BootsnAll Travel Community

Hiya from Boston –

I've just recently decided to leave the states and travel around for awhile. I have no real set schedule, no real time restrictions, no set destination, and a budget of about $8k. I recently purchased a ticket to Guatemala City - I have a friend who lives there, and I figured it would be a good jumping off point (plus, Spirit airlines just had a promotion for $99 tickets, so.. Guatemala it is).

This message board has been amazing in terms of outlining ideal spots for sight seeing. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about employment opportunities for Americans in Guatemala, or any of the surrounding countries. I'm wondering because I'd like to supplement my travel funds with the occasional income if possible, so I can continue on to South America and beyond. I'm a certified TEFL (teaching english as a foreign language) teacher, which I understand increases the likelihood of employment - but I have no problem working in restaurants, or offices. I'd even sell oranges on the highway if it enabled me to see another country. I'm also interested in activism and social justice, so it would be ideal for me if I could get involved in the educational system in some way. Oh, and – like so many others on this message board – I'm a young female traveling alone..ext. That really shouldn't matter, but I'd like to steer clear of areas that might not be.. you know, safe. On that note, I've a read a report claiming that there has been some guerrilla activity due to the recent Peace Accords leaving many without land, jobs.. ext. Is this just in Guatemala City? That's a different topic entirely, I don't mean to stray from my original question.

Also, where do people tend to stay overnight? Hostels? With host families? If with hosts, where do you find them? I've actually never traveled like this before, so any insight on this subject would be helpful. Also, is there anything I need to know about visas, vaccinations.. that sort of thing? Will they let me into Guatemala with just a one way ticket into the country, or do I need to provide proof that I intend to one day return home?

Thanks to everyone who contributes to this board!

GCB,

Please be careful when you come to Guatemala. From the comments you make in your post it is evident you don't have a clue as to the situation down here.

If you want social activism keep it in the U.S. where you are safe. Down here they play hard ball. Just a couple of weeks ago the leader of a local baker's union was assassinated for leading a protest against increased flour prices.

As to your original question about employment; yes you can supplement your income here, but you will make very little money, compared with what you are accustomed to in the U.S. You will be lucky if you can make $350.00 per month. This won't last very long in Guatemala City, where you probably won't want to live anyway. With the money you have available you definitely can't afford to live in one of the safe zones of the city for any length of time. Possibly you can live with your friend until you get your feet on the ground.

I've bartended in a few tourist places. In Antigua, I made $1/hour, a bit more in tips, and got a free meal and drinks every time I worked. In Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, I got about $1.50/hour, plus the other benefits. In Nicaragua, I got about $60/week to teach English.

You'll be very fortunate to break even working in CA. If you can't speak Spanish, forget it.

As for accommodations, people stay in hotels, of varying quality. They are usually cheap enough that they defeat the purpose of staying in a hostel. Expensive countries like Costa Rica and Panama are really the only places you'll find hostels.

I appreciate your concern, Juan3 – thanks for the advice. It’s hard for me to gage what the situation is really like down there, I see and hear SO many mixed reviews. My plans are just now coming into focus, so you’re absolutely right – I don’t know much about the current temperament of the country, but I’m trying to learn. I’ve looked through the US Embassy’s website for more information, and found that it was more like reading a police blotter. I found very little positive information, which is why I turned to forums like Bootsnall to get a different perspective. My friend from Guatemala tells me its not as safe as it was 10 years ago - but if I travel smart and inconspicuously, I should be fine. He also recommends heading west toward Xela for employment opportunities. Also, I meant activism on a much smaller scale, such as education.. I would not be so bold as to involve myself in the civil unrest of a country I know so little about. Basically, I want to be able to travel, but not just as a tourist. I want to see the beautiful landscapes, and I also want to engage with the people and the culture.. but maybe that’s an unrealistic expectation?

Felix, thanks for your input. While in the country, I’ll be sure to tip bartenders generously in your honor. I don’t NEED to be making money; I’d also be perfectly content volunteering in exchange for room and board (which seems almost as good as making money, if you’re not paying for those amenities). I’ll go home when the money runs out, but it’d be nice to prolong that deadline as much as possible. Can anyone else reading this post share an experience they’ve had working or volunteering for a community oriented organization? Not just in Guatemala – anywhere in CA.

In El Salvador, english language is becoming more and more important, as they are promoting call centers (Dell, Sykes, Teleperformance among others have operations here). You could conceivably work as a teacher or in a call center proper. You can use El Salvador as a springboard to visit Guate and Honduras (salvadoreans go to vacation all the time to those countries). El Salvador is not cheap, though; uses US $ as currency.

I just saw this posted at Thorntree,
might be an option for you
(don't know if they pay you as it is volunteer work, though!):
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Hello Travelers!

My organization could really use some help! The Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad in San Salvador, El Salvador, is short on volunteer English teachers for the June 13th-August 22 teaching cycle ... volunteers get half-off Spanish classes at our spanish school, and we can arrange for fairly-inexpensive accomodation with our host family network.

Teaching or ESL experience is not necessary. The school is dedicated to teaching English within a conversational context that facilitates growth as human beings and focuses on social justice in El Salvador and the world through using popular education methodology.

Please visit our website or idealist.org posting for more information.

If anyone is interested please e-mail us at: cis_elsalvador@yahoo.com or reply to this post!

I'm not sure if this might be a bit late to help you, but I'm looking at voluteering with Proyecto Mosaico Guatemala in July. They help with volunteer placements for a small donation. Very few placements offer any sort of compensation, but they can help you find low cost accommodation/homestays opportunities.