Guatemala Service & Language
Introducing our Guatemala Service & Language Experience, a new program exclusively for Guatemalan adoptees aged 18 and older. Immerse yourself in the vibrant city of Antigua, living in shared housing with fellow adoptees, and adult adoptee mentors while learning Spanish and working alongside Guatemalans. This unique experience includes 10 days of language instruction at one of Antigua's best language schools and a service component with one of our partner organizations. Join us for a transformative journey, where you'll deepen your connection to Guatemala through language learning and meaningful community service while in community with other adoptees.
Guatemala Service & Language Experience
Departure 1: June 28 - July 12, 2025
Departure 2: July 12 - July 26, 2025
15 Days
Improve Spanish Language Skills
Support Community Service Initiatives
Discover Other Ways to Travel to Guatemala with Ties
Day 1 - Arrive in Antigua and Orientation Dinner
Day 2 - Explore Antigua: Find Language School, Grocery Shop, and Cooking Class with Tia (Dinner)
Day 3 - 6 - Morning Language Class and Afternoon Volunteer Activity with Partner Organization
Day 7 - 8 Free Time to Explore Antigua. Option for Reconnection.
Day 9 - 13 - Morning Language Class and Afternoon Volunteer Activity with Partner Organization (Day 13: Closing Dinner)
Day 14 - The Journey Home and Beyond
Inclusions:
- Unique experience: This program is exclusively for Guatemalan adoptees 18+ (at departure) who have traveled to Guatemala previously
- Assistance thinking through the significant people related to your adoption and how visits might impact your birth country experience.
- Availability of trained adoption specialists before, during, and after the journey.
- A team of adoption specialists who build bridges, create community, and attend to details enabling you to focus on your experiences in-country.
- Adult adoptees service as mentors, includes two (2) one-on-one meetings.
- Transfer to/from the Guatemala City Airport upon arrival and departure.
- Home cooked welcome dinner with the group.
- Moderate, double occupancy shared private housing in Antigua with adoptees in the group. Option to upgrade to private king rooms.
- One Guatemalan Tia assisted grocery trip.
- Two cooking lessons of authentic Guatemalan cuisine from Guatemalan Tia (includes how to wash and clean produce).
- Ten days of private three (3) hour language instruction each morning, tailored to your current level, at one of Antigua's premier language schools.
- Ten days with four (4) hours of service experience at one of our partner organizations in the afternoon. May include: El Amor de Patricia, Ninos con Bendicion or La Familia del Cafe (see options below, all include lunch).
- Donations to our partner organization on the adoptee’s behalf.
- Transportation to/from volunteer experiences.
- Two (2) breakfasts, ten (10) lunches, five (5) dinners.
- Access to kitchen facilities to use for meals not included.
- Closing dinner at el Tenedor del Cerro, high above Antigua.
- Option to meet with people important to you (meeting set up and translation additional costs).
- Optional Connect & Chat with Guatemalan Ties trip participants.
- Optional future Guatemalan Ties staff training for those interested.
- Optional weekend trip to the beach or hiking Pacaya (requires five participants).
Exclusions:
- International airfares
- Passport fees
- Personal expenses, spending money
- Any meals that are not included on the detailed itinerary
- Excursions that adoptees opt into during their time in Guatemala
- Transfers between the airport and the hotel before or after the main tour itinerary (unless previously discussed)
Day 1 - Arrive in Antigua and Orientation Dinner
Day 2 - Explore Antigua: Find Language School, Grocery Shop, and Cooking Class with Tia (Dinner)
Day 3 - 6 - Morning Language Class and Afternoon Volunteer Activity with Partner Organization
Day 7 - 8 Free Time to Explore Antigua. Option for Reconnection.
Day 9 - 13 - Morning Language Class and Afternoon Volunteer Activity with Partner Organization (Day 13: Closing Dinner)
Day 14 - The Journey Home and Beyond
Inclusions:
- Unique experience: This program is exclusively for Guatemalan adoptees 18+ (at departure) who have traveled to Guatemala previously
- Assistance thinking through the significant people related to your adoption and how visits might impact your birth country experience.
- Availability of trained adoption specialists before, during, and after the journey.
- A team of adoption specialists who build bridges, create community, and attend to details enabling you to focus on your experiences in-country.
- Adult adoptees service as mentors, includes two (2) one-on-one meetings.
- Transfer to/from the Guatemala City Airport upon arrival and departure.
- Home cooked welcome dinner with the group.
- Moderate, double occupancy shared private housing in Antigua with adoptees in the group. Option to upgrade to private king rooms.
- One Guatemalan Tia assisted grocery trip.
- Two cooking lessons of authentic Guatemalan cuisine from Guatemalan Tia (includes how to wash and clean produce).
- Ten days of private three (3) hour language instruction each morning, tailored to your current level, at one of Antigua's premier language schools.
- Ten days with four (4) hours of service experience at one of our partner organizations in the afternoon. May include: El Amor de Patricia, Ninos con Bendicion or La Familia del Cafe (see options below, all include lunch).
- Donations to our partner organization on the adoptee’s behalf.
