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Catherina Tittaferrante

I create personalized tours based on our travelers' passions to show them the real Guatemala. I take care of logistics, organizing and confirming every single detail needed to make your experience easy and memorable. I look always for details that transform that experience into an unforgettable memory.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Guatemala: Adventure, architecture, culture, archeology, history, wildlife, birdwatching, expertise intereses (coffee, local textiles, chocolate, gastronomy).
Belize: Adventure, culture, archeology, history, wildlife birdwatching, expertise intereses (chocolate, gastronomy) and water activities.
Costa Rica: Adventure, architecture, culture, history, wildlife, birdwatching, expertise intereses (coffee, chocolate, gastronomy).
El Salvador: Adventure, architecture, culture, archeology, history, wildlife, birdwatching, expertise intereses (coffee, chocolate, gastronomy).
Honduras: Adventure, architecture, culture, archeology, history, wildlife, birdwatching, expertise intereses (coffee, chocolate, gastronomy)."

How did you get involved in travel?

"Since I was a child, I spent 80% of my time traveling. My parents took me through South America and Central America, which turned my interest into passion, by sharing with people and learning from them and their cultures, my world was bigger and better. Guatemala where I was born, inspires me every single day due to its beauty and its warm people. Professionally I developed my skills and I thought it was great to invest my energy in what makes me happy."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"A local community between Panamá and Colombia, received my family and I with a whole festival, full of food, music and their best energy and their biggest smiles. They were so happy to introduce us to their lifestyles, culture, rhythm. That meant everything to me, I got a little piece of their heart in mine, I saw myself repeting the experience with others to make them feel as part of a big family as I felt that day. "

Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Catherina

Thank you Catherine and Columbus Guatemala Travel
Guatemala | Mar 5 - Mar 13, 2024

Wade
Wade B.
Charlotte, NC | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024
Catherina and the Columbus Guatemala Travel team were not only extremely helpful and informative, but kind and welcoming. They checked up on myself and my fellow traveler on a daily basis to ensure we got where we needed to be, and be there on time. The activities that were booked for us were also outstanding, with the Acatenango hike being the highlight. Each driver and guide for all activities were terrific. Furthermore, Guatemala is a beautiful country with friendly people and amazing... Read more

Catherina and the Columbus Guatemala Travel team were not only extremely helpful and informative, but kind and welcoming. They checked up on myself and my fellow traveler on a daily basis to ensure we got where we needed to be, and be there on time. The activities that were booked for us were also outstanding, with the Acatenango hike being the highlight. Each driver and guide for all activities were terrific. Furthermore, Guatemala is a beautiful country with friendly people and amazing culture. Antigua quickly became one of my favorite cities I’ve ever visited. Overall, the Kim Kim and Columbus Travel team, along with the local guides all did their part in making an amazing trip. So far, I’m 2 for 2 with great booking experiences on Kim Kim.

Activity Reviews
Villages Around Lake Atitlán by Boat
Villages Around Lake Atitlán by Boat
Guatemala

Great guides and the like is beautiful. Lots of amazing history and culture to see. San Juan is an awesome little village.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bike Through Villages Of Itzapa And Calderas.
Bike Through Villages Of Itzapa And Calderas.
Antigua

Although I genuinely enjoyed this activity, I would be lying if I didn’t admit how difficult this activity is. Being in the military and an active gym goer, I figured this activity would be a breeze but I was very wrong. This was still very fun and the guide, Willy, was amazing and helpful. However, I wouldn’t suggest this activity to anybody that isn’t used to mountain biking, EXTREME cardiovascular activity, or at least high altitudes.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Acatenango overnight
Acatenango overnight
Guatemala

My favorite part of the trip. Albeit quite challenging, it was well worth it. Between the volcanic eruptions and the sunset and sunrise views are some of the most spectacular things I’ve ever witnessed.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Mar 20, 2024

My dear Wade,

The entire team has really enjoyed sharing with you, we wish the best in the universe so that you continue discovering the world around us with that adventurous soul that inspires us.

We definitely take the recommendation and we have put notes to identify the level of difficulty in the outdoor activities.

Our biggest passion is to make your time memorable so we are excited and pleased to know we made our mission a reality.

Choose the next destination and we will always improve our activities, keep in mind you have our friendship from now on.

