My visit to Guatemala exceeded my expectations in every way. But let’s start at the beginning. My decision to visit Guatemala was based on two factors:
- I wanted to learn Spanish in Latin America, and
- Most of the blogs I had read on the subject seemed to agree that Guatemala offered the best value for money for learning Spanish in Latin America.
Otherwise, I had little expectations that the Central American country of 15 million people had anything else to offer. In fact, I was a bit worried that my planned 1-month stay would feel 3 weeks too long.
I couldn’t be more wrong! Guatemala is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever visited. And this is coming from a girl for whom a good vacation must include a beautiful beach. I didn’t visit a single beach on my Guatemala trip.
From the beautifully preserved colonial city of La Antigua (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to the breathtaking – and I mean that literally, because of the high elevation in some parts of the country – natural scenery, and low prices, it’s little wonder why Guatemala is so popular with backpackers.
1. Stunning views from virtually everywhere
During my month in Guatemala, I stayed in 5 different towns, each with its own distinct vibe and personality. Antigua, the step back into colonial days; Lanquin, the extremely rural town in the jungle; Flores, the island town on Lake Peten Itza; San Pedro, the small party town on a Lake Atitlan and Guatemala City, the capital city. All of them boasted beautiful views including peaceful lakes, volcano-piercing skylines or jungle-and-river backdrops. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
2. Tons of things to do
There are tons of things to do in Guatemala. Hike an active volcano, or a dormant one; take a mud bath, explore rivers and waterfalls in the jungle, go caving, visit the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, zipline, participate in festivals, volunteer, party, learn to make chocolate, visit one of the many cocoa and coffee farms, learn to dance and much more! Check out my list of must-do things in Guatemala here.
3. Fascinating Culture
I was fascinated to see how well-preserved the Mayan culture remains. Women still wear traditional clothes and cook traditional food. Each morning as I walked to my Spanish-language class I would hear the Mayan women rhythmically preparing the corn tortillas that are served with every meal. It was also common to see the women carrying filled baskets on their heads with perfect balance. Traditional weaving methods are still used and they sell everything from handwoven table runners to blankets to scarves.
Still, the most shocking thing to me was the common use of motorcycles to transport whole families.
The Guatemalan people are quite friendly. The people of my home country of Trinidad and Tobago are extremely friendly, and it’s customary for us to greet people when you pass them on the street. But Guatemalans go the extra mile – people even said hello from the opposite side of the street!
5. Learn Spanish
It’s true. You get incredible bang for your buck when it comes to learning Spanish in Guatemala. For USD100.00 per week, I had a private Spanish tutor for 4 hours a day! 4 hours may seem like a lot but since classes are 1 to 1, they can be as intense or as laid back as you’d like. I spent a lot of my class time exploring Antigua and surrounding towns with my teacher.
Antigua’s colonial heritage has been preserved thanks to its declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s fun to roam the old town’s cobblestone streets and discover old colonial ruins and picturesque buildings.
