Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Guatemala Travel Report

Country forums / Central America / Guatemala

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to post a quick travel report as I have just returned from this beautiful country.

We were gone from September 13 to the 23rd on a volunteer mission so didn't do the touristy stuff (except the ecological reserve on the way to Chisec). However, we did have the chance to meet some wonderful local people in Chisec (where we stayed) and Sejuc Xuctul, where we worked. We stayed at L'Estancia de la Virgin, and before leaving had read some comments about not electrocuting yourself in the showers...LOL, now I know why! My daughter got quite the shock. The hotel was nice but not super clean, excellent air conditioning, and the food was good. The lady who owns the hotel is a businesswoman through and through as the prices of goods we liked to eat from the store steadily rose in price as the week wore on! Also, we stayed in this creepy awesome hotel in Coban (looked like the old plantation house/hotel in Antigua), but i can't remember the name of it. Something D'una Donna?? If anyone has the name, I would love to get it for my pics.

Again, the local people were wonderful, we had the opportunity to get in on the local basketball games nightly, and though they were in awe of our stature, they were not in awe of our skill. They beat us soundly every night! We went out for ice cream after the game and made some great friends.

We were in Guatemala City for a total of four days over the independence weekend and it was really fun to see all of the people running down the streets with torches at night.

All in all a great trip. Safety was never an issue, the roads were in great shape (there were a few minor landslides on the roads to Sejuc Xuctul that were cleared up in a very efficient manner), and as always, the people were warm and friendly. My heart remains with the wonderful people of Guatemala.

Thanks for posting - sounds like an interesting trip. What was your mission?

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good to hear about your trip to Chisec. Did you get inside Bombil Pek cave!?

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thanks for the report. Gautemala is the only Central American country I have not stepped foot into yet and I look forward to doing so soon.

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Hey, nice report. I think the hotel you are thinking about might be Casa d'Acuna.

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thank you for sharing.

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We were building schools. Most of us had sponsored children in the village and surrounding areas, so we got to meet them as well. An amazing experience!

We didn't get to see the caves, but we drove by them every day :(

Next time!

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