Beautiful country, great guides
Guatemala | Feb 17 - Feb 24, 2024

Roger
Roger A.
Birmingham, MI | Reviewed on Mar 01, 2024
Our first foray to Central America was a fantastic experience, made more so by the enthusiastic, knowledgeable and kind guides and travel planners in Guatemala. The trip was well planned, with one glitch involving an overbooked hotel. The folks from the local tour agency went above and beyond to remedy the matter, with refunds, extra guide time and a dinner thrown in. They were flexible and anxious to see that our every whim was satisfied. Special thanks to JJ and Catherine-great job both.... Read more

Our first foray to Central America was a fantastic experience, made more so by the enthusiastic, knowledgeable and kind guides and travel planners in Guatemala. The trip was well planned, with one glitch involving an overbooked hotel. The folks from the local tour agency went above and beyond to remedy the matter, with refunds, extra guide time and a dinner thrown in. They were flexible and anxious to see that our every whim was satisfied. Special thanks to JJ and Catherine-great job both. And Carlos' personal connection to Tikal enriched our magical experience in that mystical place.

Activity Reviews
Sunrise in Tikal
Sunrise in Tikal
Guatemala

Absolutely out of this world. If the weather cooperates, an experience with no parallel.

Tikal Maya Ruin
Tikal Maya Ruin
Guatemala

Magical experience. Mysterious ruins in a jungle setting, no mobs of tourist busses, it does not disappoint.

Villages Around Antigua By Chicken Bus (Special)
Villages Around Antigua By Chicken Bus (Special)
Antigua

Sounds silly but was actually great fun Learned a ton about Guatemalan home industries and agriculture.

Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Mar 02, 2024
Hearing that your first adventure in Central America was a fantastic experience is what we live for! Your kind words about our enthusiastic and knowledgeable team members, makes us feel I apologize for the glitch with the overbooked hotel, but I'm glad to know that we were able to pump you and we went above and beyond. It's our commitment to make things right. And I couldn't agree more about Carlos, we support local community as one of our major goals is to witness local expert and... Read more

Hearing that your first adventure in Central America was a fantastic experience is what we live for! Your kind words about our enthusiastic and knowledgeable team members, makes us feel

I apologize for the glitch with the overbooked hotel, but I'm glad to know that we were able to pump you and we went above and beyond. It's our commitment to make things right.

And I couldn't agree more about Carlos, we support local community as one of our major goals is to witness local expert and friendly guides develop their best this will always guarantee having a deep and real connection to every destination,

We consider you as our own family and we will always be happy to explore together what the world has to offer. Who knows maybe our next adventure is waiting of us at Belize or El Salvador.

Wish you both nothing but the best, huge hug.

Caty , Esteban and JJ with Columbus Guatemala...
Guatemala | Feb 5 - Feb 18, 2024

Scott
Scott W.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 26, 2024
Caty , Esteban and JJ with Columbus Guatemala Travel were amazing! They made us feel so welcome and shared so much knowledge of Guatemala. All the tours that they arranged were excellent, with great accommodations and transportation and wonderfully knowledgeable and friendly guides. Our lunch and private tour of Uaxactún with Danilo was a particularly memorable tour they arranged for us. The whole experience from reaching out, going back and forth with ideas and dates, to landing and... Read more

Caty , Esteban and JJ with Columbus Guatemala Travel were amazing!

They made us feel so welcome and shared so much knowledge of Guatemala. All the tours that they arranged were excellent, with great accommodations and transportation and wonderfully knowledgeable and friendly guides.

Our lunch and private tour of Uaxactún with Danilo was a particularly memorable tour they arranged for us.

The whole experience from reaching out, going back and forth with ideas and dates, to landing and communicating on the ground was a pleasure.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Biltmore
Ciudad de Guatemala

Exactly the right hotel to transit between flights. Nice and clean, super helpful staff and close to so much (including the airport(.

Authenticity & Character
Great travel hotel... all you needed
Location
we had a quick (early morning) flight turn around so this hotel was perfect
Staff
Very easy to communicate with and always there to assist
Cleanliness & Comfort
Jungle Lodge Tikal
Peten

What a location! Right in the national park with all the explorations of the area within walking distance. The rooms, food, service and amenities were top notch! My only complaint is we didnt stay long enough!

