Follow:
Topics:
South & Central America Travel

I Left My Heart in Guatemala

Dejé Mi Corazón en Guatemala

Location: Guatemala

Entirely unexpected.  Completely beautiful.  So much better than I imagined.

Dear Guatemala.  You had me at Hola!  I hated to say good-bye.  I left my heart in Guatemala.

Once again, I approached another Central American country with apprehension, based solely on the information on the U.S. State Department website.  I should know by now not to allow that to sway me totally. I should heed the warnings for sure, and carry on with caution.

Yes, Guatemala has some dangers just like every other country I have been too (and the USA too).  Pick

I left my heart in Guatemala

Livingston

pockets are a problem, although we did not have an issue.  Like always, whether in Central America, Europe or anywhere else in the world we are cautious.  There are definitely some horrendous violent crimes, rarely against foreigners.  Unless you go looking for trouble.  Smart and cautious travel with guides when possible is the best way in this country. Guatemala is one of the poorest countries in the world, and yet there is a small population who hold extreme wealth while the rest suffer. There are some other issues in Guatemala, particularly government corruption.  However this is not something the average visitor will see.  The only thing we saw was one entry fee into the town of Panajachel that was illegal.  We also ended up paying twice for our boat on Lake Atitlan because the first guy was a scam.  This ended up costing us an additional $6.50.  Small problems – other than that we found the

I left my heart in Guatemala

Semana Santa

country no more dangerous than anywhere we have been.

And the positives certainly outweighed the negatives.  In fact, I would put Guatemala in my top list of favorite places I have been.  And that is saying an awful lot.  Yes I left my heart in Guatemala.

So Guatemala how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways;

  1. I love Antigua, one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to.  Being there for the beginning of Semana Santa (Holy Week) was an incredible experience.  Although I am not Catholic, the Palm
    I left my heart in Guatemala

    Antigua

    Sunday spectacle we witnessed was so full of tradition, majesty, history and faith I was incredibly moved.  I think I became Catholic for a day.  We have had similar experiences in other places around the world where faith is such an important part of everyday life.  On the Camino de Santiago in Spain, in New Delhi India, in Istanbul Turkey, in Seoul South Korea.  A few examples of the places where we felt privileged to witness how faith, history and community converge.  Additionally Antigua offers gorgeous scenery, delicious food and incredible history.  Seeing lava spewing from the active volcano Fuego was a definite highlight. We enjoyed two tours with Antigua Tours and my cooking class with La Tortilla was a highlight.  I hope to visit again.

  2. I love Lake Atitlan.  Here we spent a week enjoying the beauty of Guatemala, and not doing much else.  It was one of the more peaceful places I have been in the world; a crater lake surrounded by three beautiful extinct volcanoes.  The small villages surrounding the lake are each named after one of the apostles.  We spent our time in San Marcos, a teeny village known for its holistic

    Our view Lake Atitlan

    offerings, yoga, health food and hippies.  Our airbnb was one of the most unique we have ever had…a cave dwelling nestled into the cliff.  Memorable for sure.  We hiked and swam and did yoga every day.  Heaven on earth.

  3. I love Flores.  We went to Flores so we could visit the Mayan ruins of Tikal, about an hour and a half drive north.  Tikal was amazing…but the tiny town of Flores was such a pleasant surprise.  Situated on a tiny island in Lake Petenitza, the tiny town is colorful, historic, beautiful and yummy.  The town dates back to the 1400’s.  We enjoyed the very warm weather here and a highlight was a private boat tour of the very large and beautiful lake.  Muy bien.

