A Mother & Daughter Post-Christmas Escape
The day after Christmas, I packed my bags, grabbed my 12-year-old, and hopped on a flight to Guatemala. No overthinking, just vibes. I was ready for an adventure, some good food, and a break from reality.
Getting to Antigua: Airport & First Impressions
Landing in Guatemala City was pretty straightforward. After going through customs, I had to fill out a visitor form nothing complicated, just your basic travel info. Before heading outside, I exchanged my U.S. dollars for quetzales at the airport currency exchange. Some places do take U.S. dollars, but using quetzales makes life easier.
Stepping outside, I spotted a driver holding a sign with my name. He was ready to take us straight to Antigua, and after a long flight, I was definitely not about to argue with that plan. The drive was about an hour, and before I knew it, we were pulling up to Hotel Soleil La Antigua.
First impression? The hotel was beautiful and full of culture, but the room wasn’t ready yet. No big deal we dropped our bags and headed out to explore.
Would I Stay at Hotel Soleil Again?
Honestly… probably not. It was a great pick for a first-time visit because it felt safe with its gated setup, and the grounds were nice. But the area? Way too congested. The traffic was nonstop, and just trying to cross the street felt like a life-or-death mission. Plus, the hotel’s utilities were pretty dated. Next time, I’d look for something in a less hectic area.
Day 1: Antigua Streets, The Arch & Sight Seeing
We started off by walking around Antigua, taking in the scenery. The city is gorgeous cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, volcano views. The Arco de Santa Catalina was our first big stop, but it was packed. Between tourists and influencers doing full-on photoshoots, getting a clear shot was not happening.
After that, we wandered through the streets, soaking in the atmosphere. There were so many people out just enjoying themselves. We tried some street food, but didn’t get any good pictures because of the crowd. (Trust me, it was so good.)
We grabbed dinner at Frida’s while in the main town. The food was flavorful, the drink I had was strong, and the whole place had an artsy, lively vibe. Definitely a great spot for our first meal in Antigua.
Day 2: The Long Ride to Lake Atitlán & San Juan La Laguna
We were up early for our day trip to Lake Atitlán with Xocomil Tours 5:30am. Now, let me just say this, the ride is long, there are no stops, and some areas get super foggy. If you get motion sickness, take something beforehand. Also, bring snacks because there are no food stops on the way, and everyone in the shuttle was dead silent the whole ride which was okay with me. This ride was about 2 1/2 hours. How we did it? Well because of the rocking roads, there wasn’t no chance of a nap. I made use I had movies, music downloaded on our devices. Also battery packs to charge those devices.
Once we got to Panajachel, we took a boat across the lake ($20 per person) to San Juan La Laguna which turned out to be my favorite spot. As soon as we got off, tuk-tuk drivers were waiting, offering tours. We hopped in one and let them take us around to different experiences:
• Chocolate-Making Class – We roasted cacao beans, peeled them by hand, and ground them into a paste to make real Guatemalan chocolate.
Xocomon Chocolate Workshop
• Bee Farm Tour – We got up close with stingless bees and tasted different types of honey, straight from the hive.
• Textile Weaving Demo – Watching the local women hand-weave fabrics was unreal. Everything is made using traditional techniques, and the level of skill they have is crazy.
San Juan was so peaceful and authentic, way less crowded than Panajachel. After finishing up, we took the boat back, then endured the long, quiet ride back to Antigua.
Day 3: Finally Got That Arco Picture & Hobbit Dreams
This time, we woke up early and went back to the Arco de Santa Catalina before the crowds hit. Much better experience I actually got a good picture!
From there, we grabbed breakfast at Café Condesa, which was cute and cozy, then headed to Hobbitenango. The Uber ride was about $20, but Uber won’t take you all the way up. We had to switch to a local taxi for the final stretch.
Hobbitenango was straight out of a storybook. Hobbit houses, insane mountain views, and just a really peaceful vibe. If you’re looking for a chill, nature-filled spot (without hiking for hours), this is it.
After heading back to Antigua, we packed up and took a shuttle to Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City for our last night.
Day 4: Heading Home
With an early flight the next morning, staying near the airport was the best call. The Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City was comfortable, convenient, and stress-free. After a quick breakfast, it was time to head to the airport and say goodbye to Guatemala at least for now.
Final Thoughts: Was Guatemala Safe & Would I Go Back?
So, did I feel safe traveling to Guatemala as a Black woman with my pre-teen daughter? Absolutely. I always take extra precautions when I travel booking trusted drivers in advance, using Uber within the city, and staying aware of my surroundings. The only issue I ran into was an Uber driver claiming he only took cash (which I knew wasn’t true). I canceled immediately and reported it once I got back to the U.S. Other than that, I had no problems.
I even ran into a few other Black women from the U.S., which is always nice to see when traveling abroad. Everywhere we went, people were kind, respectful, and welcoming. My daughter and I had an amazing experience, and I’d absolutely recommend Guatemala to anyone looking for a mix of culture, history, and adventure.
I chose Guatemala because I wanted somewhere rich in culture, with a deep history, and based on the reviews from other women travelers who said they felt safe. It checked all my boxes beautiful scenery, immersive experiences, and an affordable post-Christmas trip.
Would I go back? 100%. There’s so much more to see, and I already know I’d do a few things differently next time. But one thing’s for sure, Guatemala left a lasting impression, and I’m not done with it yet.
Travel Services I Used
• Shuttles & Transfers: GuateGo
• Lake Atitlán Tour: Xocomil Tours
• Hobbitenango & Other Activities: Viator
Check out my previous blog on safety tips traveling as a woman https://superiorsista.travel.blog/2025/03/13/how-to-stay-safe-as-a-woman-solo-traveling-abroad/
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