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| | {{DaughterPage|mother=[[Travel]]}} | | {{DaughterPage|mother=[[Travel]]}} |
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| − | I've never visited Guatemala, but in 2023, I decided it was time to visit! On this page I'll link to any good tips and videos I come across. | + | I visited Fiji for the first time in August 2023. On this page, I've written some of my tips and linked to some great videos I came across. |
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| − | * <u>Exchange rate</u>: 1.00 US Dollar = '''7.84 Guatemalan Quetzales''' [https://www.google.com/search?q=usd+to+Guatemalan+Quetzal rate] | + | * <u>Exchange rate</u>: 1.00 US Dollar = '''2.22 Fiji Dollar (FJD)''' in 2023 ([https://www.google.com/search?q=usd+to+Fiji+Dollars current rate here]) |
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| | ==Photos== | | ==Photos== |
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| − | See my '''[https://photos.app.goo.gl/MrcqxjD5FGRSeshGA photo album here]'''. | + | See my '''photo album pending'''. |
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| − | ==Tips== | + | ==Broad Information== |
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| − | ===Links for the Lake===
| + | * The main island is '''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viti_Levu Viti Levu]''' - it's about 9 hours to drive around the coastal highway. |
| | + | ** The airport is in '''Nadi''' on the west side. |
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| − | * [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FzAJqM8G35OILYbv8A64fX WhatsApp Group: Lago Atitlan Family 🌋] ''- Has ~800 members and frequent posting of all the yoga, dance and spiritual events in San Marcos and the rest of the lake, this was the only group I signed up for actually.''
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| − | * Events group: [https://t.me/sanmarcoscommunity Telegram] & [https://www.facebook.com/groups/235426746972268 Facebook]
| + | ==My General Advice== |
| − | * General group: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/100536950112887/ Facebook]
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| − | * Parties group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/LdGmy8mQxjNBMwlYV8365b Whatsapp] & [https://www.facebook.com/groups/617000902163417 Facebook]
| + | * Pending |
| − | * Marketplace: [https://t.me/sanmarcossales Telegram] & [https://www.facebook.com/groups/167084520147256 Facebook]
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| − | * Housing group: [https://t.me/+TKBcA-4iSKZhMzdh Telegram] & [https://chat.whatsapp.com/GKk9tUIVbuuD9tV7Rj3q8j Whatsapp]
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| − | * Tsununa group: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1916881921972902 Facebook] | |
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| | ==Videos== | | ==Videos== |
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| − | * '''[https://youtu.be/DJngy5U5z_Q The PERFECT Guatemala 7 Day Itinerary | Antigua + Lake Atitlan | Travel Guide]''' - A couple that does a amazing job, explaining so many details of their trip! They start by explaining that Guatemala can be split into South and North. Almost all people people enter at the Guatemala City International airport. With 7 days it's best to just do the South > Antigua + Lake Atitlan.... To go to the ruins in the North is a 10 hour drive. Ouch! Eating out very cheap. Is a famous party town on the lake. Advice is that Guatemala City itself isn't very safe, so leave to Antigua immediately > you might even pay a private driver for 1 hour trip (~4 hour).... Once there do a volcano hike > [https://goo.gl/maps/rAKoNtuGwrBHKG258 Acatenango volcano tour] is the best one (~$50 but includes food) < don't do night tour. Stay '''4 nights in Antigua'''. Then get a '''shuttle to Lake Atitlan''' (2.5 hours drive for ~13 USD) take motion sickness pill - best to go to '''[https://goo.gl/maps/dVk6uRXAXB9woknv9 Panajachel]''' (biggest of lake cities) and from there can boat to other lake cities ''($3 taxi boat or $30 private taxi boat)'' to avoid windy roads. Most backpacker destination is '''[https://goo.gl/maps/G3hm9yUvvJG1mYdv7 San Pedro La Laguna]''' > most nightlife > probably get shuttle. Other town: '''[https://goo.gl/maps/gk7gGo3sFjPUfEuF9 San Marcos La Laguna]''' > hippy town with yoga etc. | + | * '''[https://youtu.be/eHCqs9WPzm0 WHY YOU NEED TO VISIT FIJI - 7 Day Fiji Islands Travel Guide]''' - (1) Markets, Gardens of the Sleeping Giant, Fiji mud bath, Kanu restaurant, (2) Biausevu Waterfall & Natadola Beach ''(2 hours drive from Nadi)'', Natadola Beach ''(on the way back)'', (3) Mamanuca island Boat Tour (sand bar) & Port Denarau (hotels do drop off). (5) Pacific Harbour ''(2 hour drive from Nadi)'', scuba experience, Maui Palms Beach. Travel to ''(1.5 hours flight)'' & First Night in Taveuni ("The Garden Island" - natural water slides). |
| − | * '''[https://youtu.be/YFcZYcp01kk Island hopper TV > EVERYTHING To Know BEFORE Visiting Guatemala 2023]'''. Great video. Suggests the big three as: (1) Lake Atitlán, (2) Antigua, (3) Tikal (ruins), markets... and I like the he shows some of these things on Goggle maps. Talks about money > go to ATMs..... > some places do USD, but get quetzal. Everyone arrives at same airport. Transport > has Uber > motion sickness > pre-arrange transport. Food, clothes, altitude sickness.
