Where to Go in Guatemala

Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Questions

Two week vacation in Guatemala with kids

April 2010

Planning a trip to Guatemala this summer. We will be there for about two weeks. We have two kids (6 and 7). Any must see recommendations, specific highland villages? Our style of travel is a little more 'off the beaten path' than the average tourist. We will be entering from El Salvador along the coast. Is it worth stopping at Monterrico to see the sea turtles or should we continue straight to the highlands? Planning on Antigua so far. Thanks

Guatemala is such a wonderful travel destination- you will have a great time! My parents live in Antigua half of the year so I'm fairly familiar with it. In Antigua, you will probably have fun hiking to the top of one of the surrounding volcanoes (Pacaya is do-able in a half day and is nice). Tours are readily available and you can walk, bike or van it down. A trip to Lake Atitlan is definitely worthwhile. A favorite hotel there is Casa del Mundo, but there are a lot of steps to get up there. Most tourists visit Tecal. I actually have never been but I hear very good things. Also, a trip to Rio Ducle is great and a launch to Livingston is a must but that's on the other coast from where you're coming from. If you plan on buying some handicrafts, the market in Chichicastenango is where you'll find the best assortment and prices. Or, if you don't feel like bartering- you'll find nearly everything that is in Chichi at the women's cooperative (named Nim Pot, right by the big arch) in Antigua. There is no negotiating there, but you know your money will get to the right person. Have fun! Lisa

Fun & different locations to visit in Guatemala

Nov 2009

My daughter and I traveled to Guatemala two years ago and really enjoyed our time in Antigua, Tikal and Lake Atitlan. We are planning to go back this December and are wondering if anyone can recommend locations that would be fun and different from our prior trip. Recommendations of tour operators would be appreciated as well.

I went to Guatemala in 2001. I really enjoyed visiting Livingston and taking a boat ride along the Rio Dulce from Livingston back to the mainland. Livingston is the center of Garafuna culture in Guatemala, a unique culture of people of African descent that are spread among several of the countries around the Caribbean Sea. I did a walking jungle tour that went through the cemetery, with the guide explaining the Garafuna's customs and beliefs, through farm area, along a remote beach, and into the jungle, where we swam in a pristine river and slid down smooth rocks with the little waterfalls in the river. The tour we took provided lunch and drinks. The Rio Dulce has beautiful vine-covered cliffs and a jungle shoreline and we saw many beautiful waterbirds along the way. Wendy

Guatemala travel - malaria drugs needed?

April 2009

My 21 year old son is in Guatemala volunteering for 5 weeks. His campus health center fully vaccinated him for everything, including a prescription for malaria. My daughter(25) and I are going to visit for 9 days.Some websites recommend we take malaria medicine. The three of us have all been to Africa and fully protected against malaria, so I'm somewhat educated on these issues. EVERYONE takes it going to Africa! However, the travel doctor cost and malaria medicine is quite prohibitive (health ins. does not cover) & I know of no cheap ways around this. I know SO MANY people who have gone to Central America without this that I am not convinced it is necessary for a visit of 9 days. Any advice? Any info on getting a prescription that is a reasonable price? Is it really necessary for 9 days? trying to be safe but cost conscious too safety conscious but cost conscious too

Try the Overseas Medical Center in San Francisco for a low-cost option. This place is NOT fancy (read - hole in the wall) but I have gone there numerous times for vaccinations for overseas trips when my insurance didn't cover the costs.

49 Drumm St
San Francisco, CA 94111-4805
(415) 982-8380

I always err on the side of caution and did take malaria pills when I was in Guatemala and Belize - 9 days or 1 month, it only takes one mosquito infected with malaria.... I've had a very good friend here contract malaria on a trip and it was a nightmare to get treated here since it is not seen very often in this part of the world. anon

I've travelled extensively in Latin America (Central and South) and I spent two summers in Ecuador. I have sometimes taken anti-malarial meds. The travel clinics here ALWAYS recommend them, but I only took them if there was actual malaria in the areas I was traveling in. If there was little malaria, I didn't take the drugs. I say try to research the specific area(s) you will be in. If malaria is present, take the drugs, if not, you could skip them. I know many graduate students who got malaria in Africa, but only one in Latin America (in Belem, Brazil). Not a doctor

For Guatemala, it depends on what areas you plan to visit during your time there. If you're going to the lowland, coastal areas (at sea level or below 3000 ft) for an extended period of time, it's recommended that you take malaria medication. If you're staying in the cities, like Antigua, Guatemala City, or Quetzaltenango, you should be ok without medication. Have you checked the CDC website?

In the past, I've used a travel clinic on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley. I can't remember its name, but you could try there if you want to buy the medication out of pocket. Lisa

You're already paying for two excellent and official websites:

Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/

State Department http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1129.html

Just keep monitoring them, since things do change.

Don't Reinvent the Wheel

Doxycycline is dirt cheap. Is your travel doctor telling you that it won't work in Guatemala? The fabulously expensive newer drug (malarone?) does have fewer side effects, but if doxycycline will work on the mosquitoes in that area, I would take it because it costs literally pennies per day. If you are going to be near good medical care, you might want to take your chances (just use really good preventative measures) and just go to the doctor at the first hint of anything wrong. One other hint, get your doctor to write the two prescriptions as if it is one prescription for one person (I am assuming you are paying out of pocket, I am NOT suggesting insurance fraud here). Then get it filled at Costco. By combining the two prescriptions, you can get a bulk discount. Better safe than sorry . . .

