Everything There Is To Know About Guatemala

Nestled in the heart of Central America, Guatemala is a treasure waiting to be explored. This country is incredible for many reasons. Imagine walking through ancient Mayan ruins, wandering along streets lined with colonial architecture, and immersing yourself in vibrant culture. It is also the home of the most incredible experience we ever experienced, the hike of an active volcano. Let’s talk about these 11 aspects of Guatemala that will help you plan your trip.

1. The people – The language – Frustrations on our part
2. The temperature
3. When you should go
4. Where to go
5. What to eat
6. Transports
7. Money currency
8. How to use your phone / SIM Card
9. Insurance
10. Different accommodation options
11. Essential apps to have

The people – The language – Frustrations on our part

The first few days in Guatemala, we sadly experienced a little frustration against the Guatemalans and here’s why… Having visited all together, 26 countries and counting, we have seen a lot of different cultures and heard a lot of different languages. Even though we can’t learn every single language of those countries, we always try to learn the basics before visiting and stay very alert to try to learn more once in the country. It is the first country, in all 26 of them, that we have seen such a poor effort on their side. 

We understand that it is mainly because of a lack of education, most of the time for monetary reasons. We also understand that when visiting their country, it is very normal for us visitors to have to make an effort to learn their language, which we did. But when you work in a tourist’s accommodation, and you don’t even know the word “check-in”, when you probably hear it at least 10 times a day, our opinion is that you must not really be trying to learn.

Apart from that language barrier and a little frustration at the beginning of our trip, we had great encounters with Guatemalans. They are very nice people and 10 times nicer if you speak Spanish!

The temperature 

If, like us, you plan on only bringing clothes for warm weather, you are wrong! Guatemala’s temperature varies significantly based on altitude and region: 

Highlands(including Antigua): Daytime temperatures typically range from 20°C to 25°C, while nighttime temperature can drop to around 10°C to 15°C. We thought walking around at night would be happening in shorts and camisoles, but we ended up wearing our dirty hoodies to go to nice restaurants.

When you should go

Rainy season: From May to October, heavy afternoon rain showers are common. It happens particularly in the lowlands and mountainous regions. 

Dry season: From November to April, there is very minimal rainfall. The beautiful sunny days make these times more popular for tourists. 

Where to go 

Visiting Guatemala is a little different from most countries. Normally you have a list of cities to visit and then activities and things to see in each one of them. For Guatemala, it is one city, one lake surrounded by small towns and 3 day trips/activities: 

You HAVE to visit these spots when traveling in Guatemala.

What to eat 

We tried desperately to find some local food to try, but it was not as easy as in other countries. Mexican food is what we found the most and there are many other cultures, such as Asian and Italian, that you will easily find in different restaurants. 

Transports

Since every nice activity is far from each other, you will have to book many shuttles. You will lose a lot of time moving from one place to another. Consider that when deciding how many days you will spend in the country. 

We were completely shocked when we realized how few options we had. Smaller journeys sometimes had a few options a day, but the longer journeys could have only one shuttle leaving at a certain time. It was very easy to sell out. Sadly this is not a country where you can book transport at the very last minute. Always try to be at least a day or two in advance. 

You can book them directly at little tourist stands/shops. Guatemalans are not really negotiators so make sure to try a couple of different shops to get the best price.

Money currency 

Guatemala’s currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ). You can exchange your money at the airport or get it at almost every ATM with your bank card. For me, I would withdraw with my visa, so the only thing I had to make sure of was that there was the Visa logo on the machine.

1Q = 0,18 CAD

The withdrawal fee for every transaction at an ATM is normally around 50Q (8,82$ CAD). Since the fee is quite big, I recommend withdrawing a bigger amount to make sure you don’t pay too many ATM fees. Always make sure to secure your money to not lose any or get stolen. However, I would prioritize card payment if, like me, your card doesn’t charge every transaction.

How to use your phone / SIM Card

The most affordable and easy way to have access to your phone is certainly not by buying a phone package back home. Buy a SIM Card! You can find them in almost every convenience store. You can buy them at the airport, but it is cheaper in the city. Just ask your taxi driver to please stop somewhere you can buy a sim card, and they will know where to bring you. You can also ask a staff member of your hotel or your hostel where to buy one. The price depends on where you get your sim card and how much internet you get, but I will tell you, it is always very cheap compared to Canada. 

If the package that came with your SIM Card ends up not having enough data, you can go to the store and pay for more data instead of buying a new one.

Example: Our SIM Card company was Tigo and we went to a store called TotalCell and paid for more data.

Know that they should be installing it for you, and remember to keep your SIM card from home! 

Insurance 

Searching for travel insurance can be a hard task. But, it’s also a very important one. Since there are so many options out there, here’s one that is easy to understand and well known : World Nomads.

By booking your insurance through our link, we are able to earn a small commission, allowing us to keep inspiring people to travel.

Different accommodation options

Villas/Apartments: Renting a villa/apartment is definitely the most eye-pleasing option. You can find some crazy original stays! Most of the time it is equipped like an apartment, so you will have a fridge and a cooking space. It will be pricier, but you can save on eating out if you cook at your villa. It is a good option for families or if you are a big group of people. You can split the price, and it can be more fun than being all separate in hotel rooms. 

Hotels: Hotels are a classic. There are plenty of them with a huge price range. You will be well welcomed and have access to services you don’t get in a villa. Some hotels have spas, some have yoga classes and so much more. Your room will get cleaned every day, and you will have access to room service. If you are an anxious person, hotels are your best option. You will definitely feel more secure since there is always someone working nearby.

Hostels: If you are a backpacker, this is the cheapest option for you. It is less luxurious, less comfortable, less a lot of things. But it is an amazing experience to live while you are young. You will have one bed in a shared room with others. This is the best way to meet people if you are traveling solo. Some hostels have group activities to help with that. You are young, your back is not broken yet, and you can sleep in a less comfortable space in exchange for living an incredible experience. 

Essential apps to have 

We normally recommend apps for transport, but in Guatemala, the best way to book your transport is directly at the tourist stands.

Place to stay: 

• Booking: You will find all three types of accommodation.
• Airbnb: You will find amazing and original villas.
• Hostelworld: This is an app for hostels only. You will find the best ones with an amazing rating system to help you make your choice. There are also group chats on the app with the people who will be staying at the same place as you.