My first Worldpackers Experience: Guatemala

My First Worldpackers Experience: Guatemala

I traveled to Guatemala in early November 2021 with Worldpackers. Affiliate links are included in this post. Please support the sponsors of my channels because these partnerships allow me to make more fun and educational content like this for YOU!

All thoughts and opinions are my own so sit back and enjoy the story!

What is Worldpackers?

Worldpackers is a website and app that caters to conscious travelers and hosts all over the world who are seeking work exchange travel programs. They have over 2.5 million hosts and travelers using their platform to make connections and experience unique travel opportunities.

Here is how the process works. You pay for a membership ($50) which lasts for a year (or more if they are having a sale) which gets you access to a ton of volunteer work opportunities in various countries all over the world. They have different opportunities like working with children, helping out at hostels, home stays, farms, holistic centers and so much more! Previous travelers leave reviews for the hosts so you know what to expect before requesting a trip. How did I not know Worldpackers existed!

You apply for as many opportunities that you want for no extra costs. I wanted to go on my Worldpackers trip as soon as possible so I narrowed down my search to Central American countries and started applying to opportunities that looked interesting. I applied for six volunteer trips and heard back from most of the hosts within the week. Once you are approved for a trip, just confirm the dates with your host and book your flight!

I really like the Worldpackers website as well. They have so many resources to help you on your Worldpackers adventure like online courses, articles, and videos that provide tips to make sure you have a great experience. I also like that you can travel with Worldpackers as a couple if you have a partner or friend you want to join you on an adventure!

I let TikTok and IG pick my Experience

Because I can’t do anything like normal people, I decided to make it interesting and let my social media platforms pick my Worldpackers experience. I made a video (Click here for video) and posted it on TikTok and Instagram letting everyone vote on where I should go. The two hosts that replied the quickest were the two choices I gave to my audience.

Here are the choices I gave everyone.

Spoiler alert...Guatemala won the vote!

Trip 1:

Location: Guatemala

Accommodations: Homestay (Private Room)

Work Duties: Teach English

Work hours: 5hrs per week

Trip 2:

Location: Mexico

Accommodations: Hostel Dorm

Work Duties: Photography, videos, and social media

Work hours: 20 per week

Cheap flight to Guatemala

Once I knew I was going to Guatemala, I started searching for flights in normal Travel Taurus fashion. Good ole Google Flights, but there was an issue. If I wanted to arrive and depart on the exact days I confirmed with my host, the flights were pretty expensive. My remedy to this was to be flexible and expand my travel dates which allowed me to find a round trip flight from Austin to Guatemala City for $181.

The flight was on Spirit Airlines. Don’t judge me, I like to save money.

Covid Requirements

As of November 2021 these were the COVID requirements in place for Guatemala.

You must show your vaccination card or a negative PCR test before boarding your flight. They checked my card right before I boarded my plane and they scanned my ticket.

Prior to returning home to the USA you are required to obtain negative COVID test results regardless of vaccination status. I was tested in Guatemala City for $38 and received my results within the hour.

Always check the travel requirements for every destination you travel to because the rules are always changing.

My Host Krista and our new friends from Israel at Kasa Kiwi Hostel

My Worldpackers Host

Let’s talk about my Worldpackers host, Krista. She is literally the sweetest person ever and dog mom, just like me. We had so much in common and I had no idea until spending time with her. She is a seasoned Worldpackers host with raving reviews on the website. I was her eighth Worldpackers she hosted and one of my travel TikTok pals is at her home right now as I write this blog (not planned at all)! Krista is around the same age as me (mid 30s) and she wants to eventually quit her job and travel the world, just like I did in 2019. She has been learning English for about eight months so that she can eventually explore the world without having to worry about major language barriers. She takes an online course twice a week but learns better when having conversations with people (which is where I come in). Krista also hates using the translator!

Personality wise, Krista is a very friendly and open minded person. She is not afraid to talk to strangers and loves a good hike. She is also a good companion with a can-do attitude. I almost died going up 600 steps hiking this volcano but Krista did not leave me or get annoyed that I needed a break every 6 steps! She has the heart of an explorer, just like me! She welcomed me into her home with open arms and was very hospitable. Her doggies are absolutely adorable! I can’t wait to visit her again in the future.

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Quetzaltenango also known as Xela is the second largest city in Guatemala and is about 3.5 hours away from Guatemala City. Prior to my trip, I had never heard of this place before even though I had been to Guatemala once in 2019. According to Krista, who is from Guatemala City, Xela is more low key, has better air quality, and has less traffic.

This is not a touristy area. Many people do not speak English here but overall I got a very chill vibe from Xela. One thing that I have noticed about Guatemala as a whole, is that the locals are very nice to you even if you don’t speak Spanish. They make it work.

Xela is located in the mountains so the temperatures can get pretty cold at night and in the morning with beautiful mountain views everywhere. It was about 65 degrees during the day and about 40 degrees at night so bring a jacket if you plan to visit. Comfortable shoes are a must because this city can be pretty hilly in some parts with cobblestone roads which can make for a very bumpy Uber ride. The architecture was similar to that of Antigua which is a tourist city in Guatemala that you’ve probably seen on Instagram with all of the colorful buildings.