Spring break in Guatemala with kids

April 2006

I am thinking of taking my two kids to Guatemala for Spring Break. I was shocked not to see a single recommendation for Guatemala posted in the reviews. We would only be there a week, so I am thinking of keeping travel limited to Lago Atitlan and Antigua. Is there anything that we should absolutely not miss? Any advice for traveiling to guatemala in general? and with kids, ages 6 and 9? gracias!! anon

We're going to Guatemala with our 17 month old in June to visit my brother who lives in Guatemala City. We've been before sans child, and I have a few recommendations of places not to miss. If you go to Lake Atitlan, stay at Casa Del Mundo. Food is great, service is wonderful, rooms are clean and very nice. Stay clear of the crazy parrot. The market at Chichi is not to be missed. I think it's Wednesdays and Sundays. Antigua is such a nice city. There are plenty of ruins to visit. The Las Capuchinas convent is definitely worth a visit. Don't miss breakfast at Cafe Condesa. Beret

Taking the kids to see Tikal

July 2004

We are planning on taking a short excursion from Belize to Tikal, Guatemala with my two sons who are 10 and 8. We have always wanted to go but have been a little cautious about visiting due to the country's history of political-social unrest. Any recommendations on where to stay in Tikal; Best way to get from Belize to Guatemala (drive rented car, fly, warnings or reassurances about said trip) would be appreciated! My inclination would be to drive. This would be in August.

robert

I went to Tikal from Belize with the Sierra Club (in 1996, so things are likely different, but still). The place that we were staying took two vans and a rope so that one could tow the other in the event of a break down. They also had a camera and money to give to any highway robbers who showed up. In the end none did, but it seems that caravaning then was the order of the day. Possible bandidos aside, the road from Belize was then unpaved and would therefore be VERY muddy if it rained, which it tends to do daily. Check if it's now paved. The road from the Tikal airport to the pyramids was paved then. There are flights to Tikal from Guatemala City and from Belize City.

Apart from the precautions, we neither heard of nor experienced any trouble. We stayed right in the park. The howler monkeys and macaws playing ''king of the hill'' were well worth staying there, rather than in the town by the airport. anonymous

Hi, I'm trying to jog my memory from our adult family Tikal trip years ago -- first I must say though, that it it truly worth the effort-- incredible feeling to stand in the midst of the pyramids after walking through the jungle. So logistics... we flew from Belize to Flores in Guatemala, and stayed at the Hotel Maya which was grand! Then we took a ''shuttle bus'' from the hotel to Tikal and stayed overnight at one of the two hotels there (can't remember the names but need reservations in advance AND at the time we were there they did NOT take credit cards, so be forewarned if they still have that policy!)and stayed there a couple of nights to be able to do several day trips into Tikal. We then took the ''local'' bus back to the Flores airport. Don't know whether or not to recommend driving-- my impression is that the companies didn't want you taking a rental car across country borders, but maybe that's changed. Also it will take a lot of time-- the roads are not in the condition where you can drive like the wind! have fun!
Luisa

Tikal is a perfect side trip from Belize. After spending time in southern Belize, I went by bus from Belize City to San Ignacio, a safe and friendly experience. I ended up staying at Chaa Creek at the Macal River Camp. Below the resort is a camp of tents on platforms, great food, access to the river, trails, etc. The website states its now $50. per person, per night, including dinner and breakfast. I went with Chaa Creek to Tikal for the day. It was expensive, but well worth it. Our group was small --the guide, a family of four and me. The guide helped at the border crossing and having him felt safer than wandering on my own. There are plenty of stories about the road into Tikal and even on the property itself. Chaa Creek's website is: chaacreek.com
Kim

I was in Tikal in 1996 and had a fabulous time! I traveled from Guatemala City via airplane to Flores, then by bus to Tikal. I stayed overnight in Tikal at the Hotel Jungle Lodge. I booked a tour package that included all this, plus park admission and a guided tour. It was great! I booked it through Viajes Tivoli in Antigua, Guatemala, but I think they have offices in Guatemala City as well. My friend had been living in Guatemala x 2 years and booked it all for me. Tikal is amazing! Have a wonderful time!
Jodi

Guatemala trip with a 5 year old

Jan 2004

I am planning to travel to Guatamala with my 5 yr old son in late June/July of this year. I'm concerned about malaria and I've read the posts regarding malarial prophylactics in Africa but I'm wondering if anyone has more specific advice about marlaria in Guatamala (I believe the drugs to use in Central America are different than in Africa anyway). Beyond this concern I'm interested in specific ideas on where to go. My son loves to hike and bike. He also loves birds and the idea of seeing some volcano action. I'd like to choose a couple of places to stay for a chunk of time and then do easy day trips vs. spend too much time moving around and on buses. Thanks in advance for your ideas and advice. jenny

it's been 7-8 years since we traveled to guatemala. off the top of my head, i'd recommend going to the highlands (antigua, chichicastenango, lake atitlan). the land and the people are beautiful!! have fun. suzie

You need to worry about Malaria in Guatemala only once you leave specific areas. Guatemala City and Antigua are safe. I think Montericco and Tikal as well but you can check with your travel clinic to make sure.

I spent five months in Antigua (doing an adoption) and traveled to Lago Atitlan and Guatemala City so no meds were necessary.

As far as travel. I highly recommend Nancy Hoffman at Rainbow Travel in Antigua: nancy [at] guatemalareservations.com If you email and tell her what you're looking for she can design a trip for you--transportation, hotels, tour guide everything. Since she often works with adoptive families she has arranged many tours for families with kids. (If you do work with her send her regards from Sharon and Baby Jordan) Lake Atitlan is definitely worth a visit, as are the pyramids in Tikal.

Have a great time. Guatemala is an incredible place and I was moved by how wonderful people were. Children are treated warmly by everyone. Sharon