In these turquoise-blue pools you can swim and relax and just enjoy the day. And as a quick insider tip: If you want to see all and we mean ALL hostel options in Guatemala, be sure to check out HOSTELWORLD. Other areas are included for reference in the suggested itinerary routes, but we have not personally visited other areas than the states listed above. Finally, Guatemala grows some of the best coffee in the world! Mit dem Laden der Karte akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklrung von Google.Mehr erfahren. To start with, you will need to spend a minimum of 2 nights when visiting Semuc Champey. Cash is the only way to pay at outdoor markets, food stalls, small bakeries, and chicken buses. If you want to stay in a charming and unique Hotel we can highly recommend the Meson Panza Verde*. The Vice President resigned first, unable to explain how she paid for a US$13 million helicopter. Once in Lake Atitlan, you can spend weeks here, as many backpackers do. Right when you go into the water you see many small garfish (needle fish) and other fish. The dry season lasts from December to April. Volcn Pacaya is the easiest volcano to climb, and just takes a few hours. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. The water has a really nice turquoise blue and is crystal clear. The reason for this is because youll arrive in Lanquin at nighttime and the only time you can leave again for your next destination is on the morning bus. From Honduras There are tourist vans and buses that will do this in one day, but I have to warn you it is a long day. Accordingly, the main streets in the town are crowded, noisy and stuffy. The natural water pools of Semuc Champey look beautiful and are great to splash around in. If you want to stay in a beautiful hotel surrounded by nature and in walking distance to Semuc Champey we can highly recommend the Greengos Hotel*. There are tons of algae on the beaches and also the sea is covered with a wide carpet of algae on the shore. Mayan ruins of Palenque. Entry Requirements for Mexico. Whether by plane to distant countries or with our campervan Bruno, we just love to travel. Around 10 oclock, the beach slowly fills up and becomes quite crowded around lunchtime. This 4 week Mexico itinerary is based on my own experience with a mixture of cities, beaches, waterfalls, cenotes, and islands that I visited and that I'm sure you will enjoy too! These 2 weeks in Guatemala feature a little bit of everything you could possibly want from this great little country. Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market andditch the plastic. Safely in La Mesilla, walk to the bus station and get a chicken bus to . There are plenty of other great farms to visit too. The most famous backpacker hang out is Semuc Champey, near the town of Lanquin (where the hostels are located, thanks to the unreal waterfalls and pools. Having a filtered water bottle means you can drink from just about any source. One thing I love about Guatemala is the prominent and beautiful Mayan culture despite centuries of discrimination. Youll arrive in Flores late at night and most likely be too exhausted to do anything other than grab a quick bite to eat and head straight to bed. You can go for an easy wander around the main town, eat some delicious food at one of the many restaurants and simply admire the lake that surrounds Flores. We didnt know if it would be worth it. From Xela,hike to Lake Atitlan with the awesome crew at Quetzal Trekkers. Unless you bag a political or non-governmental organisation job, your best bet to find work is teaching English English teachers can usually find work pretty easily. In Guatemala you pay with the Guatemalan Quetzal. Whereas most hostels and eco-lodges are located much closer to the park and are within walking distance to the entrance of Semuc Champey. You only need a couple days to visit Tikal, but you can access other Mayan ruins like Yaxha. Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere. Whether you love or hate the remains of Spanish colonization, Antigua is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the world. You will find rugged cliffs and endless views of the sea to the horizon. Sure, on Caye Ambergris there are real streets and many cars. You can jump on a chicken bus (public bus) which is the cheapest way to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan, costing only 30 Quetzal. This is the southernmost point of the island and costs 30 Pesos entrance fee (about 1.50 Euro). There are so many great things to do in Lake Atitlan and I guarantee once you arrive you wont want to leave! You are rights at the lake and everything is well organized. Featuring multiple compartments for clothes, shoes, laptop, water bottle, RFID-protected pocket, and more. On the one hand because of the strong current and on the other hand because of the many boats that pass through this gap between the islands. Youll want at least 3 days here, especially since the journey to/from is tiring. You wont just save serious $$$, youll experience a different culture, cool projects, meet new people and integrate into the community in a different way. Dont neglect the local food either! Especially the center of the island with its church perched on the hill is much quieter than the outskirts with the many restaurants and bars. The Grayl Geopress is the markets leading filtered water bottle protecting your tum from all the waterborne nasties. then you should have no problems in Belize. There are plenty of great places to eat here, like Cafe Condesa and the organic Cafe Boheme. If you truly want to explore Guatemala, I suggest setting aside at least 4 weeks. