Your Cart is Empty
We ship worldwide from warehouses in the USA, Canada, Europe, UK and Australia!
There are a myriad of options that will get you from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan.
The easiest and most direct is via a private car, but there are many options for each budget range.
Inside the Homecoming Facebook Group you can arrange to share a car with other attendees. The price to hire a car and driver is APPROX 1275Q ($170USD) for up to 3 passengers, so if you are travelling in a small group to or from the La Aurora Airport, this is a great option!
You will want to hire a car to drop you at your accommodation, if possible. For those staying at La Paz Eco Hotel, have the driver drop you at the center of town (basketball court).
Clothing:
Most will be comfortable in shorts, but in the evenings, pants are recommended. Jacket and/or sweater for cool evenings and travel across the lake. Wool socks if you only have sandals (good for mosquitoes). Long sleeve shirt. Clothes for sun and warm, and hot. Poncho or rain jacket is likely not necessary, but good to have - just in case!
Backpack:
We recommend a backpack for carrying things around with you.
Appropriate footwear:
Here in San Marcos La Laguna, a few wear sneakers, most sandals, and some go year-round in flip-flops. We will be traveling to the rainforest and for this journey we recommend hiking shoes or durable sneakers.
A towel:
For those staying at La Paz, towels are not provided.
Toiletries:
For those staying at La Paz, shampoo and soap is not provided.
Flashlight or headlamp:
You will need one for navigating paths at night. Bring a backup and/or bring replacement batteries. Certain types of batteries can be difficult to find in town.
Sunscreen and a hat:
The sun at 5000 feet (1500 m) elevation burns a lot faster and tans a lot slower than sea-level. By the way, a good amount of Keith's Cacao in your system is an excellent sunburn preventative.
Swimsuit:
Some of you may want to swim in beautiful Lake Atitlan. Local sensibilities suggest your swimsuit be on the modest side. A wrap is also recommended as the lake is cold.
Insect repellent:
Bugs are rarely a big problem, except for sand flies (no-see-ums) and mosquitoes.
Pad lock:
For those staying at La Paz. There are lockers available where you can stash belongings. Pad locks are not provided.
Water-bottle:
Bring your own water-bottle and be sure to read the note below regarding the local water advisory.
Cash/ Quetzales:
A minimum of 2000Q is recommended for the retreat, see more information on Quetzales (Guatemalan currency) below.
We advise that you bring Guatemalan Quetzales with you to Homecoming. It is best to order currency from your local bank prior to your departure. You can exchange your native currency at the airport, but this is a more expensive option.
There is an ATM in San Marcos La Laguna, but it is not 100% reliable. Credit card usage is limited at the lake (but growing).
We recommend that you have 100 Q notes or smaller, as many places cannot give change for larger denominations.You will want some Quetzales (cash) for food, souvenirs, shuttles, tuk-tuk rides, boat rides at the lake, tips and more. We recommend a minimum of $2,000 Quetzales for the week, some folks will need more and some less, but best to be prepared.
Climate at Lake Atitlan:
It’s warm and sunny most days, pleasantly warm and not steamy and sweaty like the tropics
Temperature:
Average daily highs in February are 28C/83F and the night time lows are averaging 12C/53F, so you’ll want layers of clothing with you to stay comfortable.
DO NOT DRINK THE LOCAL WATER
Do NOT drink the water in the lake or out of local faucets!! DO not use local water for brushing your teeth. Do NOT eat from wet plates. Keep your mouth shut while swimming or showering. ALWAYS ask for “agua pura” when in restaurants or asking for water – it is readily available. Parasitic amoebic cysts are endemic, Amoebiasis and occasionally Giardia. You do not want to spend your time at the lake fighting off flu-like symptoms.