Quetzaltenango has some interesting history as well. The city was a battleground between the Spaniards and the Mayans in the 1500s. Unfortunately, the Spanish won which is why you might see some pieces of Spanish influence there. Overall, I would definitely give Xela a quick visit on your next trip to Guatemala. It is definitely a little vibe!

Activities

If you are anything like my host Krista and you love hiking and being in nature, then Xela is a good place for you to explore. There are plenty of hiking and outdoor adventures to take part in. Here are the activities I did during my trip. If you follow me on Instagram, then you might have seen me in a few of these places.

Laguna de Chicabal

Krista and I hiked a volcano with a lake inside of the crater at a location called Laguna de Chicabal. The Mayans believe that the lake is a sacred resting place for a Mayan spirit. You are not allowed to swim in the water because it is sacred. The legend says that anyone who has gone into the water has never returned due to being consumed by the spirit in the lake. The Mayans come to the lake to do rituals in honor of the spirit. As we walked around the lake we saw flowers near the edge of the water and several areas where fire rituals had taken place. Be aware, if you are visiting this place, it is 600 steps to the bottom where the lake is and 600 steps back up if you don’t take the other road to the top (we didn't find the road). Overall, if you are in shape, I highly recommend it because it is absolutely beautiful there!

Mayan Cooking Class and Market Visit

I love taking food tours when I visit other countries. It took me an entire day, but I was finally able to book a food tour with Adrenalina Tours. I had no idea what to expect from the tour but it was actually pretty fun. My guide’s name was Rosario and she spoke no English but thankfully we communicated through Google Translate so it was a good time. We went to the main market and picked up some food, then we cooked a traditional Guatemalan meal. She owns her own restaurant and that is the kitchen we used to prepare the meal. While I was eating, she showed me pictures of herself at cooking competitions. Apparently she is basically a famous award-winning chef! Rosario is also a very nice person just like everyone else I have ever met in Guatemala. My tour was private so it was just us two the entire 3.5hours. I highly recommend this experience!

Restaurant y Mirador Panorama

This was one of the places that Krista recommended that I visit and the views did not disappoint. I visited in the late afternoon via a $5 Uber ride and barely anyone was at the restaurant. The food was just alright, it was very Americanized and clearly meant for tourists or people who just come for the view. Their food items consisted of sandwiches, burgers, pizza, chicken tenders and other American types of food. I would recommend this place solely based on the view, it’s great for photos and videos!

Parque Centro América

Imagine that central part of town where there are a lot of shops, restaurants, bars, and things to do; that is what Parque Centro América is in Xela. There is a central park area in the middle, which is currently under some type of restorative construction right now, the market, restaurants, coffee shops, bars and local vendors all in one area. If you want to purchase some local souvenirs you should go here. This is also the area that has some very historical buildings such as the Quetzaltenango Cathedral.

Parque Nacional Cerro El Baul

During our quest for authentic Guatemalan candy and snacks, I noticed this hill in the nearby distance that just looked really beautiful from our current location (the grocery store). I said to Krista, “ Wow, what a beautiful view from the grocery store.” Her reply was, “Oh yes, it’s very beautiful. Would you like to go there? It’s not far.” I said, “of course!” and we were on our way up the mountain to the park. She had previously recommended I visit this park on her list of places to go she gave me at the beginning of my stay. The drive up there was full of potholes but the view at the top was absolutely stunning! This location is a national park which consists of a playground, built in slides, and a monument celebrating a Mayan warrior who fought in the war against Spain. It’s great for photos and I highly recommend this free activity.

Honorary Activities

Here are some activities you can do while in Xela that I did not personally experience.

Hike Tajumulco-Central America’s Highest Peak
Las Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs
Take a Cemetery Tour
Hike Santa Maria-View the active nearby Volcano Santiaguito
Take a Chocolate making class
Attend Spanish School

Me and my guide, Rosario, after my food tour!

How much did everything cost?

This is why I love Worldpackers. You have the opportunity to stay with hosts who will provide free lodging, food, or activities for some experiences. My Worldpackers host offered free housing in her two bedroom condo where I had my own room.

Let's break down the costs for my 8 Day Worldpackers trip.

Flights: $181

See flight section of this blog for more details

Lodging: FREE

Transportation: $30

Bus Ride from Guatemala City $10 each way
Local Ubers cost less than $5 one way on average

Food: $120 ($15 a day x 8)

Meals range from $5-$10 per person

Activities: $33

Cooking Class $28
Park Fee for Laguna de Chicabal $5

*COVID Test: $38*

Total for 8 days: $402

My Overall Experience

I honestly can’t say enough good things about my Worldpackers experience. It is truly a great way to save money, travel on a budget and help the local community while traveling and discovering new places. This was a different travel experience for me as I am used to traveling alone, making friends, staying at hostels, doing group activities and constantly moving at a fast pace. I felt very safe the entire time during my visit and Guatemala as a whole is literally one of my favorite countries that I have ever had the pleasure of traveling to. I loved meeting my host Krista and the other friends we met along the way. The homestay experience was exactly as advertised and I didn’t really feel like I did much “work” at all other than just spending time talking to Krista and helping her with her English.

I highly recommend trying a Worldpackers trip for yourself. You can take a trip for 3 days or 3 months! Either way, I am sure it will be a very interesting and fun experience.

If you’ve read this far I appreciate your time and thanks for reading my story.

- Alea Simone

My First Worldpackers Experience: Guatemala