Trek in Guatemala: More Than a Trip
For many travelers, visiting a new country like Guatemala means sightseeing. For Trek participants, it means showing up, working together, and becoming part of something bigger.
On a buildOn Trek, you can help build a school, live in a rural village, and experience a new culture in a way most travelers never will.
This is what to expect on Trek in Guatemala.
What you’ll see in this guide:
- What it’s really like to build a school alongside a community.
- Daily life living with a host family.
- The culture, connection, and impact that make Trek unforgettable.
Ready to start your journey? Sign up to go on Trek to Guatemala today.
A Journey Rooted in Impact
Going on Trek to Guatemala is a trip where you’ll leave behind much more than footprints. You’ll make a lasting, positive impact.
In rural Indigenous communities, access to education is still a challenge. Some schools are overcrowded, under-resourced, or too far for children to safely reach. Guatemala has one of the highest poverty rates in Latin America, and the communities we work in are disproportionately affected. According to international development data, nearly half of all Guatemalan children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition, and illiteracy remains a challenge in many rural areas.
That’s where buildOn comes in.
Participants work side by side with community members to help build a new school, one that will serve generations of students. And with more than 140 schools already built in Guatemala, each new project adds to a growing movement for education and opportunity.
Get to Know Guatemala
Guatemala is a country rich with Mayan heritage, vibrant traditions, and breathtaking natural beauty. buildOn has partnered with communities in Guatemala since 2019, and each Trek here is a unique opportunity to connect deeply with local culture, work in solidarity with inspiring leaders, and experience the warmth and hospitality that Guatemala is known for.
Known as the “Land of Volcanoes,” it is home to more than 30 volcanoes, some still active, shaping dramatic landscapes across the country. In many Mayan communities, centuries-old weaving traditions continue to thrive, with each village creating its own distinct patterns and colors by hand. Guatemala is also considered the birthplace of chocolate, where ancient Mayan civilizations first cultivated cacao, a plant once so valuable it was used as currency.
Beyond its cultural heritage, the country offers stunning natural environments, from lush rainforests to stunning lakes like Lake Atitlán, and is home to unique wildlife such as the vibrant quetzal bird. Throughout the year, communities come together to celebrate with colorful festivals, from giant kite displays to lively Holy Week traditions, reflecting the deep sense of culture and connection that defines Guatemala.
Treks to Guatemala are available year-round, with the exception of Easter week and the Christmas holiday. The rainy season typically lasts from May to October, bringing lush landscapes and occasional afternoon showers. Daytime temperatures usually range from the 70s to 80s°F, but it can get noticeably cooler in the evenings, especially in the mountainous regions.
A Day in the Life on Trek
Each day follows a rhythm that blends service, reflection, and connection.
Morning: Building Together
Your day begins early. After breakfast, you head to the worksite where you might:
- Dig the school’s foundation.
- Mix cement.
- Carry water, sand, and bricks.
- Tie rebar to reinforce the cement pillars of the school.
No construction experience is needed—just a willingness to contribute and be part of a team. You’ll be working side-by-side with local community members, men and women alike, bridging cultural divides in pursuit of one common goal: to build a school and change lives.
Midday: Rest and Reflect
After a morning of work, you’ll pause for lunch and group reflection. These conversations explore:
- The importance of education.
- Global inequality.
- The impact of the work you’re doing.
- What you’ve learned from interacting with community members.
Afternoon: Cultural Exchange
Each day includes time to engage with the local culture. In Guatemala, these activities include:
- Tortilla Making: Learn the art of hand-pressing and cooking tortillas, a daily tradition in most Guatemalan homes.
- Coffee Farm Visit: Discover how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed in one of Guatemala’s signature industries.
- Weaving Workshop: Try traditional weaving techniques with local artisans using colorful threads and backstrap looms.
- Language Lessons: Practice Spanish or learn a few words of one of the many Mayan languages spoken in the region.
