Guatemala is as varied in local culture and ecosystems as it is in neighboring countries. As a volunteer in Guatemala, you'll begin to explore this heart of Mayan civilization and quickly understand why so many people have a special place in their heart for Guatemala. With an opportunity to visit idyllic beach towns, wander Mayan ruins, and climb active volcanoes, you can spend plenty of time as a volunteer in Guatemala and never run out of new adventures.
...so many people have a special place in their heart for Guatemala...
During its 36 year-long civil war, many Guatemalans migrated to Guatemala City seeking employment. Through the years, this unexpected migration has resulted in the unsustainable expansion of Guatemala City. Since the end of its civil war in 1995, Guatemala has made incredible strides as a nation, however, the continuous influx of new residents combined with a high birth-rate has depleted resources and city planning cannot keep pace. As a volunteer in Guatemala City, you will work alongside an incredibly diverse population whose stories have significantly evolved over the course of a generation.
When you volunteer in Guatemala, you'll assist with the growth and development of children, improve education for children, improve health and the sense of dignity among the elderly, or enhance the quality of healthcare. And no matter where you spend your time as a volunteer in Guatemala, you'll have a chance to make a real impact as you connect with members of your new community.
Each volunteer does their part in small and large ways working side-by-side with community members to contribute to effecting change in the following areas of work…
The CCS staff will show you useful points of interest as well as examples of the city's staggering economic disparities. Beginning at the “city dump,” which serves as a home for over 200 families who support themselves by scrap picking, you'll travel about 10 minutes to take in a completely different kind of neighborhood filled with towering mansions and gated communities. This powerful lesson lends some serious perspective to your volunteer service, and introduces you to the complex history of your new home away from home.
In Guatemala, CCS Spanish lessons are divided into levels based on your ability, and tailored to your needs. The first lesson is held in a typical classroom style, but then you'll have a chance to put your knowledge to the test. Your teacher will take you out into the community and challenge you to bargain for fruits, vegetables, and clothing in Spanish at a nearby underground market. Just another awesome adventure to add to your list!
Our CCS cooks will provide all of your meals for you, with one fun exception: each week, you'll have a chance to prepare a veritable Guatemalan feast with your fellow volunteers, under the expert guidance of our cooks. Learn how to prepare a traditional Guatemalan “fusion” meal, combining elements of both Spanish and Mayan cuisine, and don’t forget to take the recipe home to replicate for your friends and family.
photo credit: bombarosaLearn about the traditional beliefs and culture of indigenous Mayan people in Guatemala, including the oft referenced Mayan Calendar, from a local professor specializing in Mayan culture and cosmology. After a discussion of the history and incredible accuracy of the calendar, the professor will identify your unique energy animal, the Mayan equivalent of a horoscope.
photo credit: hisgettConnect with a local family over cups of steaming, frothy hot chocolate and learn their millennia-old family recipe for the traditional Mayan drink. You’ll even have the opportunity to help them roast the cacao beans, peel and clean the seeds, cook the chocolate, and then — and here's the best part — enjoy the fruits of your labors over conversation with the family.
photo credit: dancingnomad3
Journey just outside of Guatemala City to experience some of the most impressive of Guatemala's 37 volcanoes, including Pacaya and Volcán de Fuego. These are also two of Central America's most active volcanoes, so trade in your flip flops for a pair of sturdy shoes and climb each volcano to snap some photos in front of the slow-flowing lava. You'll want to remember to pack a stick or two, because where's the fun in an active volcano if you haven't got marshmallows to roast?!
Formed nearly 2 million years ago, Lake Atitlan has been referred to as one of the world's most beautiful lakes — and not just by the folks here at CCS! Once you've shopped your little heart out in one of the region's many markets, check out all of the outdoor options. Get your adrenaline pumping on a zipline adventure, trek the forests, or climb some waterfalls. No matter what you get into, we promise you'll sleep well that night!
photo credit: fran001Journey to the northern part of the country to marvel at one of the greatest surviving Mayan cities at the Tikal ruins. Arrive early in the morning to avoid the tourist rush and take in the towering temples and intricate pathways in all their serene splendor. It's an epic spot that's nothing short of magical, especially when you catch it shrouded in the morning mist. Climb 196 steps to the top of Tikal's iconic Temple of the Great Jaguar, and explore the Mayan city's sprawling ruins.
Perched at the very edge of Guatemala's northeastern coast along the Amatique Bay and surrounded by jungle to the south and west, Livingston is unlike any other place in Guatemala. Sail down the city's namesake river to a 19th century settlement for emancipated West Indian slaves and take in the rich Caribbean influenced culture of the Garifuna. Nibble fresh shrimp along the waterfront and let the sounds of local musicians' bongos and turtle shell drums ease you into a Caribbean state of mind.
As the one-time capital of ancient Central America, Guatemala is a gateway to the rest of the subcontinent. Journey north to explore southeast Mexico’s budding sustainable tourism industry. Go snorkeling and diving in Belize’s Barrier Reef, the longest reef in the Western Hemisphere. Chase the break at one of El Salvador’s many coastal retreats. Continue further east to Honduras' stunning Celaque Mountain National Park and tackle its nearly 10,000-foot peak, or relax in natural hot springs.
photo credit: jaaronfarr
Reserve your spot today with a deposit of just $275!
