Titlers Explore Guatemala 2025

Flights

7/30/2025 United Airlines, Confirm ERY7K5

6:00AM – 7:45AM MSP to ORD Chicago (1h 43m)

9:14AM – 12:45PM ORD to GUA Guatemala City (4h 31m)

8/6/2025 United Airlines, Flight UA1903 and UA335

1:50PM – 5:52PM GUA-IAH (Houston) (3h 2m)

7:50PM – 10:47PM IAH-MSP (2h 57m)

Money

• Currency conversion rate: 1 Q Guatemalan Quetzal = $0.13 US (so multiply the Q by 13 and divide by 100

• Conversion calculator 

• We will want to get cash in Antigua and Guatemala City b/c businesses tend to either only accept cash or charge hefty transaction fees for credit cards (10%)

Hotels

1. Casa De Anima, Antigua, Wed 7/30-Friday 8/1

Address: 2a Avenida Norte 7, Antigua

Hosts: Christopher and Erynne (from NYC)

2a Av between 4a and 5a Calles (google maps use Bistro Cinq (around the corner) or Hotel Casa Ovalle, which is a few doors down)

Housekeeper: Luis and Maria Louisa arrive daily at 10am

Check-in after 3pm, checkout before 11am

2. Casa Panimul in San Antonio Palopo, Friday, 8/1-Tuesday, 8/5

Address (accessible by shuttle or private boat from Panajachel to San Antonio Palopo, house manager picks up at the San Antonio dock for a 4 min ride to the house)

Host: Daniel 

3. Intercontinental Real Guatemala, Tuesday 8/5-Wed 8/6

Address 14 Calle 2-51, Zona 10 Guatemala City, 01010, Check-in 3pm, Check-out 12:00pm

Rides while in Guatemala

• Rudy: +502 4289 9586 via WhatsApp,

• Confirmed ride from airport: Q650 ($84.50), 40 min to 1.5 hr drive. Pay in cash if USD cost is $90

• Confirmed ride from Airbnb to Panajachel, Atitlan Q1,400, pick up at 11am

• Need to confirm ride from the lake to Guatemala City 8/5 once I figure out time

Travel notes:

• While in Latin America, only 60% of the population speaks Spanish as their first language. 40% of the people belong to one of many Maya groups with 23 recognized languages including Ki’che’, Cakchiquel and Kekchi. 

• History: most histories of Guatemala begin in the early 16th century when the conquistadores arrived in Mesoamerica and claimed the land by slaughtering the native Maya over the next 2 centuries. In the preceding 3,500 years there were incredible civilizations and independent Kingdoms. 

• Saqarik – “Good morning” in Ki’che’,  

• Maltiox – “thank you” in Ki’che’

• Buiti binafi – “hello” in Garifuna

Dining recommendations in Antigua:

• Bistro Cinq – French comfort food (near house)

• Nana – Eclectic. (near house)

• Como Como – Belgian cuisine (near house)

• Dona Luisa – Tipico Guatemalan breakfast and baked goods (near house)

• Santo Spirito – Italian (owner favorite, around corner from house)

• Hector’s Bistro – Bistro style with a Guatemalan twist and gourmet pizza 

• Maxan – Fresh Civiche

• Amanecer Juice Bar – 

• 12 Onzas – inside and outdoor seating

• Arista de Coffee – best in Antigua

• Rooftop Antigua – 

• Café Boheme – brunch with rooftop

• Saberico – bakery, good chocolate, and food

• Galcy Cream 

• Restaurante Zocalo – Mexican

• Indian Accent – 

• Lost Tres Tiempos – Jenny’s recommendation (she had Steak), pizza, 

Sites in Antigua

• Volcano – Pacaya – easy day trip (or Acatenango – overnight hike)

• De La Gente coffee tour – pick you up, do a tour with a local farmer and lunch with the farmer and his family

• Antigua Catherdral ruins and Convento de Santa Clara ruins

• Spa day at Casa Santo Domingo (massage plus pool/jacuzzi and more)

