FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Got questions about volunteering in Guatemala?
We’ve got answers.

All meals are served buffet-style in a common outdoor dining area; each person can serve themselves as desired.

  • There are always peanut butter and jelly sandwiches available throughout the day.
  • Soft drinks, sports drinks, ice cream, and snacks are available for purchase at the gift shop.
  • All meals are served in a common outdoor dining space at set times, and may be scheduled per team needs in certain circumstances.

Examples of a typical meal are as follows:

  • BREAKFAST: fresh fruit, eggs, black beans, salsa, meats, pancakes, toast
  • LUNCH on Campus: tacos, chicken salad sandwiches, rice and meat, hamburgers, fried chicken, potatoes.
  • Lunch off Campus (while working in a local community): Sandwiches (PB&J, Ham &Cheese), chips, fruit (apples/oranges/bananas), bottled water.*
  • Dinner: chile rellenos, tostadas, hamburgers, vegetables, rice and meats, pasta dishes.

NOTE: Off-campus lunch options are limited to sandwiches at this time.

For the comfort of our volunteers, approximately 90% of volunteer rooms have air conditioning. Electricity is a valuable resource and accounts for a significant monthly expense: please help us keep our overhead costs low by turning off AC units and conserving power when not in your room.

  • Towels (1/guest), basic toiletries, and bedding are provided.
  • Standard and Deluxe rooms include a private bathroom.
  • Bunk Rooms are available for large groups. Each room can accommodate up to 12 people.
  • Bunk Room areas have separate bathrooms for male and female volunteers featuring a large sink area with multiple stalls and showers. Be aware that you will likely share a bathroom with members of your team, and possibly members of other teams of the same gender if you are in the Bunk Rooms.
  • For questions about specific room types, please contact us.

Please follow the up-to-date CDC recommendations for Immunizations and travelers health for Guatemala.

You can find them HERE: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/guatemala

  • Please be aware that any or all of these vaccines can make you feel ill and should be administered in the recommended time frame prior to travel.
  • Should you choose to take Malaria medication while visiting Hope of Life, be sure to check with your physician regarding which option is best for you. It is our experience that any of the Malaria medications that cause sensitivity to sunlight should be avoided.
  • Should you or anyone in your group experience a medical emergency, there are medical professionals available on-campus at all times and we are within driving distance of a private hospital.

While WiFi is available in eating areas and in the housing areas upon request, we recommend that you enjoy this time unplugged and disconnected to bond with your team and make the most of your trip. [add streaming and downloading info]

WiFi and cellular service is not available in local communities, and the use of smart phones / hotspots is discouraged while you are ministering to beneficiaries. We recommend being as present as you can during your time with us and limiting screentime.

For arrivals or departures at La Aurora Airport in Guatemala City (GUA), you will need to go through immigration; this requires you to have a completed online form which can be filled out up to 48 hours prior to departure.

  • As Wi-Fi and cellular data may not be reliable upon arrival, we recommend all guests complete this form prior to departure from the US or Canada, and screenshot the result for a better travel experience.

Access your form here: https://farm2.sat.gob.gt/declaDelViajeroGt-web/pages/public/declaracionViajero.xhtml

  • When you reach baggage claim, you will find your bags, locate your checked luggage receipt, and line up to go through security and customs.
  • Once through security, you will enter a final foyer before stepping outside the airport. We suggest you wait in this area for your entire group to gather together before exiting the doors of the airport – upon exit, you may not go back inside.
  • When your whole team is assembled, exit to the RIGHT SIDE DOOR. Our staff will be next to the barrier you will have stepped into: a driver and translator will be waiting for you. They will be watching the doors and will assist with team luggage.
  • After leaving Guatemala City, the bus ride to Hope of Life is approximately 3.5 hours. There is a bathroom stop halfway; please plan accordingly.

Schedules and activities are arranged through HOL’s Volunteer Coordinators with your team prior to departure.

Some examples of service opportunities are:

  • Packing Food Bags
  • Construction of school, homes, and churches
  • Medical Assistance (including dental, vision, and specialist care provision)
  • Distributing food bags, shoes, toys
  • Facilitating Vacation Bible School on campus or in a local community
  • Leading a craft for adults or children on campus
  • Visiting Kelly’s House, Oasis Del Eden, or St Luke’s to interact with residents
  • SO much more!

Please ask your Volunteer Coordinator for individual area schedules, or email contactusa@hopeoflifeintl.org for more info.

Active wear (appropriate for hot weather and outdoor activity that may be ruined during work)

Undergarments

Sleepwear

Sunglasses

Hat
Work gloves
Tennis shoes (may be ruined during work)

Flip-flops or sandals (for shower or evenings)

Sunscreen and aloe vera

Bug spray with DEET

Medicines (Rx, antidiarrheal, headache, etc.)

Reading materials (Bible, journal, Spanish dictionary, reading book)

Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, contact solution, brush, etc.)

Towel and washcloth

Flashlight with batteries

Hand sanitizer

Refillable water bottle

Camera

Ear plugs/Eye mask

Modest bathing suit

PERSONAL APPEARANCE

A note about modesty: Guatemala is a culturally conservative and historically Catholic nation. While you will see and experience all types of clothing and varying levels of modesty among our beneficiaries, we encourage you – as representatives of Hope o Life during your time with us – to please be mindful of clothing. We know it’s hot. We also know it’s only a week: you can do it!

MENS ATTIRE

  • Work/Casual: pants, jeans, joggers, work shirts and tshirts.
  • Church: khakis, jeans, button up shirts or polos.
  • Swim/play: No revealing swimsuits, speedos or shortys.

WOMENS ATTIRE

  • Work/Casual: capris, pants, jeans, joggers, work shirts and tshirts. Please do not bring any short-shorts or mini skirts, spaghetti strap or halter tops.
  • Church: skirts or dresses (knee length or longer) with a sleeved shirt, light sweater/shrug.
  • Swim/play: No string bikinis or revealing swimsuits.

The local currency in Guatemala is the quetzal (ket-sal), named after the national bird of Guatemala, the resplendent quetzal. In ancient Mayan culture, the quetzal bird’s tail feathers were used as currency. It is divided into 100 centavos, or len in Guatemalan slang.

  • $1.00 US Dollar = Q7.50 Quetzales
  • You can exchange brand new US currency (denominations of $20+) at our office on campus.
  • The amount of spending money you will need is at your discretion.
  • HOL has a campus Gift Shop and Tree House Cafe located in central areas with lots of fun HOL merch, local handmade crafts and gifts, and refreshments available for purchase.
  • If your team has opted to visit the city of Antigua, please be aware that only the cost of hotel accommodation is included in your HOL payment (i.e., volunteers are responsible for expenses incurred in Antigua and should plan accordingly).

Hope of Life International is located in Zacapa, Guatemala – it is quite warm year round.

  • May to October is the rainy season: temperatures are typically in the 90’s and 100’s and there is a mix of sunshine, clouds, and short tropical downpours throughout the evening and night.
  • November to April is the dry season: it is coolest during this time where it ranges from low 70’s to high 80’s.
  • December and January have the coolest evening temperatures of the year.

Still have questions?

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and recipes for success during a volunteer experience in Guatemala. 

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Ready to start planning your trip to Hope of Life?

STILL have questions?! Give us a call at (401) 421-9078 or email contactusa@hopeoflifeintl.org