How ABOUT VISITING the authentic Guatemala WITH a local?
Discover Guatemala through a full-immersion experience.
Hassle-free, indulging and recharging.
If you want to…
discover and experience the real Guatemala through all your senses,
connect with the local people to feel their warmth and life’s vision,
focus on enjoying the here and now, without worrying about the logistics, the language or which services to hire,
support local communities with your visit,
experience a gastronomic tour tailored to your taste and preferences,
stay in trendy, comfortable hotels to have a renewing night rest,
enjoy the weather in the land of eternal spring,
…I have a proposal for you!
Hi, I’m Paula!
100% Guatemalan: chapina in body and soul.
I was born, grew up, and made my life in Guatemala. I studied Hospitality Management and always worked in the field of gastronomy, event planning as well as customer service, which is my passion. I was General Manager of a social club with a large scale banqueting operation for more than 10 years.
In 2019 my husband, Hans, and I made the decision to move to The Netherlands with our sons. For them to know different cultures, perspectives, and most of all, for them to value what they take for granted every day.
We arrived in the Netherlands in mid-2019 and realized the curiosity and fascination that Guatemala produces in people. That’s how Let’s go to Guatemala was born. To share my love for this land through personally designed travels.
With my family and friends, I am always in charge of organizing the trips through Guatemala. From my father, I inherited the taste for adventure and driving on the road without a destination. From my mother, I inherited my love for comfort and quality service.
This is the perfect combination that always makes it easy for me to find unique accommodations, spectacular places, delicious food, and outstanding service.
Guatemala is the full package: culture, nature, and adventure.
My purpose is to design trips that allow the travelers to experience our Mayan heritage, our traditional and novel gastronomy, our heartfelt hospitality, and to make real connections while enjoying a biodiverse country.
“The fact that I could travel with her actually allowed me to relax and enjoy.”
“You don’t have to take care of anything, you’re just taken by somebody that is from here, that knows the country, that can show you the real culture.”
Mirtha
“The fact that I could travel with her actually allowed me to relax and enjoy.” “You don’t have to take care of anything, you’re just taken by somebody that is from here, that knows the country, that can show you the real culture.”Mirtha
Open all your senses and let me show you my homeland!
Join one of my trips.
They are for a maximum of 12 people.
Our storyline
<Nothing to see here>
Day 1. Welcome to Guatemala!
It's finally time to fly to Guatemala City, a big city that rests in a valley surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. I will meet you upon arrival at Guatemala’s Airport. Once in our trendy hotel in Zona Viva, we will have the chance to introduce ourselves to new friends and companions during the next two weeks.
Day 2. The contrasts of Guatemala City
We will discover a city of contrasts, a mix of modern and colonial architecture. We will visit the civic and historical center, have our first experience with the Guatemalan markets, to finish in the cultural district, a developing area with a bohemian atmosphere where art, technology, and gastronomy meet. There we will have lunch at one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Trust me, you’ll love it too.
In the afternoon we will fly to Flores to reach Tikal National Park in the middle of the jungle.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 3. Tikal: Sunrise in the jungle
We will enjoy the sunrise in Tikal. We will walk through the park very early in the morning, hearing the howler monkeys in the dark. From Temple IV we will witness the awakening of the jungle and discover one of the most amazing Mayan ruins in the world.
That is my version of the top of the world.
In the afternoon we will move to El Remate and we will visit the island of Flores.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.
Day 4. Yaxhá sunset: centuries-old temple with a view
Today we will take it slowly in the morning, exploring Lake Petén Itzá and its surroundings. In the afternoon we will visit Yaxhá Mayan ruins, and enjoy the sunset with a view!
Meals included: breakfast and box lunch
Day 5. On the road: Candelaria Caves
Today we will be leaving the humid tropics to approach the highlands. On the way we will visit the Candelaria Caves, a great system of natural caves considered a sacred place for the Mayans.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 6. Semuc Champey
We will discover one of the hidden gems of Guatemala: Semuc Champey. A 300 m long natural forming limestone bridge with turquoise blue water pools. It is a rocky journey, but once there, you’ll see for yourself why it is so worthy!
Meals included: breakfast and box lunch.
