Guatemala
Antigua:
STAY: Three Monkey's Hostel - our favourite hostel with a really friendly traveller staff.
EAT: SO MANY PLACES - the hostel will recommend
DO:
- VOLCANO RAVE (honestly my highlight of my entire 2 years. It's everySaturday and changes location but you always see the volcano erupting while you party. LAVA WHILE YOU PARTY! Everyone goes from their hostels and you buy your tickets from Lucky Rabbit.
- VOLCANO HIKE - joint favourite experience of the 2 years. We did it with Winco and Charlie Tours which is the best tour by far and couldn't recommend them more. It's 2 days and 1 night, and the hardest thing I have ever done but most incredible experience. The volcano erupts all day every day. You can't describe how amazing it is, you just have to see it for yourself.
- Explore all the old ruins and old water fountains. Again he hostel can help you with this.
TIPS: The kitchen at Three Monkeys is well kitted out and ingredients from supermarkets are so cheap, like 10p a meal. You can get here from Guatemala City but do not stay in the city as there is nothing to do.
Lake Atitlan:
STAY: Free Cerveza - huge teepees and free beer with your meal for 2 hours. Proper party and traveller vibe with games going deep into the night.
DO: Go on a day trip to San Pedro - cool little hippy town to walk around - there is also a good hike here but we saved ourselves for the volcano hike. Also go to San Juan and eat at El Artesano - an incredible cheese and meat restaurant. Expensive but well worth it if you wanna treat yourself.
Semuc Champey:
STAY: Zephyr Lodge - It’s amazing and a lot of fun. We stayed here for ages because it’s great fun and all the people are great.
DO: You do the Semuc Champey tour from here.
TIP: Their website explains how to get there from Guatemala City.
Flores:
We didn't stay here because we didn't have time but here is my friend's recommendation: Flores, it’s a town on the lake. You go to Tikal from here to visit some temple ruins. Also go to the rope swing on the lake at sunrise.
TIPS: We just passed through here to go to Belize.