Okay, so which restaurant are you 100% heading to after to watching this video?

Yup, Antigua - and Guatemala overall - is incredibly underrated. I was lucky enough to go there for Christmas 2017. I had to cancel a previous trip earlier in the spring (emergency surgery in Prague, long story), and this was sort of a way to make up for it. It was cheap, and I'd never been there before. I didn't expect much going in, and was blown away. Kind people, great food, beautiful architecture, fascinating history... It has everything. Going there in late December is pretty interesting. Aside from the decorations in the various hotels and restaurants, they also send up fireworks until 2:30 AM... and sing drunken karaoke until 3. I know this because I had to go to bed early to catch a flight (which was a rather old air bus!) to Tikal. Ended up doing Tikal on Christmas Morning with absolutely zero sleep. Now that was a bucket list experience. That's aside from hiking at Pacaya, photographing Volcan de Fuego as it erupted, visiting villages and a women's weaving co-op in Lake Atitlan, and a day in Guatemala City. I've done a fair bit of traveling (34 countries / 6 continents!), but Guatemala was one of the best.

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

Wow what a review for Guatamala! It really is a country with so much to offer. If you had to choose one experience out of them all, which would you say stood out as a must for anyone else going?

@Polymathically

Ай бұрын

@@hopscotchtheglobe I'd definitely go with Tikal. It's a UNESCO site and national park, the scenery is beautiful, and you get to learn about Guatemala's history and culture. Just make sure you get more sleep than I did! Lake Atitlan comes in a close second, though. It's been called the most beautiful lake in the world, and I have to agree. Scenic landscapes, all the villages... I was I could link my photos here, but this site's filter doesn't like it. The women's weaving co-op in San Juan La Laguna is worth a stop if you like scarves; I got one there and still wear it regularly. Lots of artist studios near there, too. 3rd would be hiking. I only had time to do Pacaya, and I did it in just shorts and a t-shirt. The local guides thought I was crazy for doing that in December, but the temperature was basically the same as an average summer day here in San Francisco. The guides will bring marshmallows and let you toast them over the volcanic vents. You can also ride a horse up the trail if you pay extra.

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

I haven't done Tikal yet. I did Lake Atitlán and the women's weaving co op on our group trips we organize with our subscribers. I def want to go to Tikal. I did Acatanango and Fuego went I went but not Pacaya. How do you compare them? You're making me excited to go back.

@Polymathically

Ай бұрын

@@hopscotchtheglobe Tikal is great, just be sure to bring a hat and some water. I did the tour; half of it was guided, and the other was just wandering around. The terrain isn't hard to navigate, and you can ascend some of the temples. If you've watched Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, you'll recognize the setting of the rebel base at Yavin 4 as seen from the top of one of the temples. Keep an eye out for coatmundis looking for food, as well as monkeys in the trees. As for Pacaya, it's pretty easy as long as you're in decent shape and have good shoes. There were a couple dozen people of all ages in my group, including a few kids. No one had any problems. The dried lava field at the end is a little underwhelming, and you obviously can't go to the summit. But at least the landscape views on the way up/back down are great.

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

@@Polymathically Incredible! thanks so much for all these tips. I'm excited to go back!

Como Guatemala no hay otra Guatemala es maravillosa tierra bendita por Dios arriba Guatemala

😮exelente 👍 video muy bello guatemala 💚💚💚 muy lindo felicidades 👏 🫡🫡🫡🙋🏻🙋🏻🙋🏻🙋🏻

amazing , its been awhile since yall gone back, actually i subscribed after that very distant trip to Guatemala so many many years ago. Love mi Guatebella!

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

I LOVE Guatemala. It was so nice to go back. There's really so much to do there. We are already planning another family trip there real soon.

Great video! Love La Antigua Guatemala 🇬🇹 ❤ Thank you for sharing great quality content about my beautiful country!

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

You're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed the video. Can't wait to go back again real soon.

Looks beautiful! Looks very similar in architecture and design to the towns of the nearby Yucatan state of Mexico.

@hopscotchtheglobe

21 күн бұрын

Absolutely! I love the history of the place. It's quickly become one of my fav cities in Latin America.

Thanks! I'm going to Guatemala soon and you helped me with good tips! I'll definitely go to Caoba Farms restaurant, like a typical brazilian i love fresh vegetables and fruits 😊

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

I'm so excited for you! You're going to have such a great time. Caoba was my favorite so I'm glad you're going there. Also if I had to choose one more experience, it would be the speak easy (the secret door is located inside the Antigua brewery)

I can honestly see that you enjoyed Antigua . It’s my favorite place to visit when in Guatemala . Hope you had a very good time . I Love my country!!🇬🇹

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

I had such a great time. My third time in Guatemala and I'm already planning my next week visit. Any recommendations?

