I didn’t expect Guatemala to give me everything that it did. Guatemala is a Central American country rich with unbelievable landscapes, endless adventures, ancient and colonial architecture, Mayan pyramids, culture and cuisine, and some of the friendliest people around. Here, you can hike volcanoes, spelunk in caves, swim in natural limestone pools, climb to the top of Mayan pyramids in a protected jungle, indulge in tasty local cuisine, and interact with locals while learning about their culture. Guatemala is an incredible bargain for any traveler, even those on tight budgets.
After a whirlwind schedule of strenuous and fun activities, sightseeing, and a bit of (but not much) relaxation, I left Guatemala feeling more courageous and adventurous than ever.

 

Getting There And Around
Guatemala’s capital, Guatemala City, is the country’s main point of entry for travelers arriving to this country by air. Flores, near Tikal, also has a small regional airport servicing the area and making it easier for travelers to get around. Travelers visiting Guatemala from the United States, many European Countries, Australia, and Canada are not required to get a visa when visiting for tourist reasons. It’s best to check with your country’s official website regarding requirements for entry to Guatemala.
Buses are the most abundant and cost-effective way to get around this country, but journeys are long and roads are bumpy and sometimes at the edge of a mountain. Many local tourist companies offer direct shuttle buses to and from popular destinations at reasonable prices.

 

Money
The currency used in Guatemala is the Quetzal, named after the country’s national bird. In ancient Guatemala, the bird’s feathers were used as currency. The quetzal is divided into 100 centavos. Banknotes possess the denominations 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200. Coins belonging to the currency are 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos and 1 quetzal.

 

Language
Although Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, it is often spoken as a secondary language. In Guatemala, there are 24 indigenous Mayan languages still spoken today. It’s important to know a few Spanish phrases since many Guatemalans don’t speak English outside of the touristy areas.
Hello – Hola
Goodbye – Adios
Thank You – Graciás
Please – Por favor
Where is? – Donde está?
Excuse Me – Disculpe
Sorry – Lo Siento
Friend – Amigo/Amiga
Water – Agua
Beer – Cerveza
Wine – Vino
Yes – Sí
No – No

 

Housing
When it comes to lodging, Guatemala has it all. Lavish five-star resorts, big-name hotel brands, hostels, guesthouses, cabins, and tents are all available for rent with pricing options for travelers on any budget.

 

Food
Corn is a staple of Guatemalan cuisine, as well as chilies and beans. The food here is a mix of Spanish-style cuisine and traditional Mayan foods. Items to try are any one of the many variations of Guatemalan tamales, chiles rellenos (stuffed bell pepper), caldo de gallina (hen soup), hilachas (shredded beef in a red sauce), subanik (meat and vegetable stew), and tortitas de yucca (yucca latke). Guatemala’s delicious snack foods can be purchased from street vendors everywhere. Try the spicy mani (peanuts), shucos (Guatemala’s version of the hot dog), chicharrones (fried pork skins), and tacos.

 

Save Cash
Many of the small, local restaurants offer daily menu lunches at incredible prices. During my entire time in Guatemala, my favorite meal was a delicious set lunch that cost a mere 30 quetzales. Talk about a bargain!

 

Stay Fit
Guatemala is an adventurer’s dream. In Guatemala, there are numerous volcanoes to hike, large lake in which to kayak and fish, Pacific Ocean surfing, caves to explore, national parks with challenging walking and biking trails – do I need to continue?

 

Stay Connected
Guatemala isn’t that well connected to Wi-Fi. Even places that have Wi-Fi have terrible connections; therefore getting anything accomplished is a daunting task.