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active 20 hours ago

Chris Gwinner

I am passionate about adventure travel and feel very lucky to be able to share that passion with others through Old Town Outfitters.

I'm originally from Savannah, Georgia but have been living in Antigua, Guatemala for 13+ years now. I head up the team at Old Town where we strive to provide unique, high-quality trips which create rewarding experiences for our clients.

My friend and business partner, Matt Hartell, started Old Town Outfitters 25 years ago and we continue to be the leaders in Guatemala adventure travel. Our philosophy is based around supporting the local economy via employment of local guides, promoting responsible travel, and sponsoring meaningful local NGO's.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"We specialize in adventure and experiential tours throughout Guatemala and into neighboring countries. Our main adventure sports are volcano hiking, mountain biking, sea kayaking, and rock climbing. Our local guides will take you into the mountains, jungles, beaches, and old forests of Guatemala for an unforgettable adventure.

We find that many people who visit Guatemala for the first time are surprised by the rich cultural and outdoor experiences we have to offer. That's the part of the job we enjoy the most, making you want to come back for more adventure in the future! "

How did you get involved in travel?

"Working for Delta Airlines during my college years gave me a springboard into the world of travel. I was taking off to new destinations every free moment and this confirmed my dreams of making travel the heart of my world. Both personal and professional travels have connected to me to so many good people in the world and I'm looking forward to many more of those connections.

I was on one of my Delta adventures when I first visited Guatemala and fell in love with the local culture and landscapes. The country is a beautiful playground for any adventure traveler and still continues to surprise me to this day. You'll find that it is not an uncommon story for people to visit Guatemala and be so enchanted that they return many times, sometimes relocating for good.

After a few years of guiding motorcycle tours through Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, I joined Matt at Old Town Outfitters and have been helping grow the business ever since. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"In my early days of living and working in Guatemala, I was always exploring the country on my motorcycle in search of new experiences to share with clients. One of these trips took me to the far northwest corner of Guatemala, near the Mexico border. Motoring along a very remote road, my front tire blew out and I all of the sudden found myself sliding across the road and into a ditch. The next 24 hours were a great example of the kindness, generosity, and hospitality that I've found among Guatemalans.

Starting with the curious locals that first ran to check on me, the local police who loaded my moto into their truck, the local nurse who patched up my cuts and bruises, and finally to the local elderly couple who took me in for the night so I could rest. That afternoon I fell asleep only to be woken by a tropical story coming through Playa Tilapa in the middle of the night. The lamina roof of their small hotel was flopping around as rain and wind were crushing this small town. As I couldn't sleep, I resigned to lighting a candle and working on my moto in the hotel lobby. Soon Ted and his wife Rosaria joined me with hot coffee and we shared stories until sunrise. It was during those hours that I realized that Ted was actually in a book I read years ago, "In Search of Captain Zero", a surfing adventure from 20 years ago. It was one of those amazing small world connections that could only happen through a combination of mishaps and adventures that traveling the world seems to always create. "

Chris is part of the following groups: Belize Travel Agents, Guatemala Travel Agents, Guatemala Family Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Luxury & Maya Culture in Guatemala - 8 Days
Immerse yourself in ancient Maya culture while traveling in style on this eight-day sojourn to Guatemala. Pamper yourself in luxury hotels and see famous sights from above as...
Highlights of Guatemala - 5 Days
This five-day Guatemala adventure begins with a walking tour and traditional cooking class in the colonial city of Antigua. Then conquer the summit of Pacaya Volcano as you hike...
Mayan Adventure in Guatemala - 6 Days
This trip to the heart of Central America offers fascinating historical culture, thrilling adventure, and jaw-dropping vistas. You'll fall in love with the charming colonial...
Family itineraries
Family Adventure in Guatemala: Temples, Pyramids & Wildlife - 7 Days
Discover lost cities, ancient ruins, and the world's most beautiful lake on this week-long, family-friendly tour of Guatemala. Immerse yourselves in culture and adventure as you...
Active Family Adventure in Guatemala: Antigua & Lake Atitlán - 10 Days
Perfect for active families with older kids, this 10-day family adventure to Guatemala highlights two of the country's most celebrated locations, Antigua and Lake Atitlán. Roast...
Guatemala Cuisine, Culture & Coast for Families - 10 Days
This 10-day family tour starts in the colonial city of Antigua, where you'll experience the delicious flavors of Guatemalan cuisine with a foodie tour, honey tasting, and a...
Luxury itineraries
Luxury & Maya Culture in Guatemala - 8 Days
Immerse yourself in ancient Maya culture while traveling in style on this eight-day sojourn to Guatemala. Pamper yourself in luxury hotels and see famous sights from above as...