Authenticity & Character
A lovely "rustic/natural" feeling without feeling like you are ruffing it.
Location
A beautiful lodge in the jungle! what else is there to say
Staff
Always willing to help. From holding baggage while you explore to getting you great food and drinks
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable
Isla de Flores
Ciudad Flores Petén-Flores

Very cosy hotel that has a lot to offer!

Authenticity & Character
A wonderful ambiance. Just know that there are stairs
Location
Right in the center of things close to shopping and dinner. Or you can just hang out in the bar, restaurant or pool on site
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Welcome to Guatemala
Welcome to Guatemala
Guatemala

Whats to say? We arrived around midnight and were quickly met and ushered to our hotel for the night.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
JJ was a wonderful guide who shared a lot of information.
Transport
Uaxactún
Uaxactún
Guatemala

This experience was by far the hilight of our visit. An incredible private tour of pre-classic Mayan site with an excellent and knowledgeable guide PLUS a wonderful and delicious lunch on site prepared by local village. It was only our guide and the two of use the whole time we were exploring! (Not counting the monkeys)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Danilo and his driver were fantastic. All the people at the village were very warm and inviting.
Transport
A great driver on a bumpy road. He knew the best way to get there!
Tikal Maya Ruin
Tikal Maya Ruin
Guatemala

What a place! so much to see and explore. This was a group tour and everyone was super!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Flores Island
Explore Flores Island
Guatemala

A very lovely boat ride to the nature preserve and a wonderful look out over the lake.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guatemala City Tour
Guatemala City Tour
Guatemala

The tour and guide were great. Esteban showed as much of Guatemala as time and traffic would allow.

Quality of Experience
Traffic and time constraints impacted the enjoyment of this tour.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Mar 02, 2024
I deeply appreciate and love your kind words. Making you feel welcome and sharing our rich culture in Guatemala is what we love to do and I am tremendously happy that we can materialize what we are looking for when creating your itinerary. It warms my heart to know that every member of our team could exceed your expectations. Uaxactún's private time with Danilo was indeed a special highlight, I am brilliantly pleased to know that it left a lasting memory, plus reading the entire experience... Read more

I deeply appreciate and love your kind words.

Making you feel welcome and sharing our rich culture in Guatemala is what we love to do and I am tremendously happy that we can materialize what we are looking for when creating your itinerary. It warms my heart to know that every member of our team could exceed your expectations.

Uaxactún's private time with Danilo was indeed a special highlight, I am brilliantly pleased to know that it left a lasting memory, plus reading the entire experience was a pleasure, from the initial planning to the communication on the ground.

Our goal is to make every step of the journey enjoyable and smooth, and your positive feedback reinforces our commitment and values.

Our wish is to see you again to continue enjoying together this beautiful world in which we live.

We hope you are always safe and healthy. You will always have a family at Columbus Guatemala Travel, tell us where you would like to go and we will make it happen.

Trip of a lifetime
Guatemala | Jan 9 - Jan 31, 2024

Nancy
Nancy L.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Feb 16, 2024
Guatemala: The guides were knowledgeable and shared much that I didn’t know about the Mayan culture. I especially enjoyed going to the mountain indigenous villages and interacting with the people. The home stays and visits were insightful to seeing the integrity of family life, which seems to be very strong. The artistic cratsmanship of the weavers, was colorful and impressive. I would have like to learn more specifically about the different weavings and traditional dress from each... Read more

Guatemala: The guides were knowledgeable and shared much that I didn’t know about the Mayan culture. I especially enjoyed going to the mountain indigenous villages and interacting with the people. The home stays and visits were insightful to seeing the integrity of family life, which seems to be very strong. The artistic cratsmanship of the weavers, was colorful and impressive. I would have like to learn more specifically about the different weavings and traditional dress from each of the villages that we visited. I bought a few weavings which I don’t know their origin. The Guatemalan people are very friendly, and sometimes wanted to take pictures with and of us. The extreme cold at night in the mountains was unexpected. I had to buy an extra layer at the Mipaca thrift store in Toto. This part of the trip overall was jam-packed, sometimes we had to skip lunch to make it through each day’s activities.

