Travel to Guatemala
Traveling to Guatemala is a wonderful experience. The country is relatively close to the United States, and is a great place to bring other family members, and experience the culture.
Flights:
Major Points of Exit/Entry (U.S. Cities) to Guatemala
• Houston, TX
• Miami, FL
• Fort Lauderdale, Fl
• Atlanta, GA
• Chicago, IL
• Los Angeles, CA
• Charlotte, SC
Approximate Cost:
• Flights cost approximately $500 round trip per adult
• You will have approximately one week advance notice to book your flight for the pick-up trip
Travel Time:
• A flight from Miami, FL to Guatemala City is usually around 2 hours of flight time
Currency:
Exchange Rate:
1 U.S. Dollar Exchange is equals about 7.5 Guatemala Quetzals
Traveling with Children:
Guatemala is a wonderful country to travel with your family. Guatemala City is relatively safe for a large urban area. Please remember to reference the Department of State's International Travel website for travel warnings: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html.
Tourist attractions such as Antigua (Old Capital), Lake Atitlan (Volcanic Lake), Tikal (Mayan Ruins) are all wonderful places to explore during your visit. There are many large chain hotels in Guatemala where families can stay, as well as smaller Guatemalan hotels.
Travel Documents:
What is needed to enter Guatemala?
North Americans and citizens of most European countries get their passports stamped at the airport or border crossing, which allows them to stay in Guatemala for up to 90 days. If you plan on staying longer, you need to procure a visa.
Medical Clinic:
What is innoculations or preventions one must consider when traveling to Guatemala?
There is not any required innoculations or boosters one must get when traveling to Guatemala. However, if you are planning on traveling to the countryside or to remote areas, you can be at risk for malaria. Preventive measures like long pants and insect repellent should be taken. You might also want to consider visting your doctor who might prescribe preventive medications to prevent malaria. Your doctor might also prescribe medications like Cipro which will help relieve intestinal issues associated with drinking the local water.
Hotels in Guatemala City:
Radisson Hotel And Suites Guatemala City
Avenida 12-46, Zona 10, Guatemala City 01010
Reservations: US Toll Free (888) 201-1718
Telephone: (502) 2421-5151
Fax: (502) 2332-9772
Email: reservaciones@radissonguatemala.com
*Reservations for the Radisson should be made through CCI in order to obtain our corporate rate.
Marriot Hotel
7 Avenue 15-45, Zona 9, Guatemala City, 01009
Telephone: (502) 2410-1777
Fax: (502) 2332-1877
Email: https://marriott.com/suggest/suggest.mi
Hotels in Antigua:
http://www.larutamayaonline.com/hotels2/antigua/posada_el_antano.php
Casa Santo Domingo
http://www.casasantodomingo.com.gt/english/index.html
Chosen Children's House
Chosen Children's House, across from the Casa Santa Domingo, is a great place to stay while you visit. The price is extremely reasonable, and you can still enjoy the hotel's restaurant, museums, and of course the many cafes, stores and things to see just a few minutes' walk toward the center of town. Highly recommended! (I have been at CCH since 1/12 fostering. Any questions, feel free to PM me at lisawest19@aol.com). Lisa Westervelt
Mansion del Pensativo
I stayed one week at Mansion del Pensativo, and we stayed there again one night on the pickup trip, and loved it.
it's quaint, 2 blocks from the town square, has beautiful flowers, hammocks, swimming pool even and sits right in front of the Aqua Volcano with an awesome view. Claudia, the manager, is from Antigua and speaks English well. Carlos and Manuel (who LOVES babies) are wonderful nighttime managers. A wonderful breakfast is included, but they serve no other meals (unless you get in late and need a sandwich/soup which they will provide). They have a computer you can use for emails/Internet. And they are very attentive to all your needs. Take a AT&T calling card (with a good 600 minutes, as it gives you 40 to call back to the states) and they'll give you a special # to call so you can use it and call the states....I found this the easiest way, but you can also buy the calling cards there.
