Arrival and Departure Airport
You should fly into and out of Guatemala City International Airport (GUA). Please see the schedule page for the exact pickup and dropoff times for your particular trip. You can, if wanted or necessary, arrive earlier, and we will arrange a pickup for you.
Pickup & Drop-off Information
We offer a free airport pickup service from the Guatemala City airport to your hotel in Antigua (about 1 hour). Please notify us in advance of your flight number and arrival time by filling out our online pre-Ride webform. A representative of the shuttle company will be waiting outside of the arrivals area with a sign in his/her hand to show you to your shuttle.
n.b. airport pickup service on day 1 of the trip, or the day before, is included in the trip price (e.g. if the trip starts on Dec. 17, then pickup is included on Dec. 16 or 17). If you are arriving earlier, then the price for the shuttle is $30/p.p. Please notify our office if you need to book a non-scheduled shuttle.
The trip ends in Antigua on the afternoon of day 7. We offer free airport dropoff serviceto Guatemala airport the next day (day 8), at any time. Shuttles after day 8 cost $30/p.p.
Extending your trip
We have a few excellent options for extending your trip. These can be booked online when making your original booking or can be added to your booking at any time:
- A day hike on Volcan Pacaya, an active volcano outside of Antigua. The hike departs at 2 pm, and you will be on the lava field at sunset to take advantage of the best light for viewing the amazing rivers of lava. Includes hotel, transportation, guides, and breakfast. Price: $175 Cdn/person.
- 2-day trip to Tikal: Visit the most impressive of all the Mayan ruins, deep in the heart of the Yucatan jungle. This 2-day trip includes: Transport to/from Antigua and Guatemala City before/after trip; Round-trip flight from Guatemala City to Flores/Tikal; Transport to/from Flores Airport into Tikal Park; Single night accommodation at hotel WITHIN Tikal Park (*breakfast included); Guided Tour of Tikal ruins on Day 01 (*lunch included); (*park entrance fees not included*). Price: $600 Cdn/person.
- Extra biking in the Antigua area: ride more of the incredible singletrack in the Antigua area. Price includes hotel, breakfast and lunch, and guides. Price: $149 Cdn/person.
You can book extra nights at our hotel in Antigua, the Posada de San Sebastian, by sending them an email or calling them at +502-7832-2621.
If you want information on other places to visit and things to see in Guatemala please visit the Guatemala Tourism website or contact our office.
Flights
We do not book international flights for our clients. Please contact your local travel agent for information on booking flights for this trip.
Travelling with your bike
If you've never traveled with your bike, don't worry - it's much easier than you think! If you don't have a case for your bike, then you can pick up a cardboard travel box for your bike at your local store. Some stores will also pack your bike up for you for a fee.
Alternately, if you are planning on traveling with your bike more than just this one time, we sell travel bags for bikes, handmade by Pikapackworks. These travel bags are specially made for bikes and can often go on flights without having to pay the extra charges incurred by cardboard boxes or hard cases. The bags cost $395, including shipping withing North America. Click here for more information on our bags.
Bike Rentals
We offer Kona Caldera, CinderCone and OneTwenty Deluxe mountain bikes for rent. Price is $300 Cdn for the duration of the trip. This can be booked online when making your booking, or added afterwards.
What type of bike should you bring?
We recommend you bring a solid all-mountain bike with you on this trip, with at least 4-5" of travel, and no heavier than 30 pounds since there are several long climbs. A bike with at least 2 rings up front is recommended.
Tools to bring
- multitool (preferably with chainbreaker)
- tire levers
- small bottle of chain lube
- tire pump
- suspension pump
Spare parts for your bike
Although there are some parts available locally, we recommend you bring the following parts with you to Guatemala to avoid problems in case of breakdown or broken parts:
- rear derailleur hanger (at least 1, preferably 2)
- front and rear brake pads
- extra chain if your chain is more than 6 months old
- 4 tubes
- 2 extra spokes
N.B. If you are renting a bike, the above is not necessary (with the exception of a few spare tubes).
Weather and Clothing
The weather in the Guatemalan lowlands can be quite warm, with highs between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. Antigua can get cool at night, so we recommend you bring long pants and a jacket for the evenings.
