Hi all will be heading to Antigua next month for 6 days. Here’s our plan:
Day 1: Get in and explore Antigua a bit
Day 2-3: Acatenango Hike
Day 4: Explore Antigua (coffee farms, macadamia farms, colonial ruins, etc)
Day 5: Lake Atitlán Day Trip
Day 6: Fly Home
Feel free to pick this apart, does it seem rushed / anything seem unreasonable. Also feel free to add any fun stuff to do.
Hoping to head to Antigua in mid June, anything people recommend to do / avoid? Just saw someone post about getting their passport taken late at night which is a little alarming. Would also love some advice on best hostels to stay in for early 20s folks and good tour groups for volcano. If anyone knows a good tour group lmk. Thank you!
I wanted to share my experience because I’m still trying to process what happened.
I booked an Acatenango hike while traveling in Guatemala. I knew it would be physically demanding and I never expected special treatment. I came prepared for a challenge and understood that people move at different paces on a mountain.
From the beginning, however, I felt like I was being singled out by the tour guide. Whenever my pace slowed, instead of offering encouragement or guidance, the guide repeatedly made comments that made me feel like I was holding everyone back. Multiple times, I was told that the rest of the group was upset with me or waiting because of me. The way it was communicated felt humiliating and unnecessary.
What made it worse was that these comments seemed to be directed specifically at me. Rather than helping me feel supported, I was made to feel like a burden. Being repeatedly called out in front of others created an uncomfortable environment where I felt unwelcome and judged.
As the hike continued, the situation became increasingly discouraging. Instead of being given the support that guides are supposed to provide, I felt isolated. Eventually, I was left behind and unable to complete the experience I had paid for and traveled to Guatemala to do.
The entire situation left me feeling discriminated against. The treatment I received felt different from how others were treated, and the constant criticism and singling out had a significant impact on my ability to continue. Whether intentional or not, the result was that I felt excluded, targeted, and pushed out of an experience that should have been accessible to everyone willing to make the effort.
Afterward, I contacted the company hoping they would investigate what happened. Instead, the manager’s response was extremely disappointing. Rather than acknowledging my concerns or attempting to understand my experience, I felt like the blame was placed entirely on me. The response focused on defending the guide and suggesting that the problem was my performance on the hike rather than addressing the repeated comments, the treatment I received, or why I felt so uncomfortable in the first place.
I understand that not every customer complaint will result in agreement. What I don’t understand is being made to feel dismissed after raising concerns about how I was treated. At no point did I expect a free pass on a difficult hike. I simply expected respect, professionalism, and support from the people I paid to guide the experience.
I’m sharing this because other travelers deserve to know that the quality of a tour is not just about reaching the summit, it’s also about how people are treated along the way. Being physically challenged by a hike is one thing. Being repeatedly singled out, left behind, and then blamed for speaking up about it is another.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with Acatenango tour operators or guides? I’d be interested to hear how your concerns were handled.
EDIT: It’s crazy how pointing out disrespect somehow makes me the issue instead of the disrespect itself. It’s like nobody’s acknowledging the fact that I was left out in freezing rain conditions.
Hello! I'm currently planning a ~14-person (ages 25-30) 7-day group trip to Guatemala the first week of May 2027 and would love to hear any recommendations or comments! We're not looking for a big party scene but instead exploring and engaging with the area. One of my biggest concerns is finding proper accommodations for a group that size. Ie. should we stay at a large Air BnB/VRBO or hotels/hostels? Are there restaurants that accommodate that size or should we shoot for hiring a local chef to cook at our place? I'd love to support local businesses and communities as much as possible, so if I have something listed that wouldn't or you have recs that would, please let me know!
Check out my tentative schedule:
Day One: Arrive at GUA and take a scheduled shuttle to Antigua (Probably will book through Guatego or 12Go). Will most likely hire a chef if we stay at an Air Bnb/VRBO. Any recommendations on which part of Antigua to stay in?
Day Two: Explore Antigua & Coffee Tour
Day Three: Start Acatenango hike/tour
Day Four: Finish Acatenango, Travel from Antigua to Atitlan
Day Five & Six: Explore Lake Atitlan
Day Seven: Antigua to GUA shuttle and fly home
Apologies for the many questions and rough planning and thank you for helping me! I'll update this thread as I plan more and post trip.