TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

Guatemala is a small country in Central America offering a mix of experiences. Guatemala City is a crowded and rather poor city of over a million inhabitants. The western highlands are mainly modern Mayan towns whilst the Caribbean coast is generally hot and steamy. Tikal is considered one of the world’s wonders with towering pyramids and more than 3000 structures in a six square mile site including palaces, temples and Mayan platforms, ball courts and steam baths dating back to around 600BC. Most visitors head for the jungle in the north which has some impressive Mayan ruins and the beautiful area in the mountains around Lake Atitlan, which has many picturesque villages and impressive volcanoes. Guatemala has some of the highest mountains and volcanoes in the whole of Central America, along with many archeological treasures. Visitors come to Guatemala for the unspoilt rainforest and abundance of wildlife. Up on the volcanoes you will need a jacket as it is windy and cold although the ground will be warm underfoot! Wear long trousers to avoid getting cut on the razor-sharp lava rocks.

The local currency is the exotic-sounding Quetzal, named after the national bird. US dollars are widely accepted and the exchange rate should be around 8 quetzals to the dollar. Always carry some cash as ATMs are not available in all towns. There are ATMs at the airport and in major cities only. Traveler’s checks are not accepted, even in major banks in Guatemala City! Be prepared to barter when you shop.
Spanish is the local language although it is spoken with a local dialect.

Guatemala is considered a safe place to travel with the usual precautions. There are no longer any guerillas or refugees; however bandits occasionally hold up tourists and rob them. Some areas are particularly notorious for this and armed guards are advisable on these routes, particularly around Antigua. Bandits do prey on unsuspecting hikers on the volcano trails, and accomplices may offer their services as unofficial guides, so beware.

The best time to visit Guatemala is from early November to mid-May, which is the dry season. It is very difficult to get around the remote areas during the rainy season. The week leading up to Easter sees elaborate ceremonies which are a highlight of the calendar, particularly around the town of Antigua. March and April are very hot and sticky in the low-lying areas along the Pacific coastal plain, so plan your trip with all these factors in mind. It may be cold at night at higher altitudes, and frost may be possible. You will need a good suntan lotion for daytime, and insect repellant is a must. Wear a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses for protection, as the sun can be strong even in the highlands. Altitude sickness is possible for the hiker, especially above 4000 meters. Always sleep under a mosquito net in the wet season. This will also protect you from being bitten by vampire bats, which must be reported. You should get tetanus and rabies shots immediately.