Tikal was spectacular and Flores Island was pleasantly relaxing and had good restaurants, bakeries, and cafes.

Belize: was a new and delightful experience for me. The nature we visited was awesome, from cave canoeing, the hike and waterfall massage at the Jaguar preserve, and the snorkeling in the reefs near Hopkins. It was great to relax after the busy first part of the tour.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Casa Blanca Inn
Guatemala City

There was -a miscommunication on where to meet the taxi driver from the hotel, so that was a bit stressful. Hotel was Adequate. No hot water after midnight. The staff was attentive and helpful. The young man helped me with a problem I had with my suitcase.

Authenticity & Character
Fie
Location
Close to airport. Gated and secure.
Staff
See above.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Muchá
Quetzaltenango

Beds comfortable. Shower amazing! Very cold at night.

Authenticity & Character
Adobe made it very cold.
Location
Convenient
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cold—bring warm clothes for sleeping.
Totonicapán Homestay!
Totonicapán

Family was wonderful, kind, and very attentive. Very cold at night, I didn’t take a shower because it was too cold to get undressed.

Authenticity & Character
Carolina, Heidi, Melvin and Carlos were sweet and helpful in explaining home life and studies. It was very interesting to see Carolina’s jaspe dying process and Carlos’ sewing piecework. Carlo’s also demonstrated taking corn from the cob and grinding it.
Location
The walk around the property and hearing about the planting and processing of the corn for tortilla, and fresh beans, was absolutely wonderful.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room and Beds were clean, but communal bathroom was rustic, toilet need to be flushed with a bucket.
Casa Antigua El Chalet
Santa Cruz Del Quiché

Everything comfortable. Less cold at nights. I enjoyed sitting in the outdoor living room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Enjoyed the town.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hacienda Mil Amores
Cobán

Beds were comfortable. Showers were a bit hot and cold the first night, but they arranged alternate shower the next night.

Authenticity & Character
Dining room for dinners and breakfast was lovely and rustic. It was nice to meet and chat with other visitors one night.
Location
Beautiful setting. However, we decided to take rooms away from the stable, since the cow smell was strong.
Staff
Accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Homestay in Chichicastenanago, Casa Diego Ignacio, EN.
Chichicastenango

Great to spend time with Miguel , Juana, Patricia and Sandra and their children. Food was homemade and very delicious. We saw how difficult it is to make tortillas, when we tried to make them. Miguel is a leader in his community and has a lot to share with visitors. Their store had wonderful weavings and masks for purchase at decent prices. If you intend to buy weavings, don’t buy elsewhere. I had already bought a lot before Chichicastenango, so I couldn’t buy much there though I was tempted.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Peten
Flores

Comfortable, but small rooms. Our room was facing the street where a bar had loud reggaton music. It made it hard to sleep.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful view of the lake, convenient location. See comment about the loud music above.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Midas Belize
Cayo District

Room was large, but mattresses were too soft. Loved the pool. Great for swimming laps. Breakfast was great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
A bit of a walk to town.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Parrot Cove Lodge
Placencia

Wonderful rooms, great restaurant, good breakfast. Beachfront very comfortable. Dock where they picked us up for the snorkeling. Great to have a pool as well as the beach.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right on the water, but a bit far from the village.
Staff
Very helpful when my companion was not feeling well. Maritza was great in rescheduling our snorkeling.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Coningsby Inn
Belize City

Adequate.

Authenticity & Character
Historical landmark.
Location
Staff
Helpful in suggesting an excellent restaurant.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Small room, but adequate to be close to the airport.
Activity Reviews
Welcome to Guatemala
Welcome to Guatemala
Guatemala

Hot water after midnight.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Pick up from airport was confusing.
Visit Cantel and its Women's Textile Cooperative
Visit Cantel and its Women's Textile Cooperative
Quetzaltenango

We walked around the town. Happened to coincide with a funeral. Nice walk around the town. We did not go to the textile collective.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Luis was always early for pick, knowledgeable, and a safe driver
San Francisco el Alto
San Francisco el Alto
Guatemala

Saw a tradtional market. Few tourists.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Georginas Hot Springs
Georginas Hot Springs
Guatemala