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller. Even though it was relatively crowded during our visit, the atmosphere here is great. The current Presidential Administration still refuses to admit there was a genocide in the Ixil triangle in the 1980s, even though Ros Montt was charged with genocide. They stop every few minutes though, so be prepared for long travel days. Otherwise, the beach is very beautiful and is completely public. Most first-time travellers who are backpacking Guatemala will start their trip in Antigua. Which was amazing! To get into the water you always have to climb down a ladder or stairs. The Semuc Champey tour is a full-day adventure that includes all entrance fees and transport, a visit to Kanba Cave, river tubing down Kahabon River, and swimming in the turquoise pools of Semuc Champey. Next take an overnight bus to Flores, the gateway to the impressive Mayan ruins of Tikal. If you are looking for something like that, then you should rather go to Caye Ambergris, because there you will find the most beautiful beach of Belize in our opinion. An as the name of the hotel says you can see beautiful sunsets from the rooftop terrace. However, our initial negative opinion quickly turned into the opposite and we felt very comfortable in Placencia after all. In fact, it is a small town where many cars and especially golf carts drive through the area. Volunteering overseas is a great way to experience a culture whilst doing some good in the world. Make sure to bring a couple layers for the nights in the Highlands. By the time Guatemala gained independence from Spain in 1821, there was already a class system in place. I didnt personally arrive in nor visit Guatemala City as I heard its a pretty unsafe place and the city didnt appeal to me whatsoever. You can also arrange a 5-6 day hiking excursion to the newly discovered ElMirador ruins, which are still being uncovered by archaeologists today! Guatemala is doors open to all sorts of travelers who are more than welcome to come and enjoy these places to visit in Guatemala for a maximum of up to 9o days, FREE of charge. Guatemala might not be super well-known for its scuba diving. Again, some are not that spectacular, so the entrance fee, which is usually around 100 MXN (5) per person, is not worth it in our opinion. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. This is the best season to travel to Guatemala if you want to do a lot of hiking. Curse, because Isla Mujeres is no longer an insider tip, but every Cancun vacationer takes at least a day trip to the island. If you want to stay in a central but quiet location in San Pedro, we recommend you to stay on the side of the lagoon. You dont have that on Caye Caulker. You dive in the mornings, chill with fellow dive maniacs by evening; its that simple! That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Buena Onda Basically translates to good vibes. And so began the series of military presidents with counterinsurgency training and money from the US government. This was really the most beautiful beach we had seen in Belize so far. The United Fruit Company was owned by one of the American Dule Brothers. Semuc Champey is an absolutely stunning series of waterfalls and limestone pools. Punta Sur is the most southeastern point of Mexico and with its 20 meters above sea level also the highest point of the whole Yucatan. From there we flew to our next destination: Colombia. Cost: about 12 per person for the bus. All rights reserved. Keep in mind a few of them are active and dangerous to climb. Whether you love the culture, the highlands, or the jungle, Guatemala has something incredible to discover in each of its distinctly different regions. Understanding the locals, their traditions and habits will make your visit a lot more interesting and in some cases, even easier! From San Ignacio to PlacenciaBy several buses in about 6 hours to Placencia. Its a quiet, laid-back atmosphere with plenty of authentic culture. This is a question that gets asked quite often and there are a few things to consider when planning your trip to Semuc Champey Guatemala. But something is being done about it. The landscape here is other-worldly and it has some magic about it, which is why I have included Lake Atitlan on my Guatemala travel blog. Required fields are marked *. The many cenotes are one of the special features of the Yucatan Peninsula. Broke Backpacker readers get a $10 discount when you sign up. The last eruption in 2014 was catastrophic for the nearby villages. The largest provider is. Mexico's visa requirements are pretty nice- citizens of most countries get an easy 6 months on arrival by flight, making Mexico a great place for digital nomads looking to stay a while. At the same time, it is also one of the best explored Maya sites and has been considered abandoned since the 10th century. Only 45 minutes from the capital, Antigua feels a world away from the city. The best way to get from Guatemala City to Antigua is by bus and the journey time takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic. For any online bookings such as tours, accommodations, or private shuttles, using your bank card is fine. The Sea Dreams Hotel*is asmall oasis directly on the Split on Caye Caulker. I have listed thetop 10 most popular and best things to do in Guatemala below (but dont worry, there are actually way more epic things to do) to get your ideas flowing for your next Guatemala backpacking trip! Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world. Pyramids of Teotihuacn. We traveled to these three countries as part of our trip of Central America and were extremely excited about this part of the world. This is probably one of the reasons that Tikal remained undiscovered for so long. After 36 years of Civil War, the Peace Accords finally took place in 1996 under a center-right president, but not much progress has been made on owning up to the atrocities. We cant really confirm that. Talk to your hostel in Antigua or Guatemala City for more information. Eventually, all vagabonds must seek further for that dreaded stability. This tiny camera fits in your pocket, captures high-quality photos and videos, and has Wi-Fi so you can instantly transfer to your phone! There are countless tour agencies in Antigua that offer overnight tours to Acatenango, though it can be quite overwhelming trying to decide where to book. It is relatively open and also very crowded if you are not here early in the morning. On the other hand, the main town of Ambergris, San Pedro, is less beautiful. In my experience, most robberies or assaults happen at night when one or both parties are intoxicated. If we had to recommend only one country from the three presented, then it would probably be Guatemala. I used to love going there as a kid, but now its sort of expensive, especially the food, and the mosquitoes and cockroaches are heinous. Its a chilled out little island and a good place to base yourself before you head toTikal orEl Mirador. If you are arriving overland by bus (as many travellers do) you can arrive by the Mexico, Belize, or Honduras border. Me puedes ayudar, por favor? Can you help me, please? Lake Atitlan has hundreds of accommodations to choose from which are spread across the many different villages around the lake. Youll find quite a few hostels in Antigua as well, which makes it a great hang out spot for backpackers from all over the world. You have circumnavigated the island very quickly and can also go to the beach (Playa San Miguel) on the opposite side or to one of our highlights of Flores: The Rope Swing of Jorge. The most popular backpacker town around Lake Atitlan is undoubtedly San Pedro,thanks to its cheap bars, restaurants (check out Zoola!) We never got into a dicey situation. Use Bookawayto find the best deals on transport buses, planes, trains, and ferries. In response to these dictators, a few left-wing guerrilla groups began to form, and so began the Civil War. We did this itinerary in just under 5 weeks, but were also stuck in Antigua, Guatemala for over a week due to an intestinal parasite that struck us down. This series of limestone pools and waterfalls in the middle of the jungle is known as one of the most beautiful places in Central America. For something really special check out the amazing Casa Santo Tomas or Rainbow Caf. Guanajuato. Hotel Casona de la Isla in Flores | Check Prices*. I personally traveled from Mexico across the border to Guatemala and first arrived in Lake Atitlan, then moved onwards to Antigua, Semuc Champey, Flores, and eventually departed to Belize. Naturally, his policies were unpopular with the extremely wealthy people of Guatemalaand the United Fruit Company. At least Belize and Guatemala are small enough to see the main highlights in a relatively short time. There is sand on the island, of course. The entrance fee is 10 BZD (5) and once you are inside, you are almost alone with yourself and the Mayas. Finish your adventures with 4 days in Xela, exploring the nearby volcanoes, hot springs, and villages. Day 2 & 3 - Antigua. You can access the lesser-visited highland area of Guatemala, like the Ixil Region (the most targeted area during the Civil War), here. From Lake Atitlan, you can visit Chichicastenango, home to the biggest market in Central America. Colorful colonial cities, dense jungle, ancient Mayan temples and lots of volcanoes to discover. UP YOUR PACKING GAME! The majority of travelers begin their Guatemala backpacking adventure in Guatemala City when arriving by plane. We have never sat in such a beautiful McDonalds. The sandy beach in Placencia has, like many beaches in Belize (e.g. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and its a big help to keep the site up and running. Still, I say 2 full days is plenty here. There are many beautiful cenotes very close to Valladolid and it is probably not possible to visit all of them even during a stay of several days in Valladolid. Alternatively, you can jump on the local bus, commonly known as a Chicken bus, and the cost is much cheaper at around $1 $2 USD. Before Spanish conquest under Corts, Maya people lived in Guatemala for centuries building extravagant cities you can still visit today (Tikal, for example). Tulum is located on the beautiful blue Caribbean Sea and has many great beaches to offer, but they all suffer from the massive algae plague (Sargassum) that has been going on for over a year almost everywhere in the Caribbean. But the beaches that exist on the island are either: Therefore, you should not go to Caye Caulker if you want to spend a typical beach vacation. The clocks really tick differently here and although San Ignacio doesnt really have any major attractions, we felt very comfortable here. In addition, the path is also not so appealing. But if you like to explore the capital city there are a lot of things to do in Guatemala City. Mexico has the Mexican Peso (MXN) as currency. Most people stay in the nearby town of Lanquin. We might consider using local guides in some areas too. Read more about Isla Mujeres in our separate trip report: From Isla Mujeres to ValladolidBy ferry we went back to Cancun. In the end, we were glad that we didnt choose the much more expensive option of staying directly in Tikal. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. Bring a down jacket, beanie, and warm layers for trekking the volcanoes. Backpacking Guatemala Travel Guide (Updated for 2023) Guatemala's steaming jungles, diverse highlands, active volcanoes, and crumbling Mayan temples will keep even the most adventurous travellers busy for weeks. If you want to get off the beaten path, check out the Ixil Region,and consider participating in a home stay. And why not use what youve saved to treat yourself to something nice upon arrival? I loved chilling in the hammocks by the dock on the water! His successor was Colonel Jacobo Arbenz, who wanted to take Arvalos policies even further by implementing land reforms to break up the elitist land estates to give peasants individually owned farms. Many Mayans in remote places do not speak Spanish, let alone English. This is a classic colonial town with beautiful neighbourhoods to stay at, and a great place to kick back or wander around the cobblestone streets. Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtles life again. If you are flying to Guatemala, you will definitely start your trip in Guatemala City, the capital. The rainy season is from June to November and hurricanes can occur between August and October. It was totally amazing. They have a free boat thats available at any time to take you across the water. Work Visas will only be considered once a job offer has been secured. In addition, there is a magnificent play of colors of the two differently colored rivers, which is most beautiful to see from my drone.Branch Mouth Park, San Ignacio. If you havent travelled to Central America yet, get ready for a culturally enriching and adventurous journey youll be recounting to your friends for years to come. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-roads_and_rivers_com-small-square-1-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'roads_and_rivers_com-small-square-1','ezslot_22',199,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roads_and_rivers_com-small-square-1-0');The Bacalar Lagoon was formed by the union of a total of 7 cenotes and is actually a lake and not a lagoon at all. People are warm and inviting in Guatemala, and you should have no problem getting around, but I am not going to sugarcoat the economic situation in Guatemala. These hiking times vary depending on your level of fitness and previous hiking experience. Here you can expect your own dock, a great terrace, really good breakfast and just a totally cozy atmosphere. Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico are completely different countries, yet they are located in close proximity on the Yucatan Peninsula, on the border between Central and North America. Takes a total of about 3.5 hours. Cost: approx. No hay cubiertos de plstico por favor No plastic cutlery please, Sorry Disculpe (pardon) or lo siento (emotional). All the roads are full of it. Xela isnt as clean or extravagant as Antigua, but its also not as expensive. Buses are the main way to travel in Guatemala. Keep your cash and other valuables safe with the Pacsafe Anti-Theft Hidden Waist Wallet. But our biggest highlight of Caye Ambergris was a very special beach, the Secret Beach. Guatemala isstill a greatly developing country and there are lots of opportunities for backpackers to volunteer. Waste no more time and find out about the BEST backpacks to take hiking! Its a bitch to get here, so allot enough time to chill and recuperate. That being said, many backpackers spend months in hotspots like Antigua,Xela, andLake Atitlan. From there by bus to the ferry terminal and by ferry (20 min.) Read more about bus travel in Belize here. Cost: approx. Tikal is very well developed and can be easily reached by bus from nearby Flores. You are most likely going to arrive in Antigua in the afternoon and I am sure youll be eager to start exploring. So if you want to use the many loungers, tables and the big diving tower, you would actually have to buy something at the Lady Lizard. Just because of the sand. This volunteer-based non-profit company guides various hikes out of Xela while raising money for the