Things To Know Before Visiting Guatemala 🇬🇹

I spent six month living in Guatemala. In this vlog, I'm sharing some things you should know before visiting Guatemala in 2022. This country is a mix of beautiful Spanish and Mayan influence filled with amazing food, coffee, and views. Guatemala is a beautiful country and I recommend anyone visit it! :)
FULL WRITTEN GUATEMALA GUIDE IS NOW LIVE:
oliviaanelise.substack.com
Timestamps:
0:00 - 2:23 - intro/thoughts on guatemala
2:24 - 3:16 : visa
3:17 - 3:54 : apps to download
3:55 - 4:12 : currency
4:13 - 5:08 : paying for things
5:09 - 6:41 : language
6:42 - 11:21 : arriving/getting around
11:22 - 12:48 : wet vs dry season
12:49 - 18:12 : what to/not to pack
18:13 - 25:42 : things to do
25:43 - 26:02 : random
26:03 - 26:54 : outro
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[@jorgejimenez7925]

All these towns are very safe to visit. I was at Antigua and walked the streets at midnight with absolutely no issues. Wherever you go in Guatemala, do not wear any jewelry, do not carry a lot of cash, carry copies and pictures of your documents. Dress as comfortable as possible. Enjoy their hospitality. Rest assure that they won't judge you because of what you are wearing. So, leave your fancy, designer clothing at home. The natives at these towns don't care about labels. For the most part, these kind of towns any where in Guatemala are safe. I would stay away from the city.

[@latinaalma1947]

Yes blonde gringa here since 1999 fabulous coun try and people and safe...yes outside the capital.

[@eliv.o7105]

Which city? Quetzaltenango is nice, coban is nice, antigua is nice….the capital is super underrated, everyone should go there.

[@mrbee1611]

Why stay away from the city I got ton of family there

[@CookinwithHilda]

Nice video! 🇬🇹❤️ Loved the natural way you have to share your thoughts and tips! Thank you for sharing this. Big thumbs up! 👍

[@olivia.anelise]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@CiaranTravels]

brilliant video! thank you for this! I can't wait to visit Guatemala!

[@olivia.anelise]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@CiaranTravels]

@@olivia.anelise you’re welcome!

[@adventureawaits5003]

Awesome video Olivia thanks for sharing appreciate the info 👍

[@olivia.anelise]

My pleasure!!

[@tommyg.9069]

Excellent video - thanks for the info.

[@olivia.anelise]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@venusbabe8409]

Super helpful!!! Thank you! ❤

[@olivia.anelise]

so happy you found it helpful 💜

[@eldeadpool7075]

I will start to follow you because I am from Guatemala. God bless you!!

[@olivia.anelise]

Thank you so much!

[@luceliaschirrmann7670]

Thank you for preparing this video and sharing all these information!!! Very good, be with Angels and hugs from South Brazil!!!

[@olivia.anelise]

I'm so happy you found it helpful. I hope you have an amazing trip. Brazil is a dream for me. I hope to visit someday! :)

[@pattysparkles8812]

Im going to Guatemala on Monday! Im So Excited😍🎉😇

[@olivia.anelise]

OMG! Hope you have an amazing time! 💜💜💜

[@ebotrandibelar4332]

Ohh 😯 am so happy for you,how can I get the visa?

[@Liza-gd7jf]

Beautiful love this video!

[@olivia.anelise]

Thank you so much!

[@papiichulotv4905]

Thank you , great information

[@olivia.anelise]

Thank you so much!

[@vinnyruiz118]

Wow.. this video was very informational thank you!!

[@olivia.anelise]

Thank you!! Glad it was helpful! :)

[@vinnyruiz118]

@@olivia.anelise I plan on visiting soon ! So this video came at good timing. Can I be able switch currency when I get there? I know you mention airport taking away 100 from you so what is best way to avoid that

[@olivia.anelise]

@@vinnyruiz118 Hi Vinny! There should be places to exchange your money near Centro Antigua. I've never done it as I typically just take out cash at an ATM.

[@byronperez3558]

Hi guy's welcome to Guatemala 🇬🇹we have everyting do you need...always welcome

[@SINcityBigLOU]

Thank you 🙏 very informative 😊

[@olivia.anelise]

My pleasure 😊

[@LM-cl6ys]

Thanks for the info and the heads up re: Tuk Tuk, since I recently had back surgery :).

[@olivia.anelise]

No problem! I hope you're recovering smoothly! 💜

[@GttfriedKahr]

Thank you very much❤️

[@marcohernandez9587]

Beautiful, nice video 📷💯

[@olivia.anelise]

Thank you so much 😀

[@dridimensional8753]

I am grateful for this information. It would help to know more about pricing for budgeting the trip. As far as the cost of those shuttles to different areas of Guatemala, the boat trips, etc…

[@olivia.anelise]

Thank you for the comment. I'm glad you found it helpful. Next time I visit Guatemala, I will try to make a video like this. Thank you

[@chikovillarreal1391]

🇬🇹🇬🇹🇬🇹💙 amamos Guate!

[@olivia.anelise]

✨✨

[@metarus208]

thanks olivia

[@andyx7687]

Great video! Lots of good info. I am thinking of visiting Guatemala, but I wonder if its too difficult? I notice that almost everyone making videos about Guatemala is young. I am approaching my 70th birthday, but I am pretty active, walking 3 to 4 miles most days. I am adventurous, and this sounds like an adventure!

[@olivia.anelise]

Hi Andy! Thank you for your comment. Guatemala is an adventurous place with many terrains, but I think if you believe you can, you should! Antigua is a very walkable city, and the lake has people of all ages but lots of hills and dirt roads. Tuktuks and boats are the main way of transport around the lake. I hope this helped.

[@andyx7687]

Thank you!

[@N0t0riouslover]

Love your vlogs! What internet did you use for laptops? I plan to work remotely and am having a hard time finding mobile internet.

[@olivia.anelise]

Hi! Thanks so much for watching. I just used wifi wherever I was and in our airbnb.

[@CarlosLopez-bt2ty]

❤

[@claireleighton7989]

Thanks for the info ❤ thoughts on Xela? I am considering visiting to do Spanish lessons there. Is it a cool place?

[@olivia.anelise]

Hi Claire! I haven’t visited Xela yet but hear only great things about it. There’s also Spanish lessons around the lake as well. Wishing you all the best! 💜

[@missalishageorgia2517]

Hey I LOVE this video because my fiancé and I are moving to Guatemala tomorrow! how did you find getting your 180 day mexico FMM coming in by land from Guatemala? because we are thinking of doing that after spending 3 months in Guatemala :D

[@olivia.anelise]

Hi Alisha! Thank you so much for your comment. So excited for you! We only got approved 90 days arriving by land in January. They have been rarely giving out the entire 180 days but I did hear that's starting to change. Not 100% sure though. I would try asking for 180 days and go from there. Hope you have an amazing time! 💜

[@missalishageorgia2517]

@@olivia.anelise Awh thankyou for the reply!!!! We came in by air but only got 180 days because we paid upfront for accommodation! Which I don’t want to do again because I hate the restriction! Did you get 90 days without booking the accommodation upfront? :D ❤️🤘

[@olivia.anelise]

@@missalishageorgia2517 That's amazing!! Yes, we did, but they honestly didn't care lol 😂 It's worth a shot. A lot can change when you get there in three months.

[@historiasdelatinoamerica]

Welcome to Guatemala 🇬🇹 your house 🏡😃

[@olivia.anelise]

Thank you!! 💜

[@Ishtarthemoon]

It’s not super uncommon for Uber drivers to ask for extra, this was standard practice in Bali cos the price set by Uber was insanely low compared to what it had been set by the private individual contractors who would drive people around prior to Uber arriving. As a regular visitor to Bali I understood this as of course there was no way Uber drivers were going to be able to maintain their business on such low rates and I was told by other friends who lived there that this was standard and how much to pay for a standard ride. So Antigua sounds similar. I don’t see a problem with workers unionising and collectively agreeing to set their own fees to push back against a multinational corporation like Uber (who still hasn’t turned a profit as they are playing a super long game trying to dominate the global taxi market, they can probably afford to with huge investors, but that doesn’t mean local taxi drivers should suffer and not be able to feed their families). Although I didn’t see anything like this happening in Mexico City.

[@sauloswaldocoxajvelasquez8933]

Beautiful girl.. Gorgeous eyes...! So hugs...! Guatemala city....

[@olivia.anelise]

😊 thank you

[@cottoncandyflake]

If you recommend now taking a luggage what would u suggest for a stay longer than like a week? a carry on tote ? or just pack super light ? backpack?

[@olivia.anelise]

Hi Zirenia. Thank you for your comment. I suggest a backpacking backpack. Nothing with rollers, as it will be difficult for you to get on and off the boats and around the towns. I hope this helps. Have an amazing time!

[@therehastobesomethingmoore]

Who did you use to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan and then to San Cris ? We recently retired and are going to travel between Mexico and Argentina for the next 5-6 years in search of our favorite retirement place. We are currently in Nicaragua and in February we plan to go to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, and Xela….and San Cris Where would you tell your parents to retire ? Great video ! ….my wife HATES mosquitoes…..are insects that bad in Antigua too ?

[@olivia.anelise]

Thanks for your comment and good for you both! All are very different and it depends on what you're into. Mosquitos are a thing in Guatemala and it's something you can't avoid especially if you are more prone to getting bit like I am but for me, the beauty there outweighs the bites. We used Atitrans to get from the Lake to San Cris.

[@sabrinaliu66]

hello thanks for the tips and everything. can you please also recommend the internet data plan if you are travelling for at least a month? thanks!

