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A stone rotunda and bronze bust in a lush green plaza with misty hills in the background in Guatemala.
Guatemala

Service Learning: Classroom to Culture in Guatemala

Program No. 25624RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
9 days
8 nights
What's Included
21 meals ( 8B, 5L, 8D )
2 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
5 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Afternoon:
Arrive at the airport by 4:00 p.m. and meet your Group Leader, who will pick you up. We’ll then travel onward to colonial Antigua.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private bus unless noted otherwise. Meals are focused on the local cuisine of each region. Examples include tamales, paches from Xela, and local chocolate. Approximately 50% of the meals feature traditional local dishes. This is a Road Scholar Service Learning program. These short-term experiences engage participants in volunteer projects to benefit the common good. Projects utilize the skills and energy of participants to meet demonstrated needs of the local and/or broader community. In addition to a significant amount of time working on the specified Service Learning project and related activities, participants will learn about aspects of local history, culture, nature, etc., within the available time and as appropriate to the themes and settings. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on a bus; driving 106 miles to Quetzeltenango, approximately 3 hours riding time including restroom stop.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll head to a Maya wedding ceremony where we will hear from locals about Mayan wedding customs. Right before lunch, we will enjoy a coffee visit at Finca La Azotea and have lunch there.
Lunch:
At Finca La Azotea.
Afternoon:
We’ll drive to Quetzeltenango, check in at the hotel, and have an orientation to the service project.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Service project approximately 4.5 hours. Several steps leading to some classrooms.
Breakfast:
Early at the hotel.
Morning:
We will spend our morning at a local school to get to know the children and assist with what they need.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
At the hotel, we’ll host a fascinating speaker, a former Guatemalan Civil War guerrilla turned human rights advocate.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Service project approximately 4.5 hours. Getting on/off a bus; driving 12.5 miles, under 1 hour riding time to hot springs; route includes a winding mountain road with several curves. Spending approximately 2 hours at the hot springs. It is recommended that you spend no more than 1 hour in the hot springs due to the water’s high temperature and the possibility of experiencing low blood pressure; please bring a swimsuit.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will be back at the school for another meaningful half-day of service, doing arts and crafts, playing games, teaching basic conversational English, and coming up with ideas for useful learning resources.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will then drive to the Fuentes Georginas, a series of volcanic hot springs discovered in 1902, and spend a couple of hours admiring the surroundings with a chance to take a dip.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At the hotel, we’ll hear from another speaker on the Guatemalan Civil War – this time a former military general.
Activity Note
Service project approximately 4.5 hours. Evening dance lesson.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
It’s another great day of service at the school.
Lunch:
For lunch, we’ll learn about the food in Guatemala in the best way: through a cooking class.
Afternoon:
Led by a local expert, we’ll visit the famous San Andres Xecul church, known for its unmistakable yellow façade covered in colorful figures. We’ll have the chance to see inside the church.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we will enjoy dinner and a post-service discussion.
Evening:
Following dinner, put on your dancing shoes and get ready to salsa as the group enjoys a fun and relaxed dance lesson. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving 66 miles to Lake Atitlán, approximately 3 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
We’ll have an early breakfast around 7:00 a.m. before checking out of the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board the bus and begin making our way towards Lake Atitlán, sacred to Mayans and one of the 10 most beautiful lakes in the world.
Lunch:
On the way, we’ll stop at Chichicastenango Market, the largest indigenous craft market in the Western Hemisphere, and enjoy lunch there. Time permitting, we may be able to explore Chichicastenango.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our drive to Lake Atitlán, check in at the hotel, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon independently.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Short walk to dock. Getting on/off a boat. Walking uphill in San Juan; if walking uphill is not possible, a tuk-tuk can be arranged to take you to the top, allowing you to walk downhill back to the dock. If mobility is a concern, you may also use a tuk-tuk between guide stops. (Tuk-tuk transportation is not included in the program cost and will be at your expense.) Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will walk to the hotel’s private dock and head out on a boat trip on Lake Atitlán. We’ll explore San Juan La Laguna and visit a women’s collective of weavers at Flor Ixcaco.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice. Getting on a bus; driving 72 miles throughout the day, approximately 4 hours total riding time. Walking about 5-6 blocks over an hour; uneven cobblestone streets and surfaces.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Free time.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy local fare.
Afternoon:
We’ll check out of the hotel and board the bus to Antigua. Upon arrival, we’ll make a stop in Central Park and go on an hour’s walk. Continuing on to Guatemala City, we’ll check in at our final hotel and take the rest of the afternoon to settle in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. The scheduled time to go to the airport will depend on the flight. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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