History is in the making this summer for Californians looking to escape hordes of tourists, surely to invade their iconic city.
As Chinatown streets and Fisherman’s Wharf vendors become flooded with selfie-takers, that’s always San Franciscans’ cue to hop on the BART and head to SFO.
Being home to one of America’s most internationally connected airports, it’s almost overwhelming to pick a destination, but we at Travel Off Path believe the latest route announcement revealed is a no-brainer…
Sure, you can venture down to Cancun and many other notable locales with cookie-cutter itineraries, but summer is the perfect time to let your adventurous side shine.
As one of Latin America’s most diverse destinations with kaleidoscopic villages, staggering volcanic backdrops, and practically undiscovered beach hideaways, travelers looking to experience more than getting up early to reserve a poolside lounger should turn to Guatemala for their next vacation.
Why Visit Guatemala?
Call us crazy, but Guatemala is arguably the best alternative to Mexico.
Think about it: it’s right next door, has very similar cuisine, and in many cases, is even more affordable than our amigos south of the border.
Sure, you could say the Caribbean is a great alternative too, but guess what — Guatemala boasts a Caribbean coastline with unique Garifuna culture.
That begs the question: what doesn’t Guatemala have?
Well, safety is the only question mark. In fact, the U.S. Embassy issued a security alert in January, but nothing too serious from a tourism perspective.
(If you’ve been recently, feel free to vote below!)
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The bustling capital, Guatemala City, has long been viewed by travelers as skippable because there isn’t much to see and it has sketchy vibes, with many favoring nearby Antigua instead.
This gorgeous colonial town is a destination in itself and a perfect gateway to some of the country’s most astounding natural beauty.
Take it from me, if you’re not too chicken to ride a “chicken bus”, you’ll feel like you’re a local.
Between Antigua, volcanic hikes, and off-path immersive cities like Quetzaltenango (popular for Americans honing their Spanish skills), Guatemala shouldn’t be overlooked.
Best of all, it’s still clinging onto its “hidden gem” status, so you won’t have to deal with crowds any season.
San Francisco’s Only Nonstop Route To “Guate”
It seems like you don’t even have to search SFO’s laundry list of flight options. You just assume there’s a flight.
That, and the fact that Oakland and San Jose are nearby too…
But this time, SFO gets all the glory (not that there’s ever a time Oakland wins a PR battle).
This week, popular Latin American airline Avianca announced it will soon have a monopoly on The Bay’s only nonstop route to Guatemala.
According to The Points Guy, this game-changing route is set to serve San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport (GUA) on a regular basis throughout the summer.
In other words, it will initially be seasonal to test the waters.
Just in time to burn through your well-deserved PTO, you can cash it in from June 1 through August 31.
From SFO, the flight is slated to depart at 7:45 a.m. and arrive at 2:15 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Conversely, from GUA, the flight is scheduled for departure at 1:20 a.m. and arrives at 6:25 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
There is one caveat, however.
Avianca also serves San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL). Their SFO-SAL route will no longer be a nonstop flight.
Essentially, the new SFO-GUA route now serves as a pit stop. The same plane will continue onward, affecting travelers to El Salvador more than those heading to Guatemala.
What To Expect Aboard Avianca
If you’re unaware, Avianca is a Bogotá, Colombia-based airline and is held in high regard as a Star Alliance member, and is certified as a 3-star airline by SkyTrax.
While passenger reviews could be better, Avianca does hold an impressive track record in terms of safety, holding a near-perfect 6/7 rating, according to AirlineRatings.
On board, travelers can expect the following amenities:
- Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks
- On-board meals and alcoholic drinks for purchase
- USB power ports
- Streaming entertainment to personal devices
Wifi is a big maybe. Avianca’s latest update suggests its fleet of A320 aircraft is progressively being outfitted with wifi.
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