Alright YYC peeps. Going to Guatemala this summer for a few weeks. Need some solo backpacker advice. Hostels, buses, must do and do not's, pre book vs walk ups....
Also best time to get a flight down there.

I've been there last year in January with my sister and we never book anything, we always found small cheap hotel without any problem. Same for the bus, it's pretty cheap to travel by bus but can be sometimes very busy, very chaotic!! but it's part of the experience. You'll love there!

Thank you!

Awesome!! I loved Guatemala, although it's been years since I've been there so I don't really remember the ins and outs. I would definitely recommend checking out Travbuddy.com. Absolutely love this site. Developed by backpackers/travellers for backpackers and travellers of all kinds. There is an awesome forum section when you can search your country for previous threads on all the questions you've asked, or ask your own. I know you will get some great feedback! So jelly! I am due for a backpacking adventure!
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Thank you!

We spent a couple weeks there. I highly recommend the Lake Atitlan region, specifically San Pedro. Antigua was also cool. Consider hiking a volcano if that's your thing. We also went to Monterrico. It's a bit of a pain to get there, but cool black sand beach. The only thing is I wish we would've taken some time to explore Guatemala City a bit.

If you are interested in doing any multi day hiking, head to Quetzaltenango(also called Xela) and look up a group called Queztaltrekkers. They do multi day hikes to Todos Santos up in the highlands. You pass through some great scenery, small villages and learn a bit about the civil war. You can also hike to Lake Atitlan with them. Lake Atitlan is a must. San Pedro is the main backpacker hangout, but the other villages are cool too. Do the Indian Nose hike for the sunrise….amazing. Other Guatemala highlights … Semec Champey, Flores, Tikkal(although a bit out of the way) and obviously Antigua. The buses are fine, but you can usually book shuttle buses the day before easily for a more direct route … the ride is always double the time they tell you haha. If you want more specific info (hostels etc) let me know.

Hey thanks that's great info. I am interested in some good hostels and other back packers hang outs.
I will look into the treats for sure!

Ryan S.T Moslow Here's the link for the hiking group…it's all run by volunteers with any profits going to children's programs http://www.quetzaltrekkers.com/xela/ Antigua: So many very good Hostels ..can't go wrong with The terrace, Bigfoot,Tropicana, or El Hostel (myPick) it's not so much a party hostel, but great breakfast and its across the street from my favourite dive bar, Cafe no Sé. Other popular bars Lucky Rabbit, Mono Loco(not a fan, but popular with backpackers) Ocelot, Rainbow cafe(more chill, live music on weekends/good food) Porque no (tiny/cozy) Xela: Black Cat Hostel …. dive bar ..a place called Beer and Pool(dance floor gets pretty crowded) San Perdro in Atitlan: Hostel ..Mikaso(tiny bit off the main drag but great view and rooftop bar), Zoola( Has a great spot with pillows to chill for the afternoon) Bar : Sublime but i think the main party spot changes night to night, so just ask around. For Semuc Champey: stay at Zyphr lodge in the town of Lanquin……I feel like I'm writing a book here, so If you have more questions just message me

Thats awesome, thank you. and i will

Hey Tess, So just headed down there next week.
any suggestions for Guatemala City, the pacific cost ( towns or hostels), Livingston, and Flores?
Im also now making my way to mexico city from flores, if you have any advices in that area as well Im all ears!
Thanks again!

Ryan S.T Moslow Awesome!!! That's exciting!!! How long will you be in Guatemala for? I will try to think of more tips. Will you be travelling overland to Mexico City? If so there are some great stops on the way. The buses in Mexico are really quite comfortable and cheap.

We will be there for 18 days, bit rushed unfortunately. And we will be bussing it!. and thats good to hear, know if they have night busses?

did you make it to El Pardon or Monterrico?

Ryan S.T Moslow didn't make it to monterrico, but did go to el pardon. They are both a bit out of the way to get there and unless you are huge into surfing, because of the short time there, I would recommend experiences that are more special and unique to Guatemala ie: volcanoes, lake atitlan, Semec champey, Tikkal etc.
What are the things you are interested in? Hiking? Culture? Nightlife? Beach,Ruins? Everything looks close and easy to get to on the map, but you will lose a day travelling between places.

I believe there are night buses in Mexico for the long haul trip. I didn't take any personally though.

Also because of time, skip Guatemala City and head straight to Antigua from the airport. There is a shuttle that goes there from outside the airport for around $10 US. You might have to wait a bit for a enough people

Ya I was thinking about skipping the city, and your right about hitting the coast. It's not a must but it would be nice if I can swing it.
And I'm more intro ruins, hikes, cultural things. Not a big clubber but I'm all about the experience so 1 or 2 nights would be enough. Would Xela be a good place to visit or cut?
I may end up just getting a last min flight if need be. But I'd hate to miss something in southern mexico

Are you flying into Guatemala City and out from Mexico City? Is that why you need to get there?
If you run short on time and find that you have to fly to Mexico City, you will find it quite expensive to do that from Guatemala. You are better off crossing the border into Mexico and finding a cheap flight from someplace there.
If you are really into ruins tikkal is really awesome.
You could do something like antigua >lake atitlan>semuc champay >tikkal> And you can cross into Mexico from Flores ,Maybe to Palenque for more ruins. Or go from Flores to Belize and then into Mexico... many places to fly back to Mexico City from that side.
I liked xela, it is less touristy than Antigua. Also a great place to go if you are interested in any multi-day hikes. You can go Antigua>xela > hike to lake atitlan and then carry on as above.
There is also a great 4 day hike that goes into the highland to Todos Santos and back to xela. If you leave xela for the end, it is easy to go overland into Mexico from there .... san Cristóbal, is a cool colonial town. I think has an airport close by...but you may need to check on that.
The hikes are with quetzal trekkers ( they are great, but you would need to check on the timing as the hikes only happen certain days)

Thanks for all the help, really sorted some out a lot!
Mind if i keep you in mind for any other future travels I do?

Ryan S.T Moslow for sure! Let me know how this trip goes for you!!

following

My son has been there and loved it. Also just recently came home from a 5 month stint in and around south America. He uses this site to locate hostels along the way.
Enjoy your travel!
http://www.hostelworld.com/
HOSTELWORLD.COM
Hostels Worldwide - Online Hostel Bookings, Ratings and Reviews

hey thanks, i usually go by word of mouth for hostels, I've have more misses this hits with hostel world

Be safe