Day 7. Discovering Cobán
Today we explore Cobán, discover an Orchid Rescue and Conservation Center, and head to Quiché, where we will stay on a farm famous for the production of chancol cheese. We will be in the cloud forest with one of the best views of the mountains.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 8. Trading with our five senses in Chichicastenango Market
After having tasted a true traditional breakfast in the clouds, we will head towards Chichicastenango.
There we will visit its traditional market, the largest in Central America, that opens every Thursday and Sunday. It’s a feast for the senses with villagers coming from all around to sell their products. We will also visit the cemetery, with an explanation about the colorful tombs and the Mayan rituals.
We will reach Lake Atitlán early in the evening.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 9. The majestic lake Atitlán
We will wake up in one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. And we will discover it by boat to enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding mountain landscape and its three majestic volcanoes. We will visit several villages around the lake to learn that each of them has its own identity and charm.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 10. Iximché Ruins and a glorious past
In the morning we will visit a nature reserve where we can do a zipline tour with one of the most spectacular views of the lake as background.
On our way to Antigua, we will visit Iximché, the first capital of Guatemala, and we will enjoy a traditional Guatemalan lunch in one of the picturesque family-owned restaurants in the highland mountains.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 11. Antigua Guatemala. But first, coffee!
We will explore Antigua, enjoying its picture-perfect cobblestone streets and its colonial style. A coffee tour is a must here.
We will have a special dinner tonight, a tasting menu of one of Guatemala’s finest representatives, and one of my favorites too.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.
Day 12. Pacaya Volcano: Up to the inner Earth
We will climb an active volcano, the Pacaya, and then indulge ourselves in a hot spring spa.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 13. Not ready to leave Antigua yet
There is so much to do and see in Antigua that we will continue to discover all that this charming city has to offer.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 14. Guatemala City: Welcome home!
I can’t let you go without taking you to my true home. The place I grew up in, which is very close to Guatemala city.
We will prepare a homemade meal and hope you will enjoy exploring the nature trails as much as I did when I was a girl.
We will be back in the city early in the evening so you can take a good night’s sleep before your departure the next day.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 15. Until we meet again
I will help you arrange your last minute shopping and take you back to the airport. Saying goodbye is always the hardest part, but I’m sure you will have new friends and many stories to tell after these 15 days!
Meals included: breakfast.
The cornerstones of the experience
Respect
Is the foundation of any relationship. It is also the approach to nature and the environment.
Coherence
Consistency in word and action.
Tolerance
The diversity of opinions and perspectives makes the world a much more interesting place.
Optimism
Expect the best of every person and situation. There is always a solution for everything.
Authenticity
Truthful and genuine experiences.
After this trip, you will…
feel recharged and grateful.
have new friends with similar interests.
feel connected with nature.
feel totally identified with Guatemala and its people.
want to go back to Guatemala rather sooner than later!
This trip is for you if…
…you love nature and adventure.
…you enjoy the journey as well as its destination.
…you believe that a good meal is one of the greatest pleasures in life.
…you want the comfort of a good night sleep after a busy and exhausting day.
…you go out of your way to meet the people and culture of the place you travel to.
This trip is NOT for you if…
…you just want to take your picture in front of the Mayan pyramids without learning about the culture behind it.
…you prefer to travel from point A to B without enjoying the journey in between.
…you prefer to travel on your own and not have travel companions to share the adventure.
…you will not step out of your comfort zone and try out new experiences.
…you don’t have a sense of humor.
What is included
Overnight stays in carefully selected accommodations.
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
Domestic flight Guatemala City – Flores.
All excursions on a private basis accompanied by an English speaking guide, unless stated otherwise in the program.
All entrance fees during the included excursions.
All road transfers based on private transport.
My accompaniment 24/7 during the 14 days of the trip.
Inclusion in a WhatsApp group to get to know each other before the trip.
Two online meetings to solve any questions, get to know each other and prepare to have the best experience.
Two trees will be planted through the Trees for All CO2 compensation program.
What is not included
International airfare to and from Guatemala.
Meals not included in the itinerary.
Expenses of a personal nature.
Travel and/or cancellation insurance.
Any vaccinations.
€3.250 per person
The travel sum is based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
Supplement for single occupancy €600.
A minimum of 6 travelers is required for the trip to take place.
To guarantee the best travel experience, the maximum group size is 12 travelers.
