Antigua, Guatemala with overnight hike on Acatenango Volcano Itinerary Jan 2024

 Antigua, Guatemala with overnight hike on Acatenango Volcano Itinerary Jan 2024 

Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua, Guatemala

Fuego Volcano erupting from Acatenango Volcano Base Camp

ITINERARY: FOR HI RESOLUTION ITINERARY AND LINKS TO TOURS WE TOOK CLICK HERE: Antigua, Guatemala Jan 2024

Other Guatemala Itineraries? See itinerary for Tikal/Flores, Guatemala or Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Itinerary

Day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of 10 day Guatemala Trip

PHOTOS: See photos here: MPTravels27 Instagram photos

AIRPORTS: There are two international airports in Guatemala: GUA & FRS

• Guatemala City (GUA) Airport: small airport. Long walk from plane to customs (uphill & downhill). Customs very fast. Has free WiFi throughout airport.
• Flores (FRS) Airport "Mundo Maya Intl Airport": Only one baggage claim. Tiny airport. Small cafe. 

FLIGHTS:

• We used American Airlines to/from Guatemala City 
• Going to Guatemala City from USA, no issues with luggage 
• In Guatemala City returning back to the USA, they did check our carry on luggage in the sizer. They did not check weight of carry on bags 
• We took TAG airlines from Guatemala City --> Flores --> Guatemala city to visit Tikal. Find more information on TAG airlines or visiting Tikal/Flores click here: Tikal/Flores Itinerary

TRANSPORTATION: Antigua streets have cobblestone - it makes it a bit uncomfortable driving or walking on the streets 

• Private transportation: We booked a private transportation through Due South Travels from GUA airport to Antigua ($40 usd) and another driver from Antigua to Panajachel ($95 usd). We had a very tight schedule - otherwise, we we would have done Uber to get around. We were also recommended GuateDriver from Facebook. 
• Tuk-Tuk: Easy way to get around Antigua. They charge per person traveling. Make sure to confirm the price before using the tuk-tuk. If you don't understand Spanish, open your calculator app and the driver will write out the cost of the trip. 
• Uber:  Very easy to use, inexpensive, and highly recommend! For safety, you provide a 4 digit PIN number to the driver. 

HOTEL:  We stayed at the Good Hotel Antigua and highly recommend it! But, staying anywhere in Antigua with good reviews is easy and a short tuk tuk ride, uber ride or walk away to the sites. 

WEATHER: We went in January (the dry season) and loved the weather! It was a little hot during the afternoon, but the mornings and evenings (light jacket required) were great weather.

PAYMENT METHODS: 

• Cash: Recommend bringing $100 USD worth of Guatemalan Quetzals in small bills
• Use for Tuk-tuks, local stores to buy water bottles, crafts, Hobbitenango round trip shuttle/entrance fee & tip for tour guides/drivers. All restaurants in Antigua took credit card. 
• If comfortable, definitely bargain to bring the cost down
• We exchanged cash before leaving to Guatemala through Bank of America. For money change, be sure to complete at least 2 weeks before trip to ensure the bank can get Guatemalan Quetzals in time. 
• Credit Cards: Some tour companies can charge 2-4% additional for using credit card instead of cash
•  Only use credit cards with 0% foreign transaction fee
• Tip: we got a better conversion rate charging in USD instead of Quetzals (opposite than most countries we have visited) 

SAFETY: Emergency phone number is 123 for Ambulance and 110 for police 

• Avoid anyone who comes up too close to you or offers candy. Say no and walk away. don't give reason for someone to target you. Ex. Don't hold your phone out taking photos/google maps without having a firm grip on your phone, no expensive jewelry etc.
• Belt bag - We wore a "belt purse" over one shoulder across chest to keep money / cell phone close
• We felt extremely safe and did not have any issues. Locals are helpful and friendly especially in touristy areas.

  

  Fountain in Antigua Plaza Mayor

WHAT TO PACK: 

• Passport & print color copies of passport to carry in wallet (just in case)
• No converter needed coming from the USA
• Supportive shoes- Antigua has uneven, small sidewalks and cobblestones on the streets 
• Reusable waterbottle - bottled water only 
• Medication: Motrin/Tylenol, anti-diarrhea pills, gas-x, tums etc. 
• Clothing: shorts, pants, shirts - everything is acceptable. A light fleece jacket is needed for evenings. 
• Optional: Altitude Sickness Pills (Diamox aka acetazolamide) - consult with physician if would be beneficial 
• Note: Antigua/Guatemala City/Lake Atitlan is 5,000+ feet above sea level. If prone to altitude sickness, may need especially for Acatenango hike (ascending from 5K feet to 11K feet in 6 hours). 
• See below for what to bring on Acatenango hike 

COMMUNICATION: 

