Guatemala is a vibrant, beautiful country in the heart of Central America. Photos of the old town of Antigua, lined with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and views of the volcanoes have been circulating on social media and it is a top destination for travelers. It is not to be missed! Here are my top tips for your first trip to Guatemala!
Get Quetzales out ahead of time
Before your first trip to Guatemala, I’d recommend getting quetzales out ahead of time. I know it’s common to visit an ATM when arriving in a new country and getting cash out with your debit card, be advised. I ran into several other travelers who had issues with this! The only major credit or debit cards accepted in Guatemala are Visa and Mastercard. While this covers most people, I know that large banks like Capital One now use Discover, which isn’t accepted anywhere in Guatemala. I met other solo travelers who couldn’t use the ATMs with this card and had to contact their bank to wire funds through Western Union and get money that way. I typically order foreign currency through my bank a few days leaving. That way, I can arrive in a new country with cash on hand immediately!
Driving times are long (even if distances are short)
If you’re planning on visiting other towns in Guatemala or doing day trips, definitely plan for long drives. When you look up the distances between places, they will appear very close on a map! But don’t be fooled, it may take you a very long time to get around! Always plan for increased travel time. For example, the distance between Panajachel (on Lake Atitlán) and Antigua is less than 50 miles. However, the roads are narrow, windy, and slow. The one-way drive took over two and a half hours when I did a day trip! The drive from La Aurora airport in Guatemala City to Antigua can take anywhere from a half hour to over three hours. Plan accordingly!
Read More: One Day on Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Uber is safe and reliable (don’t use the “chicken busses”)
When at the airport, in and around Guatemala City, and then in Antigua, I had absolutely no issue getting an Uber. They are much safer than metered taxis, and the drivers are used to doing the (sometimes long) drives between GC and Antigua. “Chicken Busses” are the term for the public busses that go between cities and villages in Guatemala. They are brightly painted refurbished US school busses, and are very budget-friendly (often only a few quetzales for each ride). As tempting as it will be to take one for the “local” experience, it’s advised to avoid them. In fact, US Embassy employees living in Guatemala are not allowed to take them for safety.
Stick to bottled water
As with all countries in Central America, it’s best to stick only to bottled or filtered liquids. The water from the tap here is unfiltered and would turn even the strongest stomach. On my trip to Panama, I was told that the water from the tap was ok for brushing your teeth but not to drink. However, in Guatemala, I was told by my resort to use bottled water. Thankfully, bottles in town will only cost a few quetzales and you can stock up! It’s best to avoid drinks with ice at restaurants unless it has been confirmed that it is filtered and safe!
Layers are key!
If you plan on visiting the highlands (which most people do, as they include places like Antigua and Lake Atitlán), be prepared for all temps! The mornings were cool, often as low as 40 or 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I love getting up early and wandering shortly after sunrise to beat the crowds. However, I was surprised by how chilly it was at that time! I pushed through in shorts and a long sleeve for the first few hours and was okay, but once the sun starts to rise it will heat up quickly! The UV index would peak at 12 or 13 by mid-day, and it would get HOT. If you’re out for the entire day, definitely prepare by bringing lots of layers. When exploring Antigua, I would go back to the hotel at least once or twice during the day for a wardrobe change to match the changing conditions!
Read More: How to Spend One Day in Antigua Guatemala
Download Spanish on Google Translate
In tourist areas like Antigua or in towns along Lake Atitlán, you will be alright getting by with minimal Spanish. Most people in these areas will speak basic English and you can get by. However, it’s always helpful to know the basics in Spanish! My Spanish is very minimal, so I always download the local language on Google Translate before I travel anywhere. If there is a language barrier, you can speak into the app and it will live translate both ways so you can communicate easily. One of my favorite features though is using the camera function, which will also do a live translation. This is especially helpful when reading signs or menus!
Bonus Tip: Register your trip with STEP
I never travel abroad without registering my trip with the US Department of State! The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (also known as STEP) is a free service that will allow travelers to enter their trip on their traveler profile. It’s an incredibly easy, quick, and simple process, and gives such peace of mind knowing that should something happen, the embassy knows where you are and how to contact/help you. You will simply enter your dates of travel and where you’ll be staying. You’ll then automatically be enrolled to receive notifications and important information about your destination. I never leave the country without doing this!
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