When planning a trip with friends with a strong focus on adventure, fun, new experiences and generally having a good time, Guatemala is not necessarily a country that you would automatically think of. But with spectacular jungle, breath-taking mountains and volcanoes on every corner, it has adventure firmly covered. Add to that, seriously good bars and club representation in the towns/cities and a unique jungle scene that is hard to describe without seeing, it takes good times to a whole new level.
One of the best things about getting down in Guatemala is how ridiculously far your dollar goes. The exchange rate for Guatemalan Quetzales is currently 8.077 per Australian dollar (as at 22/04/12) and with the price of a beer between $20-25Q ($2.85AUD), the price of a good feed around $50 ($5.70) and the vast majority of bars and clubs having free entry, then you won’t have to break the budget to have a good time. Not to mention the ludicrously cheap shopping! You will need to buy a new bag to bring back all of the goodies you’re going to snag – first on the list is a pair of the super-cool, super-comfy and only slightly gooby happy pants with the crotch past your knees. The dress code in the jungle is strictly dressed-down, relaxed and quirky, anything and everything goes. In the towns/cities the relaxed vibe remains but you have plenty of opportunities to break out your best togs.
Travelling around Guatemala is done in 15-seater buses and while they are far from luxurious, they are regular, dependable and safe, and your seat is pre-booked so you will be the only person sitting in it! The buses are first-class by Guatemalan standards and moreover they are a great way to meet and make new friends. As yet, few Australians have discovered how cool it is, so you will be hanging out with people from all over the world – from Europeans to Canadians and everywhere in between.
The place to start is the city of Antigua. This picture-perfect colonial city has volcanoes looming in the background, along with beautiful faded, mildewed buildings, good food, rocking bars and clubs, and the best coffee in Guatemala. There are numerous places to dance and many that will teach you basic salsa and cumbia steps if you want to get your groove on Latino-style. If you don’t want to dance, then the watching is all-good, but we’re pretty sure you’ll feel your feet tapping along to the infectious drum beats while the melody wraps itself around your soul and draws you in to the crazy party that happens in Latin clubs and cannot be matched anywhere else in the world. No one knows how to party like those with Latino heritage and the heady fusion of Guatemalans and travellers from all over the world creates an explosion of energy that lifts and enlivens. During the day choose from volcano climbing, horse-riding, shopping, visit a chocolate factory, an ancient church, or one of the fascinating outlying Mayan villages, study Spanish, or hang out in the vibrant Central Square and absorb the colour of daily Antiguan life.
Not far from Antigua is the absolutely stunning Lago (lake) Atitlan, which is ringed by volcanoes and Mayan villages. Take a boat ride around the quaint lakeside towns, do some more shopping and soak up the atmosphere. Just over the border from lakeside Panajachel, is the colonial Mexican City of San Cristobal De Las Casas. If timing allows then this is a must-see destination for the weekend when the city centre goes off! Mexico has a very different feel to Guatemala and is well worth the effort to spend a few days there. The exchange rate in Mexico is currently $13.58MEX to $1AUD (22/04/12) and again your dollar will get you far.
Next stop is the jungle hideout of Lanquin and one of the highlights of your stay. From here you will visit the incredible tiered, aquamarine, limestone pools and caves of Cemuc Champey, you will also learn how they do it in the jungle! Every night you will find an eclectic group of people crossing boundaries of race, colour, background and experience to connect through music and good times, ensuring an awesome party no matter what day it is – there is no waiting for the weekend here. And did we mention the view? The Lanquin river runs through the area and provides an ideal backdrop for a lazy day ‘tubing’* through the mountains with a group of mates, both old and new, then why not jump off a bridge before heading back to the bar for the night’s fiesta.
While you’re in the area, it would be foolish to miss out on the Mayan ruins at Tikal. Stay in Flores, on the shore of Lago Peten Itza, and possibly the coolest destination going. After all of the excitement, chill out with a few close friends in one of the bars and then head to the ruins at Tikal early in the morning to maximise the experience of the sun rising over the temples, while the howler monkeys screech themselves hoarse in the surrounding canopy.
Weather/best time to travel: The High season is from December to March, which is the dry season, as some roads become virtually impassable during the rainy season without a hardcore 4-wheel drive. The risk of landslides is also quite high during the rainy season. Remember Guatemala is still very much a developing country so roads and infrastructure are not of the standard you would expect in Australia, but to be honest that is part of the adventure and experience!
If you haven’t found your free spirit elsewhere in Guatemala, by the time you reach the jungle it will show you the traveller within. Forget what you’ve seen elsewhere, Guatemala has a style and a mind all of its own and desperately wants to show you everything it has to offer.
Side trip: if you have the time after Flores, then jump across the border into Belize where you can swim with sharks and stingrays, marvel at the pristine coral and spend a couple of days in the completely unexpected Caribbean vibe of Caye Caulker. To really round off your trip, head over the border to Mexico and continue the party in Tulum, before heading up the coast to Cancun to get your flight home. The luxurious resort-style holiday in Cancun is a great way to finish your trip and Cancun is a place that knows how to party! While away your days on the white sands where the waiters bring everything you want directly to your sun lounger, then hit the clubs with the many Americans that like to vacation in this Mexican coastal hotspot.
*Tubing – gliding through the river on an inflatable tyre tube.
