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10 Reasons Why You Need To Add Guatemala To Your Travel Bucket List

5/6/2017

19 Comments

 
Sunrise View From Volcano Toliman
​When a friend asked me to accompany her to Guatemala a few months ago I didn’t hesitate and jumped on the occasion. This Central American country had never been on my travel destination list, but I am not one to refuse an opportunity to go somewhere new!
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To be honest though, I had no knowledge of Guatemala other than its location. But my friend was going for her third time so it had to be pretty decent, right?
 
Well, not only was it good, it was an absolutely fantastic vacation! Not your typical winter break beach vacation, but the right mix of relaxation, adventure and sights to discover had me wishing I had more time to spend there.
 
If Guatemala is not on you travel destination list either, here’s the main reasons why you need to add it!

Don't forget to check out also Why you should go to beautiful Cuba!
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​10 REASONS WHY YOU NEED TO ADD GUATEMALA TO YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET LIST

Guatemala a Bucket List Destination - Reasons Why You Should Go
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​Budget friendly accommodations
A great budget location, your Guatemalan trip can be done with very minimal resources. From accommodations to food, transportation, and activities, there is room for every budget.
 
For my trip, I stayed in hostels, a remote eco-lodge and a couple of hotels. All came with varying prices: my hostel dorm beds cost between 10$ to 13$ CAD and were clean and comfortable with eight to twelve beds per room; the lodge was a little more expensive at about 16$ CAD for a dorm bed in a cabin of eight; and the hotels 30$ to 50$ CAD with three people occupancy.

Have you considered Costa Rica as well? Check out these 8 reasons to visit Costa Rica!
Colourful Row Houses Xela
Row of colourful houses in Xela (Quetzaltenango)
 
Great food!
I’m a little embarrassed to say, but I spent more on food this entire trip than I did on accommodations. Restaurants quickly get pricey, but that doesn’t mean there are no budget options. Limiting your alcohol consumption and resorting to local or Mexican restaurants will keep you on track. The tacos and nachos were reasonably priced and super delicious, so really there’s no need to question what you should eat!
 
I also tried some excellent vegetarian, Indian and Thai restaurants during this vacation. Though I usually stick to local food to stay within budget and truly experience the country, I was recommended these places by local so just had to try them and they were delicious!
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Lots of free or cheap things to do
The best part about Guatemala is that most activities are free to very cheap! City views and landmarks, cemetery, street art, and shows in the plaza are all things I did for free. A small cost was required for hiking volcanoes (don’t go without a guide!), but it was completely worth it. Check out our guide to our favourite free things to do in Xela here!
 
Things like museum visits, guided tours and Spanish lessons come at a bit higher price, but the money you will save on the rest will compensate!
Earth Lodge Hammocks
Hammocks with a view at Earth Lodge near Antigua
 
Learn Spanish
I know, almost every country south of the US has Spanish as their primary language. So can’t you learn Spanish in any of those? Well yes, you can. So what makes Guatemala so great for Spanish lessons? Low cost, less tourists and a correct dialect.
 
Homestays are popular for Spanish students and I will be returning for my own immersion as soon as I get the chance. The fact that there are less tourists means that you will have to use Spanish and therefore learn quicker.
Santiago Rainbow Lake Atitlan
Rainbow over Santiago
Getting around is easy
There are a lot of transportation options, and there’s some for every budget. The chicken bus on one hand is very inexpensive and will get you around towns and even around the country (as long as you’re not in a hurry)! They are a bit sketchy and you should make sure to keep an eye on your luggage or packs while riding it. I really recommend trying it for a short distance before committing to a long distance transport!
 
The other option for longer distances is to take one of the many shuttles around Guatemala. Every hotel or hostel I stayed in offered to book shuttles for their guests. They will be much more expensive – for an approximately one hour ride from Antigua to Guatemala City, I had to cough up about 30$ CAD. But they will get you there faster and more comfortably than a chicken bus (hello air conditioning!!).
 
To travel locally, tuk-tuks, are a very inexpensive solution and can be an adventure in itself. There are also pick up trucks in which you will see people riding in the back, standing and holding on to a rail. They are more expensive than tuk-tuks, but less than taxis! Taxis are of course another option, but are the most expensive.
Volcano Toliman Hobbit Archway
Hobbit archway in the jungle of Volcano Toliman
Incredible hikes
My main purpose to this trip was to hike a volcano for the very first time. We set off before sunrise and climbed up Volcano Toliman with the help of Luis, our guide. The Guatemalan terrain, which varies from lakeside trails, to fields, rocky sides, jungle and volcanic ash is as diverse as it gets and can offer a challenge for everyone from beginner to expert.
 
Don’t worry; some hikes are much easier than others so if you’re looking for something much more on the leisure side, there is a hike for you too!

​Looking for something different? You may also like 12 Things to do in Ireland!
 
Amazing coffee and chocolate
I don’t even drink coffee, but my morning wasn’t complete in Guatemala without a good Americano with my breakfast! Seriously, these people know how to do coffee!
 
I was also lucky to connect with a friend who took me to Fernando’s, the Willy Wonka of Antigua! Fernando showed me how he makes his chocolate and gave me a tasting tour of his little factory. Delicious!
 
Don’t forget to also have a taste of the Mayan hot chocolate – it is simply incredible chocolate goodness!
Sunset Lake Atitlan Panajachel
Sunset on Lake Atitlan from Panajachel
 Sunrise to die for
I’m not a morning person, so I have a hard time catching the sunrise anytime – even on vacation. As we woke up at 3 AM to climb Volcano Toliman, the beginning was excruciating, but as we got to the view point just in time for the sunrise it made it all worth it.
 