@raulbarrera7894

Ай бұрын

@@hopscotchtheglobe nice, Guatemala has so much to offer. Highly recommend you go to rio dulce , Livingston, isla de Flores, Tikal . You can visit all those places if you have at least one week. I did it, and it was incredible .

Did you fly from San Jose? I’m living in CR now and going to need to do a border run in 3 months. I love Guatemala. Thanks for the video.

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

Yup! With Avianca. Was just under 1.5 hours and cost me $200 for a return. I paid a bit more to arrive and leave at times I liked (not in the middle of the night) and I chose to just bring a personal item instead of paying for carry on and brought my Nomad Lane Bento Bag (which you can get a 10% discount off with my code KRISTEN10 and this link nomad-lane.myshopify.com/discount/KRISTEN10?rfsn=7859365.a3ac409) if you're interested. The Airbnb was really affordable too between me and my friend. We paid $45 each per night.

There seems to be a migration movement of expats in Costa Rica relocating to Guatemala.. Looks beautiful ! Definitely adding this to the travel list

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

I know a lot of people living in Costa Rica go to Guatemala for border runs (that's what I did during this visit), but I didn't know about people relocating there. I definitely see the appeal though. It's my third time and it's a very rich country with so much to offer.

@bigal8986

Ай бұрын

My daughter after 2 years in Belize moved to Antigua, Guatemala 2 years ago, fell in love and now happily call it home.

I've been to Antigua a few times, and have never heard of that farm to table place, that looks amazing! Definitely going to try next time. Hard to go wrong with food in Antigua though haha. The first time I went there I was honestly kinda like 'meh,' I thought it was beautiful but too touristy (especially after spending the last 2.5 months in Xela). However, I spent three weeks there last year and really enjoyed it! Tourist crowds aside, it's a lovely town. I definitely spent at least half of my days working at that Starbucks just for their beautiful garden. McDonalds is also worth checking out just for their incredible garden. And highly recommend the Chocomuseo chocolate making course! So fun and educational and the chocolate bar you get to make (and put your own toppings on) is delish. A walk up to Cerro de la cruz is also a must.

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

That's great that you gave it another chance and found the charm in it. The food is everything there haha. That farm to table place was absolutely my favorite out of them all. I'm still dreaming of that salad every day. And the way they make the hibiscus tea is unreal. I'm going to try and duplicate it. I've never been to Xela...what's it like?

@eljj7968

Ай бұрын

@@hopscotchtheglobe Xela is cool! Bit bigger and less typically 'charming' I guess, but a fun place. I went there to study Spanish and it's great for that. Also amazing food!

My daughter Emily and her boyfriend Dannyl live there! Dann works the door at El Barrio and she works online. Thanks for the video!!

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

Amazing! How long have they lived there for?

@bigal8986

Ай бұрын

@@hopscotchtheglobe She for 2 years after 2 years in Belize. He was born there.

Going all over Guatemala next month. We are visiting my daughter’s exchange students (our bonus kids) and their family. They are taking us to Tikal, Atitlan, Antigua, and Monterrico beach…and their home in Guatemala City of course!

@santiagosagastume2991

Ай бұрын

How was your experience?

@joeblowyaknow6499

Ай бұрын

@@santiagosagastume2991 the experience of hosting them was great! As for our experience in Guatemala, we will find out next month!

🎉🎉. Very welcome to my country very nice video ; I'm very happy you guy's enjoy your time in Guatemala. 🎉🎉. Very welcome. ❤

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much. We love Guatemala and can't wait to come back again.

Beautiful

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

It really is!

Thank you for this entertaining video!

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

You're very welcome :)

Nice video..i like❤❤❤❤❤

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

So glad you enjoyed it 😊

Por que no supe que andabas en Guatemala :c eres una de mis creadoras favoritas

I haven’t been to Antiqua for at least 25 years, but I’m surprised how much it resembles San Cristobol de las Casa in Mexico.

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

I haven't been there yet! But my mom has and said the same thing. I guess I'm adding San Cristobol to the list!

@danielag.ishikawa

Ай бұрын

San Cristobal de Las Casas is the reason i'm going to Guatemala!! This part of América is ❤❤❤❤

♥️♥️♥️🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

Love Guatemala ❤️

🌷😚😚😚

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

,😊😊😊

DO YOU KNOW OF CAYALA CITY

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

No!? Tell me about it

@bondedteam626

Ай бұрын

@@hopscotchtheglobe It is called Cayala City. Great city inside a city

@Rachel-ct3jc

Ай бұрын

@@hopscotchtheglobe Cayala city is an urban development located on the outskirts of Guatemala City, often referred as a "city within a city." It's a very nice and peaceful place to visit.

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

@@Rachel-ct3jc Very cool! I just looked it up. I definitely want to check it out in person.

Wow what a fun place! Ok I got a chocolate joke for you. What pronouns does chocolate use? Her/she!

@hopscotchtheglobe

Ай бұрын

lol. I'll admit I had to read that twice :p