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Guatemala Honeymoon

                Are you looking for a honeymoon destination that is adventurous and affordable as well as romantic? Well, look no further, because Guatemala may be the place for you.

For the adventurer, we recommend Panajachel, on Lake Atitlan.

Things to do:

Hike this volcano

                Don’t worry, it’s dormant.

Zip lining

                The zip line at Panajachel crosses a small valley between two mountains. You start by climbing the mountain, then zip line back and forth across the valley until you reach the bottom. The great thing about this is that it isn’t just one ride, but you get to take many rides as you zig zag to the bottom. You’ll have an excellent view of the lake and volcano. You should also take a look down while on the zip line, as you may see a few playful monkeys in the trees below.

Watersports

                Most of the hotels and a few villages rent out equipment, so you can go canoeing and boating almost anytime.

Explore the surrounding Villages

                Take a boat across the lake to check out the surrounding villages. There are hidden treasures everywhere.

                If you happen to be going the week before Easter, you should definitely check out the amazing street art. Locals use flowers, leaves, nuts, and dyed sawdust to create incredible works of art. On Easter, they hold a parade, which will destroy art, so there’s only a small window in which to glimpse this beauty.

Tips for Panajachel:

1. Consider staying in the Hotel San Buenaventure De-Atitlan. This hotel is really a collection of guest houses, so you’ll have a full kitchen and living room. They sit right near the lake, with views of the volcano, excellent gardens, and amenities such as pools & a spa. The best part of all, double rooms start at $83 a night. These are truly nice rooms, and you will not beat these prices! They also keep peacocks!

2. Go the week before Easter. Seriously, I know I said it earlier, but the artwork is just that amazing.

Next on the itinerary is Antigua.

Things to do

1. Explore the City on Foot

Antigua is great for those of you who prefer big cities and tourist attractions. You’ll love the colorful buildings and amazing architecture.

2. Check out a Show

A lot of local restaurants offer authentic dancing and shows along with dinner. You can watch the show, then join in on the fun. Everyone comes together for the fun and it is quite a party.

Tips for Antigua:

1. It can get dicey at night. Travel in groups after dark, and don’t stay out too late.

2. Consider staying in the Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo. It is entirely gated, so safety isn’t an issue. You can wander around the gardens at night without trouble. They offer plenty of entertainment options, as well. My secret tip, go up on the roof for some amazing views of the city and surrounding scenery. It’s also the best seat in the house if you want to crash one of the many weddings that the hotel hosts each year. This will have you and your new hubby feeling extra romantic, reminiscing about your wedding…. from a week ago….

Double room rates range from $90-150 a night.

General tips for Guatemala

1. Tourists Should Beware in Guatemala City

You will likely fly into Guatemala City and obtain transport to your final destinations. Be careful in the city. Poverty is high and danger is real.

2. Don’t Drink the Water (or use the ice!)

Water is not safe to drink in Guatemala. Your hotel will tell you if they have a special filtration system that allows you to drink it. Even if they have these systems, they are usually only for sink water, so don’t let water in your mouth when you shower. I just prefer to stick with bottled water, even if they have the filtration system. And for goodness sake, if the water isn’t safe to drink, neither is the ice! I had a friend who drank only bottled water for the whole trip, but then had ice in his soda. He was vomiting for days. Just don’t do it. 

3. Enjoy!

You're going to love Guatemala. Seriously! There is all kinds of variety in the flora and fauna. Take loads of pictures, and then comment below to tell us how much you loved your trip.