Seeing the colors of the rising sun creep up behind mountains and volcanoes is a sight for the bucket list.
 
And sunsets
Though not as satisfying as the sunrise, the sunsets were also incredible. Everywhere you go in Guatemala is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, so as soon as the sun is partly hidden behind them, it makes the landscape appear like a painting. It’s hard to believe it’s real!
 
Watch a volcano erupt
Last but not least, the great Guatemala adventure can take you to watch a volcano erupt! Fuego is an active volcano close to Antigua. It erupts regularly and on clear days you can see its eruption from as far as Lake Atitlan (as we did!).
 
There are of course closer viewpoints where you can really see it such as from Volcano Acatenango.
Fuego Erupt Volcano Toliman View
Watching Volcano Fuego erupting as the sun rises (last peak on the right)
 
There is so much about Guatemala that I was able to discover, yet so much more that I still haven’t seen. As an adventure seeker, it was a perfect destination to unwind, challenge myself and learn.
 
Have I got you convinced yet? What is the thing that is attracting you the most to visit this beautiful country? Let us know in the comments, we want to hear from you!
 
J&C
Lake Atitlan and Other Reasons To Visit Guatemala
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Volcanos and Other Reasons Why Guatemala Should Be On Your Bucket List
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19 Comments
Amber link
7/6/2017 12:37:11 pm

Now I'm kicking myself - there was a flight sale to Guatemala but I didn't know much about the area so I passed on booking it. After reading this, I wish I would have taken advantage of that - I'm a sucker for chocolate and coffee!

Reply
The Dime Travelers
7/6/2017 02:12:37 pm

Oh no! I'm sure there will be more deals though! ;) We'll also be posting more Guatemala posts over the next few weeks; keep an eye out if you want to find out more about it!

P.S. If you ever go to Antigua, try Fernando's Kaffee for the best chocolate!

Reply
Nerissa link
7/6/2017 12:49:41 pm

Ok, added to my bucket list. Reading that made me hungry for authentic tacos and the hikes sound amazing! Especially the volcanic ones! Thanks for the tips!

Reply
The Dime Travelers
7/6/2017 02:13:57 pm

Hiking a volcano was an amazing experience, I definitely recommend it! Thanks for stopping by!

Reply
Paroma link
7/6/2017 12:51:12 pm

Loved reading this post! Did you taste any local Guatemalan food? How different is it from Mexican food?

Reply
The Dime Travelers
7/6/2017 02:19:00 pm

Thanks Paroma! The Guatemalan food is so similar to Mexican food that it's hard to differentiate them (at least for a foreigner!)

I tried the Mayan cuisines mostly like turkey soup, ice cream and hot chocolate, and all were delicious! The seafood soup was also very good. Mostly they serve a lot of beans, tortillas, rice and chicken!

Reply
Carrie Mann link
7/6/2017 01:38:08 pm

This makes me want to go back to Guatemala so badly! I've only been to Antigua and Lake Atitlan, but your photos make me want to check out Xela. And did you organize the Toliman trek from Pana, or from one of the other villages?

Reply
The Dime Travelers
7/6/2017 02:25:14 pm

Hi Carrie, I also want to go back! Xela was wonderful, much less touristy than Antigua and I had the best encounters with locals there.

We climbed Toliman from San Lucas, apparently it's the hardest side. You can also climb it from Santiago where it's slightly easier. Pana is too far, on the other side of the lake.

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Tanya link
7/6/2017 01:48:36 pm

I really like all the tips for what you can do on a dime. And your photos are really amazing.

Reply
The Dime Travelers
7/6/2017 02:25:49 pm

Thank you Tanya, glad you liked it!

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Audrey link
7/6/2017 01:50:12 pm

Incredible hikes? Say no more! Haha I'm obsessed with hiking and I love that you made it to the volcano for sunrise. Thanks for all the tips!

Reply
The Dime Travelers
7/6/2017 02:27:30 pm

I'm slightly obsessed as well! The sunrise from the view point was honestly the highlight of the climb. Totally worth the 3AM wake up call!!

Thanks for your comment!

Reply
Candiss link
7/6/2017 05:42:44 pm

Guatamala has been on my list for sometime because of the textiles but the hikes are convincing me to go sooner! Looks amazing!

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The Dime Travelers
7/6/2017 09:16:10 pm

Glad we could help nudge it up! The hikes are seriously amazing, I will be going back to climb a couple more volcanoes sooner rather than later. Thanks for stopping by!

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Salomé link
7/6/2017 07:27:56 pm

I will definitely add Guatemala to my bucket list. The pictures are amazing it looks like you had a great time. :-)

Reply
The Dime Travelers
7/6/2017 09:17:41 pm

I sure did have a great time in Guatemala! Glad you enjoyed the post, thanks for stopping by!

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Alexxa link
8/6/2017 10:12:13 am

Guatemala is definitely on the bucket list! Had no idea there was so much to do. It looks amazing. I have a much needed trip to South America that I have to make!

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Bidisha Banik link
8/6/2017 12:51:07 pm

Guatemala definitely sounds pretty enchanting to me now. Those hiking trails look so amazing plus I am a chocolate aficionado, coffee not that much though! Great post and thanks for sharing. :)

Reply
Gearoid McSweeney link
27/10/2017 01:14:47 pm

I'm finding it hard to get out of South America. It just keeps calling me back, year after year...Still, I know that I should try to go to Central America sometime and your post lists some pretty strong reasons to go to Guatemala. Anywhere with good coffee is always going to be one on my bucket list, to be honest.

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2017 The Dime Travelers 
  • Get Started
    • PLANNING YOUR TRIP
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  • Travel Fails