local schools. If youre on the hunt for a professional camera for traveling, check out the Canon G7 X Mark II. Ro (River) Dulces river is the lifeline of the area, and the locals and tourists get around by boat. Hidden deep in the lush rainforests, a visit to these remarkable ruins in Flores is one of the best things to do in Guatemala! @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-roads_and_rivers_com-small-rectangle-1-0-asloaded{max-width:728px!important;max-height:90px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'roads_and_rivers_com-small-rectangle-1','ezslot_19',601,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roads_and_rivers_com-small-rectangle-1-0'); Scenically, the country also has a lot to offer and accordingly we were thrilled by Guatemala. The wet season is from June to November and is generally the cheapest time to visit Guatemala. But, anyone who has been to Angkor in Cambodia, as I have, has probably seen more impressive temples. We found the state of Yucatan in Mexico mostly too touristy. You pay with the Belize Dollar (BZD), which is pegged to the US Dollar at a ratio of 1 to 2, so you pretty much get 2 Belize Dollars for 1 Euro. This means you plenty of options to summit one! You have to pay an exit fee of 20 USD, no matter if you leave by boat or plane. (Americans, I recommend checking out Charles Schwab! They even have gas stations to fill up. Cabs are also available in the cities, but they are often very old and anything but safe. Often times you will have the national park to yourself to wander around the massive temples with spider and howler monkeys swinging above you. No, we dont think so! And it is a wonderful and easy introduction to the Caribbean country. After independence, there was a constant struggle for power between the elite conservatives and liberals. There are a few backpacker spots that can easily captivate your heart and steal you away for months. You should therefore take your snorkel maskwith you or rent one on site. The dry season lasts from November to May. The other Dule Brother was none other than the head of the newly formed American CIA. The sand in Placencia is not as fine as on other beaches and also the waves are a bit rougher. There is an entry fee in Mexico of currently just under 500 MXN (about 23 ). For a quick response, be sure to join Jonny Melons Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community. It is possible to see a lot of the country in just a few short weeks of backpacking Guatemala. We were there for a few days and were really surprised at first that Caye Caulker really has no beach. Guided Tour to Semuc Champey and Kanba Cave | Check Prices*. Honduras: You can easily get a bus or van from Guatemala City or Antigua to start your backpacking adventure in Honduras. Flores has hundreds of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay in Flores to suit all types of travelers. Although its easily available, its also easy to wind up in trouble with the po po, especially in touristy areas like Lake Atitln. You can see right down to the bottom. After visiting Tikal you can travel onward to Belize or Mexico by bus. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be. On Thursdays and Sundays, this town is home to the largest marketplace in Central America. Destinations Yucatn Peninsula Travel Guide (Tips & Best Places) Read more I loved travelling this well-known Mexico itinerary as it packs a ton of variety all rolled into one big enchilada. In addition, Guatemala is still damn cheap to travel. In the following months over 20 officials resigned and many were arrested. On this map you can see our exact route through Guatemala, Belize and Mexico. Placencias visitors tend to be older (and families with children) and there are many fancy and also rather expensive beach hotels. There are daily buses and shuttles departing from Antigua bound for Lake Atitlan and the journey time is around 2.5 hours to 3 hours depending on traffic. Theoretically you can swim through this split, but you should be careful. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. And the three are very much connected as well. The epic landscapes, kind people, delicious food, and perfect weather were just some of the reasons that made this a trip to remember. And the Mayan culture comes into its own here. Otherwise, you need to return to Guatemala City for an international flight. Unfortunately for us, Tikal did not have the mystical jungle atmosphere we had imagined. Worldpackers: connecting travellers withmeaningful travel experiences. Catch a long bus to Lanqun and base yourself here for 3 days exploring the nearby caves and Semuc Champey. Icons made by Freepik fromwww.flaticon.com, Created with in Germany by Sabrina & Andreas| 2022, Frhstck auf dem Vulkan Acatenango, Guatemala, Wanderung auf den Vulkan Acatenango zum Sonnenaufgang. A lot of backpackers head to Rio Dulce, though its honestly not my favorite spot anymore. Unfortunately there is not. Home Central America Featured Guatemala. Right next to Semuc Champey there is also the Kanba Cave*, where we did a hike of about one hour. Nicaragua: Many travellers start backpacking Nicaragua by crossing through Honduras or El Salvador.
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