Recent trip reviews for Chris

What an amazing trip!
Guatemala | Dec 28 - Jan 5, 2025

M
M E.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Feb 01, 2025
What an amazing trip!
Trying to arrange a memorable family trip to include my teen and college kid over the New Year's holiday, I reached out to Kimkim. They took the reins and did us a solid!
First, travel over the holiday is busy; second, it is expensive; third, schedules are tight. Chris at Old Town Adventures was our local arranger and helped manage all of the challenges with grace. Read more

What an amazing trip!
Trying to arrange a memorable family trip to include my teen and college kid over the New Year's holiday, I reached out to Kimkim. They took the reins and did us a solid!
First, travel over the holiday is busy; second, it is expensive; third, schedules are tight. Chris at Old Town Adventures was our local arranger and helped manage all of the challenges with grace.

Hotel Reviews
Porta Hotel Antigua
Antigua Guatemala

Beautiful hotel, near -- but not too near -- the mix of things. Allowed us to have a walkable experience in Antigua. Rooms were comfortable, filtered water prevented us from needing to but bottled water. Breakfast was divine! Every day there was live music and great atmosphere. The lobby is nice and the public spaces are generally quite nice. All the staff are first rate. Warning -- they have a LOUD New Year's eve party with live and DJ music until 1:30 am and the rooms couldn't insulate against this kind of noise. Don't expect early check in to be an option.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ramon's Village Resort
San Pedro

This was a lovely space and despite the terrible weather of our first day (pouring an inch of rain) it was a dream! We arrived in the middle of said rainstorm and waited for the boat (SPBE) to unload our bags. We got a lift from Ramon's team and needed to stop at a pharmacy -- no problem. Took us to the check in and then to our rooms. sigh.... Needed dinner that night -- Pineapples on the Beach had an amazing menu! We went back 2 nights later because it was so good! Only concern was the final morning had to get the 0600 boat to get to Belize city for our international flight. We checked out night before and porters said they'd meet us at our rooms at 0540. But they didn't show up... got the night watch to wake up the driver and left at 0555. We made it, no problem. But we're no good at "island time."

Authenticity & Character
Well, I don't know if it was authentic (authentic Polynesian maybe?) but loads of character!!
Location
Walking to town and everywhere else!
Staff
Front desk staff, coffee bar and restaurant wait staff were all excellent. But by far our favorite was Leroy at the front desk!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds were perhaps in need of an update and our shower had low pressure (they came and repaired the second day and it improved). The only real challenge was proximity to the airport meaning that without ear plugs, you had planes landing and taking off most of the day (early start)
Acatenango Campsite
Guatemala

Old Town Outfitters campsite on the side of Acatenango -- camping/glamping on the side of a mountain with unobstructed views of Fuego blowing its top. Meals provided by our guide, Rudy were excellent -- they were substantially better than what we saw the other families being served by their guides. Sleeping bags could have been a bit warmer.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
RUDY!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Jungle Lodge Tikal
Peten

We had a really short stay -- arrived around 9 pm and departed for our morning tour at 0400. We came back for breakfast and were on the road by 10:30 am. Breakfast was quite tasty but they were out of a few things. We note there was a hostel there but didn't explore that area. Visited the pool for pictures, but didn't get in because it was rainy that day. Property is dark at night, and with the rain, the sidewalks were quite slippery. Our daughter slipped by the plantings at the main entrance and ended up with a significant number of thorns in her arm and back.

Authenticity & Character
Location
walking distance to the park entrance
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our group had two different rooms, one had great water pressure, the other did not. Hard to shower in that setting. See note about dark grounds.
Activity Reviews
Zipline Tour at Santo Domingo del Cerro
Zipline Tour at Santo Domingo del Cerro
Antigua

Just do it. We had arranged for the full "superman" experience for the kids and we were planning to just enjoy ourselves at the cafe. But then Rudy and the kids encouraged us, and we said "why not?" Don't look down during the ladder climb. Do look down during the superman flight. Just amazing.

