Landing in Guatemala

Hey there! We’re genuinely excited to have you come and visit us! Our aim is to make your time here as enjoyable as possible. Let’s start off by walking you through the steps necessary upon your arrival in Guatemala. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the useful information below as you kickstart your journey with Engadi. We’ll see you at the airport!

Money Exchange

When you get off the plane there will be restrooms just before you go through Immigration incase anyone needs one. There is a place just past the bathrooms to exchange money. I suggest the team exchange their money there. You might not get the best exchange rate, but getting the team to a bank to exchange money is a nightmare. Many places in Antigua may take a credit card, but some don’t. It is getting harder and harder to find anywhere that actually takes US dollar cash. It would depend on how much shopping each person intends to do as to how much to exchange, anything from $40-100 should be plenty.

Immigration

Once you’ve exchanged money you’ll see the lines to go through immigration. You should have filled out the online form prior to boarding the plane from your US departure city. In fact you can fill it out several days in advance. While you are at it, fill out the same form again with your return flight details. At the end of the form you’ll be given a QR code. Screen shot it and save it in your Photos, or some other place on your phone. You may also get an email copy. Just don’t get your going and coming QR code mixed up. At Immigration they’ll just want to see your passport. Immediate family members may go through the line together, but have each individual team member go through separately.

Baggage Claim

Be sure to find your carrousel and pick up all of your luggage. It may take some time for your luggage to arrive from the airplane. Please ensure that bags you grab are yours. Your luggage may look similar to someone else’s. Gather all of your team’s luggage before moving to Customs. It’s advisable that when you are checking in for your flight that you take a picture of your luggage.

Lost Baggage

Although it rarely happens, bags do get delayed for a variety of reasons. If any luggage is missing you’ll need to file a claim with the airline, and give Engadi’s full address (KM 21.5 Carretera Interamericana, Colonia Altos de Miralvalle, Lote 105, Zona 1 de Mixco, Guatemala 01057) and my phone number (+502-5460-2743) for the bag to be delivered. Luggage usually arrives on the next flight, but may take 2-3 days before it can be delivered. Most airlines allow a certain allowance for purchasing articles of immediate needs. Please verify how much and where to file your claim before leaving the airport.

Customs

Here they’ll want to see your QR code. Be ready to show them your code. You can be waved through the Green line and allowed to walk straight out, or through the Red line and asked to run your luggage through the Xray machine. Not a big deal. Many people go through the red line. Have one team leader be the first to go through, and another to be the last person to go.

Exiting the Airport

As you leave Customs you’ll go through glass doors into the “Tourist Lobby”. You’ll see several kiosk for rental cars, hotels and other touristy services. Please gather in the middle part of the lobby without blocking the path of other tourists trying to exit the airport. Locate the HERTZ rental car desk and you’ll see Engadi Staff nearby waiting for you. DO NOT exit the airport until everyone has their bags and you have spoken with the Engadi staff. The street can be chaotic similar to any touristy spot like New York City or downtown Atlanta. There are opportunist that will relieve you of your personal belongs if you stand on the sidewalk too long and aren’t paying attention. We want to call up your bus before you exit and make sure we can load you into the bus as quickly as possible.

Loading the bus

Depending on your team’s size we may have one vehicle for luggage and another for everyone to ride in. Be sure your suitcase gets on the luggage vehicle before you board the passenger vehicle. Don’t just assume someone will get it on. There are always extra hands wanting to help for a Tip. DO NOT engage with them unless you intend to trip them. They can be pushy, and “NO” is a perfectly good answer. Once all luggage and team members are loaded we will head out.