Coffee Connoisseurs: Guatemala
January 8-14, 2023 : 7 days/6 nights
$1999 ($450 deposit) : Visiting Antigua, Santa Lucia Milpas Altas, Santa Cruz la Laguna, San Juan la Laguna, San Marcos la Laguna
Deadline for Registration: December 8, 2023
About This Trip
When arriving at Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, your Naturally Smart Host will be waiting to greet you as you exit the airport doors. Our first stop, after a quick departure from the City, is the colonial town of Antigua, just a 1-hour drive away (without traffic).
Once settled into Antigua, we'll enjoy a quick siesta then take a tour of the town before our Bienvenidos Dinner. There, you'll get to know your guide, fellow travelers, and host under the stars.
After a delicious breakfast the following morning, we'll kick off our journey by exploring a coffee cooperative just outside of Antigua.
From there, we'll spend the week visiting coffee farms with different models to understand the process from bean-to-cup, the magic of each region, export and sales models, meet farmers directly, and more. We'll visit several pueblos around stunning Lake Atitlan and other memorable experiences in the Land of Eternal Spring.
Finally, our trip will conclude by returning to Antigua for a day of culture and reflection before we celebrate our adventure during our Feliz Viaje dinner.
What is Included
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Coordination
From the moment of arrival to departure, we coordinate and facilitate exceptional experiences, so your only priority is living your best impact life abroad.
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Bi-lingual Guide & Host
Spanish being the official national language, your local tour guide will accompany you every step of the way, while your host ensures a smooth experience behind the scenes.
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Private Transportation
We coordinate transportation throughout your journey with carefully vetted and trusted drivers on land and captains by water.
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Meals and Dining
From welcome dinner to our “Feliz Viaje!” celebration, we’ll enjoy authentic Guatemalan fare, as well as cross-cultural staples.
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Accommodations
Rest assured, we partner with leading hotels to book ideal accommodations that will leave you ready for the adventure ahead.
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Connection
Direct connections to lending partners and small business owners to learn first-hand operations, needs, and growth opportunities.
Added Bonuses
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Grants and Scholarships
A percentage of proceeds from each booking supports the growth of our Guatemalan team and counterparts.
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Carbon Offset
We calculate carbon emissions for each guest and support a certified carbon offset organization focused on reforestation and access to smoke-free stoves.
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Introduction to Facilitators
Should an organization speak to you, we introduce facilitators of investment and donation for trusted financial exchange.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Each day of our journey is carefully curated to ensure an easy blend of cultural experiences, meeting communities, travel, and downtime. We believe travel should be comfortable, stimulating yet never overly active, and also allow for mindfulness and rest as needed.
During free mornings or afternoon rest (siesta), guests will also have an optional activity. If a grander excursion is calling you, just let your host or guide know and we’ll coordinate to bring the most out of your time with us.
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After nestling into our hotel in Antigua, guests will have downtime to relax and run any local errands needed. Those who look to withdraw cash or other special asks, simply let your guide know and they'll offer assistance. If you arrive in the morning, please know that we can help with planning to ensure a most fulfilling welcome!
After a quick siesta, we will enjoy a welcome happy hour before indulging in the delicious menu of a local favorite with scenic views of the town. Meanwhile, you will meet your guide and host, as well as mingle with fellow travelers. Your host will also share more about the week ahead and review itinerary details.
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Once we've enjoyed a delicious "typical" breakfast, we will visit Cerro de la Cruz for a quick hike to discover a unique vantage point of Antigua, as well as the three surrounding volcanoes (Agua, Acatenango, and the active Fuego).
After, we'll walk to bustling Central Park and wander through the Arch Street to learn more about this stunning UNESCO world heritage city before enjoying a lunch of Guatemalan fare. Next, we'll take a quick jaunt to a women's coffee cooperative to learn the history of coffee in Guatemala and the lifecycle of the world's second-favorite beverage, from bean to cup.
