I went 3 times! Okay, the second time was by accident, but I loved each and every time I went and here's why.
It's easy to get around and relatively safe.
You CAN use Uber there and it's cheap and safe. You can also book shuttles with your local Chabad Rabbi or any corner tourist company. It's easy and affordable. A lot of countries I go to will try to rip off American tourists left and right, but I feel like in Guatemala they are not as intense with their hustling. Know your prices and currency differences before you go and make sure to haggle! I always download a currency app whenever I travel and it's very helpful.
There are Kosher food options!
I'll break it down by area:
Antigua, Guatemala:
+502 5803 6770
5 Avenida Sur 38,
Antigua Guatemala
The Bet Chabad has a restaurant and hotel on their property. The property is adorable and beautiful, they turned it into a thriving garden and chill zone. The Rabbi is very helpful, he can give you at least 2 weeks worth of things you can do in the area, and more.
San Pedro, Guatemala
+502 4972 7770
San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala
Nestled on Lake Atitlan, this Bet Chabad is filled with Israeli backpackers and it has a very welcoming vibe. They have two restaurants, the falafel / shawarma place and the Espresso Bar, which is new. You can also book Shabbat meals with them easily on their website: chabadpedro.com. Beware, they might get you drunk :)))
There are so many cool things to do:
I'll break it down by area.
Antigua, Guatemala ---- Cobblestone streets and mountain views!
~ Explore the city ~
There are so many cool shops. I particularly enjoyed their home decor shops. We spent time exploring the different stores and got a really cool handmade table runner for our home!
You can take the famous photo by the arch with the mountain backdrop, we went on a cloudy day so this is all we got hehe.
~ Explore the Santo Domingo Hotel, it's so big and it has multiple museums on the premises.
~ Grab an ATV
~ Go to a Chocolate Museum Or ask the Rabbi about going to the village where where you can make your own KOSHER chocolate.
~ Visit Hobbitenango ~
It's a Hobbit style "amusement" park. The views are amazing and the interior of the rooms are adorable if you want to spend a night there. They run out quick though, so be sure to book it well in advance. Our room came with a sauna and it cost around $100 a night.
For Kosher food we asked them to bring us raw fruits and vegetables and they were very accommodating. They also have a lot of very photogenic spots that will make your Insta feed look fab. :) This is their website: https://www.hobbitenango.com/
~ HIKE ACATENANGO ~
Okay so this is a really intense hike but it's one of the most insane view I've ever seen. You hike an inactive volcano (Acatenango) to watch an adjacent very active (Fuego) volcano erupt. It's a 24 hour fiasco, it takes about 5-6 hours to hike up to the summit and you spend the night there in a tent, the tour company will provide this for you. If hiking seems intimidating, you can also rent a horse. Walking sticks are a must, don't skip it.
Okay, next.
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala -- Lake Atitlan is a big lake and there are a lot of towns and cities on it. Each one has a completely different vibe. I'll highlight a few of the more popular ones:
San Pedro - this is where you can find Kosher food! You'll end up meeting people from many backgrounds with colorful personalities, so when you leave, your inner adventure junkie will be happy.
What to do:
~ Kayaking on the lake.
~ Horseback riding around San Pedro.
~ Indian Nose hike (picture shown below), you leave early in the AM and catch sunrise. Book with Chabad and they will make a Kosher shakshuka breakfast on the mountaintop after the hike up!
Where to stay:
My favorite hostel is called Casablanca, and it's a 3-5 minute walk from the Chabad, but it's also on the lake and it literally has the best views, hammocks and and amazing vibe. (Scroll all the way to the top to see the hostel.) The rooms aren't amazing so if you want a prettier place, try booking an AirBNB! You can also look into Amigos hostel which is also nearby.
San Marcos:
This is where you go to tap into your inner hippie. You can find drum circles here, a yoga forest, yoga classes, skinny dipping and more! Where to stay: Hostel Del Lago
Panajacel: Shopping, lots and lots of shopping. If you're on the market for a new hammock, this is where you can buy one for a really good price. We walked into an art shop and got a hand painted vase. It's proudly sitting on my living room table now.
If you go up North there are more things to do in Guatemala, but without Kosher food.
Semuc Chempey
It's hard to get to so you have to consider this before making the trip up! It's about an 8 hour bus ride from Antigua. Renting a car is not recommended because you're likely to get stopped and be solicited for money, which is unpleasant. So Semuc Chempey are Natural pools and falls that gathered to create this beauty, no there are no filters.
It's important to note that Guatemala is a poor country.
The area where Semuc Chempey is - Lanquin, is particularly poor.
So remember to watch your back, haggle and have a good time!
You can go for a swim, or hike up for a bird eye view. There are also caves you can explore.
To get here we hitched a ride from the Lanquin city center and well, the ride was in the back of a truck! The ride there is through a jungle, it's very bumpy but scenic and beautiful.
Tikal & Flores
Unfortunately the Chabad in Flores closed but if you're into ruins then it's worth the trip.
I was personally very bored.
I tried to fit in as much as I can here before my ADHD kicked in, so if you have more questions, feel free to DM me on Instagram! @kosherfoodworld or @gilabardy
XO
Gila
Comments