- Transportation to/from volunteer experiences.
- Two (2) breakfasts, ten (10) lunches, five (5) dinners.
- Access to kitchen facilities to use for meals not included.
- Closing dinner at el Tenedor del Cerro, high above Antigua.
- Option to meet with people important to you (meeting set up and translation additional costs).
- Optional Connect & Chat with Guatemalan Ties trip participants.
- Optional future Guatemalan Ties staff training for those interested.
- Optional weekend trip to the beach or hiking Pacaya (requires five participants).
Exclusions:
- International airfares
- Passport fees
- Personal expenses, spending money
- Any meals that are not included on the detailed itinerary
- Excursions that adoptees opt into during their time in Guatemala
- Transfers between the airport and the hotel before or after the main tour itinerary (unless previously discussed)
Other Ways to Travel to Guatemala with Ties
Check Guatemala off your bucket list and immerse yourself in the Guatemalan culture and welcome in the New Year.
YOUR TIES PROGRAM MANAGER
Rebecca Blessing
Rebecca joined Ties in 2017 and became the Guatemalan Program Manager in 2019. In her more than twenty years in child welfare and adoption, she's assisted adoptees and families at all stages, from initial applications to heritage journeys. She's spoken globally on child welfare and adoption issues and has advised organizations and governments on comprehensive child welfare and adoption policy. Today, you can find her in Denver, CO where she is also an adjunct professor, a yoga teacher, and is currently working on a novel.
Please note: Rebecca may not travel on every trip.
(303) 418-4579
Frequently Asked Questions
The average size of our heritage travel groups can vary depending on the country and specific trip itinerary. Typically, our groups range in size from 20 to 70 participants. The size of the group is influenced by factors such as the destination, the type of trip, and the preferences of our travelers.
For specific information about the group size for a particular trip or destination, please feel free to reach out to us directly. We can provide more detailed insights based on the specific heritage journey you are interested in.
We aim to create inclusive and engaging experiences for our travelers while ensuring that each participant receives personalized attention and support throughout the journey.
Yes, anyone important to your journey is welcome to join our trips, subject to availability and trip-specific considerations. Many of our participants choose to travel with loved ones who share an interest in exploring their heritage and culture. Our goal is to facilitate meaningful experiences for all participants, including extended family members and friends who wish to join the journey.
Also, we encourage you to check out our blog post on "Questions Adoptees Should Ask When Choosing Travel Companions for a Heritage Journey" to help determine who to bring on your heritage trip. For more information about bringing extended family members or friends on a specific heritage trip, please contact us so we can assist you further.
Yes, we welcome registrations of larger groups interested in participating in our heritage trips. Registering a big group allows for a shared experience and can enhance the journey for all participants.
To accommodate a big group, we recommend reaching out to us directly to discuss availability, logistics, and any special arrangements that may be needed. Our team is committed to facilitating memorable and enjoyable experiences for groups of varying sizes.
No, the registration fee is separate from the program fee. For travel insurance purposes, the registration fee is a separate administrative charge that covers processing and securing your spot on the trip and does not count as the first land payment. The first land payment refers specifically to the initial installment of the program fee, which covers the costs of accommodations, transportation, and activities during the heritage trip.
If you have specific questions about the payment structure and its impact on travel insurance, feel free to reach out to our team for further assistance.
Cancellation policies varies by trip, and is included in the information packet you will receive when submitting an Information Request form.
Ties is both a group and an adoptee + loved ones travel experience. Planning involves coordinating group activities and services AND customizing for each adoptee and those traveling with them.
Customizing individual adoptee connections involves gathering information from adoptees and their loved ones related to their personalized desires; contacting them to confirm understanding of their desires; gathering further information, if necessary; asking questions; assembling this information in a format our in-country partner prefers; exchanging correspondence with the in-country partner related to individual requests; communicating information with each adoptee and their loved ones which may lead to further requests; communicating with our in-country partner on additional requests; working with our in-country partner on customized individual itineraries that mesh with larger group activities; monitoring these arrangements; and accommodating changes that may need to be made. This work begins shortly after registration is received and continues through departure.
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance and highly suggest obtaining cancel-for-any-reason coverage.
Throughout your journey, Ties staff will facilitate informal, optional discussions and activities for adoptees and adult loved ones traveling.
Connect & Chat provides a space for adoptees and internationally adopted siblings to form connections and build community, with adoptees. These gatherings aim to strengthen bonds, foster inclusivity, and ensure everyone has a good time. Some Connect & Chat sessions delve deeper into personal reflections based on participant needs. Our skilled staff are adept at facilitating these organic discussions.
Adult loved ones traveling with adoptees are invited to our signature Talk Time sessions, which are more discussion-based than activity-based. While all activities are optional, Connect & Chat and Talk Times are highly rated by participants, and we encourage your participation.
*Groups of 25 or fewer people may be accompanied by a well-trained staff member with adoption expertise serving as the group leader. For groups with less than 10 participants, an in-country guide will accompany the group. In this scenario, your program will not include Talk Time or Connect & Chat sessions.