Quality of Experience
Beautiful grounds -- unexpected how enjoyable the sculpture garden and museum would be
Hike Acatenango Volcano & Camp Overnight
Hike Acatenango Volcano & Camp Overnight
Guatemala

Rudy, our guide was absolutely the reason for our enjoyable trip. He engaged with our kids and took care of our needs. He's a budding chef and made remarkably tasting and filling meals for us on the mountain. Even when we had one member have to turn back for altitude sickness, he made sure the rest of us had a stellar time.

Quality of Experience
Altogether an first rate experience -- stunning area of natural beauty. Unfortunately there were loads of people (holiday week) and loads of trash on the mountain. Another draw back -- no coffee on the morning of the summit.
Food
We had a great meal of build your own burritos when we arrived at base camp. Dinner was again outstanding. Breakfast was fruit and yogurt and granola! Only complaint was the lack of caffeine on the summit day. Caffeine is good for energy, headaches, and even to fight altitude sickness.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Again, Rudy was our guide and he was first rate. We had a nice crew up at the camp and our young porter was also good.
Transport
Different drivers on the way out and back from Antigua; minivans. Preferred the driver on the way out as we were fresh and feeling fine. The return ride was harder (we were tired and feeling less well) and the drive was slow, and hot, and uncomfortable. Not sure we could improve that other than driving faster ;-) Maybe A/C
Sunrise on Acatenango & Descent
Sunrise on Acatenango & Descent
Guatemala

Again, our guide made this so amazing. Despite having to escort one of our party back to base camp, Rudy got the rest of us to the summit in plenty of time for sunrise. Unfortunately it was crowded, but there was plenty of space to see and get some pictures of the sunrise and the volcano. We met others on our way that were turning back and some didn't get to summit because of their party splitting up. Rudy was able to safely manage our group.

Sunrise Tour of Tikal National Park
Sunrise Tour of Tikal National Park
Guatemala

No question, it is a magical experience. You walk through the park in the dark, surrounded by nothing but darkness (and some jumping spiders). You climb to the top of temple IV and sit in the dark (others arrive, but it's pitch). Then around 5:38 am, the howler monkey's start up, and it's surreal. Unfortunately, no sunrise for us, just the lifting of the fog. Pictures at the top and then a descent and tour of the grounds.

Quality of Experience
Tikal is the star of the show.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our sunrise guide didn't discuss much of the ruins with us. He shared knowledge of the Mayan religion and rituals and the current experience of being Maya as well as some history. But he often pointed us to areas for us to go and waited for us to return. Other guides I saw walked with their group and explained the ruins in more detail.
Transport
Mini van to and from TIkal. Drivers were safe, however, Guatemalan roads (or maybe just in Peten) were terrible!!!
Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
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Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Feb 03, 2025

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review Mitra! Our team really enjoying showing your team around our beautiful countries. Hopefully we'll see you again here in the future. Spread the word, the more people know about the beauty of Guatemala and Belize the better!

Read all Guatemala reviews

Guatemala experience
Guatemala | Jan 10 - Jan 19, 2025

Wilfred
Wilfred L.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Jan 27, 2025
I just want to remind KimKim that one way that I evaluate value is by seeing how much I paid per day. In my case it was $460/day. I understand that all agents involved need to make a profit to stay in business. However, I felt that on days 1, 3( guide was with me for 1 hour), 4, 9 and 10- I had free days which meant that the costs were primarily transportation and hotel( hotels that I stayed in Guatemala under $125/day). Please factor this in when you quote a price.
My comments by day are... Read more

I just want to remind KimKim that one way that I evaluate value is by seeing how much I paid per day. In my case it was $460/day. I understand that all agents involved need to make a profit to stay in business. However, I felt that on days 1, 3( guide was with me for 1 hour), 4, 9 and 10- I had free days which meant that the costs were primarily transportation and hotel( hotels that I stayed in Guatemala under $125/day). Please factor this in when you quote a price.
My comments by day are below
Day 1- took hotel shuttle which arrived 30 minutes late and picked up 4 other passengers, so we left the airport 60 minutes after arrival.
Day 2- prompt pickup from airport, good experience in Tikal.Good hotel in Flores.
Day 3- guide was with me for 1 hour( we had to wait to pick up his spouse) who accompanied us.
Day 4- Transportation and met with Chris. Camelias Inn is a good hotel, however their towels/sheets and pillow covers smell( I gave them this feedback, it is also mentioned in many Tripadvisor reviews)
Day 5- Hike to EarthLodge was un-necessary. I would skip EarthLodge all-together.
Day 6- Great hike to Pacaya
Day 7-Car troubles on the way to ChiChi, delayed arrival, but great experience. Isla Verde was a great hotel.
Day 8- Good day of hiking and kayaking.
Day 9- Free day, back in Antigua -I felt that I should have left that day.
Day 10- Free day in Antigua , flight at 1130p
Rudy- who was with me for the hikes in Antigua, Pacaya volcano and kayaking in lake Atitlan was fantastic!
I will be back to do the Volcano Acatenago. Thank you for organizing