Although rain is rare in the winter months, it isn't unheard of, so we recommend you bring some sort of rain gear or shell.
Packing List
-
comfortable clothes for riding, such as biking jerseys and padded shorts. 3+ sets are ideal, 2 are a must.
-
helmet
-
bike gloves (2 sets ideal)
-
lightweight, weather-resistant outerwear for riding in inclement weather.
-
warm clothing such as sweaters and fleece jackets and pants for nighttime.
-
sunglasses/eye protection for sunny and/or muddy days.
-
hydration system that can carry at least 2 litres (bottles and/or hydration pack)
-
toiletries i.e. toothbrush, shampoo, soap
-
towel
-
camera
-
sunscreen and insect repellent
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage, is compulsory for all our tours. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance that includes cancellation protection so that you will be covered in the event that you are unable to attend our tour (due to injury, illness or other unforeseen circumstances) or in the unlikely event that our tour must be cancelled.
You can purchase discounted comprehensive insurance from our partners at bikeflights.com via our insurance page.
Passports & Visas
All travelers require a valid passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity). Citizens of some countries will also require a visa. For more information, visit the World Travel Guide website.
Emergency Contacts
If you need to contact us in an emergency, you can reach us during office hours at the following numbers:
Dialing within North America: 1 (888) 423-7849
Dialing outside of North America: +1 (647) 999-7955
If you feel that you need to contact us outside of office hours, our Guatemala operations manager Matt Hartell can be contacted at +502-5399-0440.
If you do not receive an immediate answer when calling the above numbers, please leave us a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Food
We take care to select restaurants that are well-regarded for their cleanliness, in order to avoid food-borne illness. We also supply you with bottled water for drinking for the duration of your trip. However, there is always some risk of contracting a food-borne illness when traveling in a developing country. We recommend you exercise caution when purchasing food, and avoid unwashed fruit and vegetables and improperly cooked meals.
Vaccination Requirements
Certain vaccinations are required for Guatemala. In general, you will require typhoid, Hepatitis A, yellow fever, measles/mumps/rubella, and tetanus vaccinations for this trip. Malaria pills are not required. Please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website for more information, and visit your doctor or local travel clinic for the most accurate, up to date information.
Fitness Requirements
You should have a high level of fitness and be able to bike for up to five hours a day in order to fully enjoy the spectacular scenery and riding on this trip. This is one of our most challenging Rides, and you need to be prepared.
We recommend you train in advance in order to get the most out of this trip. If you are interested, our coaches Heather and Jason have developped a solid Pre-Ride Training Program to get you at your optimal fitness level. To learn more about this unique training program, click here.
Safety & Security
Guatemala is a safe country, however certain precautions should be followed, as with all foreign travel. To maximize your safety during our tours you should exercise common sense and caution at all times. We recommend that you always stick to set travel arrangements, and avoid unknown areas. We also recommend that you wear minimal jewelry and that you keep valuable items safely stored. Always keep a copy of your passport, airline tickets, travelers checks and credit card numbers separate from where you keep the originals.
Meals
On this trip, all breakfasts and lunches, as well as some dinners, are included in the trip price. Other dinners are taken in local restaurants. You should budget $10-15 CAD per meal (depending on the quality of restaurants you choose).
Other expenses
Other expenses include souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, and optional activities such as massage. The best way to pay for these services is to withdraw money from an ATM in Guatemala - you can withdraw local money (Guatemalan Quetzales) and will usually be charged the best rate by your bank at home. n.b.: the ATMs in Antigua are sometimes down for a day or two at a time, so we recommend you bring some US dollars or traveler's cheques with you just in case you can't withdraw from the bank machine at first.
Local Money
The local currency is the Quetzal. Check here for current exchange rates.
Tipping
Gratuities of 5-15% are common in Guatemala. We encourage you to tip your guides if you feel you have received excellent service and have had an enjoyable trip. A typical gratuity $20 - $100 per guide.
Our Guarantee
We're so sure you'll have an amazing time on this trip that we're offering a satisfaction guarantee. View more information about our guarantee.
