diverse landscapes, including lush rainforests where ancient Mayan ruins are hidden. It feels like you go back in history or that you are the star of an Indiana Jones movie when you visit these temples. You will have some unforgettable memories if you decide to travel to Guatemala and you will definitely not regret it!
Continent
Central America
Language
Spanish
Currency
Guatemalan Quetzal = GTQ
1 euro = 8.40 GTQ
1 dollar = 7.90 GTQ
Capital
Guatemala City
Habitants
17.11 Million
Best time to visit
There are two main seasons in Guatemala: the dry season (from November through April) and the wet season (from May through October). So, the best time to visit Guatemala would be during the dry season, but these months will have more crowds. Both seasons have their own charm, but if you want the best chances of the best weather, it would be better to travel during the dry season.
Dry season
November - April
In general, the dry season has better weather and greater views. The lesser cloud cover is an absolute must with some activities like hiking to the top of Acatenango. As it is the dry season, the chance of rain is less likely. At the same time, the dry season is also the time when it can be colder at night.
Wet season
May - October
For the wet season, it will rain more than the dry season, but it’s also a great time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and take advantage of the lower prices! Just be prepared for the occasional showers and plan your activities around the weather!
Practical information
You’ll need to have a valid passport to enter Guatemala.
Depends on your country of origin (click here to find out if you need a visa)
Guatemala uses power plug sockets that are of type A or type B. The standard voltage is 110 V and the frequency is 60Hz
There are only 3 mobile providers in Guatemala: Tigo, Claro and Movistar Guatemala. It’s best to buy a local SIM.
No, it’s quite important to have cash with you all the time as at some places, they don’t even have an ATM. Or sometimes they do have one, but all the cash is gone, like at Chichicastenango. So, if you find an ATM, get cash!
The first question I got when I mentioned I will travel to Guatemala was, ‘Is it safe to travel there?’. Of course, people are concerned about your safety, but believe me when I tell you that I felt completely safe in Guatemala! The people were one of the friendliest people we have encountered and they always went out of their way to help us. But it goes without warning that it’s best to only travel to tourist places like Antigua or Flores. We didn’t spend any time in Guatemala-City, because we were told that it was dangerous, even from locals. I never felt unsafe while traveling in Guatemala and you won’t either! Just be aware of your valuables and your surroundings, and you will be fine.
It was pretty easy to arrange transportation as there are a lot of touristic establishments or hostels that arrange these shuttle buses. We always arrange our transportation on the first day of arrival at our new location. So, that we had enough time to arrange everything and that our itinerary didn’t become in danger. The only thing we booked in advance at home, was the transportation from the airport to Antigua. This is because we arrived in Guatemala very late and we didn’t want to take any chances.
In total, our trip cost around €1900 per person, all included (from plane tickets to souvenirs). That is €140 daily per person. If you don’t count the plane tickets, then it would be around €85 daily per person.
All posts