We got there late so we didn’t have much time to enjoy the hot springs. Met interesting people there. Hot springs temperature could have been hotter.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Totonicapán Handicraft Workshops
Totonicapán Handicraft Workshops
Guatemala

I wasn’t feeling well so I didn’t attend weaving demo.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santa Cruz del Quiche.
Santa Cruz del Quiche.
Santa Cruz Del Quiche
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore and Learn About Santa Cruz Education
Explore and Learn About Santa Cruz Education
Santa Cruz Del Quiche

Private relifgios school was very accommodating, giving us a tour of the school, classrooms, and a brief opportunity to speak with the teachers.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chajul, El Quiche.
Chajul, El Quiche.
Acul

Interesting meeting the backstrap weaver family

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
San Andrés Sajcabajá
San Andrés Sajcabajá
Guatemala

Long drive to get there. Not sure it was worth the time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Chichicastenango Mayan Market
Visit Chichicastenango Mayan Market
Chichicastenango

The family and market were the highlights of this experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tikal Maya Ruin
Tikal Maya Ruin
Guatemala

Guide was excellent. Impressive temples. Interesting to know about 25% has been excavate so far. Good lunch.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Xunantunich
Discover Xunantunich
Guatemala

Not as incredible as Tikal. The excavation was at time reconstructed, with facsimiles, rather than real ruins. Tremendous vistas.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Enjoy Barton Creek
Enjoy Barton Creek
Guatemala

Loved it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maya Cacao Belizean Experience
Maya Cacao Belizean Experience
Guatemala

Seeing a cacao plantation that is struggling due to not having the right conditions shows the difficulty of producing a healthy crop of cacao beans. Chocolate making workshop w,as interesting.; Nice to meet Hob’s father.

Quality of Experience
I had seen this demo in Costa Rica so. It wasn’t that new for me.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Leisure Day
Leisure Day
Guatemala

Rest, eating well.

Quality of Experience
Jaguar Preserve
Jaguar Preserve
Guatemala

Hiking was great. We learned a lot about flora and fauna, waterfall swimming was great!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Barrier Reef Snorkeling
Barrier Reef Snorkeling
Guatemala

Safety was primary in postponing the day we went. Water was so clear. Great to see fish, corals.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat ride was GREAT!
Belize City Tour
Belize City Tour
Guatemala

It was short since we arrived late.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Short and sweet!
Transport
Thank you!
Thank you!
Guatemala
Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Mar 02, 2024
My lovely Nancy, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your insightful feedback about Guatemala and Belize. We are so happy to read how much fun you had. We loved sharing our time with you. It's heartening to know that the visits to our indigenous villages and interactions with our local people printed a positive experience and memory. We appreciate your feedback regarding the craftsmanship of the weavers, and we will certainly take note of your suggestion to enhance the... Read more

My lovely Nancy,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your insightful feedback about Guatemala and Belize. We are so happy to read how much fun you had. We loved sharing our time with you.

It's heartening to know that the visits to our indigenous villages and interactions with our local people printed a positive experience and memory. We appreciate your feedback regarding the craftsmanship of the weavers, and we will certainly take note of your suggestion to enhance the experience by providing more information about the specific weavings and traditional dress from each village.

We're delighted with your friendship, we will be always here for you. Our sincere apologies for the chilly nights in the mountains – weather conditions can indeed catch us off guard. We're glad you found a solution at the Paca in Toto.

Taking time to appreciate nature, local life, traditions and unforgettable activities are integral facts when creating itineraries, and we're glad to realized we made it match with your intereses.

Once again, thank you for your valuable feedback. We look forward to keep exploring other destinations.

Maya K'iche' Exploration & Belize Beach Vacation
Guatemala | Jan 9 - Jan 31, 2024

Helaine
Helaine M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Feb 01, 2024
This trip was extremely well-planned by Columbus Travel in Antigua. Catherina and her team worked hard to understand exactly what our goals were and why we were coming to Guatemala. We had very specific requests and they listened intently to us, making sure we would have the experiences we were seeking. Many of the villages we visited had few to no tourists, and we really were able to see up close and personal the way the Maya K'iche' and Ixil people live their daily lives. We had many,... Read more

