Continuing my journey through Central America, I was thrilled to explore Guatemala—my first destination where I could communicate with locals in their language after months of Spanish lessons. My cousin and I arrived at different times due to unplanned flight delays, so I spent most of the first day on my own. It was a Friday, and the traffic was as hectic as expected.
What caught me by surprise was the scene outside the airport. It looked like a massive welcome home party, with people eagerly waiting to embrace their loved ones as soon as they stepped off the plane. My driver, Marlon, was fantastic. During our hour-long drive to Antigua, I mentioned that I was learning Spanish. His face lit up with excitement, and he graciously helped me with pronunciation, even teaching me some new words along the way. After about 90 minutes, I arrived at our Airbnb, which I affectionately dubbed the “indoor and outdoor house.” The bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen were all enclosed, but the living and gathering areas were open-air—a well-designed three-bedroom home with plenty of space. The location was ideal, just two blocks away from restaurants, shops, and the vibrant heart of Antigua. I could already tell that this was going to be an unforgettable part of my Central American adventure.
After dropping my bags off and getting acquainted with the space, it was time to walk around the area and grab some food since I was starving. Ceviche was the one thing I was craving and found very easily. The streets were Cobblestone, but I was prepared with some comfortable walking shoes. I stumbled upon some well known attractions such as the Arco de Santa Catalina and Iglesia de la Merced. The fragrant smells, vibrant colors, and views were overwhelming in the best of ways. There was a mountainous view from anywhere in the city which was different from the backyard I’m used to looking into at home.
After being out for longer than planned, it was time for a nap. Once my cousin arrived that night, we found a taco restaurant not too far away and indulged in some authentic food. Now it’s time to crash and get ready for a long day ahead.
Now it’s time to spend a day at Lake Atitlan. As the sun began to rise, it was time to rise along with it around six in the morning. The drive was around 1 ½ to 2 hours. Upon arrival, we grabbed a quick bite before taking a 30 minute boat ride to the lake. The views were stunning and seemingly unreal. It was as if a part of Earth was secretly hidden from the rest of the world. Once we docked, there were plans to see San Juan and San Pedro. The first was San Juan. The streets were small and tight, but simple to walk through. The guide showed us plenty of places that were great photo opportunities. After some time, we took a tuk tuk over to San Pedro which was a first. The hustle and bustle seemed to be everywhere. The markets were lively and the artwork showed depictions of the local culture. I’m usually not the type to pull out my camera for everything tourist, but in this case I made an exception. Upon our departure, I immediately regretted not staying at least one night there.
After our exhilarating ATV adventure, we returned to Antigua and decided to take a leisurely walk through other parts of town. As we wandered, we stumbled upon a bustling weekend market that comes alive every Saturday and Sunday. The market was a sensory delight, with the aroma of food being cooked, vibrant displays of fresh fruit, and an array of local goods for sale. Naturally, I couldn’t resist sampling some of the fresh fruit—a decision that was as refreshing as it was delicious. Despite my basic Spanish, I was able to engage in conversations with the local vendors. Their excitement at my efforts to speak their language was heartwarming and made the experience even more enriching.
Our last day in Antigua was an exciting one, starting with an ATV tour that took us through several destinations—a first for me! We hopped into our two-seater ATV and eagerly followed our guide to the first stop. The weather was perfect, with a refreshing breeze as we climbed higher and higher into the mountains. The terrain was quite steep, and every time we paused, it felt like the ATV might roll backwards—but thankfully, that didn’t happen. Our first stop was Hobbitenango, a whimsical place that felt like stepping into a fantasy world. After parking the ATV, we had to take a shuttle further up the mountain, which added another 10-15 minutes to our journey. Although Lord of the Rings wasn’t filmed here, the setting made it easy to imagine hobbits and leprechauns roaming the area. The views were stunning, and I couldn’t help but be a little awestruck by the vibrant, miniature wonderland that unfolded before us. The main attraction at Hobbitenango is “la mano gigante,” or the giant hand—a popular spot for photos. Two things I didn’t know beforehand: first, how high up the hands were, with no safety net if you fall, though their size makes it unlikely. Second, how hot the metal hands could get under the sun. We tried to sit for a cute pose, only to be quickly burned by the scorching surface! Luckily, there’s a photographer on-site who knows exactly how to capture the best angles and offers posing tips to ensure you get the perfect shot. Trust me—let him do the work, and you won’t be disappointed. After our photo session, we spent another hour exploring the area, taking in the unique sights. For those looking for a longer stay, Hobbitenango also offers overnight accommodations, making it an ideal retreat for anyone wanting to immerse themselves fully in this magical setting.
After a morning full of exploration, we drove to Altamira de Oriole, a unique destination that combines a hotel, theme park, restaurant, and bar. The theme park itself felt like an outdoor museum, filled with eclectic items that offered endless photo opportunities. In fact, there were so many interesting objects and whimsical installations that we had to turn some down! To fully experience the park, be prepared for a 20-minute walk each way, navigating up and down hills. It’s a bit of a trek, but the quirky and creative displays make it worth the effort. Lunch was included in our visit, and we opted for the homemade quesadillas, which were delicious and satisfying after our walk. One unexpected delight was discovering that my phone had a strong signal even so high up in the mountains. It was comforting to know I had connectivity if needed. Our final stop was Cerro de la Cruz, where we were treated to unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape, including the majestic Volcán Agua. Although the walk to the viewpoint was the shortest of the day, the panoramic vistas made it a highlight of the trip and a perfect way to conclude our day of exploration.
