Guatemala is a beautiful country and I was lucky enough to travel there with my cousin, Katie, this January. Unfortunately, abuela couldn't come with us, but we still had a ball. As my grandmother (abuela) is Guatemalan, I've been several times before, however, this was the first time I was there without my mommy or buela! (I'm such an adult.)
At the beginning of the trip, Katie and I went to Antigua and got to experience Guatemala as tourists, which was really fun. Antigua is the colonial capital of Guatemala and is a tourism hot spot. (Picture lots of elderly German and hippie tourists.) The town is surrounded by volcanos and you will be absolutely charmed as you walk along the cobble-stone streets past the pastel-colored houses. Also, chances are that your Starbucks latte is made with coffee from Antigua. Katie and I both lived in Antigua for a summer when we were younger, studying Spanish, so it was a fun homecoming.
Then, we ventured on to Guatemala City (the modern capital) to spend time with family. The city has cleaned itself up quite a bit since I was last there 5 years ago, so it was nice to see. While in Guate, I had the opportunity to go to the law school with my aunt who is a professor there and it was radically different from my law school. I certainly would trade their campus for mine in a heart beat! At the university, I also saw an amazing exhibit, which I highly recommend and detail below.
In summary, see the below pics for why you should go to Guatemala. (It is beautiful!)
In Antigua
Old Spanish ruin
At night, in Antigua's main plaza
In the plaza
Traditional Guatemalan dance at our Antigua hotel
Apparently in Guatemalan folklore there is a scary devil that looks like Rapunzel on a bad day
Do
You can't go to Guatemala without shopping at the mercados. So many beautiful artisan handicrafts for so few quetzales!
The Ixchel and Popul Vuh museums are located on the campus of the University of Francisco Marroquin (in Guatemala City) and they are really worth a visit. The Museo Ixchel exhibits textiles from indigenous groups around Guatemala. The Museo Popul Vuh has an incredible collection of Maya and pre-Maya artifacts.
The beautiful grounds of the university
El Lienzo de la Conquista Quauhquechollan was a great exhibition at the University, which showcased the first map of the Spanish conquest of Guatemala as told from the indigenous perspective. As usual, history is told from the perspective of the victors and the map is from the point of view of the indigenous people that allied with the Spanish to conquer the rest of Guatemala.
Back in Antigua, Katie and I visited our old teachers.
(Silvia and I)
The grounds of the school in Antigua
Sleep
In Antigua we stayed at the Posada de Don Rodrigo, which was absolutely gorgeous (Gracias Marianne!). Even if you don't stay there, make sure you go to Don Rodrigo for breakfast one day.
One of the hotel's courtyards
The marimba band in the hotel
(The marimba is the traditional instrument of Guatemala...like a xylophone)
On the rooftop of Don Rodrigo, with a view of the Volcan de Agua (water volcano)
Antigua really is like the garden of eden and Don Rodrigo has beautiful views
Eat
Guatemalan coffee is the best!
Guatemalan breakfast is also the best: fresh juice, huevos revueltos, sausage, fried plaintains, refried beans and fresh corn tortillas.
Tamales are also a Guatemalan specialty
And did I forget to mention Guacamole? Guatemala has the best avocados
At Frida's. Awesome Mexican food...locations in Guatemala City and Antigua
Tre Frateli had pretty good Italian (for Guatemala...c'mon people, I live in New York)
Drink
Mono Loco is a fun gringo bar in Antigua
Cousins as Mono Loco
Try a Michelada- like a bloody mary, but with beer instead of vodka
Gallo- The beer of Guatemala
Happy hour on the Don Rodrigo roof
Try a limonada- fresh lime juice with soda
General Tips
Other stops-
I also highly recommend going to Lake Atitlan and Tikal, although I don't have pictures from there from my January trip. Lake Atitlan is a gorgeous lake surrounded by volcanos and is great for more active travelers. For the even more adventurous traveler I recommend Tikal, the main Mayan ruin site in Guatemala. You'll need a few days to get to and explore Tikal, so budget for that and also don't expect much in the way of creature comforts. The ruins are the most impressive Mayan ruins in the world...(aka better than those in Mexico).
Safety-
Guatemala is a beautiful country and recently popular with tourists, but it can still be dangerous. Don't take a random taxi, make sure that you arrange for an airport pick up and hire a driver with your hotel or a travel agency. (Or get lucky and have your lovely family members be your chauffeur.)
Brush your teeth with bottled water and do not eat raw lettuce, tomatoes or strawberries, no matter how nice the restaurant is! You will thank me later.