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Barcelo
Guatemala City

Airport shuttle does not arrive on time

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Take very long to check-in, 45 minutes to check in 3 people at midnight with 2 staff members
Cleanliness & Comfort
Isla de Flores
Flores

Near the Parque Central- can be a little noisy if there are town celebrations( which was on when I stayed). Hotel staff not very knowledgeable or helpful in guiding tourists regarding things to do.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Near town Center can be noisy
Staff
Not knowledgeable about details of town events- there was a rodeo as part of the town celebration which they were not aware of
Cleanliness & Comfort
Camelias Inn
Antigua
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sheets, towels and pillow-covers smell
Hotel Isla Verde
Santa Cruz la Laguna
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Explore Tikal National Park
Explore Tikal National Park
San Ignacio
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pacaya Sunset hike
Pacaya Sunset hike
Antigua
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán
Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Not applicable
Excursion Into Actun Kan Caves
Excursion Into Actun Kan Caves
Guatemala
Quality of Experience
Took the short trip 30-45 minutes, I thought we would do the long 3 hour trip
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Stopped at guide's home for 20 minutes to pick up his spouse
Earth Lodge Hike (stay overnight)
Earth Lodge Hike (stay overnight)
Guatemala

Good location, scenic- limited options for dinner. I would probably skip this

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Not applicable- we hiked to this lodge
Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Feb 07, 2025

Thank you so much Wilfred for the thorough review from your time in Guatemala. The detailed notes are helpful for our team to learn and make improvements moving forward. I know Rudy and the rest of our team enjoyed their time with you and we really appreciate your openness to visit Guatemala and share cultures. All the best for the rest of your year, we hope to see you again in the future!

Our trip to Guatemala was fantastic!Chris Gw...
Guatemala | Jan 14 - Jan 22, 2025

Jeffrey
Jeffrey H.
Spring Valley, NV | Reviewed on Jan 27, 2025
Our trip to Guatemala was fantastic!
Chris Gwinner our planner, did an outstanding job with connecting us to beautiful accommodations, Incredible personal tour guides Edgar,Vinny,Caesar !!& Well planned out logistics.
Tikal, Lake Atitlan,Antigua were amazing places to tour and learn about Mayan history.
Chris was always available for questions that we had and gave his recommendations from the planning
stages & throughout our vacation.
He even took the time to meet with us in Antigua... Read more

Our trip to Guatemala was fantastic!
Chris Gwinner our planner, did an outstanding job with connecting us to beautiful accommodations, Incredible personal tour guides Edgar,Vinny,Caesar !!& Well planned out logistics.
Tikal, Lake Atitlan,Antigua were amazing places to tour and learn about Mayan history.
Chris was always available for questions that we had and gave his recommendations from the planning
stages & throughout our vacation.
He even took the time to meet with us in Antigua ,face to face and ask about how our vacation was going.
I highly recommend Kim Kim travel agency, and Chris Gwinner as a trip planner .
Thank you, Olga & Jeff

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Utz Jay
Panajachel, Sololá
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Casa Rustica
Antigua

Nice hotel ,but the bed was very hard. But Chris got us into another nice hotel with a lot more comfortable bed

Hotel Casona del Lago
Santa Elena
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Antigua Coffee Tour by Bus with De La Gente
Antigua Coffee Tour by Bus with De La Gente
Guatemala
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Guatemala
Explore Tikal National Park
Explore Tikal National Park
Guatemala
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Guatemala
Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jan 28, 2025

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review Jeff! It was great to meet you and Olga here in Antigua and I know our team had a great time with you. Hopefully we'll see you again here in the future. Spread the word, the more people know about the beauty of Guatemala the better!

