The 10,000 challenge: Weekend getaways: love Guatemala

Common weekend getaways in Guatemala

1. Volcano Pacaya: One of the most active volcanoes in Guatamala, only a 1 hour drive outside of Antigua. A short walk up(45 minutes) through shrub leads you to a desolate, steaming black landscape akin to the moon. From 100m below you can see the beautiful volcano fuergo smoking, villages and mountains stretching out as you enjoy roasting your marshmallows, toasted banana bread and homemade smores on the coals provided by the volcano. Be warned, two years ago Pacaya exploded and flowed with lava rivers in a very unpredictable manner, this unpredictability is predicted to occur again at some point in the near future.

A morning stroll up a volcano

A morning snack

Conquered

Una buena vista

2. Laguar Atitlan: said to be one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala, if not the world, this lake features a number of unique villages surrounded by volcanoes. Take a kayak out for some exploring or lie in a hammock for an afternoon. Head up oe of the most beautiful and difficult volcanoes-Volcun San Pedro, but be prepared for 3 hours of stairs. Lucky there’s a beautiful view at the top! Afterwards, village hop looking for the most perfect swimming place only to get lost in a jungle in a yoga-meditation town devoid of people. Also, eat some of the best tacos in central, making it a perfect get away!

Chilling

Taking on the lake

San Pedro

Morning

Getting ready

Nariz

Reward banana bread

Our guide left us half way up the volcano, saying he had to pick up people and would meet us at the summit. He never showed up but a guy with a machete did. Hearing plenty of machete robbing stories we were little nervous but luckily he loved tourists and even taught us a bit of spanish!

Conquered

3. Earth Lodge: A short 20 minute ride out of Antigua up a hill brings you the perfect getaway for the yappies of Antigua: an eco friendly avocado farm. Perched on the side of a hill, overlooking the volcanoes and the beautiful colonial city, are a number of tree houses and cabins among an avocado plantation. Activities include chilling out on the deck chairs, listening to live Guatemalan music, drinking cocktails and hiking through the hills around Antigua. The ultimate relaxation.

3. Rio Dulce: A longer 5 hour ride away, this river is picturesque ad perfectly conducive to relaxing. The town, Fronterier, isn’t much to look at but you can stay in a hostel on stilts in the water. Be warned, the dorm is expensive and likened to a prison with about 50 beds in one room, rats, cockroaches ad showers and toilets in a flimsy cubicle in the corner.

Fronterier

From this town you can go to the coolest place ever. A waterfall as hot as the hottest showers. Take the best shower you’ll get in central America, relax behind the waterfall in the natural sauna or bathe in the crystal clear water of the cool pools below. Just beware of the large group of engineering students known to inhabit these waters as they can trap you behind waterfalls for deep discussions about nothing. Not to worry though, these students are open to hitchhikers in their university bus and can make the trip a lot cheaper(free).

The most amazing waterfall in the world!

The real place to stay, however, is on a finca along the rio. Catching a boat in the afternoon you can stay in any place along the river- all isolated places of relaxation. Complete with rope swings, hammocks and a loft with beds you will be serenaded to sleep with the sounds of the jungle.

Chilling after a hard day of swimming

Dinner is a communal affair, family style around the dinner table with delicacies such as carrot soup and potato bombs. Kayak 3 hours to the nearest town, Livingston, on the carribean coast if you feel like some reggae beats or garifuna culture.