An afternoon siesta will leave us refreshed before group dinner, hosted at a speakeasy restaurant where we'll nosh on delicious creations by a local chef.
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After a hearty breakfast with a view, we'll depart for Lake Atitlan. Before arriving, we'll make a stop at one of the most scenic farms, which spans three microclimates, to learn about domestic coffee trade systems. We'll also enjoy a farm-grown lunch in the heart of the farm.
From there, we'll continue to Panajachel, one of the most bustling towns around Lago de Atitlan. As with every day on the trip, we'll enjoy some downtime in the afternoon before dinner. For guests too restless for siesta, we'll have the option to walk down the popular Santander and continue along the shoreline to take in majestic views.
That night, we'll dine on delectable dishes in an outdoor garden before exploring a little of what the town offers for nightlife!
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After breakfast in Panajachel, we'll take a short boat ride to San Juan la Laguna. This lakeside town is famous for its colorful murals and community of cooperatives! We'll be stopping into learn about making chocolate, women's weaving and natural dyes, and a tour of a coffee farm exporting to benefit their community.
Post lunch in San Juan, we'll journey to our hotel in scenic Santa Cruz la Laguna. Guests are welcome to enjoy an afternoon by the lake or to visit a vocational school supporting seven neighboring communities. There, we'll learn about their program offerings, as well as take a cafecito with one of the most scenic views of the Lake.
Back at the hotel, we'll meet for happy hour and a memorable family-style dinner at our hotel, with a potential "open mic" night to show off our hidden talents!
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We'll have a free morning to relax, breakfast will be available at our hotel, but guests will also have the option to take to the lake kayaking or via stand-up paddleboarding. There will be an optional tour to a local roastery working with small-batch growers to help them gain a presence in hotels, restaurants, and regional stores.
After lunch at our hotel, we'll take our last boat ride across the Lake and be met by our driver to bring our group back to Antigua. Along the ride, we'll stop in for a breather and, once checked into our hotel, will have the afternoon and evening to relax.
An optional dinner will be hosted to welcome the starry night before adventuring out on the town.
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After breakfast and our last boat ride across the Lake, we'll be met by our driver to bring our group back to Antigua.
Once arrived, we'll leave our bags at the hotel before heading to a farm-to-table restaurant for lunch and a tour. After wandering through the organic wonderland, guests are welcome to enjoy the afternoon on their own or take part in touring a former monastery-turned-museum and resort before learning our unique nawals (Mayan spirit animals).
Later, we'll head to local microbrewery Cerveceria 14 to celebrate our trip at our Feliz Viaje dinner. There, we'll enjoy live music while we share our favorite experiences from our trip!
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All good things must come to an end, but it doesn't mean you can't take a part of Guatemala with you. We'll be sharing a (bonus) folder of candid pictures from throughout our trip along with a special thank you message.
Please confirm your departure date and time with us so we can coordinate your transportation to Aurora International Airport for a safe return home.
Payment Options
Payment options below are offered to accommodate guests’ needs whether with a payment plan, paying in full, or preferring to pay via a bank transfer or check. We strongly encourage guests to read through Naturally Smart Travel’s terms and conditions before processing payment.
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Make a Deposit
Of the $1999 total, guests must make a $450 non-refundable deposit to confirm their booking. Once processed, an email confirmation will be sent with future payment dates and communications schedule to prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
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Make a Full Payment
Guests who pay in full ($1999) contribute $450 of the payment received to a non-refundable deposit. Once processed, an email confirmation will be sent with a communications schedule to prepare you for the Land of Eternal Spring (Guatemala).
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Electronic Transfer or Check
If an electronic transfer or check is your preferred method of payment, please email us for relevant bank information and mailing instructions by clicking the button below.
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About
Naturally Smart Travel coordinates sustainable group and private impact tours to create culturally immersive experiences throughout Guatemala. With our unique recipe for blending culture, low or high impact excursions, and community empowerment into every trip, we inspire opportunities for both conscious guests and social or environmental initiatives to thrive.