Travel With Us!

Who will be joining? Well, you, I hope!! 10 people total. We are a charitable group of pickleball players that wants to share the sport with other individuals and cultures around the world. For many, many people this sport has made a substantial impact in their lives. Whilst traveling I have noticed a number of Americans and Canadians playing but rarely any of the locals. When I inquired the answer was simply related to a lack of materials available to teach. Since that day I have inspired hundreds of people to contribute new and used pickleball equipment in order to donate to international communities showing an interest in learning. We have now established strong ties and a solid network in Guatemala that you are welcome to come be a part of.

 

Do I need to know any Spanish? No, none at all but it doesn’t hurt 🙂

 

What to bring: Antigua is casual and, even though it’s situated at altitude, it can get pretty warm and muggy. That said, bring layers. We mostly live in activewear. I also brought:

 

• PASSPORT

• mostly activewear

• bathing suit

• a pair of jeans

• a couple long sleeve shirts

• a light jacket

• your paddle

• Reusable water bottle

• medication

 

The goal is to be comfortable at all times and shoes are a big part of that. The amount of surfaces you will walk and play on will vary greatly. Ladies, please do not bring high heels, wedges, or fashionable boots of any kind. Think cobblestone, boat docks, and cracked sidewalks. We will also be living around 5,000ft high for the week. Please bring ibuprofen if you are impacted by altitude.

 

WHAT’S INCLUDED

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• 7 nights in Guatemala with ground transportation (and the boats at the lake!), hotels and meals provided by a variety of local and very well-respected restaurants and chefs

• All non-alcoholic beverages while dining

• An extracurricular day in Lake Atitlan

• All activities including daily pickleball, boating, stretching/yoga classes, cooking etc.

• All gratuities

• Sunscreen, bug spray, bottled water, snacks

• Photo Circle album- all photos taken during the trip will be uploaded to a place where everyone will have access to them​

 

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

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• Airfare to/from La Aurora Int’l Airport in Guatemala City (GUA) 

• Optional activities such as coffee plantation tours, chocolate-making, hiking, etc. (only really available on Saturday instead of going to Lake Atitlan)

• Alcoholic beverages 

• Spanish lessons

 

IMPORTANT DATES:

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MAR.1 

50% DEPOSIT DUE

MAR 1-MAR 31, 25% Refund of Total Trip Cost, 50% of Deposit

​

APR. 1

REMAINING $ DUE

No refunds given after March 31

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APR. 27

MEET AT HOTEL IN GUATEMALA CITY

 

MAY 4

RETURN HOME

 

 

How and whom do I pay? Please pay via VenMo to Natalie Hughes @BoardCouture 805-444-2415

 

$1,600 per person, double occupancy

$2100 per person, single occupant

 

*While we are able to accommodate solo travelers, we do ask for flexibility when it comes to roommates. Our first priority is safety and comfort. You will be paired based on gender or you may opt for special single accommodations for the extra fee.

 

Then, purchase plane tickets and send confirmations to peaceinpickleball@gmail.com.

 

Where are we staying?

 

1 Night in Guatemala City, Guatemala

Guatemala City is the capital of Guatemala, in Central America. It’s known for its Mayan history, high-altitude location and nearby volcanoes. We will spend the first night in the City and work with Monica Perez on Monday, Apr 28. After we finish we will have lunch and make our way to Antigua. Half of each day, Monday through Friday will be spent volunteering but some days may be longer than others. A daily itinerary will be provided for you. You are always welcome to opt out of any portion of the day and meet back up with the group whenever you’d like.

 

6 Nights in Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua is a small city surrounded by volcanoes in southern Guatemala. It’s renowned for its Spanish colonial buildings, many of them restored following a 1773 earthquake that ended Antigua’s 200-year reign as Guatemala’s colonial capital. Notable architectural examples include baroque La Merced church. It’s an integral part of the city’s famous Semana Santa, a holy week with parades and rituals. Breakfast will be provided by the hotel and all other meals will be arranged at a variety of bakeries, markets, and restaurants. 

 

An all day excursion to Lake Atitlan (beginning at 6:30am) will be provided on Saturday, May 3. This includes a 2.5 hour drive each way and being on a small boat several times throughout the day. Please be prepared with motion sickness medication should you be susceptible to such illness. We will be back in Antigua that same evening around 9pm, after dinner.

 

What if I have food allergies? Please let me know so I can make sure we are being accommodating to this matter. Guatemala City, Antigua, and Lake Atitlan are accustomed to hosting many health-conscious individuals so this will not be a problem at all.

 

Do I need to bring money/cash? The Guatemalan currency is called Quetzales. You may bring some with you by ordering from your bank or grab some from an ATM once you arrive. You will not need cash upon landing. You will be Ubering to the hotel, which will be charged to the card you have on file with Uber, and I will reimburse you. Dinner will be organized at a nearby restaurant and will be paid for. Most establishments take credit cards or Venmo.

 

Should I bring equipment or anything else to donate? This is something that is up to the traveler. We are usually around so many learners at one time it would be tough to pick individuals to receive the gifts. That said, I almost always have something lightweight and compact, but not candy.  

 

Bring your passport. Do not forget it. Take a picture of it. Send it to your own email. Hopefully you will not be thanking me later for this advice.

 

Travel Insurance: Obviously we don’t anticipate any disruption or emergencies but things happen. We strongly encourage all travelers to invest in travel insurance to both minimize your financial risks of traveling and provide you with peace of mind to fully enjoy your trip. Travel insurance can provide many helpful resources including refunds or assistance for any of the following situations that may arise before or during a trip:

• You need to cancel your participation on the tour

• You need to cancel or change a flight

• Lost baggage during the trip

• Stolen items during the trip

• Medical costs during the trip

We suggest you talk to your insurance provider to ask about the travel insurance plans available to you. You can also compare policies online. Here are two well-known travel insurance providers to consider:

Travelex Travel Insurance
Travel Guard

You can also use InsureMyTrip.com to compare multiple companies’ plans.