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| − | * '''[https://youtu.be/lE6BrOG_vGI Travelmogi - Top 10 Things To Do in Guatemala]''' - Not the best video actually, but mentions Actoon caves etc, Cherro de la Cruz, Great Jaguar Tacal (temples) the Basilica of Esquipulas (church), The Lost World (pyramid), Xetulul Theme Park (amusement park), Iglesia de la Merced (church). Transportation is the hardest part. Same guy has a videos specifically about '''[https://youtu.be/EFiLCT0zl5k Lake Atitlan]''' and '''[https://youtu.be/MZHPIbr3SpY Antigua]'''.
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| − | * '''[https://youtu.be/TG1Iqif66NY Guatemala - 10 Things That Shock Tourists in Guatemala]''' - warns that ATMs often don't work, used TP goes into a big, people with big guns, the chicken bus ''(people bring everything, old US school busses)'', the distances ''(takes a while to get anywhere - 3 hours to the lake and ruins, and want to throw up, big speedbumps)'', hikes are not easy, do not use tap water or eat fruit without washing it, 60% of people here are mayan (and they speak Mayan), colonial towns are stunning, people are chill, lots of TRB (tortillas, rice and beans).
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| − | * '''[https://youtu.be/uHdUNKMgYs0 Guatemala: The Land of Eternal Spring | Travel Documentary & Guide | Things to Know & Expect]'''. A massive 70 minutes video! Haven't watched it yet.
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| − | * '''[https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/guatemala www.smartraveller.gov.au]''' - "Overall: Exercise a high degree of caution" (but all videos say safe if you follow some simple principles and stay to tourist areas) > no COIVD proof or test needed > buy 90 day visa over there.
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| | ==Links== | | ==Links== |
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| − | * '''[https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/guatemala-travel-tips/ nomadicmatt.com - Guatemala Travel Guide]''' - talks about top things to do: (1) Visit Lake Atitlán, (2) Head to Antigua, (3) Explore Tikal National Park, (4) Visit Semuc Champey, (5) Explore the Chichicastenango Market. Bonus: (1) Visit the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, (2) See the Yaxha ruins, (3) Explore Quirigua, (4) Hike the Volcán de Pacaya, (5) Wander Flores, (6) Visit the ruins at El Mirador, (7) Explore Rio Dulce, (8) Visit the Antigua Market, (9) Relax at Monterrico, (10) Hike Acatenango, (11) Watch the sunrise from Indian Nose, (12) Learn to surf. | + | * '''[https://onechelofanadventure.com/5-mistakes-i-made-while-visiting-fiji/ 5 Mistakes Not to Make While Visiting Fiji]''' - (1) Got talked into a "tour" by a local. (2) Missed out on the [https://discoverfijitours.com/jewel-of-fiji/ Jewel of Fiji tour] (Navau river etc). (3) Didn’t spend more days snorkeling. (4) Didn’t bring enough bug spray. (5) Didn’t get a real Fijian village experience. |
| − | * '''[https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/things-to-know-before-traveling-to-guatemala Things to know before visiting Guatemala]''' - mentioned getting shots, but I hope doesn't apply to me... also mentions: sunscreen, pack lightweight clothing (you don't need jeans), dress a little conservative (religious), know when to be polite and when to be assertive (in lines).
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| − | * '''[https://alittleadrift.com/countries/guatemala/ alittleadrift.com Guatemala]''' - includes tips about a LifeStraw and Tigo SIM card + via (American, EU. and British passport holders enter for free and can stay for up to 90 days) + booking.com recommended for hostels + transport (chicken buses and shuttle buses) - arrange with your guesthouse/hostel > transportation is the most dangerous aspect of traveling because the drivers hug corners and drive far faster than is safe & keep your daypack on your lap > never above you > and don't fall sallied you will be robbed > same for pickpocketing at night > night travel has the highest risk factor > stay on the tourist route.
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| − | * '''[https://clairesitchyfeet.com/san-pedro-things-you-need-to-know/ The Complete Guide To San Pedro La Laguna (Lake Atitlan)]''' - some good tips.
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| − | * '''[https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/guide-living-san-marcos-la-laguna-lake-atitlan/ A Guide to Living in San Marcos La Laguna, Lake Atitlán]''' - talks about the climate where you might need a jacket, but weather estimates are inaccurate.
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| | [[Category:Personal]] | | [[Category:Personal]] |
| | [[Category:Images]] | | [[Category:Images]] |