[@olivia.anelise]

Hi Sabrina, Thanks so much for your comment. You can find an internet data plan with Claro Guatemala. They have them all over and they can set it up for you. Not 100% sure but your phone might have to be unlocked.

[@sabrinaliu66]

Thank you!!

[@mynitordeleon]

Hola 😘

[@Banana54100]

What was the weather like in May? I am visiting on May 17th and not sure what type of clothes to bring :)

[@olivia.anelise]

Perfect 73 during the day and chilly at night. Just make sure to bring layers. Enjoy your trip! 💜

[@latinaalma1947]

It is the rainy season now...cool.sometimes chilly at least 1 rain jacket, 1 sweater or sweatshirt you can sleep in this on a cold night one pr sweatpants to sleep.in and can be worn.The rest typical tpurist wear. Things you can ñater sleeveless top, short sleeve tee, long sleeve tee to layer under sweater.or jacket as needed ..that sort of stuff..

[@amberburke9941]

@@latinaalma1947 how is the weather in October?

[@latinaalma1947]

@@amberburke9941 70s daytime high 50s 60s night...elevation controls temps Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala City are the temps I mentioned , the Coasts Montericco on the Pacific,,Livingston,,Rio Dulce, Peten (Tikal)...hot 80s...high altitude Xela (Quetzaltenango), Coban 60s Huehuetenango, so: layers. Can get some rsin in October if tropocal storms are off the coasts, rain male dit chillier. The rainy season ends in November sometime during that month the rain stops...it is not always rainy Oct. But tropical storms mostly in the Caribbean affect our weather.

[@amberburke9941]

@@latinaalma1947 thank you! I have an opportunity to visit in October and the weather was a concern of mine. I want to be able to go out and explore😊

[@24hrstolive27]

So should I use cash? Or change out us currency? Do they accept us currency?

[@olivia.anelise]

you should use Guatemalan quetzal. you can take it out at an atm or exchange USD.

[@georgeestevez6502]

Whats and affordable way to get from the airport to Antigua?

[@olivia.anelise]

taxi or shared shuttle

[@bluemoon2585]

Thanks for this video. What’s the name of your second favorite town? I’m having a hard time understanding your verbiage.

[@olivia.anelise]

Hello. So sorry about that and thanks for the feedback. San Marcos and Tzununa are my favorites.

[@bluemoon2585]

@@olivia.anelise thank you for the info. Do u have an email or ig where I can send u a list of questions regarding Guatemala. I'm trying to plan out a trip over there. Love n Light Mari

[@olivia.anelise]

my ig is @olivia.anelise 💜

[@therehastobesomethingmoore]

There are not many videos about Xela ?

[@olivia.anelise]

I haven't visited Xela yet but hope to someday.

[@MsLauraP96]

I'm flying to Guatemala on March 6th and I want to know if you had to show all your hotel bookings because I'll be staying in different cities and I want to know if they need to see that

[@olivia.anelise]

Hi - no we didn’t have to show that.

[@MsLauraP96]

I've printed out everything in case they want to see it, but I'm also sleeping at a friends House for 2-3 days and I can't prove that with a booking, so I'm a bit worried

[@lorenzomatias3499]

I love you, your videos baby girl.

[@amandaweymouth1748]

Are there vegetarian options in traditional restaurants?

[@olivia.anelise]

They are very vegetarian-friendly in Guatemala. I have a complete guide to my favorite restaurants in Antigua as well if you'd like to check it out! :) oliviaanelise.substack.com/p/best-food-cafes-in-antigua-guatemalae

[@amandaweymouth1748]

@@olivia.anelisethanks so much! Traveling to Guatemala in a couple months with my bf and we are both vegetarian. Using all your content as a guide for info and inspiration :)

[@sayedafridi8313]

visa requirement

[@algae_rhythms]

What's the situation there re: masks and injection?

[@olivia.anelise]

Thanks for watching! Not too many masks in Antigua and barely any at the lake. U.S. citizens only need pcr test upon arrival. More info here: gt.usembassy.gov/alert-covid-19-2/

[@mdakher8773]

Pendu beautiful hype and

[@randycameron922]

Glad to your video. I think you guys can offer some great videos for people but why...why did you think it sounds better to not pronounce your Ts , art the end of words. The first time I hear usually time to leave. Like trying to sound all Street and urban? Stop it! Annoying enough to switch to another video

[@olivia.anelise]

What? I talk how I talk.

[@dznutzfoo]

Biring..Boring.

[@olivia.anelise]

You don't have to watch lol

[@dznutzfoo]

@@olivia.anelise trust me, I not

[@olivia.anelise]

@@dznutzfoo fine by me

[@johnnytarponds9292]

Too much useless talking. I gave up.

[@olivia.anelise]

hahaha well, many others found it useful. :)

[@alessandrorodagui5379]

This lady doesn't mention anything new, wherever you travel in the world is the same thing

[@olivia.anelise]

Lol what