• If possible, try to learn basic Spanish phrases
• We recommended downloading Google Translate App to help with translations 
• Download WhatsApp App to communicate with tour guide/groups/hotels: This is the main way we communicated with any shuttle/tour/hotels etc. 
• We activated the international AT&T plan ($10 usd/day) for one smartphone. The other smartphone, we just used for photos. But, we have heard of buying a sim card in Guatemala and activating in an unlocked phone for a less expensive option
• There is definitely a "Tourist - tax" - things cost more because you're a tourist compared to a local. If comfortable, feel free to bargain. 
• If you don't understand Spanish well, open your calculator app and always confirm the price before purchasing 

RANDOM TIPS: 

• In bathrooms, grab toilet paper before entering the stalls and throw into the trashcan, not the toilet. 
• Download Google maps offline for any city you will be visiting
• If possible, avoid visiting any major tourist attraction on weekends / holidays due to heavy crowds. Morning & weekdays are much better to visit. 
• BOTTLED WATER only - brush your teeth with bottled water as well
• You can purchase bottled water from any Tienda (Store) - regulated pricing and very affordable 
• Antigua/Guatemala City is at 5,000 feet above sea level - drink lots of water to stay hydrated

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN FOOD: 

• Plenty of vegan/vegetarian options  
• The Starbucks & McDonald's in Antigua are gorgeous. Pop in for a look!
• Go to the bar/kitchen area and ask for a menu. You'll get up and order from the kitchen area. 
• Vegetarian/Vegan-friendly recommended places we liked: 
• 27 Adentro - Vegetarian lasagna and Pepian (Guatemalan traditional dish) highly recommended!  
• Once Once - tacos were very good 
• Saul Bistro - breakfast eggs and beans were excellent 
• Antigua Brewing Company - beautiful rooftop. One clear days, can see Fuego erupting 
• Wachuma - get the bowls and caramel cake - the bowls can become a little sour due to the sauerkraut  (same owners as Samsara)
• Samsara - inexpensive vegetarian place

Vegan Pepian at 27 Adentro

Wachuma bowl

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS: 

(1) Antigua Walking Tour - we were not impressed by the English speaking tour guide we had, but the tour was an excellent way to be introduced to Antigua. Highly recommend taking a walking tour!

-We did get to go into a Jade Museum/Shop - didn't push us to buy anything, but interesting to learn about jade.

(2) Cerro de la Cruz - can walk up/down or take tuk-tuk/uber to the top of the hill. Beautiful views!! Try to go when it's not cloudy to get great views of the volcanos. On a clear day, you'll see Volcano Agua, Volcano Acatenango & Volcano Fuego

View from Cerro De La Cruz Hike

(3) Santo Domingo Hotel - beautiful grounds and ruins. We did not visit the museums, but they were highly recommended to visit!

(4) Capuchinos Convent - we went inside to the billboard before you had to pay & learned about the convent on our walking tour. Very interesting history.

(5) San Francisco Church - we went inside the church, but not the ruins. Beautiful history and façade in the front

San Francisco Church

(6) Santa Catalina Arch - obligatory photo here

(7) Mercado Municipal - artesian/touristy market

Mercado Municipal

(8) Hobbitenango - if have some free time, we had a good visit here. We took the 8am shuttle up and came down by 11am (95Q for shuttle & entrance fee). We didn't go, but we could have combined with walking over to Altamira (25Q/pp)

Hobbit doors at Hobbitenango 

•    Hobbitenango Shuttle: we heard stories about Uber drivers requesting more money once you reach the parking lot of Hobbitenango, so it was recommended to take a 4x4 shuttle directly from the Hobbitenango office in Antigua. They only accept cash at the office and no reservations are needed. 
• Shuttle times going up: 8am, 10, 12, 2pm and returning back down is 11am, 1, 3, 5pm. 
• Cost is 95Q (50Q Entrance fee and 45Q roundtrip shuttle per person)
• Axe throwing/archery opens around 11am at Hobbitenango
• Note: Take obligatory photo at the hand first, then go to the swing (if interested - 200 lbs limit) and then enjoy the property.
• Avoid going on weekends.

  

  Hand at Hobbitenango 

ACATENENGO VOLCANO HIKE:

We booked our tour with Wicho & Charlie for private cabin for 2 people ($345usd/2 people/private cabin + rental gear cost)

Wicho & Charlie included for our price:

• Guides: We had 5 for our 30 people 
• Transportation: Shuttle to/from La Soledad starting point 
• Entrance Fees (Q110 per person)
• 1 Private cabin with 1 full size mattress, 2 sleeping bag, 2 blanket and 2 pillow
• 4 meals & Snacks (per person) 
• if hiking Fuego (Q200) -- need additional snacks
• Wicho & Charlie allows you to pack up additional snacks - be sure to pack up 2 full snack bags 
• Water bottles and filtered water
• Gear: Hat, scarf, buff, gloves, jackets, rain poncho, headlamp 
• Locker room where you can leave your luggage or suitcase

WHAT TO PACK: We rented several items from Wicho & Charlie. Rental gear cost us $20usd for 2 people.

