CAS Trips Guatemala

Guatemala is heavily colored by its dramatic history: from a millennia of Mayan rule and culture to centuries under the Spanish empire. Your students will learn a lot from Central America’s most populous country as they engage with the culture and get immersed in it, especially through helping build a home for a family in need. A trip to Lake Atitlan, one of the world’s most spectacular lakes, colonial towns and the Mayan ruins of Tikal will take you even deeper into the Guatemalan culture.

Activities

Trip Highlights

Hike up the active Pacaya Volcano, tour colonial Antigua, take a boat ride on Lake Atitlan to encounter fascinating villages, explore indigenous markets, visit the Tikal ruins, and get to know a Guatemalan family as you build a home for them.

Volunteering Opportunities

Build a home for a needy family in an impoverished village just outside Antigua.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Learn chocolate making, tortilla making, take Spanish language lessons, and participate in a coffee making demonstration.

Cultural Immersion Opportunities

Explore Guatemala with local tour guides, tour the Mayan ruins of Tikal, and visit local villages.

Sample Itinerary In Guatemala

Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala

Upon arrival in Guatemala City, you are greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel in nearby Antigua. Your guide will take you on a cultural walking tour of this most beautiful colonial city. After a welcome dinner, enjoy a demonstration of chocolate making—the perfect dessert!

Days 2-6: Building a home for a needy family

For the next five days you get to make a lasting impact in the lives of a desperately poor Guatemalan family who, until now have been living beneath a sheet of corrugated iron, at the mercy of the elements and consequent ill health and missed days from school and work – if they are lucky enough to have a job.

With your help, the family will have a decent place to live that they can call home.
Expert local builders and tradesmen will help you throughout.

Day 7: Volcano hike and out

This morning, we rise early to climb Pacaya Volcano – on a clear day, the views are incredible.
After descending, we will freshen up back at the hotel before boarding the coach to Guatemala City airport for your flight out.

Essential elements:

Volunteering: Building a home for a needy family

Experiential Learning: Spanish lessons available; Building skills

Cultural Immersion: Local guides, cultural tour of Antigua, and Chocolate making

Curriculum: Spanish, Physical Education