    I left my heart in Guatemala

    Flores

  4. I love Rio Dulce.  The region known as Rio Dulce encompasses Livingston on the Caribbean coast (Livingston is only accessible by boat) to the town of Rio Dulce on Lake Izabal.  A gorgeous stretch of water known as the Rio Dulce connects the two.  Our boat ride from Livingston to Rio Dulce was stunning as we

    Lake Izabal, Rio Dulce

    wound our way in an open boat through the narrow gorge, through which the Rio Dulce drains into the Caribbean.  Although VERY rustic, our accommodations in Rio Dulce served us well, and had some of the BEST Mexican food we have ever had.  From our tiny cabin in the marsh we took excursions to the ancient Castillo San Felipe de Lara, to the Agua Caliente waterfall known as El Paraiso and to the beautiful Boqueron Canyon, where we spent several solitary hours deep in the canyon on a beautiful sunny day.  We also learned the very humble ways of the

    I left my heart in Guatemala

    El Parisio Rio Dulce

    Guatemalan people and their use of the collectivos for transportation and saw our first manatee in the wild, although not as close up as we would have liked.

  5. I love a challenge. It’s a challenge getting around Guatemala, as it is still a developing country.  But some of those challenges made for memorable moments.  As mentioned above the collectivo experience in Rio Dulce was certainly unforgettable, riding in a van made for 12 with 23 other people.  During our time here we
    I left my heart in Guatemala

    Many boats

    road in twelve different boats, mostly for transportation, but a couple for pleasure.  We also hired a driver for a private shuttle three times, and through that experience met a wonderful Guatemalan man named Alejandro who we hope to see again some day.  We felt safe in all of these situations and enjoyed the experience.  My least enjoyable experience was the plane ride from Flores to Guatemala city in a small 20 seat plane.  I got sick on this very bumpy and diesel-smelling ride.  Ugh.

  6. I love a bargain.  Guatemala is cheap.  Although we spent money on private shuttles, we could have  gone with less expensive non-private shuttles or public transportation known as chicken busses. We used the kitchens in our airbnb’s when possible, but eating in restaurants was very inexpensive
    I left my heart in Guatemala

    Marsh cabin Rio Dulce

    and all the food we ate was amazing, fresh and local.  Our accommodations have ranged from $30 to $100 a night.  We loved our Antigua Airbnb for $80 a night and our spectacular Airbnb in San Marcos with lake view was $75 a night.  In Rio Dulce we paid $30 and Livingston was $70.  We ended up spending $100 a night at a Ramada in Flores after the hotel we booked was CLOSED on arrival.  That was something that had never happened before.  But all in all Guatemala is one of the least expensive countries of our travels. The gorgeous textiles made by the indigenous Mayan people are so inexpensive, buying the same thing online would cost five times as much. Alas my suitcase it too small…

  7. I love Guatemalan coffee.  Guatemala is known for its coffee, and I have to agree…it is now possibly my favorite coffee of the world.  Dark, rich and very flavorful, I am a convert.  Guatemala is also
    I left my heart in Guatemala

    Coffee with Volcano view

    known for its chocolate.  Although I am not a big consumer of chocolate, the samples of chocolate I had were exceptional.  The Maya used cacao as currency once upon a time. More valuable than gold.

  8. I loved the people.  Everyone we met (except for the one guy who ripped us off $6.50) was amazing.  Few people spoke English and we actually enjoy being forced to expand our limited Spanish knowledge.  Many people however also didn’t speak Spanish, as the Maya who are my generation mostly only spoke their native tongue.  I loved the shy and traditional Maya, especially the beautiful women in their traditional dress.  These are not costumes but how they dress everyday.  The Guatemalan people
    I left my heart in Guatemala

    Mayan women, San Marcos

    were all very private yet friendly, hard working and religious, welcoming and helpful.  We enjoyed being a part of their culture and community.

So I left my heart in Guatemala.  Possibly my favorite Central American country.  Of course our time in Mal Pais in Costa Rica ranks VERY high.  But Guatemala you are special.  Unique. Beautiful. If you have

I left my heart in Guatemala

Mayan women selling palms

every considered visiting Guatemala you should do it.  And do it soon.  Supporting these developing countries through tourism is the least we can do, especially since America’s abandoning Guatemala after funding of guerrilla warfare during the civil war has caused much of the current economic situation Guatemala suffers.

Guatemala’s upcoming elections could be a turning point for the country…but perhaps things will stay the same, and the slow climb out of the devastation from a two-decade civil war will continue at a snail’s pace.

We hope for the best for this country and its beautiful people, where we have left our heart.  We will be back.

God speed Guatemala.