Note: If renting gear from Wicho & Charlie - they required a government ID (drivers license, passport etc) OR $100 USD deposit which is returned after the hike. We did feel that there was not enough well-fitting gear. Try to go the day before to rent your gear or pick out your items faster than we did.

• Backpack: Heavy backpack & Day backpack
• (1) Heavy backpack 50L (rented from Wicho & Charlie and combined our gear for two people)

• multiple layers of tops (2-3 additional jackets (rented)), bottoms (additional leggings, fleece pant), winter gloves (rented), wool socksx2 , hand and toe warmers, beanie (rented), wet wipes, roll of toilet paper (took from our hotel room), female sanitary products, 3L of water (the tour company will ask you to carry extra water for cooking) (rented waterbottles), any medications for flu/fever and altitude sickness, ear plugs, eye mask, headlight, poncho/rain gear (rented)

• (2) Day Backpack (25L backpack that we brought)
• 1.5L of water/pp (rented waterbottles), snacks, poncho (if rain expected), hiking poles (rented), sanitizer, sun screen, hat, toilet paper, fleece jacket, carry a hiking buff (rented) as it gets dusty
• Going up for the hike, we wore hiking boots, leggings/shorts and dry-fit shirt with jacket (we took this on and off throughout the hike)

• HIGHLY RECOMMEND PAYING FOR A PORTER!!! They carry your heavy backpack up and down.
• Note: With Wicho & Charlies, they automatically bring your bag up 80% of the way included in the cost. We paid for an additional porter to carry our heavy backpack (combined for 2 people) the remaining 20% of the way (150Q going up, 100Q going down)

ALTITUDE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS: stay hydrated the days before the hike and try to stay in Antigua a couple days before starting the hike to acclimate to higher altitude (especially if live near sea level regularly)

• Antigua is 5,000 feet above sea level --> Drive to La Soledad --> Ascend to basecamp 11,000 feet above sea level in 6 hours 
• Altitude Sickness Pills (Diamox aka acetazolamide) - consult with physician if would be beneficial 
• Poonam and Mayur both took Diamox days before hiking; however, Poonam had altitude sickness symptoms on the hike. For Poonam, it was extremely difficult to walk uphill without wheezing and losing breath & took 12 hours after returning back to Antigua for Poonam to feel better. 
• Tylenol/Motrin did help with altitude sickness symptoms

HIKES:

• (1) HIKE TO BASE CAMP: There are 3 main parts to the hike: 
• Part 1: Dusty & Sandy Farmland - this was the worst part for going up and coming down and the hottest part. 
• The farmland is extremely dusty and very difficult to get good footing going up/down. Mayur fell coming down and had several cuts/scrapes on his hands. 
• If can tolerate, try to wear your buff due to the heavy dust. We weren't able to wear the buff due to difficulty breathing and once we arrived back in Antigua - we had a lot of dirt/dust in our nose. 

  

  Sandy Farmland

• Part 2: Forest 
• Going up, it was difficult because of the uphill steepness; however, not as bad as the first part and much cooler weather-wise.
• Coming down, it was extremely slippery due to the mud. Poonam slipped and fell and hit a tree root which scraped and bruised the side of her foot despite wearing hiking boots. She also had 3 toe nails bruise because of the downhill hike portion. 
• Part 3: Guatemalan "Flat" trail: this part is up and down. There are a few difficult parts going uphill, but overall, much better 

  

  "Guatemalan" Flat portion

• (2) FUEGO HIKE (200Q): We didn't go due to not feeling well. Unfortunately, the group that did go was unable to see anything due to cloud cover. Most who went on the Fuego hike did not go on the sunrise hike. 

• (3) SUNRISE HIKE:  Mayur attempted to go at 4am; however, the sandy conditions were very difficult without wearing hiking boots (2 steps forward, one step back). He turned back after 20 minutes. 

  

  Agua Volcano at Sunrise from Base Camp

GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS: 

• Hiking Boots is a must
• Hiking poles (not wooden sticks) is highly recommended - please rent them.
• It was very cold at night - highly recommend bringing toe and hand warmers
• Snacks: if doing more than the hike to/from base camp - be sure to bring extra snacks and water  

Fuego Volcano 

OUR EXPERIENCE and NOTES: This was the hardest hike that we've ever done; however, there were several in our group who felt the hike was difficult but very do-able. In our group, most hikers were 20-something year old's. We routinely do moderate level hikes (under 2 hours) and workout 3-4 times/week. We were the last ones in our group to finish (but still stayed on time with the itinerary). We both agreed we would never do a hike like this again; however, it was definitely a bucket list item to see & feel Volcano Fuego erupting. It took us 5 hours (including lunch) to ascend and 3 hours to come down. There was a group of older ladies who took the 4x4 vehicle up and down & said it was bumpy and uncomfortable. We were very glad that we only did 1 out of the 3 proposed hikes especially with Poonam suffering from altitude sickness. Highly recommend training for the hike beforehand and saw that hikers who lived at higher altitude locations such as Albuquerque, Portland, Denver etc. had a much easier time.