I thought the price was very reasonable...I had a double room and it was around $85 for 2 people. I think I paid $10 less when I was there in September by myself. They don't really have baby toys/bouncers/swings, but they do have a bottle sterilizer in the kitchen, and the kitchen is yours. Perhaps take a bottle warmer for your room as the kitchen is a few steps away from the double rooms, but right beside the suite if you stay there (looked very nice). Fireplaces in the rooms, but I never used them, but it does get chilly at night sometimes. A small heater would have been a plus for the baby playpen bed when I was there in Sept during the cooler months. In November it was warmer at night.
You can book direct at e-mail: mansion@intelnet.net.gt Their phone # is 502/7832-0308 for Fax is 502/7832-1069.
I used Nancy Hoffman's group (www.AntiguaGuatemala.com) (US lady/ex husband, run businesses together) and/or Vision Travel for scheduling a van to pick us up in Guatemala City and take us to Antigua and back again. And also used Vision Travel for a wonderful 1/2 day tour around the many towns around Antigua. Luis Ramirez speaks fluent English, from Antigua, and knows Guatemala areas well...educating me about its history, my birth mom's town, etc. He can be scheduled by emailing vision@AntiguaGuatemala.com, phone # is 5,795-2345 locally. I used Luis on both trips and was more than satisfied with the service. He has worked with many adoptive parents.. Offered to take us to the hospital to take photos where Claire was born, and will take you to the birth mom's/child's birthplace if another city. Make sure and ask for Luis for your tour portion, as other people also drive for them who do not speak English.
here are a few photos of the views....if questions, please feel free to email me.
Anita Travis Richter, mom to Claire, forever home Nov 30, 2005, at 5 1/2 months.
We really enjoyed the Candelaria - you can find out more about it at www.aroundantigua.com
Travel Agencies:
MTS Travel
MTS TRAVEL is the North American leader in missions, church and relief and development travel. This organization has been committed to serving ministries for over 50 years.
They have negotiated excellent savings on international airfares on behalf of ministries, which are broad in scope and coverage. Many of these fares also offer flexibility with items such as changes and delayed payment. They are a full service travel agency and offer benefits on domestic travel as well.
They have adoption contracts that cover 6 of the 8 key areas that you have listed on our website for those traveling for adoption. Typically, one of the most appreciated benefits for these contracts are the flexibility that they offer, such as delayed ticketing, which translates into confirming the space, and being able to delay ticketing and payment.
You can reach them at 407 905-2820, or via email at Orlando@mtstravel.com They also have a toll free number: 877 699-3987.
407 905-3603 Direct Line
The U.S. Leader in Church, Mission & Cause-Related Travel
www.mtstravel.com
Federal Travel & Cruises
3320 N FEDERAL HIGHWAY, LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL 33064
Phone: (954) 942-8666
Todd Gallineck
Todd specialized in adoption travel, with a special focus on Asia and Guatemala. He has wholesale contracts with Thai, EVA, Continental and United airlines which allows him to provide the best pricing for adoptive families. He is accessible 24/7. He partners with www.travelsociety.com. Please call Todd directly for your travel plans.
C/O Travel Society
6519 Newhall Road
Charlotte, North Carolina 28270
Home/Office: (704) 364-7107
Mobile: (303) 918-9888
Email: Tgallinek@aol.com
Discovery World Tours
A Division of Worldtrex, Inc.
CCI has been working with Discovery World for many years. They can provide excellent prices.
Discovery World Tours is a leading provider of wholesale airline tickets and worldwide tours. We are distributors of consolidated airline tickets purchased in large blocks for contract prices on scheduled airlines. We resell these tickets to the public at substantially reduced rates, usually between 25 to 75% below the cost of full-fare coach seats.
10318 Whispering Pines Drive
Frisco, TX. 75034
(800) 278-9695
(214) 321-4326
Velocity Tours
trent@velocitytours.com
http://www.VelocityTours.com
International Airfare Consolidators
Office (801) 296-TOUR (8687)
Office 1-877-608-3704 (TOLL FREE)
M- F 9:00A to 5:00P MST