Ngo/nonprofit volunteering in Guatemala

Hello!

I am heading to Guatemala late-June, and I plan on volunteering or interning with an ngo or nonprofit. I have made brief contact with a few organizations, but I am still looking for advice. I will be available to volunteer for 6 weeks before I backpack to Managua, Nicaragua to fly back home at the end of August.

I am a Master of Urban Planning student specializing in international development planning. My work experience includes real estate, construction and urban planning, but I have experience working with children coaching soccer and teaching English.

If anyone has any ideas, recommendations or advice, let me know!

Kc

Private Messages

Has something happened to end private messages or do I have a problem with my account ? The last couple of times that I tried to send a PM I got a message that said something like "private messaging has been removed".
Thanks JJ

Quick tip for Lake Atitlan in Guatemala

Hi All,

just a quick tip for all who are going to visit Lake Atitlan. First, the main touristic villages are safe when staying in touristic areas (at least have been in 2011) but it is not recommended to leave this areas.

When you are planning to hire a boat please note that the guides are always trying to sell a trip to many of the villages at the lake. But IMHO (and other people I've met agree with that) its enough to visit San Pedro (nice market, coffee fabric), San Antonio (market and cathedral) and Santiago ("blue woman", these are the most beautiful ones.

Guatemala 2011

Enjoy, adrian

Guatemala visa extension in Belize - best route.

Hi

I want to extend my 90 day visa for Guatemala. I´ve realised that the 90 days includes El Salvador and Nicaragua and it looks like I´ll run out when travelling through there.

I´m going to Rio Dulce Livingstone in next few days and want to hop over to Belize.

I want to find a quick route from Livingstone to Belize. It looks like I´ll have to stay over in Livingstone or get to Puerto Barrios, stay a night there then take boat to Belize with the attendant exit charge. Only boats I see mentioned direct from Livingstone to Belize are on Tues and Fri and I´ll miss those days.

I am planning to kill time 72? hours in Belize and then return to Livingstone and rio Dulce to go on up to Tikal. Any advice on things to do on the Belize side in that time. I´ve heard of Palencia. Is that too far?

the reason I´m going back to Rio Dulce to get to Tikal is that the trip through ... more »

Palenque to Flores via Frontera Corozal advice?

I'm planning to go from Palenque to Flores (Tikal) during my upcoming trip. I understand that many people sign up for a shuttle/boat package to do this trip.

I usually prefer to do these kinds of things on my own (and I speak Spanish), but I'm wondering if the fact that I'm going to be traveling by myself is going to complicate things as far as getting across the river, finding a place to stay, etc. It really sounds as though the whole thing is set up for groups, preferably organized.

Alternatively, maybe I should go via the land crossing at El Ceibo that someone mentioned.

Any thoughts or advice?

El Mirador

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone made it out to El Mirador. I found a tour group in Flores that does one day Helicopter trip to El Mirador and wanted to know if that's worth it. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to do the trekking. Thanks for your input.

getting to Antigua from Playa del carmen, Mexico

Hi,

my girlfriend and I are very excited to start our journey down to Antigua from playa del carmen, Mexico, tomorrow morning, We wanted to double check which route is best for us to take, so far the locals have suggested two options

1, tapachula, Las Flores costing around $120
2. chetumal, belize, guatamala

Were not sure about either of these, thats why we are here!

Any suggestions about how to get down there are greatly appreciated
Thank You!
Leo

Guatemala December 15 days

Okay...
I want to explore a few places I have yet to visit in Guatemala December 2013 (20th-Jan 4th).
Lake Atitlan,Semuc Champey, Rio Dulce and Xela.

I absolutely LOVE Antigua and need Fernandos Kaffee and to see my beautiful Volcan Aqua
So starting in Antigua, what is the best route for these places?
Are they all doable in 15 days?
Should I book hotels, transport etc. before hand or wait until I get to Antigua?
Any advice greatly appreciated!

Edited by: FancyD