Information: Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo. INGUAT.
Documents: Valid passport, visa for stays longer than 3 months.
Climate: Western highland: 20s Celsius (70s F) daytime; chilly to freezing nighttime during November to March dry season. Slightly warmer April and May; rainy season June through October. Coastal lowland: tropical.
Getting There: Taca Airlines offers direct flights from Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, New York, San Salvador El Salvador, and San Jose Costa Rica to La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. Tel. 1-800-722-8222.
Getting Around: Public transport – so-called "chicken bus" routes to all parts of country are cheap but only for intrepid solo travelers due to crowding, safety, communication (helps to speak Spanish) concerns.
Getting Around Guatemala City: Local buses are crowded but cheap, just one or two quetzales. I used them only a couple of times when I was tired of walking and was fairly certain that I knew it was headed back to some central point, such as Parque Central; otherwise I felt more comfortable spending extra to take a taxi. Example fares: Airport to Zona 1 – Q70 (US$10); Zona 1 to Museo Popol Vuh – Q40 to Q50.
Money: Quetzal (Q). C$1=Q6.25; US$1=Q7.71; EUR1=Q10.06.
US cash is widely accepted. VISA, MC, AX cards, ATM's, and currency exchange outlets available in cities; use cash in smaller communities; bank hours vary.
Costs: Coffee $1; fast food $1.50-$5; beer $1; movie $1.25; museum $3.25; Internet (1 hour) $1; market meal $2; restaurant meal $3-$6; pension/night $10-$30.
Cultural Considerations: Request permission to take photos. Buying traditional clothing is encouraged but not the wearing of the clothes while in the country.
Health and Food: International cuisine, not highly spiced; beef, chicken, fish dishes with sauces, rice, vegetables.
Language Schools: Many schools in Antigua, Panajachel, Quetzaltenango. Average cost US$200 per week for instruction, and board with local family. Example: Casa Rosario.
Volunteering: Check here first.
Authorities advise that thievery, car jackings, and violent actions against tourists have been on the increase. This is debatable, but solo travelers need to be vigilant about protecting themselves and belongings. See: Going Solo Tips
Public Transport. While many independent travelers choose to travel via inexpensive public transport (chicken bus), solo travelers need to exercise more caution as to time and place and not be caught in remote or unsavory areas at night. Keep to well-traveled tourist routes.
Grand Tikal Futura, Calzada Roosevelt 22-43 Zona 11, Guatemala 01001. Tel. +502-2439-1234. Luxury hotel 15 minutes from airport. Restaurants, lounges, spa, gym, business center, shopping. Rates: SWB US$140 plus 22% tax.
Posada Belén Museum Inn, 13 Calle "A" 10-30, Zona 1, Guatemala City. Tel. 1-866-864-8283 (Toll-free USA & Canada), +502-2253-4530. Friendly, family-run inn on a quiet side street in Zona 1. Basic but comfortable en suite (shower) rooms. Meals served on-site. Great place to meet other independent travelers. Rates: SWB from US$36 plus 22% tax.
Porta Hotel Antigua, 8a Calle Poniente No 1, La Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez. Tel. +502-7832-2801. Gracious colonial styling with courtyard gardens, pool, terrace restaurant, in-room fireplace. Business center on-site. Rates: SWB from US$100 plus 22% tax.
Posada de Don Rodrigo, Final Calle Santander, Panajachel, Guatemala. Tel. +502-7762-2326. Hacienda styling with terrace rooms giving stunning views of Lake Atitlán. Restaurant, pool, on-site museum. Rates: SWB from US$60 plus 22% tax.
Hotel Santo Tomás, 7 Avenida 5-32, Chichicastenango, Quiché, Guatemala. Tel. +502-7756-1061; Fax +502-7756-1306. Central historic inn, quaintly decorated rooms with fireplaces, facing courtyard, fountain. Restaurant. Bus noise market nights. Rates: SWB from US$65 plus 22% tax.
Bonifaz Hotel, 4a Calle 10-50, Ciudad de Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Tel. +502-7761-4241; +502-7761-2959. A pleasant, comfortable hotel in the heart of the city adjacent Parque Centroamérica. Restaurant. Pool. Internet. Some street noise. Rates: SWB US$55 plus 22% tax.
Adventure Center. Tel. 1-800-228-8747.
Trek Escapes. 1-800-338-TREK.