In order to meet its statutory obligation to provide a guarantee, Let’s go to Guatemala makes use of the guarantee scheme provided by VZR Garant.
We are affiliated with the Association of Small-scale Travel Organizations (VvKR). VvKR stands up for the interests of small, often specialized travel organizations. Via VvKR we join forces and share our expertise to achieve the greatest possible certainty and satisfaction for both the travel organization and the consumer.
Let’s go to Guatemala supports the Humanitarian Association Antigua al Rescate by donating 1% of its yearly revenues. Antigua al Rescate take actions to accompany vulnerable communities and/or groups of people in crises, to help them generate better life conditions.
Trees for All will plant two trees per traveller in compensation for their CO2 footprint. Trees for All is the most experienced carbon offset provider in the Netherlands. All their projects are certified and guarantee the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed.
In order to meet its statutory obligation to provide a guarantee, Let’s go to Guatemala makes use of the guarantee scheme provided by VZR Garant.
We are affiliated with the Association of Small-scale Travel Organizations (VvKR). VvKR stands up for the interests of small, often specialized travel organizations. Via VvKR we join forces and share our expertise to achieve the greatest possible certainty and satisfaction for both the travel organization and the consumer.
Let’s go to Guatemala supports the Humanitarian Association Antigua al Rescate by donating 1% of its yearly revenues. Antigua al Rescate take actions to accompany vulnerable communities and/or groups of people in crises, to help them generate better life conditions.
Trees for All will plant two trees per traveller in compensation for their CO2 footprint. Trees for All is the most experienced carbon offset provider in the Netherlands. All their projects are certified and guarantee the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed.
“I think the best thing people can do after Corona, after being inside for way too long, is just to get on a plane with Paula and come to Guatemala.”
“Paula is also someone who gives incredible confidence as a tour leader, as a travel guide. She knows Guatemala.”
Erik
“I think the best thing people can do after Corona, after being inside for way too long, is just to get on a plane with Paula and come to Guatemala.” “Paula is also someone who gives incredible confidence as a tour leader, as a travel guide. She knows Guatemala.”Erik
Important!
Take into account…
At the time being I have only two trips planned for 2021.
The group size is limited to 12 travellers.
Do you feel like going on an adventure?
FAQ
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Guatemala is a great adventure on any tour you choose. “Roads were made for journeys, not destinations” is our mantra when we travel. Our knowledge of the country will guarantee you an experience that you could hardly live on your own.
I have special dietary requirements. Can this be accommodated during the trip?
Yes, as part of the process I will send you a form to fill in with some specific information including your dietary requirements.
I would like to extend my stay before or after the trip. How can you help me?
There is so much to see and do in Guatemala and I would like nothing more than to organize extra time for you to enjoy it. Let me know how many days before or after and I will prepare different options for you to consider.
Do you have special booking conditions during this time?
You can cancel and rebook up to 30 days prior to the start of the trip. In the event that the trip is postponed by Let’s go to Guatemala, you can get a full reimbursement or schedule your trip for a later date in 2021 or 2022.
How can I travel with confidence through Guatemala with the current COVID-19 situation?
Your safety is my priority. Health and safety procedures are in place from the moment you arrive and up to your departure, without diminishing you from having the time of your life.
A small group of a maximum of 12 travelers encourages connections, access to places overlooked by larger groups, and gives you plenty of personal space.
On the road, we will have our private vehicle, which undergoes a daily deep clean of all surfaces. Every passenger will have a specific seat assigned and masks will be required onboard the vehicle.
The accommodations have been carefully selected, they have the appropriate procedures to further protect your health and well-being. The restaurants and venues we will visit abide by the regulations and physical distancing is practiced.
What happens if I am not able to travel because of a COVID reason?
If you test positive for COVID-19 within 21 days of departure, you can reschedule a future trip.
You will have to provide an official COVID-19 positive test result within 21 days of the departure. If you cannot provide an official COVID-19 positive result dated within 21 days of departure, standard cancellation terms apply.
“We enjoy Tikal, which are ruins that you have to visit, and do the route that Paula showed us.”Elena
“We enjoy Tikal, which are ruins that you have to visit, and do the route that Paula showed us.”Elena
Open all your senses and let me show you my homeland!