Category: Guatemala

6 reasons why you have to visit El Petén

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El Petén is without a doubt the wildest part of Guatemala. Deep in the jungle lies the heart of what was once a thriving Maya civilization. Stumbling upon one of their old temples or stone structures, covered with vines and vegetation or neatly excavated, is the highlight of any trip through this land.

Anete walks on Cerro Witz, during a self-guided hike around Finca Ixobel, Poptún.

But Petén is more than just temples. Its rainforests teem with birds and wildlife. They are the perfect playgrounds for adventurers, water lovers and ornithologists. Even a couple of months are not enough to discover this vast region, to explore the ancient Maya world and to have endless meetings with some of Guatemala’s most pristine nature. Are you ready to take a walk on the wild side?

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One Morning at Finca Ixobel: A Report from Behind the Scenes

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The monsoon is in full swing and it has rained all night. But the rain stops as soon as the night guard flicks on the lights, as if the switch also controls the weather. “Hay cafe,” he says. His twelve-hour shift is almost over. If coffee is life, then Finca Ixobel is ready for a bright new morning. But for now, it’s still dark outside. The sunrise is an hour away, the earliest bird has yet to sing its first song. It seems like the world is asleep. But that’s not entirely true, Isabel and Paula are already kneading dough.

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8 birds to spot in Poptún, Guatemala

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Resplendent quetzals, ocellated turkeys, scarlet macaws – Guatemala has no shortage of iconic birds that will feature highly on the wish lists of many birdwatchers and ornithologists. According to Bird Checklists of the World, Guatemala hosts no less than 762 species of birds.

You can spot plenty of those in El Petén, the northernmost department of the country. The tranquil environment of Finca Ixobel, just outside of Poptún, is home to more than a hundred birds, both migratory and permanent residents. Why not try to find one of these?

[Read more about our experience volunteering for Finca Ixobel.]

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Backpacking Central America on a Budget: How much did we spend per day?

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Travelling is expensive. You need to save up for a year to afford to take a few weeks off. It’s impossible to travel long-term without being either filthy rich or a dirty hippie in rags who sleeps in a car and eats from a trash can. Filthy or dirty, that’s the choice.

But what if I tell you that all these preconceptions about long-term travel are wrong?

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The ultimate guide to Workaway: house and board in exchange for a few hours of work

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Ten years ago, at 23, I wanted to travel fast, cover lots of ground and tick boxes. Go and never stop until I got there. The older I become, the slower I want to travel. As a travelling couple, we like to linger in one place for a bit longer, soak up the local atmosphere, get to know the environment, the people. Embark on some hikes, get some writing done. But travelling is expensive, at least that’s the common idea. That’s where Workaway comes into the picture. Workaway is the perfect way for cheapskates to travel long-term.

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