Im looking for a cheap guide who speaks english/spanish to help me get around guatamala,any ideas?

Question

Flying to guatamala in november, dont speak the language,have no idea where to stay (cheaply),get edible food,where to avoid, how to arrange transport exetra..Help!

Answer 1

Dont't know how much time you have but have you considered a language school? I mean even if you did that for a week and (let's say you got a language tape before hand just for a primer) that would help you a lot. And it's really not that expensive (maybe $150 usd a week for school, room and board). Many schools also offer excursions to places on the weekend and some afternoons. For example, I climbed a vocano, visited a macadamia nut farm, went to Lago Atitlan and Chichicastenango. You get the picture. Do some research on schools though before commiting to a school - this board is a good place to do that. By the way, no need to study for more than half day (four hours). You'll want the rest of the day to excursion and go to the markets and visit with people you meet.

Don't worry about finding a guide. Guatemala is filled with many gringos traveling everywhere. A good place to meet them is Antigua and Antigua is a good place to start any journey (plus it's loaded with language schools). There are a lot of shuttles and shuttle tours going many places from Antigua (Panajachel, Xela, Chichicastenango, etc.). And that is good for you because then you don't have to worry about taking the "chicken buses" or worrying about when to get off and which bus to take next, etc. You are going to be fine... but do consider a language school - it's cheap and just to be able to talk to the locals will make it worth your while. They are wonderful.

There are many places you can eat safe food although nothing is guaranteed. I myself contracted typhoid fever down there even after being vaccinated and I was very careful... so whatever, there's no guarantee. Just don't eat from street vendors and you should do well. If the place doesn't look clean then go to the next place. Of course, always drink and brush your teeth with only bottled water. You won't have a hard time finding it. Don't ever wander off alone into ruins, even in cities like Antigua (even within the city). Always go with someone. Don't climb a mountain by yourself or hike anywhere alone. Oh, and if you are in Guatemala City - be inside behind locked doors by dark, and don't go out again til the sun comes up. Seriously. If you use common sense you should be just fine. I never had a single problem and I was a solo female traveler. I found the people super friendly overall.

If you are freaked when you arrive at La Aurora (Guatemala's International Airport) - there is a really nice and clean, safe and friendly little hostel (don't let that word scare you away) literally one minute from the airport - website link pasted below. They also have private rooms - book ahead. I stayed there upon my arrival in Guate the first time and it was like a Godsend. They will also pick you up from the airport if they know you are coming ahead of time - it's better than overpaying a cab driver. Well worth checking out. I think the guy even spoke english pretty well if I remember correctly. You can even email them.

Relax, get yourself a travel guide from lonely planet. They have many listings of places you can stay cheaply. It's a good place to start and a resource you shouldn't be without if you don't speak the language well - or at all. And then have yourself a good time when you get there.

Answer 2

You really do not need to contract a guide before arriving at Guatemala. At the time of being in the airport or some other terminal, like the one of buses, there will be many people who will offer as guides for the route which you want to do. On the other hand, you will find many tourists of your country and Europe with which also you can travel. I am Mexican and alive in cancún and I dedicate myself to take tourists to Guatemala. By experience it is better than you do not contract before since they can swindle to you. In Guatemala it is not punished to those who commits a fraud by Internet. When you are there, you will have several people to choose, you do not worry.

Answer 3

I think a first-car should be a well-cared for used car. Not ancient, but not new. The insurance will be more affordable since it's not a valuable, but used does not mean dead, or ugly. Local because you can have someone you trust check it out before you buy it. It'll give you something to gain experience on and get you where you need to go, without breaking you.

Answer 4

you can go to guatemala.com and try researching for a guide. you can get eatable food anywhere the only problem is that the cheaper the more probable that the food was cooked in an unsanitary way. must deficnetly go to : Antigua, Tikal, Esquipulas, Biotopo, Atitlan, Peten, but u definetly need a guide.