- Q&A Discussions: Join thoughtful group conversations with community members to ask questions, share your story, and learn from each other’s experiences—sometimes held in gender-specific groups to create space for open dialogue, especially for women in the community.
These moments offer a deeper understanding of the community you’re working with.
Evening: Connection
As the day winds down, you’ll share dinner, reflect, and spend time with your host family or team. Often, these are the moments participants remember most.
Living With a Host Family
One of the most meaningful parts of Trek happens off the worksite.
You’ll live with a Guatemalan host family in simple accommodations—sharing games, stories, and daily routines. While the setting may be different from what you’re used to, the experience is where real connection begins.
You might:
- Help cook dinner.
- Play games with children.
- Learn new words in Spanish or a local Mayan language.
- Sit together at night, reflecting on the day.
Even without a shared language, these moments build relationships that last long after the trip ends.
Ready to start your journey? Sign up to go on Trek to Guatemala today.
Culture, Food, and Community
Guatemala is rich in history, tradition, and hospitality–and that extends to food!
Meals on Trek are prepared by local cooks using fresh ingredients that are often harvested right from the village. All food is vegetarian and varies depending on the time of year and what’s available, but you can expect to enjoy flavorful, home-cooked dishes rooted in Guatemalan tradition. Some typical meals may include:
- Tostones: Fried plantains topped with avocado and tomato.
- Pepián: One of the oldest Mayan dishes, this thick, hearty stew is full of rich flavor.
- Arroz, Salsa y Ensalada: Rice, savory sauce, and a fresh veggie salad.
- Huevos (Eggs): A breakfast staple often served with tortillas.
- Fresh Fruit: Mangos, papaya, bananas, and more depending on the season.
- Papas Ricas: Potatoes simmered in a tomato-based sauce.
- Chiles Rellenos: Bell peppers stuffed with vegetables or beans.
- Taquitos de Papa: Rolled tortillas filled with mashed potatoes and fried.
- Ejotes Envueltos: Green beans coated and fried into tasty fritters.
- Paches de Papa: Mashed potato parcels steamed in plantain leaves.
- Rellenitos: Sweet plantains stuffed with refried black beans and cinnamon.
But culture on Trek goes beyond food. Through workshops and shared experiences, you’ll gain insight into:
- Daily life in rural communities.
- Local traditions and crafts.
- The values and resilience of the people you’re working alongside.
These experiences are opportunities to listen, learn, and connect.
The Work Behind the Impact
Building a school is the heart of Trek, and one of the most physically and emotionally powerful parts of it.
You’ll contribute to real construction, laying the foundation for a building that will stand for years to come. The work can be challenging, but it’s also deeply rewarding.
Each task, whether it’s carrying materials or mixing cement, contributes to something much bigger:
- A safe place for children to learn.
- Increased access to education.
- A stronger future for the entire community.
Trek Will Challenge You and Change You
Trek will push you outside your comfort zone. You may experience physical fatigue, new environments and routines, and living conditions that are simpler than what you’re used to.
But alongside those challenges comes growth. Participants leave with a new perspective on the world, stronger connections with others, and a deeper understanding of their own impact
Trek is not always easy, but it’s always meaningful.
What You Take Home
When Trek ends, the experience doesn’t. You’ll leave with relationships that cross cultures and borders, a deeper understanding of global issues, and the knowledge that you helped build something lasting.
And even after you return home, you’ll be able to follow the progress of the school you helped start and see the full impact of your work come to life.
Why Trek in Guatemala Matters
Trek is more than a trip. It’s a partnership.
It’s about working with communities, not for them.
It’s about learning, not just helping.
And it’s about understanding how service, connection, and education come together to create lasting change.
If you’re looking for an experience that challenges you, connects you, and leaves a real impact. Trek in Guatemala is that experience.
Ready to take the first step of your Trek journey to Guatemala? Fill out the form on this page to get the process started.