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Weather and Packing
Weather - Guatemala
Highland Guatemala is blessed with one of the world's best climates. In
areas such as Antigua and Lake Atitlan that are between 1,300 and 1,600 meters
above sea level - and where we'll spend most of our trip - the air is almost
always fresh and the nights cool and despite the heat of the midday sun, humidity
is never a problem.
The lowland region of el Petén,
for those of us taking the extension to Tikal, is
hot and humid throughout the year.
Rainy season in Guatemala is from
May through October, with the heaviest rains falling
in September and October. November
through March is dry and splendid. April is
a transition month, some
rain can fall and the sky often turns cloudy in the
afternoon.
Packing - Guatemala
- Lightweight layer-able
clothing, including a
fleece or light sweater
for the evening
- A
water resistant jacket
- always be prepared for
some rain, especially
from May through October.
April is a transition
month that sees some rain.
- Comfortable
walking or hiking shoes
with a sturdy sole. Antigua
has cobblestone streets
and we'll be walking & hiking
on hilly, uneven terrain
several times during the
trip
- A hat which protects
from both sun exposure
and rain is ideal.
- Small knapsack or day-pack
for carrying water, camera,
snacks, journal, etc.
- Camera,
film (or extra memory
cards for those who
have gone digital) & batteries
- Swimsuit - we'll
have the opportunity
to swim in Lake Atitlan,
take a suit just in
case
- Insect repellent (with
DEET) this will be especially
important during the Tikal
extension of the trip
and may also come in handy
in the Lake Atitlan region
- Sun
screen - both the
high altitude and the
water of the lake magnify
the strength of the sun's
rays. Bring and
use sun block!
- Sunglasses
- Small alarm clock (wake-up
calls will also be available
in most cases)
- Vitamins
- Motion
sickness tablets. If
you are prone to motion
sickness, bring tablets
for our ride to and from
Lake Atitlan
- Medical supplies (antiseptic,
aspirin, Imodium/Lomotil,
antacid)
- Hand cleanser such as
Purell which requires
no water
- A Spanish phrase book
is not required, but helpful/recommended
for those that want to
explore more on their
own.
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