This trip was extremely well-planned by Columbus Travel in Antigua. Catherina and her team worked hard to understand exactly what our goals were and why we were coming to Guatemala. We had very specific requests and they listened intently to us, making sure we would have the experiences we were seeking. Many of the villages we visited had few to no tourists, and we really were able to see up close and personal the way the Maya K'iche' and Ixil people live their daily lives. We had many, many conversations one-on-one and were able to ask and answer questions, take photos, and dive deeper into the culture than any other type of travel could have provided for us. There were, of course, changes in schedule and plans due to unexpected opportunities or weather shifts, but Columbus Travel was always there to accommodate our needs and make it work for us on the spot. The guides and drivers were always in communication with Catherina and she with them, making managing the trip very smooth for us. The second part of our trip was the fun, more touristy, part, but even during that part, Catherina made sure we kept our cultural focus and were always met and guided by Mayans and visited Mayan sites. It was a true pleasure to work with such travel professionals who were also quite personal with us and got to know us well. I highly recommend this organization and this mode of travel planning. Kim Kim is lucky to partner with Columbus Travel!
GUIDES
Our primary driver and guide for the first half of the trip was Luis Medina. He was absolutely the best choice for our trip! He was informed, open, helpful, patient, and fun to be with. We had many speed bumps (literal and figurative) along the way and his mild temperament always came shining through. On many occasions, he saw opportunities for us to have unique experiences and he always moved forward to make them happen for us. The success of our trip was largely due to his on the spot, professional trip management skills.
Our K'iche' guide, Carlos Chaclan, also provided us with a homestay in Totonicapan and was a gracious host. We so enjoyed spending time with him and his family. They were all so sweet and relaxed with us and made us feel at home. On the road, Carlos never failed to connect us with our mission - to get to know the Maya K'iche' of Guatemala. He helped us engage with them; he taught me useful phrases so that I could begin speaking directly with them; he made suggestions about what we might want to do and experience that was authentic; and he was informative in providing history and meaning when we asked him about specific places and historical markers along our route.

Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Mar 02, 2024
Wow, dear Helaine, we are deeply grateful and honored to have known you and to have shared our greatest passion. Craftin your itinerary was a wonderful opportunity to let our culture shine and enhance your extraordinary time in this millenary land of yours now. It warms our hearts to hear that you were able to immerse yourselves in the daily lives of the Maya K'iche' and Ixil people, venturing into villages with few visitors and engaging in one-on-one moments. Luis Medina and Carlos... Read more

Wow, dear Helaine, we are deeply grateful and honored to have known you and to have shared our greatest passion.

Craftin your itinerary was a wonderful opportunity to let our culture shine and enhance your extraordinary time in this millenary land of yours now.

It warms our hearts to hear that you were able to immerse yourselves in the daily lives of the Maya K'iche' and Ixil people, venturing into villages with few visitors and engaging in one-on-one moments.

Luis Medina and Carlos Chaclan are incredible guides, each contributing significantly to the success of your trip. Your positive words mean the world to us, and we all share this warm words. We sincerely thank you for recommending Columbus Travel and for recognizing the partnership with Kim Kim. It is our pleasure to serve travelers like yourself who appreciate a personal touch and an authentic cultural focus.

Our hope is to continue discovering together my dear friend. Huge hug to you.

5-day/4-night adventure in Western Belize/Eastern Guatemala
Guatemala | Dec 20 - Dec 24, 2023

J
Janis V.
Port Washington, NY | Reviewed on Dec 25, 2023
We just came back from a 5-day/4-night adventure trip to Guatemala (Flores, Tikal, Yaxha) and Belize (activities in and around San Ignacio) organized by Catherina. We traveled as a family of 5 (including 3 kids with ages 7 to 14). The whole process of planning and then the trip itself went very smoothly . Our driver/guide in Belize was Rene and in Guatemala - our guide was Henry. Everyone was truly professional, very knowledgable and friendly the entire time - clearly professionals who... Read more

