Booking with Due South Travels will provide you with a worry-free, authentic, and affordable trip through Guatemala. We aim to create a exceptional experience for all of our travelers by tailoring the trip to your specific needs. Whether you're exploring Guatemala as a retirement location, or you're here to enjoy the beautiful highlands surrounding Lake Atitlan and Antigua, we will make it memorable. Traveler satisfaction is our number one priority, and all trip accommodations and locations have been thoroughly explored and vetted. Lastly, we aim to support local business owners and community initiatives, giving you an understanding of the true Chapín way of life. We understand that some of the products we offer are similarly offered by other providers. Our goal is to provide you a service at a price-point you can afford and with personalized, friendly service. We make ourselves available to you 24/7 with a direct WhatsApp number where we can offer you any type of assistance you need in country or prior to your arrival. Having a worry-free getaway makes all the difference, and our unique products, perspective, and accessible costs contribute to that goal.

The number one question we get asked here at Due South Travels is about health and safety while traveling in Guatemala. The US State Department constantly has an elevated alert level for travel to Guatemala, but it is indicative of crime rates that very rarely affect tourists. Like all large cities, Guatemala City does have areas that tourists are urged to avoid, however, we will be sure to make you aware of any precautions to take while on your own. Our priority is your health, safety and comfort. Theft through robbery and pickpocketing is the most prevalent tourist complaint to the local police, however, personal safety does start with some common-sense measures. These may include: always hiking with a local guide, do not flagrantly display your valuables such as cash, jewelry, and electronics, be aware of your surroundings, carry a photocopy of your passport and only carry enough cash for that day. Western-standard doctors and clinics are easy to find in all of the large cities. Pharmacies are common and many times you do not need a prescription for medications. Again, use caution around any feral animals or insects, or when participating in sports, swimming, and adventure activities. Due South Travels strongly recommends comprehensive trip insurance that provides medical and travel interruption coverage, including property loss due to theft. Our favorite provider is World Nomads. We also recommend checking your government's official pages for travel advisories, including health/immunization suggestions. For US citizens, you can access the US Department of State website for travel information, or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for health information. In the rare case that you have an emergency while traveling with us, we will find you the proper assistance, whether it be medical, police, or diplomatic. You will never be left alone when needing assistance, and prior to the start of your tour, you will receive in-depth information about any specific precautions to be aware of.

Tours with current availability are listed on our website. If you are looking for a specific, customized service that is not listed, we would be happy to serve you! Please call or e-mail us and we will have a thorough discussion about your ideal trip, budget, and other restrictions or desires, and will be sure to plan the trip of your dreams! We can do private guided small group tours, arrange volunteer opportunities, and plan for longer-term stays here in beautiful Guatemala. Get in touch today!

Most visitors receive a tourist visa stamp in their passport which permits a 90 day stay, renewable once for another 90 days. For longer visits, many expats or those who come south for part of the year will come on a visitor stamp and do a visa renewal run every 180 days outside of Guatemala. However, Guatemala also offers a number of other visa options, including a pensioner visa for those who have verifiable monthly income of at least $1250. To find out which visa you require, either for a tourism visit, or for a longer term stay, visit the Guatemalan Embassy website in your home country, or visit https://www.minex.gob.gt/Visor_Pagina.aspx?PaginaID=22

We work closely with our clients to create customized itineraries that have a fully detailed agenda according to what our clients have requested. However, we certainly can make an itinerary that includes almost each and every part of your day, although we usually do not include all meals, because there are so many lovely restaurants to choose from and often clients have very specific preferences for their meals. Once you book a trip with us, you'll be clear as to what is included, and we'll be in touch throughout your trip to make sure you are enjoying yourself and feeling great while in country! Each tour will vary as to what is included in the price, however, each night's accommodation and in-country transport for the duration of the tour will be provided for each of our guests on the Expat Experience Tours and Custom Guided Excursions. Please see the tour descriptions or your e-mailed itinerary for a comprehensive list of what you will have covered, what will not be covered, and what other expenses you should plan for.

