Guatemala Mini Mission

Our Work

Clinics will take place in the beautiful valleys around La Antigua and in schools and orphanages near the city. Many of your patients will come from the indigenous tribes in the areas; others will have been greatly affected by the most volcano and those in the not so distant past. This area has seen great hardship and great loss and your team will make a tremendous difference in your patient’s life. You will have the opportunity to provide medical care, dental care, and health and hygiene education to hundreds of patients during the week – are you up for the challenge? Your reward will be the hugs and laughter of the children and the shy smiles of their parents as they thank you for caring enough to help their families.

This Mission

Imagine waking up surrounded by 3 volcanoes. The smell of pan baking in old ovens and the song of the local birds as they welcome the sunrise, flying along a mist that the evening rain has created with the brick and mortar landscape. La Antigua is a small city in south central Guatemala known for its colonial and Spanish baroque architecture, active and dormant volcanoes, multicolored buildings, secret doorways and warm people. It has also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On this fantastic Mini-Mission, you will fly independently into Guatemala City, and take a commercial shuttle to Antigua, Guatemala, a beautiful and easy 45 minute drive. You will be provided the hotel information when you are a team member! This is a clinic day and if you arrive early, you may be able to go right to clinic on July 3rd. If you prefer to arrive and relax before starting clinic, our beautiful hotel won’t disappoint! July 4th and 5th are clinic days where it is time to rock! The 6th is the travel day home for the entire team and there is no clinic. You will check out of your hotel on the morning of the 6th but because you can book your flight home at any time, book it later in the day so you have time to do a little sightseeing in Antigua! You will take one of the many commercial shuttles back to the airport to catch your flight home, sadly saying goodbye to the beautiful families you have cared for over the last few days. Our mini-missions are wildly popular and with limited space, we recommend you don’t wait to apply!!

Have an extra day or two from some R and R? Consider extending your stay to see the many volcanoes in the area or to enjoy the Chocolate Factory or one of the fine spas Antigua is known for!

Lodging/Transportation

The team will be staying in a simple, safe, clean and friendly hotel located in this beautiful city where you can enjoy the local food, music, and an array of shops. Tour the Chocolate Museum, where you will learn how to make chocolate from the bean! Everything is within walking distance and the city is full of color, wonderful smells, and amazing food. The culture of Guatemala will come alive as you explore the city after clinic and during your day off.

Upon your arrival in Antigua, all transportation to clinic has been arranged for you. Professional drivers, safe vehicles, and security are some of the many reasons to join IMR on a trip. Don’t nap – there’s a lot to see in the valleys and hills surrounding your home away from home this week!

Highlights

Families are the most important patients you will see and in Guatemala, you will see a lot of families. Everyone wants you to help them keep their children healthy and their elders comfortable. It is our patients – and there are a lot of them! – that are the highlight of this trip.

You will have a free day to explore Antigua with its quaint cobblestone streets and colorful colonial architecture. Salsa dancing on your list? Try it out! Always wanted to hike a volcano? Do it here! Always wanted to be a chocolatier or a chef? Visit the famous chocolate factory or take a cooking class! Enjoy your day – make it your own!

Extend Your Stay

Since you are already venturing across the globe, have you considered extending your stay by a few days to experience La Antigua’s top tourist destinations? Did you know IMR offers an exclusive three-day extension to its volunteers?

Your time in La Antigua will go by quickly, so many of our volunteers choose to extend their stay to experience life as a local might. Since this is the best-preserved Spanish colonial city in Central America, there is ample cultural sightseeing to do. Whether you decide to pass the time wishing at the Mermaid Fountain in Central Park, tour the mountains on an ATV, or hike up to another volcano, friendly citizens will engage with you. By having a conversation with one of La Antigua’s residents, you will hear about lesser-known dining and entertainment opportunities.

For more information, please contact our preferred travel agency, Worldwide Navigators. Their team of experienced agents and travelers is available via email at travel@worldwidenavigators.com.