We just came back from a 5-day/4-night adventure trip to Guatemala (Flores, Tikal, Yaxha) and Belize (activities in and around San Ignacio) organized by Catherina. We traveled as a family of 5 (including 3 kids with ages 7 to 14). The whole process of planning and then the trip itself went very smoothly . Our driver/guide in Belize was Rene and in Guatemala - our guide was Henry. Everyone was truly professional, very knowledgable and friendly the entire time - clearly professionals who know and love what they are doing. That allowed us (especially the parents) to just relax and enjoy the adventure trip and not worry about anything. A pleasant surprise was how easy it was to find food for our two kids with food allergies (egg, dairy, nuts), even in really rural places. It helped that we lucked out with the weather - a (really) rainy season was coming to the end - most days were overcast/cooler (70s) but no rain, which allowed us to cover a lot of ground on foot. Highly recommend this travel service, trip and time of the year for visit.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Casona del Lago
Santa Elena

Fantastic location / lake views, charming outside decor, kind hotel staff and amazingly fresh/delicious food. Gave it 4 stars only because the rooms themselves seem a bit dated / one level down from the outside decor and everything mentioned earlier perspective. Overall, a great place to stay for a couple of nights.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
San Ignacio Resort Hotel
San Ignacio

Oasis in the middle of town! Once you enter, another world presents itself - tranquil, luxury and rich in wildlife. All that only 5 minutes walking distance from the center of the town / market. We (a family of five) stayed in room 132 which had a beautiful balcony with a river view. Hotel offers on-site activities that are fun for the whole family. We went on an iguana your during the day and night critter tour in the evening - both were a ton of fun and very informative.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante

Amazing journey to Belize and Guatemala
Guatemala | Dec 15 - Dec 23, 2023

Yifan
Yifan L.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Dec 24, 2023
I had an exceptional experience with Columbus Guatemala Travel. Prior to this journey, my knowledge of Guatemala was quite limited, and Belize was completely off my radar. This is precisely why I love to travel: to explore new destinations, immerse myself in diverse cultures, and embrace novel experiences. The itinerary crafted by Columbus Guatemala Travel perfectly encapsulated the spirit of both Belize and Guatemala, offering me fresh insights into these fascinating countries. Their... Read more

I had an exceptional experience with Columbus Guatemala Travel. Prior to this journey, my knowledge of Guatemala was quite limited, and Belize was completely off my radar. This is precisely why I love to travel: to explore new destinations, immerse myself in diverse cultures, and embrace novel experiences. The itinerary crafted by Columbus Guatemala Travel perfectly encapsulated the spirit of both Belize and Guatemala, offering me fresh insights into these fascinating countries. Their responsiveness impressed me, especially their use of a WhatsApp group to keep my travel information up-to-date and adapt to any changes swiftly. Meeting the team in Antigua was a delight; they were warm and welcoming. I wholeheartedly recommend embarking on a new adventure with Columbus Guatemala Travel.

Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Jan 20, 2024
My lovely Yifan, Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience, it was truly exceptional to meet you and your enthusiasm for exploring new destinations and cultures, it shines through in your words and your art capturing feelings, moments, time, life with your lens. We believe in crafting memorable travels to print the essence of the destinations, providing local insights and novel experiences while impacting positively respecting and conserving the authenticity from our cultures... Read more

My lovely Yifan,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience, it was truly exceptional to meet you and your enthusiasm for exploring new destinations and cultures, it shines through in your words and your art capturing feelings, moments, time, life with your lens.

We believe in crafting memorable travels to print the essence of the destinations, providing local insights and novel experiences while impacting positively respecting and conserving the authenticity from our cultures and improving the reality of our communities.

We would love to continue in this journey, please keep always in mind that you have from now on friends in here.

See you in the next adventure!

Catherina and the gang were brilliant and we ...
Guatemala | Nov 18 - Dec 2, 2023

M
Mark B.
Ireland | Reviewed on Dec 04, 2023

Catherina and the gang were brilliant and we loved our trip to Guatemala. Thanks to all of you especially JJ for the 3 - 4days guiding, but all the guides were extremely knowledable.

There were a few hiccups but Catherina sorted it out very quickly. We were bound to have a few but overall it went very smoothly.

Would kave no trouble using them again of we went back in the futrue, would recommend.

Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Dec 23, 2023

Dear Mark,

Such an honor to have shared our biggest passion with you, it is incredible how fast time flies away but it will always remain our memory of you two.

The team entirely loved having the opportunity to meet you and we loved your pictures soo much!
Wishing you simply the best as you deserve, keep in mind you have our forever friendship.

Maybe next time we can go to Panamá or Belize!

