In this blog post, I talk about my experience with a group tour to Guatemala organized by the company Here & Now Travel. This post is a recap of my experience and not sponsored, but if you find yourself inspired to join a future group trip—whether it is in Guatemala or some place else—use code PREE100 for $100 off your first trip with them!
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As someone who’s always been type A and loves to travel, I’ve set myself a long-term goal of visiting as many of the 197 (maybe it’s more, some lists include Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, while I’ve seen some say Curacao is technically part of the Netherlands 🙄…in my book it is its own country, I’m counting it 😝) countries as possible. It’s a big task, but I’m determined to experience the world, one country at a time.
For a while, I focused mostly on Europe because it was easy to plan, affordable, and familiar, but over time, Europe started to feel repetitive and boring. Eastern Europe provides some variation, but even then, it does not feel like an “adventurous” destination to me anymore.
Last year, I was able to begin prioritizing international travel on my side of the globe, like Playa del Carmen and Chichen Itza in Mexico, and the trip to Curacao. After my first trip to Serbia earlier that year, and going on some hiking adventures, I knew I needed to explore more challenging and adventurous destinations.
It made sense to continue down south and look into Central America. Guatemala wasn’t on my radar initially, but after hearing about amazing experiences from two friends who had been in recent times, it started to spark my interest.
I have to be honest and admit that at first, I did have some small reservations—at least with the thought of traveling alone. I know that the news and media outlets like to sensationalize things, and so I appreciated the feedback I got from two friends I trust. I trusted their experiences more over whatever has been shared on the nightly news.
I also realized that there are many group tours to Guatemala, which gave me reassurance that it must be a safe and welcoming place for tourists. After visiting Greece and Bulgaria this summer, my social media algorithm quickly picked up on my travel habits and started bombarding me with ads for group tours, many of them in Guatemala.
Originally, I was planning to go with an all-female solo travelers group, excited for the longer itinerary they offered. Unfortunately, that trip fell through—some of the girls couldn’t commit to the dates I had blocked off. At first, I was disappointed and thought I’d have to cancel everything and look for another trip. But then, I stumbled across a company called Here and Now, which happened to have a tour scheduled on the exact dates I was available. With their trip being shorter, I was thrilled at the prospect of not only getting my Guatemala adventure, but also having a few days to relax at home before jumping back into work. It felt like everything was falling into place!
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Prep and Day 1
I always joke that I love traveling but hate everything leading up to it—especially packing. My work schedule doesn’t leave much room for daydreaming about upcoming trips, so I kept prep simple. The only things I proactively did were buy real hiking boots from REI—because after hiking through Bulgaria in run-down running shoes, I knew that the only way I would ever want to go hiking again is if I get REAL boots! I also stocked up on some of my favorite US snacks a few days before the trip, since I’m the type who gets hangry fast, especially when vegetarian-friendly options are limited.
One nice perk of this trip was flying direct out of IAH airport in Houston. I got to spend Thanksgiving with family (after almost SEVEN years of no Thanksgivings spent at home—because I was traveling or living in Italy, lol), and then head off on my adventure without the stress of multiple connections. The flight itself was smooth, and I landed in Guatemala City around 1 p.m., grabbed my suitcase, breezed through customs, and found my driver.
The drive from Guatemala City to Antigua, though—whew. The winding roads, construction, traffic, and even a couple of car accidents turned it into a full sensory experience. But it also gave me an instant glimpse of local life, like watching my driver and his girlfriend(?) in the passenger seat casually buy snacks from vendors weaving between cars as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
I checked into the Good Hotel in Antigua around 3:30pm, quickly freshened up, and joined a few travelers from my group for a short walk around town before meeting our full group and guide in the lobby for introductions and dinner. The hotel itself was fantastic—clean, minimalist, and thoughtfully designed. There were tiny Guatemalan worry dolls placed on our beds, which was such a charming touch. I did have a roommate for the entire trip, but Here & Now did a great job pairing travelers based on sleep schedules and logistical preferences.
Dinner that night was at El Adobe, which offered a mix of authentic Guatemalan dishes and other options. I ordered a cauliflower dish (advertised as spicy but definitely mild, and a bit cold) along with a steamed veggie platter topped with a creamy lemon drizzle. They also served blue corn tortillas tableside, which were delicious. Guatemalan cuisine is definitely meat-forward, and I knew going in I would face challenges, but the veggie options I did get access to in Antigua were surprisingly good.
After dinner, the group wandered into a nearby bar, and after a few minutes my roommate and I called it an early night. Before heading back, our guide helped me withdraw cash—$139 worth—which, combined with a few credit card charges, ended up being the perfect amount for the entire trip.
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Day 2
The next morning, I woke up early in order to do something I had not been planning to during the trip—run! Leading up to the trip, I wasn’t sure if running would be feasible in Guatemala, given concerns about road safety and accessibility. However, upon arriving in Antigua and seeing the quality of the hotel, I felt much more confident. I sought advice from the concierge, who reassured me that running in the city center was perfectly safe in the mornings. They did mention that areas outside the city could be more challenging to navigate, but as long as I stayed within the city, it would be fine.
I decided to follow their recommendation and embarked on a short, 2-mile run. It turned out to be more difficult than I had anticipated, primarily because the roads in Antigua are mostly cobblestone. The sidewalks were either narrow or nonexistent, so I had to remain very cautious while navigating through the streets. Despite the difficulty, the run was invigorating, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there was a 5K/10K race taking place that morning. If I had known about the event in advance, I might have considered joining in (lol!).
After my run, I met up with a few of my fellow travelers to head into town. We were planning to visit the “famous arch” (Arco de Santa Catalina) and get some photos in. We gathered in the hotel lobby, and I had just enough time to shower, change, and join the group for the short walk to the arch. Although we left at 7 AM, thinking we would beat the crowds, there were still many people already out and about. Nonetheless, we managed to take some great photos.
Upon our return to the hotel, we were ready for breakfast. The breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Saul, was delightful. The variety of options was impressive, and as part of the trip package, we were entitled to one breakfast item and a hot drink (black coffee or tea). However, I opted to pay a out-of-pocket for a cappuccino, which cost $3.25—a reasonable price considering what one might pay at a US Starbucks! The cappuccino came with a small biscotti, which was a nice touch. I paired it with oatmeal, which had a porridge-like consistency and was topped with fresh berries and nuts. It was light yet filling, and just enough for that morning since we were soon on our way to a Guatemalan cooking class!
The class was held in the home of a Guatemalan woman named Saira, along with her sister. Their family has a long history in the culinary arts, with family members holding executive culinary positions within the Guatemalan government. It was clear that they were deeply passionate about their country’s food culture, and they were eager to share their knowledge with us.
The class was divided into three groups: one for appetizers, one for the main course, and one for dessert. I placed myself in the dessert group, as the appetizer and main course preparations involved meat, but the hosts kindly made sure there were vegetarian options for me by the time we were ready to eat!
The experience was both enjoyable and informative, offering a unique opportunity to bond with fellow travelers while learning about Guatemalan cuisine and the cultural significance of the dishes we were preparing.
After the Guatemalan cooking class, we had some free time to relax before the next activity of the day: a visit to a local coffee plantation. Around 2:00 p.m., we boarded a bus and headed to San Miguel Escobar, home to a family-run, multigenerational coffee farm. There, we met one of the family members who walked us through the entire coffee-growing process—from crop cultivation and harvesting, to quality control and roasting.
The family shared the historical and cultural significance of their farm, explaining how their long-standing relationships with U.S. partners and exporters have helped support not only their own family, but neighboring families as well. It was eye-opening to see how interconnected community, trade, and sustainability are within their operation.
After touring the plantation and seeing the coffee plants up close, we traveled to the family’s home and processing area. They demonstrated how the beans are husked, processed, and roasted, explaining the differences between light, medium, and dark roasts (including the surprising fact that lighter and medium roasts actually contain more caffeine than dark roasts). We also learned more about how their plantation partners with coffee companies in the U.S. to distribute their beans.
Of course, we got to sample the coffee fresh—and it was incredible. We also had the opportunity to purchase coffee products, including skincare items created in collaboration with another local brand, and each of us received a complimentary bag of coffee to take home. It felt good to directly support a local business while gaining a deeper appreciation for a drink so many of us take for granted.
After the plantation visit, we headed as a group to Antigua Brewing Company for happy hour. With rooftop views, snacks that doubled as dinner for some, and plenty of conversation (plus a few card games), we stayed until nightfall. Fireworks began lighting up the sky, and we learned that in Guatemala, fireworks usually signal a celebration—often a wedding.
After about two hours on the rooftop, we decided it was time for dinner. I was craving a place that catered to vegans and vegetarians, so I ventured out on my own and found Samsara, a small, hole-in-the-wall vegan restaurant. Like many vegan spots around the world, it had that familiar hippie, eco-conscious vibe—but I always love supporting plant-based businesses wherever I travel.
I ordered a tempeh bowl with coconut peanut sauce and rice, paired with a hot tea. It was hearty, comforting, and exactly what I needed. After dinner, I headed back to rest—knowing the next day would bring the volcano hike and that I’d need every bit of energy for what was ahead.
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All in all, my first two days in Guatemala were enriching and filled with memorable moments—whether it was the challenge of running on cobblestone streets, experiencing the bustling atmosphere of Antigua’s iconic arch, or learning about the rich culinary traditions of the country. So far, this was all just a sampling of what was to come—even more exciting adventures were awaiting!
Stick around for Part 2!
