Going on a mission trip to Guatemala in March. Any travel tips?

Question

I'll be in the Highlands staying at San Lucas Toliman, it will be my base. Going to nearby mission sites each day. Need tips on clothing for day and night. If insects a problem that time of year. Etc.

Answer 1

don't forget to get any shots that you would need traveling to a foreign country

Answer 2

Do not pack so much.

Answer 3

I agree with "sweetdol..." - dont pay any attention to the people warning you about Guatemala.  I am a 25yr old female that lived there for 6 months.  I traveled alone all over the country and never once had a problem.  Of course, I have experience traveling so I kept aware of my surroundings etc etc, but for the most part Guatemalans were very kind and happy to help.  There are dangers there just as there are in LA, Houston, Seattle etc.

For 5 of those months I lived in the highlands as well and there were NO bugs.  Its cool there all year round so bugs are at a minimum.  If you travel out of the highlands, definitely take plenty of deet, especially along the east coast.  Mosquitoes and sandflies are abundant.  You wont find yourself in the jungle unless perhaps you go off-trail in Tikal - the highlands are more like an exotic Rockies :).

No worries - if you forget something, you can always head down to any local market and pick up a parka or jacket etc for a couple Q.  Happy Travels!

Answer 4

Spiders in Guatemala can grow to be the size of small cats.  Keep your eyes peeled for them....

Answer 5

One thing - check WHO site (World Health Organization) for any warnings concernings diseases/vaccinations...

Answer 6

Do not take serious the other's member comments.  You are not going to a jungle.  Maybe Guatemala is not a paradise but it's not h**l either.  

I live in Guatemala.

Get comfortable clothes, t-shirts, shorts, jeans tennis, hiking boots, hat/cap, lotion, insects could be a problem because of the weather it changes from an hour to another.  Do not forget a sweater for the night or maybe for the day.  I suggest cotton clothes.  What is your mission about?  Have a nice trip......

Answer 7

way up in the mountains it gets very cold. down into the 20s.

Answer 8

1.wear cloths

2.rent a handgun while you're there

3. dont eat any food they give you

4. try to talk like them (use their accent)

5. smoke a lot of pot (cannabis) and wear rasta cloths

Answer 9

I wish you luck in your mission, unfortunately I have not been to that part of Centralamerica.

Answer 10

pack light!  Remember that it gets cold in the highlands and if you visit the ruins in the jungle, take long sleeves and mosquito repellent.

Many native people don't like their picture taken unless you are their friend.  They find it very offensive and disrespectful.  A real shame since there are so many colors and beautiful potential images :-)

Find some time to visit the market at Chichicastenango, it's magical.  Tikal is a must also!

Answer 11

pack a tooth brush and some deo for that BO cause none of those people want to smell you stinkin up the place!!! (Trust ME)

Answer 12

An economy Size Bucket of Bug-B-Gone for se' Tarantulas ect..., a cal.357 Magnum Revolver (no Automatic!!!), and a AK 47, 6-10 30 Round Magazines (military) and Plenty of Ammo! A Pump Action 12 Gauge Shotgun & a 500 Case of 00-Buck Lawenforcment Shells.

Guatemala is not a Land for Puzzies! If you can't defend yourself then the People WILL take ADVANTAGE of YOU!

So let the People in your Area around you KNOW that you are LOCO & INSANE in the MEMBRANE!

Go ahead and shoot a couple of Dogs that growl at you with your Pocket Howitzer 357Magnum and then just holster the Gun and continiue with the things that you were doing before killing the Dog, as if nothing happened.... it shows those People that you ARE NOT AFRAID TO PULL THE TRIGGER!

Flash around your Dollar Bills! That's a SURE WAY to attract unwanted Company in a dark Alley Way, while you stumble home, drunk, from the Cantina after MUCHO SERVEZA!

And consider that MOST Pretty Girls are NOT Virgins anymore! So using a Rubber is ALWAYS a good Idea!

Boil you Water or use Bottled Water! Always!

Try the Local Cuisine, but make sure the Stuff is cooked Thouroughly!!!! There is NO USDA in Guatemala!

Always have a knife handy and on you!

Always have a Several Packs of American Cigarettes ready, even if YOU don't smoke! Lighter of course too! (A War Corrospondent told me that one, it saved his BEHIND a PLENTY OF TIMES!)

That's it for now! Have FUN  in se Jungle Man!

Then you should have no Problems

Answer 13

watch out for people wanting to kidnapp you.

Answer 14

check to see if the water is drinkable and wear a shirt.

Answer 15

San Lucas Toliman is right on Lake Atitlan, 1 mile above sea level. It is also the gateway down to the Pacific coast. On the coast, insects are always a problem.  It will be hot and sticky, and March is the start of the rainy season.

     Up around the lake, insects won't be a problem. Jeans and a t-shirt during the day. It will be sunny every morning. Even in the rainy season it rarely rains before noon. Add a sweater in the evenings, or if you go up out of the caldera, to Chichicastenango for example.

     When you come up from Guatemala City to San Lucas, try to come on the "old back road", thru Patzun. The scenery  is spectacular!