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! You can read Part 1 here.
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Day three of the trip was one I had been especially looking forward to—hiking a volcano! Originally, I had hoped to do an overnight hike to Acatenango with a different tour company when I was planning my trip to Guatemala, but with H&N, the volcano of choice was Pacaya. It was a shorter day hike, but still required a good level of fitness. Even though it wasn’t the overnight adventure I’d imagined, I was still really excited—this time I had proper hiking boots, and I was ready.
We started the day with an earlier-than-usual breakfast before hopping on the bus and heading toward the trailhead. Once there, we met our guide and were told that horses would be available if anyone got too tired or out of breath. Most of us were hesitant/embarrassed about needing to use that option, but thankfully no one in our group needed to use a horse.
The hike was no joke. Because of the high altitude and the steep incline right from the start, I felt out of breath almost immediately. Still, after pushing through the beginning, my body adjusted, and the experience became incredibly fulfilling. After about an hour and a half, we reached the summit, took photos, and soaked in the scenery.
The descent was much easier, and near the lower levels, we passed dogs running around the volcanic soil and natural smoke pits where people were roasting marshmallows—a fun local tradition.
Another hour and a half later, we were back at the base. Thanks to my hiking boots, the trek was much more manageable, and while I felt tired, I was only a little sore the next day.
After the hike, we headed to Rainbow Café for lunch, where we were able to preorder our meals. I chose a falafel plate, and it was incredibly satisfying as a post-hike meal. The café reminded me a lot of Samsara, but this time, I was really glad to partake in a meal that satisfied my cravings while with the group.
After lunch, some of us went on a walking tour of Antigua, while others wandered through the outdoor markets (I was mentally pooped from the hike and opted for the latter). I was thoroughly amused by the abundance of capybara-themed products—it seems the capybara obsession has truly taken flight, and it makes sense because these creatures are the GOAT.
Nothing in particular caught my eye, but I enjoyed tagging along. Eventually, another girl from my group and I stopped for some long-awaited gelato. For only two quetzales, it was incredibly delicious and absolutely worth it.
We spent the rest of the afternoon resting at the hotel before heading out for our last group dinner in Antigua at Hector’s Bistro. The menu had plenty of options, including pizzas and American-style dishes. I ordered sweet potato fries with a vegetable platter, which was both satisfying and flavorful.
After dinner, everyone went their separate ways for the night. I turned in early, ready for the next chapter of the trip.
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The following day, we headed to Lake Atitlán. The drive took most of the morning (about 3 hours), but we arrived to our hotel (Jardines del Lago) just before lunch, giving us time to relax and take in the views.
Lunch was at a very local, hole-in-the-wall spot serving Uruguayan food. The portions were massive, but unfortunately, the food itself was pretty bland. I ate what I could, but it wasn’t my favorite meal of the trip. Still in the mood for something sweet, I treated myself to another scoop of gelato—this time a creamy Nutella flavor—which made everything better.
Soon after, we visited a nearby nature reserve. Some people went zip lining and ended up having a very unexpected, somewhat chaotic experience that led to serious trauma bonding. I was part of the group that chose to hike instead, though not by choice. We were supposedly trying to find a beach, but the trail ended up being longer and more confusing than expected, which made it a bit frustrating. It wasn’t my favorite part of the trip, but it was still an adventure.
Later on, a few of us decided to get massages. I went with my fellow gelato girlie to a local spot that was able to fit us in, while others found appointments at another nearby salon. An hour-long massage only cost around $35 USD! A tip wasn’t required, but I threw one in 🙂
That evening, we had dinner at a fusion Asian restaurant and continued getting acquainted with Lake Atitlán.
Our hotel in Panajachel was more basic compared to the boutique-style hotel in Antigua, but it was clean, well-located, and had beautiful views of the lake. And of course, I ended the night with yet another scoop of gelato.
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Our last full day took us to different parts of the lake for swimming and cultural activities. Breakfast at the hotel was a buffet, but it filled up quickly—if you weren’t there by 7:00 a.m., it was already packed. I was not enthusiastic about the options anyways.
After breakfast, we gathered outside and took a boat to a lookout point (Cerro Tzankujil) where people could jump into the lake, swim, sunbathe, and take photos. It was a relaxing and scenic stop. I took a pic of Panajachel in the morning—a much more quiet view!
At Cerro Tzankujil, I opted to mostly sun bathe as the water was too cold for my liking. I did try to walk around in the water for a bit, but it ended up feeling too boring haha.
Next, we headed to San Juan La Laguna, a colorful lakeside village full of vendors, cafés, and art. At the dock, our guide pointed out Indian Nose, which is another famous hiking destination. It really did look like a nose!
Our first stop was a women’s cooperative focused on traditional weaving and natural dyeing practices.
One of the women walked us through the entire process, and because it’s a co-op, the handmade items are sold directly in their shop. I ended up purchasing a few gifts, happy to support their work.
As a side note, one of the items I purchased made it into a white elephant game at a Christmas party I attended, and the person who ended up with it was absolutely in love!
Afterwards, we broke into smaller groups to explore the town—wandering through shops, admiring murals, and taking in the vibrant atmosphere.
We regrouped for lunch, which again wasn’t anything spectacular, but it kept us going. Our overall time spent in town was for a shorter duration compared to some of our destinations on the trip. Apparently there were other towns around the lake that had their own personalities—like San Marcos La Laguna, which is supposedly famous for its spiritual vibe, yoga studios, meditation centers, and bohemian atmosphere. I’m sure I would have found delicious vegetarian options there!
By the afternoon, everyone was pretty exhausted, so we returned to the hotel to rest, enjoy the sunset, and take photos by the lake. That evening, we gathered for our farewell dinner. While the food wasn’t particularly memorable, the live music and the shared experience made it special. I didn’t get my nightly scoop of gelato that evening, but I did have ice cream and spent the rest of the night reflecting on the trip and appreciating everything it had been.
The final day was purely a travel day. We woke up early for the long drive back to Guatemala City and the airport, said our goodbyes, and boarded our flights. Even though the trip was only five days long, it felt incredibly meaningful. Experiencing Guatemala alongside like-minded travelers—people who were just as present and appreciative—made the memories even more special.
I’m already planning to join H&N next year for a trip to Belize, and hope to see more of Central and South America with companies like them. It helps when you don’t have to worry about logistics—a vacation can actually feel more like a vacation!
Have you ever visited Guatemala?