• Artisan market – you can barter - 

Recommendations at the Lake:

• Arriving in Panajachel

  • Groceries

  • 15 min to the house via boat

  • Lunch/early dinner

  • Restaurant recs: Delhi 6, 

• San Juan La Laguna

  • 25 min from the house by boat

  • Several tours to learn about textile traditions, chocolate & coffee

• San Pedro

  • 25 min drive from the house

Packing guidelines

• Rain jacket and sturdy non-slip footwear

• Waterproof bag

• Swimwear & sunhat

• Layerable clothes (shorts/t-shirts/pants/sweatshirts/jacket/hat/socks/underwear)

• Pajamas

• Swimsuit – pool and hottub at the house

• Reusable water bottle

• First aid kit (Advil, Tylenol, Neosporin, sunscreen, band aids, Dramamine, Imodium and pepto

• Buy some stomach meds in Antigua

• Zip lock bags, grocery bags, dry bag

• Water shoes 

• Mesh bag for day trips

Antigua

La Antigua dates to 1543 and was the 3rd capital of the Spanish Colony. Surrounded by volcanos, Antigua is small, picturesque example of Spanish colonia architecture. Jesuit and Franciscan orders have had a presence in the region since the 17th century. The region is known for its seismic activity due to the nearby volcanos. Many buildings were rebuilt after each volcano. Guatemala gained its independence from Spain in 1821. 

Must see: Santa Catalina Arch and Parque Central, La Merced Church, Antigua Guatemala Cathedral, Jade Museum, Santo Domingo Museum, 

Lake Atitlan Town One-Sentence Summary:

• Panajachel (Pana) – base town with the most amenities, markets

  • Explore the local market and shops on Calle Santander; day-hike in Atitlan Nature Reserve with zip-lining, waterfalls & hiking trails.

  • Food: local bakeries/cafes along Santander Street. Lunch: lakeside cafes (Crossroads Café), Dinner: many choices along Calle Santander or waterfront

  • Atlantis – restaurant – his family (discount) 

• San Antonio Palopo (our home base aka potters paradise) – 

  • known for ceramics studios like Ceramica Palopo. 

  • Restaurante Terrazas del Lago. 

  • Take a tuk-tuk or private boat to (500-600) Santa Caterina Palopo 

  • Private shuttle from Antigua stop in Pana and then drive on to San Antonio pier – (rain in the evening at like 4-6pm)

  • Jenny heard markets are good

• San Marcos la Laguna – wellness village with cliff jumps, fire/cave ceremonies & global boho/yoga vibe. 

• San Juan – Artisanal culture w/ textiles & paintings by local artists, museum exhibits on Tz’utujil culture and traditional coffee production. Kayak & walking tours, short hikes, simple lakeside cafes 

• San Pedro – lively, youthful and base for lake volcano hikes. Hike Volcan San Pedro (challenging but rewarding sunrise hike), visit local markets, Spanish schools, nightlife. Haven for backpackers and hikers.

• Santa Caterina (lumped with San Antonio Palopo) – Village of Color. Stroll among hundreds of houses painted in vibrant patterns reflecting Mayan huipil designs. Eat at hilltop cafes in Santa Caterina

• Santiago Atitlan: Cultural Treasure. Largest Indigenous village. 

• Santa Cruz – Secluded beauty. Kayaking, paddleboarding and best views.

Jenny’s tips

• San Juan – right off the boat is big hill, umbrella walkway, cathedral (didn’t eat there)

• San Pedro – ate lunch there after San Juan at Mediterranean – part of the group went zip lining, it looked amazing, they loved it, overlooking the entire lake, 

• 12 hrs/12 hr

• San Juan and San Pedro – water looked nice and she would have swam in it 

• Bring Imodium and pepto. Take Imodium as soon as you feel bad.

• Hotel in GC – Barcelo (old Marriott) or Tikal (a little nicer)

Maps: