Paola & Bart
Enjoy Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala - FOOD & DRINKS
LOCAL FOOD: Los tres tiempos / El Comalote / Nana: Korean and Guatemalan fusion / Quiltro BRUNCH: San Martín (Bart’s favorite) / Villa Bokeh / Patio la primera / Fridas ITALIAN: Angie Angie / OnceOnce (Vegetarian) / Santo Spiritu / Madam Sardina FRENCH: Bistrot Cinq / Tartines / Hector’s Bistro / Panza Verde COFEE PLACES: Luna de Miel / Artista de Café / Fatcat / El Viejo Café / Specialty Coffee / 12 onzas BARS AND NIGHT LIFE: Cervecería 14 / Ulew Cocktail Bar / Lava / Fridas / Café No sé / Aqua / Café Sky / SKÅL
Antigua Guatemala - ACTIVITIES
COLORFUL CRAFT MARKETS: Mercado de Artesanías El Carmen / El mercadito /Mercado Municipal de artesanias Antigua UNIQUE MUSEUMS: La casa del Ron / Museo Casa Santo Domingo / La casa del Jade VOLCANOS: Pacaya Volcano / Acatenango Volcano PLACES NEAR ANTIGUA: •Finca Cayetano: a beautiful coffee farm between two volcanos. •Hobbitenango: Hobbit themed place, up in the mountains boarding Antigua. •El hato verde: great for a chill day.
Lake Atitlán
Just 2.5 hours in car from Antigua, a beautiful lake surrounded by volcanoes, mountains, and picturesque towns. Here you can get to know more our indigenous communities. GETTING THERE Rent a car or get a shuttle from Antigua. PANAJACHEL (PANA) Try to start your trip here! Its the lake town with the most touristic infrastructure, you can easily get a taxi boat from here to any of the other towns Pana has a lot of bars, restaurants, markets and a really chill vibe. DON'T MISS: Canopy over the lake on Reserva Natural Atitlán. SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA Town of artisans. See how they make the beautiful traditional Guatemalan costumes and experience the warmth of the indigenous communities. - Nariz del Indio: here you start the hike to one of the best view points of the lake: HIGHLY recommended. SAN PEDRO LA LAGUNA Hippie town. Beautiful views & VERY chill vibe, if you get what we mean. SAN MARCOS LA LAGUNA Known for the yoga, meditation, massages and spiritual retreats.
Chichicastenango Market
One of the largest outdoor markets in Central America, and even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it’s worth visiting just to soak up the atmosphere and get a taste of local like in rural Guatemala. WHEN Each week on a Thursday and Sunday morning. It starts pretty early and continues through the afternoon. EASIEST WAY TO GET THERE Book a day tour with Antigua tours.
Petén
Home to impressive nature & Mayan cities. GETTING THERE a. Fly: Guatemalan international airport - Flores b. Road trip: Rent a car c. Take a tour: Antigua tours offers a discount if you book it through our link: https://antiguatours.net/weddings/klein-cordon-wedding/ VISIT - Tikal: biggest Mayan metropolis you can visit, a must see! - Yaxha: Mayan city. The sunset on top of Temple 216 (ask in the entrance) is one of the most impressive views! Even monkeys come see it. You can visit Tikal during the day and just go for the sunset. - Flores Island: Enjoy the nightlife, bars and restaurants. - Lago Peten Itzá: beautiful lake, great place to book your hotel HIDDEN GEMS 1. El Mirador: Biggest pyramid of the world, hidden in the jungle. You can hike there through the rain forest (5 days) or take a helicopter. Book a tour. 2. Crater azul: If you go by car to Flores through the middle of Peten, great detour! 3. Finca Ixobel: Great stop if you are going by car to Flores through the east.
Alta Verapaz
Cenotes, caves, waterfalls, crazy nature. GETTING THERE: a. Rent a car: please drive only during the day. It could also be your route towards Flores, Petén. b. Book a tour: starting from Antigua or from Cobán VISIT - Semuc Champey: Impressive waterfalls in the middel of the rain forest - K'anba caves: In front of the entrance to Semuc Champey. Adventure through the water only with a candle to guide you through the impressive rock formations. - Lanquin caves: Beautiful caves! - Hu Nal Ye: a bit off road. Great place to stay if you are doing a road trip. Swim in cenotes, zip line, hike. Good hotel and good food. - Bombil pek: enter these beautiful cave complex through rappel. STAY - Hotels around Semuc Champey (look for reviews from Booking.com) - Zephyr lodge - Hu Nal Ye - Cobán: in case you need to stop. Book through booking.com
Izabal
Unique landscapes, Caribbean vibe, mangroves, waterfalls, and great food. GETTING THERE 1. Fly to Puerto Barrios: Then take a bus/boat to Rio Dulce or boat to Livingston. Puerto Barrios is not a great place to stay. 2. Drive to Rio Dulce: 4-6 hrs from Guatemala city 3. Shuttle: From Antigua Boats are the preferred means of travel. Catch the regular service to Livingston on the main boat dock in Río Dulce, you can. Or hire a small boat to take you around for Q375 to Q750 ($50-$100) for half-day. RIO DULCE Middle of the lake, most touristic infrastructure. You can explore finca Paraíso. SLEEP ALONG THE RIVER IN THE JUNGLE Our top choices: El hotelito perdido / Finca Tatin / Hotel casa Perico RIO DULCE CANYON Amazing. Also, the path between Izabal Lake and Livingston LIVINGSTON The town is NOT impressive, but you can stay in "Villa Caribe", nice hotel on the water. From there. explore: Playa Blanca (white beach), and 7 Altares (cool waterfalls in the jungle) TRY TAPADO!
Beaches and surfing
Most of Guatemala's coast is on the Pacific Ocean. Take some time to relax on the beautiful dark sand beaches with perfect temperature. For the Caribbean beaches, look at the post "Izabal". SURFING It is a very good time for surfing. Good spots are: - El Paredon: Great upcoming town. Cool hip vibe, nice bars, restaurants, hotels - Montericco also has a nature reserve, for the more advanced surfers If there are groups, you could check out beach houses on Airbnb in the mentioned surf spots. If you do this: RENT A CAR. The beach house on the pacific coast are not easy to reach without one. It is an amazing experience though, the houses are literally on the beach. BEACH RESORTS - Hotel Soleil Pacífico - AirBnB: You'd be VERY surprised, great houses KITESURF? Kitesurf is possible in Guatemala. Although it is not the windy season so maybe it is not the best time for it.