Read all Guatemala reviews

A great Guatemala trip.
Guatemala | Dec 9 - Dec 18, 2024

Andrew
Andrew W.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Dec 23, 2024
Guides were all extremely friendly and helpful, helping tailor or experience to make it impactful and comfortable. An added bonus was having a coffee with Chris after our arrival. We always felt very well taken care of. One example - we had some motion sickness due to the windy roads. Hilberto took us to a pharmacy. Two pills and two quetzales later we were back on our adventure. Without exception, knowledgeable and friendly guides and rides showed up on time ready to make our day... Read more

Guides were all extremely friendly and helpful, helping tailor or experience to make it impactful and comfortable. An added bonus was having a coffee with Chris after our arrival. We always felt very well taken care of. One example - we had some motion sickness due to the windy roads. Hilberto took us to a pharmacy. Two pills and two quetzales later we were back on our adventure. Without exception, knowledgeable and friendly guides and rides showed up on time ready to make our day the best. Activities were well tailored to our desires and abilities.

Hotel Review
Casa Antigua
Antigua

Great location, and very friendly and helpful front desk staff.

Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Dec 23, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review Andy. It was great to meet you and Matty during your time here in Antigua. Our team had a great time with the both of you and really appreciated your geunine intrest in Guatemala. Spread the word about Guatemala with your friends and family, the more people know the better!

Great communication
Guatemala | Jun 14 - Jun 30, 2024

R
Rebecca M.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Nov 15, 2024

Our local specialist, Chris, was great with communication while planning our trip as well as during it. He was able to change our itinerary while we were in Guatemala on short notice due to an illness in our group, so that we could still do an excursion that was important to us on a different day. Our in-country tour guide and driver was also great - very welcoming and knowledgeable.

Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Nov 18, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review Rebecca. I'm glad you and the family were able to get to explore Guatemala and Belize with our local team. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about our area the better. Thank you again for your business!

Amazing Guatamala
Guatemala | Jul 5 - Jul 20, 2024

Anne
Anne M.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Jul 24, 2024
The trip was exceptionally well-organized, with Chris and the team always available to answer any questions or to make suggestions. The roundtrip itinerary was thoughtfully planned, making perfect sense for exploring the best of Guatemala. Our guide for the first part, Diana, was incredibly motivated to accommodate her guests. She has extensive knowledge of the culture and a deep love for her country. We enjoyed a very active and sporty vacation, just as we had wished for. Read more

The trip was exceptionally well-organized, with Chris and the team always available to answer any questions or to make suggestions. The roundtrip itinerary was thoughtfully planned, making perfect sense for exploring the best of Guatemala. Our guide for the first part, Diana, was incredibly motivated to accommodate her guests. She has extensive knowledge of the culture and a deep love for her country. We enjoyed a very active and sporty vacation, just as we had wished for.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Panchoy
Antigua
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Acatenango Campsite
Guatemala

Best location on the campsite!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Isla Verde
Santa Cruz la Laguna
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
no warm water for showers; bathroom not very clean and with spiders; running water which made the bathroom constantly wet area
Ramon's Village Resort
San Pedro
Authenticity & Character
Location
divecenter at the hotel
Staff
overall friendly staff but sometimes a bit too pushy
Cleanliness & Comfort
food is not the best food on San Pedro; rooms were very clean !
Jungle Lodge Tikal
Peten

restaurant staff not very welcoming and a bit impolite; you always have to pay every single bill and no possibility to have one check-out bill. Even different billing between bar and restaurant. Therefore incurring creditcard costs for every single transaction. Water needed to paid for. No water offered at breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Class
Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Class
Antigua
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Day Hike to Pacaya Volcano
Guatemala
Sunrise on Acatenango & Descent
Sunrise on Acatenango & Descent
Guatemala
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán Villages
Guatemala
Explore Tikal National Park
Explore Tikal National Park
San Ignacio
Valley Ride - Bicycle Tour of Antigua's Villages, Farms, and Ruins
Valley Ride - Bicycle Tour of Antigua's Villages, Farms, and Ruins
Antigua

Biking very dangerous because of traffic. we were expecting a ride in nature but this was more of a road ride. So would rather do this tour by quad for example because the biking itself is not pleasant. The tour was great! Chocolate factory, Macademia nuts etc!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike Acatenango Volcano & Camp Overnight
Hike Acatenango Volcano & Camp Overnight
Guatemala
Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán
Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán
Guatemala

The hike had to be cancelled because of a miscommunication with Mundo hotel. Also the hike would have been at noon which is the hottest period of the day. So not very convenient timing. The kayak was great fun!!

Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jul 30, 2024

It was our pleasure Anne and thank you again for visiting Guatemala! It was great to meet you and your kids during your time here in Antigua. Diana had a great time during the rest of the trip with your family and really appreciated your great energy. Spread the word about Guatemala with your friends and family, the more people know the better!

Outstanding! Great trip and I'm recommending to friends.
Guatemala | Jun 30 - Jul 9, 2024

Eliot
Eliot W.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jul 14, 2024

Wonderful! Thanks to Chris and our guide Joel for putting together a great itinerary and shepherding us through a phenomenal trip. I traveled to Guatemala with 4 teenagers...who thought this might have been our best adventure yet. Chris and the team suggested a great itinerary, matched the level of adventure + downtime our group was into, were collaborative with adjustments, helped manage within our budget, and communicated well throughout. If we return to Guatemala, we'll work with Chris again....and I'll recommend him to friends.

Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jul 15, 2024

It was our pleasure Eliot and thank you again for visiting Guatemala! It was great to get to know you and the family during your time here in Antigua. I know Joel had a great time during the rest of the trip with your family and really appreciated everyone's curiosity. Spread the word about Guatemala with your friends and family, the more people know the better!

Amazing Visit!
Guatemala | Apr 13 - Apr 20, 2024

M
Meg S.
Middletown, NY | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2024
We just returned from an awesome trip to Guatemala that Chris and his team arranged for us. Chris took the time to meet us for coffee the morning after we arrived so we could ask any questions and discuss our plans for the week- super friendly and made us feel immediately comfortable! We spent two days exploring with Jerry, who was wonderful as well! We did a walking tour of Antiqua and learned so much with him! The next day, a hike up the Payca volcano, which was definitely a highlight... Read more

We just returned from an awesome trip to Guatemala that Chris and his team arranged for us. Chris took the time to meet us for coffee the morning after we arrived so we could ask any questions and discuss our plans for the week- super friendly and made us feel immediately comfortable! We spent two days exploring with Jerry, who was wonderful as well! We did a walking tour of Antiqua and learned so much with him! The next day, a hike up the Payca volcano, which was definitely a highlight for us. We moved on to Panajachel for a few days and explored the surrounding towns with Pablo- loved it! Ivan, our driver was always on time for our adventures and incredibly kind and accommodating. I think private transportation and guides was key for us being able to relax and absorb our surroundings. This is a trip we will never forget and I would highly recommend Old Town Outfitters to anyone planning to visit beautiful Guatemala!

Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Apr 25, 2024

Thank you for the thorough review Meg! It was our pleasure and thank you again for choosing to get to know the real Guatemala through Jerry and our other local guides. Our team had a great time with you and we hope to see you again in the future. Spread the word about Guatemala with your friends and family, the more people know the better!

Amazing time in Belize
Belize | Mar 18 - Mar 23, 2024

Kathryn
Kathryn F.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2024
My 19yo daughter and I had a great time on our trip to Belize. Chris listened to everything I wanted and planned a perfect itinerary. We enjoyed horseback riding to the Maya site Xunantunich. Our guides Jose and Carla were knowledgeable and accommodating. Jose helped me get to the top of the pyramid as I’m afraid of heights. I’m so glad I did it—the view was amazing! We also enjoyed cave tubing en route from San Ignacio to San Pedro. It was beautiful and we saw a family of howler monkeys... Read more

My 19yo daughter and I had a great time on our trip to Belize. Chris listened to everything I wanted and planned a perfect itinerary. We enjoyed horseback riding to the Maya site Xunantunich. Our guides Jose and Carla were knowledgeable and accommodating. Jose helped me get to the top of the pyramid as I’m afraid of heights. I’m so glad I did it—the view was amazing! We also enjoyed cave tubing en route from San Ignacio to San Pedro. It was beautiful and we saw a family of howler monkeys right above us along the riverside. Last, we snorkeled with nurse sharks and rays in Hol Chan. Our guide Carlos showed us a number of cool sea creatures like eels and an arrowhead crab. Our accommodations at Falling Leaves Lodge and Ramon’s Village were comfortable and clean. Thanks to Chris we were able to enjoy an upgrade to an ocean view room at Ramon’s which we appreciated. Last, our driver between sites, Derek, was always prompt and made getting around feel easy and safe.

Hotel Reviews
Falling Leaves Lodge
San Ignacio

Pool and poolside snack bar was under construction but will add a lot to the experience.

