How to Find Luxury Hotels in Guatemala

Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. It is also bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and has a small sliver of Caribbean coastline.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport
• Computer with Internet access for making reservations

Plan for Your Trip to Guatemala

1. Bring a Spanish phrase book if you don't speak the language. Residents will appreciate your attempts to converse in their native tongue. You will find that English is also spoken in tourist areas.
2. Exchange money into Quetzals, the official currency, when you arrive. US dollars are widely accepted in hotels and tourist areas and can be exchanged in most banks.

Choose Where to Stay in Guatemala

3. Stay in a luxury hotel in Antigua, Guatemala, for access to the city's Spanish colonial architecture. Historical points of interest in this city are too numerous to list. Room rates include breakfast and range from $80 to over $250 per night depending on type of accommodations and occupancy. To book accommodations, contact the Guatemala Tourism Board at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).
4. Consider renting accommodations in Tikal for one or two nights for close proximity to the Mayan ruins in Tikal National Park. Lodging is not luxury in the area but is sufficient, and having enough time to explore the Mayan legacy is worth roughing it a little.
5. Stay in Guatemala City for the urban Guatemala experience. Home to several 5-star resorts, Guatemala City has no shortage of luxury rooms.
6. Choose large chain accommodations in Guatemala City for conferences or conventions. Several hotels have more than 100 rooms and banquet facilities for large groups or meetings.

Travel to Guatemala

7. Fly internationally into Guatemala City or Flores airports. Several major airlines operate flights from major hub cities in the US to Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport. Flores' airport, Peten, services flights for other Central American countries.
8. Take the bus from any of the surrounding countries. Expect to change buses at the border if you are traveling from Honduras or Belize.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't rely on traveler's checks as they are not widely accepted in Guatemala. Occasionally American Express traveler's checks can be exchanged in bets, but don't be surprised if they are turned down.
• Tap water is unsafe for US residents to drink. You should only drink bottled or boiled water.
• Don't be surprised if you find yourself in a situation that you have to bribe the police to get out of. This is common and expected and may be your only option as corruption is rampant.