The only way to visit Guatemala
Guatemala | Nov 18 - Nov 24, 2023

J
Jennifer H.
West Valley City, UT | Reviewed on Nov 25, 2023
We had a wonderful trip seeing everything we could have possibly hoped to experience in Antigua and Lake Atitlan. Our accommodations were perfect and Esteban was the best guide we could have ever asked for. He was professional, always prompt, and adjusted the itinerary to our needs. We feel as though we learned more about the culture and experienced so much more than we could if we attempted to do this trip on our own. And, the car was comfortable and air conditioned, which is a huge... Read more

We had a wonderful trip seeing everything we could have possibly hoped to experience in Antigua and Lake Atitlan. Our accommodations were perfect and Esteban was the best guide we could have ever asked for. He was professional, always prompt, and adjusted the itinerary to our needs. We feel as though we learned more about the culture and experienced so much more than we could if we attempted to do this trip on our own. And, the car was comfortable and air conditioned, which is a huge bonus! Esteban taught us so many things and we will be eternally grateful for both Caty and Esteban for so many beautiful memories. We travel often to over 30 countries and highly recommend this tour.

Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Dec 23, 2023

My lovely Jen,

Our time together was amazing, we enjoyed so much our chats hahahaha and your energy.
Esteban says he is drinking more water now but probably he should do it without coffee as well hahaha.

The whole team sends you a huge hug and wish you the very best, deeply thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

Keep enjoying my love and as I said before we are friends forever so let us know where is the next stop.

Flawless
Guatemala | Sep 23 - Sep 30, 2023

J
Jamal H.
Maple Shade, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 07, 2023
This was my first trip to Central America. I really didn’t know what to expect. I heard mixed things from people regarding safety, etc. Catherina generated a fantastic itinerary and Esteban was the perfect guide. The trip was so smooth and enjoyable. We witnessed such amazing beauty both in the natural sights of Guatemala as well as the people. The food was fantastic. The cost was perfect for the trip. We stayed in really nice places and felt safe and well-connected the entire time. No... Read more

This was my first trip to Central America. I really didn’t know what to expect. I heard mixed things from people regarding safety, etc. Catherina generated a fantastic itinerary and Esteban was the perfect guide. The trip was so smooth and enjoyable. We witnessed such amazing beauty both in the natural sights of Guatemala as well as the people. The food was fantastic. The cost was perfect for the trip. We stayed in really nice places and felt safe and well-connected the entire time. No hiccups and everyone was flexible to allow us to do what we wanted to do. When I go again, I will definitely look for these guys. Thank you Kim Kim.

Hotel Review
Homestay in Chichicastenanago, Casa Diego Ignacio, EN.
Chichicastenango

Not exactly 5 star accommodations, but the hospitality was first class.

Authenticity & Character
Just that
Location
Not in the heart of the city. Not too far either.
Staff
Genuine and warm.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Simple but comfortable.
Activity Reviews
Visit Chichicastenango Mayan Market
Visit Chichicastenango Mayan Market
Chichicastenango

Really fun. Lots to buy. Didn’t feel too pressured people people very nice. Overall just very festive.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking in Lake Atitlán
Kayaking in Lake Atitlán
Guatemala

Absolutely incredible views. Only issue was keeping the kayaks running straight, but that’s on us rather than equipment.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Villages Around Lake Atitlán by Bike
Villages Around Lake Atitlán by Bike
Guatemala

Something I’ll always remember, but a lot more grueling than I had anticipated. Uphill is no joke. I am not by any means an avid biker.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Acatenango overnight
Acatenango overnight
Guatemala

An absolutely must do. Take your time going up. The shelter was nicer than I thought. Only issue was mild altitude sickness that occurred the next morning. Tried to ignore it, but it definitely took away from my enjoyment. The sights were second to none.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Oct 11, 2023

WOOOOW Jamal!
It is incredible how our time together was so memorable, we enjoyed as well having quality over quantity.
Our goal has been always to be your local companion considering to do eveything intentionally with mindfulness to impact positively both our commmunities and you our traveler friends.

Getting to really know you is our vision of friendship and we do everything we do with our hearts and we appreciate so much to know we will meet you again hoping it will be soon.

Thank you again for your trust and we will always be happy to share with you and your family.