The Busy Person’s Guide to Guatemala

I love my country, I really do.

But this tipping culture is getting out of hand.

Over the weekend, I was at a street festival. Feeling tired, I bought a Diet Coke. 

When I paid with my card, a prompt appeared asking me to tip.

22%, 25%, 30%

That was the last straw.

How was this Diet Coke any different from the ones I get in vending machines? Maybe the guy was keeping the soda cool in a custom-made Igloo.

Don't get me wrong—I'm all for tipping wait staff at restaurants. I'm the first to call out a friend who skimps on tipping.

But tipping at places outside of bars, restaurants, or cafes? (I probably forget something 😜) That's where I draw the line.

The rest of the world doesn't tip like this.

Come on, America, get it together!

Guatemala isn't the first place that comes to mind for most travelers, but that's what makes it special. It's a completely underrated destination, and I can see it becoming more popular in the future.

Don't miss out on this hidden gem!

But here's the thing: the areas in Guatemala are very different from each other, so visit the places that resonate with you.

Luckily, I've put together a guide to help you get the best out of Guatemala based on your traveler type.

I promise, no matter what kind of traveler you are, you'll love Guatemala.

Without further ado, let's dive in.

Tips

• Plan for a longer trip. Be prepared to spend at least a week there, as you'll want to visit many cities that are far apart from each other.
• Book ahead of time. Reserve your accommodation and transportation options in advance. Otherwise, you might find yourself waiting around with nothing to do.
• Bring plenty of Dramamine. Some roads can be bumpy, so pack anti-motion sickness tablets. The altitude can affect you too, so take it easy and don't push yourself too hard.
• Transportation: Consider hiring a guide or using a reputable tour company for transportation between locations.
• Shoes: Bring comfortable walking shoes because you'll be walking on cobblestone, dirt roads, and volcanic rocks.
• Bring layers: The temperature can change quickly, so pack plenty of light layers.
• Don't forget bug spray - The insects here are relentless, so be prepared.
• There's a language barrier, so brush up on your Spanish before you go.

Lake Atitlán - Lake Atitlán is the largest and deepest lake in Central America, surrounded by three majestic volcanoes. It's perfect for sunrise hikes or kayaking. Visit here if you want a slower pace and enjoy activities like yoga retreats. Be mindful of where you choose to stay, as some towns are only accessible by boat. And by boat, I mean a small water taxi. So be aware of this if you're a heavy packer. The main way to get to the lake is through a small town called Panajachel. Pack light here. Make sure to explore the surrounding villages.

Good for: Free Spirits - Those that want to relax with a view.

Antigua - It used to be Guatemala's capital, but due to frequent earthquakes, the capital was moved to Guatemala City. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site with a colonial feel, known for its cobblestone streets. Great food, historic quaint shops, and local artisans abound. I enjoyed it so much that I wish I'd stayed longer. You've probably seen pictures of this place on Instagram.

Good for: Cultural Enthusiasts, History Buffs

Hike a volcano- Guatemala is unique as one of the few places in the world with active volcanoes. And by active, I mean the rocks are still hot and ready to blow! Did you know that lava rocks make great ovens? I roasted marshmallows, while other tours made pizza—I'm so jealous! I hiked Pacaya volcano, which has been active since 1975, but there's also Volcán Tajumulco, the highest volcano in Central America. Visiting a volcano is typically done via a guided hike. Research the right hike for your comfort level. I opted for an easy to moderate hike, but it was still challenging.

Good for: Nature Enthusiasts, Fitness Buffs

Guatemala City - Guatemala City is the capital of Guatemala. It's more modern and bustling than other areas of the country and has fewer tourists. It's a great place for restaurants and for those who want to experience the urban side of Guatemala. This city gets a bad rap for safety, but I felt secure during my visit.

Good for: Urbanites

Tikal- If you love Mayan ruins, this place is for you. It has been featured in many movies, including "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi." For animal lovers, there are monkeys and other wildlife all around. If you're lucky, you might spot a live jaguar—though I'm glad I wasn't that lucky! To reach Tikal, you'll need to fly.I recommend booking a tour. It's just a quick one-hour flight from Guatemala City.

Good for: History Buffs, Nature Enthusiasts

I think Guatemala will become more popular with tourists in the future. If you want to see it before it gets too crowded, you might want to go soon.

Keep traveling,

Andrew

Have you visited Guatemala? What was the highlight of your trip?

Cocktail of the Week

The Bourbon Renewal cocktail is a modern classic that originated in the United States during the cocktail renaissance. It was first created in the early 2000s in Louisville, Kentucky, known for its rich bourbon heritage.

Recipe:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1/2 oz creme de cassis
• Ice
• Lemon twist, or blackcurrants/blackberries

Preparation:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and creme de cassis to the shaker.
3. Shake well until chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a ice-filled glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist, or blackcurrants/blackberries.

Random Travel Thought

When traveling internationally, some people advise against drinking the local water, but I don't even drink tap water at home.

Follow me on Instagram.

The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner: An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing: I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

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