Guatemala Getaway: Nature, Kosher & Nonstop VibesWe were craving a warm-weather escape with a mix of nature, kosher food, and a minyan—not too much to ask, right? So we booked a quick getaway to Guatemala, slipping out of NYC Wednesday night at 11:56 PM and landing back home Tuesday morning at 5:30 AM, energized and uplifted (and maybe just a little dusty).
FlightsJetBlue whisked us from JFK to Guatemala City (GUA) on a 16K Chase points economy fare. No business class on this leg, but we paid $80 for the extra legroom—worth every inch. The flight left at 11 PM and landed at 3:15 AM.
For the way back, we flew United business class on a red-eye from GUA to EWR. A smooth 47K Chase points got us comfy seats, with wheels down at 5:30 AM Tuesday.
Where We StayedEarth Lodge (First 2 Nights)This place is magic. Think rustic treehouses and cozy cabins tucked into an avocado orchard in the mountains. Every cabin opens up to panoramic views of volcanic peaks and the lush Panchoy Valley. It’s a slice of heaven, about 25 minutes from Antigua.
earthlodgeguatemala.com
Airbnb Near Chabad (Friday–Monday)We snagged a modern 4-bedroom Airbnb just a 5-minute stroll to Chabad of Antigua. The rooftop was a dream—perfect for mountain-view sunsets and star-gazing sessions.
Thursday: Into the WildWe touched down in GUA before dawn and Ubered an hour out to Earth Lodge for about $20. The last stretch? A 10-minute bump-and-bounce ride down a dirt road until the Uber gave up and dropped us at the edge of the forest. From there, it was a pitch-black, rooster-crow-accompanied 15-minute hike down to the lodge with our bags.
(Hot tip: during business hours, the staff will carry your bags down for $10. Otherwise… it’s cardio time.)
The key was waiting in a box at the gate along with a map, and we found our cabin just in time to catch the sunrise.
We had planned a full day of exploring but the views from the lodge were too stunning to leave. We spent the day relaxing, hiking their private trails, and munching on fresh avocados straight from their restaurant (honestly, the best we’ve ever had).
For dinner, we had a local Uber Moto zip over to Chabad and pick up a delicious meal for just $4 delivery.
Friday: Coffee & ChillWe watched the sunrise from bed—talk about room service! A lodge worker hauled our luggage back up the steep 1000-foot trail (best few bucks we spent all trip). Then we caught an Uber to our Airbnb and headed to Chabad for a relaxed breakfast.
11 AM: Coffee Tour at Finca FiladelfiaBook the English tour via WhatsApp: +50252034768
Cost: $25 for a fascinating 3-hour deep dive into how Guatemalan coffee is grown, harvested, and roasted.
Afterward, we browsed the
Artisan Market in Antigua, snagged some souvenirs (and maybe $6 Ray-Bans…), and recharged with a
Starbucks run.
Back to the Airbnb for Shabbos prep.
Shabbos at Chabad AntiguaA vibrant mix of locals, Israeli backpackers, and warm hospitality. Rabbi Chaim and Rebbetzin Daria rolled out massive portions of home-cooked food. The highlight? Shabbos morning coffee and the most unreal homemade chocolate babka—do not miss.
https://www.chabadantigua.com/shabbat to reserve meals
Motzei Shabbos:We hit up
Cervecerķa 14, an outdoor craft brewery with nightly live music, string lights, fire pits, and a festive crowd. Think beer garden meets mountain retreat. A total vibe.
Sunday: Chocolate & Lava11 AM: Choco Museo WorkshopA hands-on, bean-to-bar chocolate-making workshop right in the main plaza. Fun, informative, and very tasty.
[$25 - 2 hours]
chocomuseo.com
2 PM: Pacaya Volcano Hike (Booked via Chabad)
A scenic hike up an active volcano with views to blow your mind—and yes, we roasted marshmallows in lava-heated vents at the summit. The whole trip took about 6 hours.
100Q for the shuttle
100Q park entrance
Optional horse ride up for 200Q (if your legs say no)
Ignore the stick-selling kids unless you want a hiking souvenir
Back at Chabad by 8:30 PM for a well-earned dinner.
Monday: Adrenaline & Hobbits9 AM: ATV Village Tour – Simoon RentalsWhatsApp: +50254886550
Six hours, 705Q with the Chabad discount (about $95 for two people).
We zipped through villages, highways, and dirt paths, with stops at:
A wine-honey factory
A chocolate workshop
A jade factory
An outdoor communal laundry where locals still wash clothes in ancient stone basins
4 PM: HobbitenangoA quirky, high-altitude hobbit village complete with round doors, epic views, and fantasy vibes. Entrance: 50Q.
Dinner at Chabad again (because why mess with perfection?).
Late Night:We arranged a visit to the
Lev Tahor group’s tent camp on street in Guatemala City (Got driver through Chabad). Spoke with them for an hour—intense and thought-provoking.
Then it was off to the airport, where we breezed through security and were at our gate within 20 minutes.
Final ThoughtsGuatemala was the perfect mix of soul, scenery, and spice. From treehouses and volcanoes to ATV adventures and Shabbos warmth, this trip checked every box—and then some. Highly recommend.
