FAQ Category: Guatemala

Yes, but you’ll be in your own queen-sized bed in a 10 x 14 ft tent! If you’d prefer your own private tent, it is possible with sufficient notice and our single supplement fee (which also provides single hotel rooms, where available).

Having a burning question to explore, or wanting to reflect on parts of yourself you may have ignored for decades is not a precursor to enjoying a Global Walking Adventure (G’WA) with She Walks the Walk. If you just want to get out of Dodge and experience the thrill of a new challenge, the warmth of a different culture, and the camaraderie of like-minded women, you’re also in the right place. (Though we find that personal growth is an inevitable part of the program whenever we place ourselves outside our comfort zones…) You are not required to participate in the meditation. You do not have to journal. You don’t even have to share with the group. In the end, though, you just might want to!

Evacuation from the highlands of Guatemala is a possibility you should consider. Broken legs, bee stings, you name it — sometimes life will throw you a curveball! We do not take risks lightly, which is why all G’WA participants are required to carry Emergency Travel Insurance. We can assist you to ensure you purchase appropriate and reliable protection, just in case. This is Sam’s area of expertise, and while we don’t anticipate any issues, insurance is a hard requirement.

Guatemala’s culture embodies the spirit of flexibility, ingenuity and helping out in a crisis. Our trekking path has ample access to exit points that would allow for safe and convenient re-entry to one of the larger towns should you find you need to leave for unexpected reasons.

Ahh, this famous question. I understand, as I am the turtle! Do not be concerned with your pacing or speed. Everyone moves at their own rhythm. Sufficient rest stops and breaks are built into our program; and this is by no means a race, nor a death march! The entire point of the G’WA is to slow down, take note of the varying landscape, to breathe in the fresh air, and to turn inward. There is no hurrying required. Chances are, I will be the one bringing up the rear!

Our clients are women typically between the ages of 35-55. They are likely mid-career, and often, are facing a crossroads of wanting significant change in their lives. They may not have ever been to altitude before. But they love the outdoors and have a spirited outlook on life they’d like to invigorate.

They are possibly at the end of their ropes—exhausted from running that societal treadmill day-in and day-out. Above all, they are united in their humble desire to know themselves better. They are ready to put themselves on the bloody list!

Our G’WAs are for you if you are adventurous, open-minded, flexible, interested in connection and community, able to tolerate some degree of “roughing it” with ample opportunities to enjoy boutique cultural luxury along the way.

My vision for these Global Walking Adventures (G’WAs) was not to attract elite athletes or hard-core adventure types. If you’re looking for something like that, we are not the company for you. The vision for She Walks the Walk is to design and lead a pilgrimage-type adventure that stirs the senses, awakens the dormant spirit and challenges your body in a reasonable way. Are you comfortable walking for 6 hours per day over varying terrain? There is no question that some level of cardiovascular fitness will enhance your comfort during the G’WA experience. Prior trekking experience is unnecessary. You can always Contact Me with any questions you have.

Our G’WAs are a “go” with a minimum participation of 2 clients and a maximum number of 10. The expedition itself is supported by myself and my partner Julie, along with an ensemble of 3 additional team members (our cooks, and our guide).

English will be the primary language spoken during our G’WA. However, my partner Julie is fluent in Spanish, French, and Arabic, while I’m fluent in French and German. Spanish is spoken by most Guatemalans, along with a variety of Mayan dialects splintered throughout the country. We will equip you with the basics in advance by way of a “cheat sheet”. Some of your most magical moments will be spent chatting with the children in the rural Mayan villages. They are always curious (and intrigued) when we arrive on their land with all our gear in tow.

It is recommended you do not drink the tap water in Guatemala. Throughout our 9-Day G’WA, you will be furnished with ample potable drinking water. There is no requirement for you to bring a purification system, nor will you be responsible for finding your water.

Our food is a highlight for most women on our G’WAs. We serve a fusion of traditional Guatemalan dishes and international cuisine. The food is fresh, healthy and most importantly delicious! Vegetarian and vegan options are available. For this particular G’WA, we offer a full bar along the trek with beer, wine and liquor. Your meals will be cooked fresh morning, noon, and night.

Not to worry! This particular G’WA is supported by our overland “trek truck”, a modified vehicle that not only carries our gear from camp to camp, but also features a nifty hot water shower, portable flush toilet and sink. It’s private, but you can look up at the stars as you rinse a little trail dust off each night.

Your daypack should not weigh more than 10% of your body weight AT MOST. Bear in mind that every litre of water weighs 2.2lbs, and you will be carrying a minimum of 3Ls/water at a time. You are welcome to bring your favourite snacks with you, and don’t forget sunscreen, your rain gear and any photography equipment you wish to carry. Your expedition duffel bag should not weigh more than 45lbs.

There is no need to bring any charging banks on this particular G’WA. Despite the remoteness of our trail route, you will have access to our generator for charging any devices each night after dinner.

Yes and no. But this is a good thing! As mentioned earlier, we will equip you with a prepaid SIM card to remove the headache of high cell phone bills and take one less thing off your To Do list. In the mountains, coverage is spotty at best. We encourage you to download WhatsApp as your primary method of communication for the peeps back home.

Passengers arriving in Guatemala must be prepared to provide one of the following. Either, proof of a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine (last dose must have been administered more than 14 days prior to the date of travel) or; a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test dated no more than 3 days before the date of your departure flight or your arrival at a land border. As entrance policies can change quickly, it is your responsibility to ensure an accurate understanding of entrance requirements. The WHO currently recommends the following vaccinations for any trip to Guatemala: COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

In addition to the above requirements, you may need either an Antigen or PCR test in order to board your flight home. We will ensure arrangements are made in advance to accommodate this testing. At the time of publishing this information (June, 2022), Guatemala still heavily favours (and in fact, requires) masking in most public spaces.

Guatemala uses the Guatemalan Quetzal. You will most likely be unable to source this currency in advance of your trip. Antigua has ample bank machines available. We will work with you to ensure you bring enough cash for incidentals and for the tipping ceremony on our last day.

If ever there was a temperate climate, it’s Guatemala! Antigua is known as the Land of Eternal Spring… which definitely suits my preference for moderation. Expect a great deal of sun, temperatures between 65-80 degrees F (16-29 C) during the day, and much cooler in the highlands at night. Although our G’WAs take place during the proverbial “dry season,” rain and mist are a reality in the Cloud Forests.

Despite having a reputation for crime, Guatemala is generally safe to visit. We’ve all read about the scams, petty crime, robberies, gang violence, and even volcanic eruptions which have caused widespread displacement and death. Unfortunately, the media and governments do not always paint an accurate picture of what it’s like to visit this developing nation. As tourism is one of the driving forces in the country, it is unlikely you will experience any form of violence during your She Walks the Walk G’WA. Both Antigua and Lake Atitlán are considered very safe to visit; so much so that my parents bought a little home in a neighbouring rural village some 15 years ago. Like any travel, the most important thing to be mindful of is your surroundings, and we do not recommend any kind of flaunting of wealth.