5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GUATEMALA BEFORE YOU GO
I was stoked to visit Guatemala-my 4th country in Central America. I booked my trip in August-before the ending of summer and enjoyed my time in Guatemala. There were some hiccups and so here’s a list of things I should’ve paid more attention to when planning my trip to Guatemala:
1. ONLY use Guatemalan Quetzal (Guatemala Currency)
I usually take money out the bank to prepare for my trips. I love to always have cash and card as a means of payment. When I arrived at Guatemala airport, I noticed most people exchanging their US dollars. I usually don't like exchanging money at the airport because the exchange rate is higher than normal. But since I had time, I decided to exchange some of my USD currency into Guatemalan Quetzal. I quickly learned from my driver that Guatemala do not accept ANY USD currency. So I had to go to actual bank the next day to exchange the rest of my US dollars.
Lesson: Exchange all your cash into the local currency.
2. Temperatures are lower than expected for Summer season
Visiting Guatemala in the summer , I assumed the temperature would be in 80s or higher. I visited El Salvador (neighboring country) in January and temperature remained warm. I expected the same in Guatemala. I checked the weather app for Guatemala's temperatures and saw that the temperature would be in mid 70 degrees fahrenheit the entire week. I was optimistic. While in Guatemala, the temperature stayed in mid 70 degrees fahrenheit and even dropped lower at night.
It was too chilly to get in the pool. I was highly disappointed that I was unable to utilize the pool at my resort. It was windy and cold. Fortunately, I always pack a sweater for emergencies and I used my sweater the entire trip.
Lesson: Be aware of the temperature ahead of the trip.
3. Can Only Take Boat to get to Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan is a popular volcanic lake in Guatemala-about 3 hours from Guatemala City. Many Mayan villages surround this lake. To visit the Mayan villages, you must take a boat or ferry. The boat stops at all the villages and cost about $10. Because it is a basic boat, it is possible to get a little wet. The ride is smooth and about 15-20 min, depending on what village you are visiting. I was happy I didn't wear cute shoes or a dress. I did wear a maxi skirt and wished I wore shorts instead.
Lesson: Wear comfortable clothes in Lake Atitlan.
4. Learn Spanish
Guatemala is a Spanish speaking country. Most people in Guatemala ONLY speak Spanish. I know basic Spanish to get around and ask questions. I can comprehend Spanish ,more than speak. Fortunately, my driver spoke English and Spanish and even helped me learn some new Spanish terms.
Lesson: Sharpen Spanish Skills.
5. Not a Foodie Country
I am not a foodie! I book trips based on excursions, adventure, and history. Food is usually the bonus for me. While visiting a country, I love to eat what the locals eat-what the region is known for. I asked my driver what was his recommendations and he bluntly told me that Guatemalan isn’t really known for their dishes.
Because Guatemala is predominantly Mayan culture, coen, chiles, and beans are the most popular food items.
Lesson: Every country isn’t going to have good food.
Guatemala is a cool country to visit with great volcano hikes, adventure, lakes, and fun. Keep these lessons in mind as you book your next trip to Guatemala.