The primary concern with packing would be minimizing the weight of your bag. Rucksacks/backpacks or other luggage pieces that can be carried on your back are preferred over the wheeled bag mainly due to a lack of elevators, escalators, and the frequency of stairs and cobblestoned streets and sidewalks. However, you will have staff assistance available when you need it. For those on longer trips, it is inexpensive and easily arranged to have your personal items laundered, so pack lightly. Anything that you forget at home can be purchased in Guatemala - there are a myriad of stores selling common foods, snacks, toiletries, clothing and other supplies. There are pharmacies and banks in all of the main stops on our guided tours. Helpful items may include: 1. Insect repellent 2. Sun and rain protection 3. A refillable water bottle 4. Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes 5. Clothing that can be layered for cooler mornings and evenings 6. A day bag with zippered pockets to carry essentials 7. Your prescription medications 8. At least one swimsuit 9. Your camera! Each person who books a group tour that includes an overnight with us will receive a detailed packing list prior to departure from your home country. Please be aware of baggage restrictions when traveling by air from international locations, and if booking domestic airfare with us, be sure to read this notice of TAG Airline's luggage policy.

The word for retirement in Spanish is "jubilación". In English, this translates to "a feeling of great happiness and triumph". Due South Travels aims to provide you with a thorough understanding of what challenges and benefits a retirement to Guatemala can deliver. Our enthusiasm about jubilación in Guatemala will be contagious, while we present to you both the positive and less positive aspects of life here. Of course, not everyone who thinks about relocation here will be retiring, and we serve people of all age groups, backgrounds, and occupations. However, even if you're still an active part of the workforce, you might actually still feel that jubilation from your new life abroad! During our guided tours, we will have brief but thorough information sessions that will provide you with the knowledge and material to truly decide if this is the place to live out your dreams. Topics will include: healthcare, housing, banking, shopping, staying connected with those back home, sending and receiving mail and packages, bringing your pets with you, overcoming the language barrier, and things to do. We will introduce you to others who have made the move so you can casually learn about their new lives here and pick their brains on the logistics of an overseas move. We will provide you with a list of resources and professionals in various industries so you can continue the education on your own, and we will never try to sell you anything except a good time!

We understand that a week-long itinerary is quite the commitment, so for those who aren't ready to book a relocation tour and want to get to know a little bit more about the possibility of relocating here one day, we offer video-call consultations with one of our relocation specialists. These are perfect for two types of people: The person who is already decided and coming, but needs a little more support and instructions with logistical steps, such as banking, migration, setting a budget, housing, getting a cellphone set up, or connecting with great healthcare providers. The person who has no idea if Guatemala is for them and needs to know more. We have a set hourly fee for consulting services ($40USD) and will provide you with valuable information in the form of a document at the end of our call, and ongoing support. We come to the meeting with an agenda, but of course we are open to you directing the conversation, and asking tons of questions. We'll also connect you with local professionals (healthcare, lawyers, real estate) as needed!

At the moment we are doing custom itineraries and individual sessions for our relocation clients, at your schedule, but future dates for group tours will be calendared soon! Check back frequently.

There are plenty of people who move to Guatemala without ever having stepped foot here, and manage quite well on their own (like our founder, Val). However, for many people, their busy lives leading up to a move, or the logistics or language barrier are daunting factors that require some assistance to get past. We look at our relocation services as an investment into your future. Our sessions help prepare you before you leave so you're set up for success upon arrival. We help you navigate through the process so you avoid wasting time, making costly mistakes, and really know what to expect. Plus, we'll provide ongoing support by answering questions that come up during the process, connecting you with professionals as requested, and introducing you to other foreigners who have made the move and can give personalized insight.

