Guatemala Explorer

The group dynamic turned out to be excellent, and the four of us got along really well. Hugo Lemus (was an absolutely first rate driver/guide. Hotel lo de Bernal (Antigua) was the best lodging, and much enjoyed (though I enjoyed all the accommodations). Marissa was very helpful given my very late booking!

I was very impressed with everyone we worked with and met throughout the tour. The entire trip was so well organized -- nothing to worry about except enjoying our Guatemala experience! I have already recommended your company to others. Our trip planner, Marissa, was very helpful not only in putting together the tour on short notice but in sharing highlights of Guatemala. The pre-tour information was very helpful and complete. This was one of the most timely and best organized tours I have ever been on. Really made me feel secure. The drivers and guides were wonderful. Everyone was so proud of their country and so eager to share information and history. Each and everyone went out of their way to answer every question and to make sure we were enjoying our trip. There were some communication barriers but nothing that a smile couldn't overcome.

This was the best tour I have ever taken, completely hassle free (except for Customs). Everything was neatly and clearly orchestrated by Adventure Life. Our accommodations could not have been better. Our Chominos Lodge chef was 5 stars. An experience I would not trade for anything! It was the best food I have ever eaten, including my trips to Paris, France. Outstanding in presentation, taste, and service. Our guides were the best I have ever had, and I have traveled extensively. They were courteous, knowledgeable, and over the top in going above and beyond. We never had to worry about a thing. It was all taken care of for us. There was an excellent mix of historical insight and adventure. We felt completely safe and well-cared for during our journey. The tour was a great value for the money.

Our guides were absolutely outstanding. Hugo was our guide in Antigua and the highlands. He knew everyone and got us into places I am sure other guides would not have managed. Melvin was our guide for the remainder of the trip and we would recommend him to anyone who goes to Guatemala. He was very knowledgeable, pleasant personality and caring about each member of the group. When we went to Aguatecah, he went way beyond what we expected of a guide. One of our group was an older woman who had difficulty climbing the mountain to the ruins. In some spots Melvin actually lifter her over rough spots. He was always showing where to step and always an arm to help. I have never had such a wonderful guide. As much as we liked Hugo, Melvin was outstanding. We had excellent food, even where we didn't expect it, like at the Petexbatun Lake Lodge. Here we were out in the middle of the jungle and yet had lovely dinners and great food, all prepared in the open air kitchen. The soups were outstanding, as well as the breads that they baked each day. We also got a full breakfast there which was only a continental at other places. But we had no complaints on the food. I think this was one of the best tours I have ever taken. We definitely would take another tour with your company. It was more than I expected. I did not expect to actually be involved in the Mayan's every day life but we were. I think one of the highlights was visiting a Mayan family, seeing how they lived and how they earned

This tour is one of the top two we have ever taken, ranking along with our safari to Tanzania a couple years ago. We only wish that we had planned more days. While we had some pre-departure concerns based on US Embassy alerts about the road washouts and crime in Guatemala, not once did we experience anything dangerous or concerning while on our trip. We thank Hugo a lot for that. We can't think of any better guide you could have provided. Also, we were very glad we added the two extra days to our trip. Without those extra days, we would have missed some really interesting village and market exploration with Hugo. That might be something you would recommend to prospective travelers for this tour. I'll send you some pictures when I get through sorting through them. Our guide at Tikal, Jose Antonio Ortiz (Antonio), was also fantastic. Having grown up in and around Tikal with his father involved in past Tikal discovery and excavation, Antonia also was a wealth of knowledge about Tikal and the Mayan Culture and history. In addition to the great afternoon tour he gave us of the Tikal complex, he got up before 4 AM to take me and another couple at 4:30 AM into the Tikal area and up on Temple 4 for a spectacular sunrise over Temple 3 -- an experience of a lifetime! We were very pleased with all our accommodations. We only had one instance where we had to call the front desk - At Hotel Lo de Bernal in Antigua one evening there was loud pounding on a wall downstairs in the breakfast