[Nervousmom123]

I hope to be making a visit trip in February or March to visit our "daughter to be" (age 7) in Antigua.

What is appropriate clothing culturally (are shorts okay?), and for weather at that time of year?

Thanks for any advice!

[Maggie Beth]

I would wear capri pants, but probably not shorts or tank tops... just a little more conservative than usual is probably the way to go in Guatemala. Have a great visit!

[brink]

I agree. There will be others who will tell you to just be comfortable and that they've seen shorts around the hotels. My personal opinion is that all of us are representing our country and adoptive families when we are on these and pickup trips, so I believe dressy casual is the most respectful to all of us. Capris, kahkis, casual dress tops get my persoanl vote. My husband did wear nice blue jeans with polo shirts and kahkis for embassy... only because I really wanted him to.

[Amykk]

Antigua is more of a tourist town than Guatemala City. I saw a lot of people in shorts. My husband kept complaining that he wished I would have let him bring shorts. (it was hot in May and there is no a/c in most hotels in Antigua). I would definitely at least take some shorts for when you are kicking back in your hotel room.

[BebitosMama]

I'm of the mind that you can wear anything you'd normally wear at an upscale summer resort that time of year. Shorts are ok poolside, but not for going through hotel lobbies or on the street. Capris, khakis, neat/nice jeans are fine for sightseeing and all but the most formal restaurants and meetings.

I stayed at the Westin 3 times, and the 20s to 40s businesswomen and men there wore jeans (but really nice, well-fitted, "designer-type" ones quite a bit). Saw a lot of casual chic sort of clothes in the Zona 10 area as well, shopping at Proceres and wandering around the restaurants in that area.

What you don't see are sweats, beat up or faded jeans, tee shirts with lots of slogans on them, that sort of thing.

I know people sometimes dress for the embassy, but it's often long hours waiting in lines and sitting around and such, and so I'm for casual, neat comfort. My husband wore a polo shirt and khakis, and I wore capris and a nice tee shirt.

Mary

[JoTed]

I agree. I wore ankle length skirts for the embassy and meeting the foster mom. I would not have felt comfortable walking around in shorts. My husband wore pants. We saved the jeans and shorts for the hotel room.

[WVUMom418]

Antigua is much more relaxed than Guatemala City. We visited twice, the first time I told my husband he shouldn't wear shorts or jeans because that's what I had heard on the website. Luckily, he ignored me because it was very hot during the day and there were a lot of tourist in shorts, most of the local men were wearing jeans. I wore capri pants and was very comfortable.

In Antigua you will see a lot of young Americans that are there for Spanish schools and most of them wear shorts, tank tops etc. As someone else said most of the hotels do not have air conditioning in Antigua so at least take shorts for around the hotel if you don't want to wear them out. We were in Guatemala in May, October and December each time the days were warm and the evenings cool.

[Parodess]

There is a "Travel & Etiquette Guide" on guatadopt.com It's under "Quick Reference" at the top of the page.

I think it's pretty thorough, although I haven't read it all the way through and I've never travelled there myself. I've seen it recommended to other people and saved a copy for myself, for future reference!

Hope that helps!