Our shared shuttle service is meant to accommodate the budget traveler in an efficient and timely fashion. However, this means that the shuttles pick up other passengers and there may be a wait for your collection and departure. You must let us know your pickup location when booking, and if you're unsure if your location is accommodated before booking, please contact us. *Shared shuttles that depart Antigua, Guatemala will pick up all passengers at their accommodation location in the historic center of town. If staying outside of town, we will assign a central pickup location for you. *Shared shuttles that depart Panajachel can pick up passengers at central hotels or the dock on Calle del Embarcadero. *Shared shuttles that depart San Marcos La Laguna will pick up ONLY at the basketball court in the central plaza area of town, or up in San Pablo La Laguna at the "Pollo Super Rapidito" corner. Your booking specialist will inform you where to wait. *Shared shuttles that depart San Pedro La Laguna will leave from a central meeting point near the dock. *Shared shuttles that depart Lanquin will depart from the 'Gasolinera Exon' at the entrance to town. Your hotel can help get you there on time. *Shared shuttles that depart Flores will depart from the 'Yo {heart} Peten' letter sign at the entrance to the island. When in doubt with regards to pickup or drop-off locations, please contact us to confirm.

Our shared shuttle service allows for each traveler to have one large bag, and one carry-on sized bag. Oversized baggage (for example, a surfboard) will incur extra costs and must be stated in advance to make sure we can accommodate your belongings. We can not transport things like furniture. Our shared shuttle services do not permit pets, but we can usually accommodate your pet in our private taxi services with advance notice and a description of the size and type of animal you're traveling with. Our private taxi service is suitable for two passengers as we use compact vehicles to keep gas usage low and therefore, customer prices low. If you are traveling with three people, we will upgrade you to a sedan with a larger trunk and more seating room for your comfort with an additional cost. Please let us know in advance if you have any special requirements, or are traveling with big items, pets, or a larger group, and we can provide a quote for appropriate transportation to accommodate you!

Our shared shuttle service is meant to accommodate the budget traveler in an efficient and timely fashion. However, this means that the shuttles will pass around some towns to drop off others before you. If you're unsure that your preferred drop off location is included, please contact us before booking. *Shared shuttles that arrive to Antigua, Guatemala will drop off all passengers at their accommodation location in the historic center of town. If staying outside of town, we will assign a central drop off location for you. *Shared shuttles that arrive to Panajachel can drop off passengers at central hotels or the dock on Calle del Embarcadero. *Shared shuttles that arrive to San Marcos La Laguna will drop off ONLY at the basketball court in the central plaza area of town. *Shared shuttles that arrive to San Pedro La Laguna will usually be able to drop you off at hotels, although some are inaccessibly by vehicle, so a central meeting point near the dock will be assigned. *Shared shuttles that arrive to Lanquin will drop off at the 'gasolinera Exon' at the entrance to town. Your hotel can help get you continue on to the property where you're staying. *Shared shuttles that arrive to Flores will drop off at the 'Yo {heart} Peten' letter sign at the entrance to the island. *The overnight bus from Antigua/Guatemala City to Flores will drop you at the main bus terminal in Santa Elena, about a 5 minute tuktuk ride from Flores island. When in doubt with regards to pickup or drop-off locations, please contact us to confirm.

Unfortunately we cannot accommodate pets on the shared shuttles. We are happy for you and your pet to travel in our private taxis with advance arrangements and notification. We love animals, but not everyone else feels that way, so we appreciate your understanding when traveling with your furry companion.

Every time you buy a ticket for a shared shuttle, we reserve your space on that route. For that reason, we have a no cancelations / no refunds policy that is applicable for all of our shared shuttle routes. However, if your cancelation is more than 72 hours in advance, we will do our best to get a refund to you, although it's never guaranteed. Please ask if you have a change of plans. Within 24 hours of your scheduled departure, unfortunately we will not be able to refund you as we must pay our provider for your reserved space. When issuing a refund, we will refund the amount we received back to the same payment method.