Authenticity & Character
The gardens were beautiful . Room was small but comfortable and clean. Shower hot.
Location
Proximity to Cahal Pech Maya site; being at the top of the hill limited dining and activity options
Staff
Paula and Kevin were great. Pointed out plants and a toucan in the garden. Some restaurant staff were not always welcoming
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ramon's Village Resort
San Pedro
Authenticity & Character
A little touristy in character but still beautiful and comfortable. The clean beach and chaise lounges were appreciated.
Location
Right on the beautiful turquoise water.
Staff
Friendly and lots of good suggestions
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bedding and pillows could use replacing.
Activity Reviews
Horse Backriding Tour of the Xunantunich Maya Ruins
Horse Backriding Tour of the Xunantunich Maya Ruins
Belize

Guides Jose and Carla were great. Horses were well behaved. Site was amazing. Jose helped me with the climb—so kind.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hol Chan/Shark Ray Alley - from Ramon's Village
Hol Chan/Shark Ray Alley - from Ramon's Village
Belize
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer from San Ignacio to Belize City with Cave Tubing Tour en Route
Transfer from San Ignacio to Belize City with Cave Tubing Tour en Route
Belize
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Photo taken by Kathryn F
Photo taken by Kathryn F
Photo taken by Kathryn F
Photo taken by Kathryn F
Photo taken by Kathryn F
Photo taken by Kathryn F
Photo taken by Kathryn F
Photo taken by Kathryn F
Photo taken by Kathryn F
Photo taken by Kathryn F
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Apr 02, 2024

Thank you for the review Kathryn, we really enjoyed reliving your experiences in Belize through all the pictures. I'm so glad to hear you overcame some personal challenges on the trip and enjoyed the views from atop the pyramid!

It was our pleasure to host the two of you and thank you again for choosing to travel with us in Belize. Our team had a great time with you and we hope to see you again in the future. Spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know the better!

Colorful Warm Guatemala!
Guatemala | Jan 7 - Jan 12, 2024

david
david a.
Prescott, AZ | Reviewed on Jan 19, 2024
In reviewing my travels in Guatemala, I want to give the following backdrop.... Solo male traveler, age 71, 1st timer in Guatemala with only a little command of the language. Despite these limitations I left Guatemala having an appreciation of the culture and the peoples in various locations. From Mayan ruins both popular and off the beaten path, the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan Guatemala City, a River Dulce experience that was mind blowing to even a hot springs experience in two... Read more

In reviewing my travels in Guatemala, I want to give the following backdrop.... Solo male traveler, age 71, 1st timer in Guatemala with only a little command of the language. Despite these limitations I left Guatemala having an appreciation of the culture and the peoples in various locations. From Mayan ruins both popular and off the beaten path, the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan Guatemala City, a River Dulce experience that was mind blowing to even a hot springs experience in two different locations... to a cultural festival that was an explosion of dancing/music and food the care and attention to detail by my in country coordinator Chris was amazing. I always felt he had my back and whenever I reached out (multiple times) he responded and always made me feel safe!
The lodging was a really great mix of up-scale eco camps, to high end hotel rooms to a boutique hotel in Flores right in the heart of the festival. I give each place the highest of ratings!!!
My guides ranged from good to outstanding. Oliver my guide to Tikal changed his whole approach when he heard birding was my passion. I saw 21 taxa in addition to exploring the ruins. Capitan Otilio Morales my guide on the Rio Dulce to Livingston changed his tour and put me on some bird nesting spots that only a seasoned captain could find.
Other guides were ok but my lack of knowing the language was a negative and took away from the experience, but hey that's on me!
The people made the experience and I certainly met many native Guatemalans and have a little understanding of their lives and the struggles they face. One funny experience was getting of the small boat in Livingstone and the ladies were braidng hair extensions and could not believe my braids were real hair and all wanted to rebraid with beads very funny.
Also was able to see 4 churches and attend mass and receive communion in Flores very very special! Also was able to light a candle and place by the statue of Nuestra Senora in Guatemala City in the Cathedral.
Have some real good pictures and could expand but am out of time for now.
Great job to all and a humble thanks to Chris!!!!!

Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Jan 19, 2024

What a great review Dave, really enjoyed reliving your experiences in Guatemala through this review. It was our pleasure and thank you again for choosing to get to know the real Guatemala through local people and experiences. Our team had a great time with you and we hope to see you again in the future. Spread the word about Guatemala with your friends and family, the more people know the better!