Please share our blog.  We appreciate it!

See our 2018 Travel Award Guide here.

Are you curious about how you can have a life of full-time travel?  Check this guide out!

Previous Post Next Post

You may also like

22 Comments

  • Reply Sue

    Central America is an area I’ve not really explored yet (bar Costa Rica) but reading your posts make it sound like I need to go & soon! I love the sound of Guatemala. Thank you for sharing & safe onward travels. Where next? I’m sure it’ll be another one to add to my ever expanding list!

    April 27, 2019 at 5:10 am
    • Reply Laureen

      Thank you Sue! I’m sure you would love Guatemala. I hope to come back for more Central America in 2021. Meanwhile we are headed to the USA for the summer then Asia, Africa and Europe for Fall, winter and spring.

      April 27, 2019 at 11:01 am
  • Reply Candy

    I’ve so enjoyed following your adventure in Guatemala on FB!

    April 27, 2019 at 12:27 pm
  • Reply Sue Davies

    Have always wanted to go to Tikal. Lake Atitlan and Flores sound wonderful. I like how you write this post as leaving your heart. I think I have left my heart in several places!

    April 27, 2019 at 1:10 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      Yes me too. It’s easy to do!

      April 28, 2019 at 11:38 am
  • Reply Phoebe | Lou Messugo

    I’d love to go to Guatemala and your love for the country which shines through this post is making me want to go even more.

    April 28, 2019 at 7:37 am
    • Reply Laureen

      You really should go!

      April 28, 2019 at 11:39 am
  • Reply Kathryn Dickson

    Isn’t it amazing that after all the places you explore, you can still find ones that find a way into your heart and leave you yearning for more? Guatemala looks amazing.

    April 28, 2019 at 10:38 am
  • Reply Christine

    I would love to go one day! I have heard so many good things and have friends who used to stay and work near Lake Atitlan every summer with their parents in high school. I’ve wanted to go ever since hearing their stories. Beautiful photos!

    May 4, 2019 at 9:58 am
    • Reply Laureen

      I hope you do. It is wonderful.

      May 4, 2019 at 10:00 am
  • Reply Claire

    Awesome, thanks for this! I love how you listed the reasons you love it there, instead of doing a depersonalized Top Attractions list kinda thing – I resonate so much more with this, I can see where your preferences/tastes and mine overlap and why that might mean I’d love it there too. Man, that cave dwelling place sounds RAD!! One of the more unique Airbnbs I’ve heard of! I feel you about small planes, I never thought I feared flying until I took a tiny puddle jumper in Costa Rica and I thought I was gunna puke. Anyway, never really considered Guatemala before but now you’ve got me thinking…

    May 4, 2019 at 9:46 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      I really appreciate these comments!

      May 5, 2019 at 4:09 am
  • Reply Kimmie Conner

    I adored this post and I love your writing style! I’ve yet to make it to Guatemala but it’s getting higher and higher on my list – Antigua sounds amazing and the country seems like the perfect combination of incredible nature and culture. Thanks for sharing!

    May 5, 2019 at 5:04 pm
  • Reply shakil

    Oh my gosh, so many interesting facts here. wow, such a stunning place & you photograph it so well. Thanks for the creative post!

    June 15, 2019 at 11:21 pm
  • Reply Amy

    We haven’t traveled to Guatemala, nor had it on our list, but this article might just get us there! Thanks for the push!

    December 30, 2019 at 7:03 am
  • Reply Amy

    I haven’t been here yet, but savings these tips for when I do! Looks amazing 🙂

    October 9, 2020 at 11:13 am
  • Reply Leonie Konig

    Thank you for this amazing piece on Guatemala; I love your writing style and feel every line of your writing.

    December 26, 2022 at 8:47 pm
    • Reply Laureen

      We really did love Guatemala!

      December 31, 2022 at 9:28 am
  • Reply Heather

    Oh you’ve made me want to go! I’d love to know the nantes of the places you stayed for future reference!

    February 19, 2023 at 8:52 am
    • Reply Laureen

      Yes I can find those all for you!

      February 25, 2023 at 6:16 am

    Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.