Your airport pickup from La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City is included in the program fee.

A trusted local driver will meet you at the arrivals area and drive you directly to your homestay in Sumpango (about 1.5 hours, depending on traffic).

On your first day, the shelter manager will come to your homestay to welcome you, introduce you to your host family, and show you around the area, so you feel comfortable and know what to expect during your stay.

We recommend planning your arrival Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 18:00 so that your host family and the shelter staff can properly receive you.

During your time at Animal Aware, you will stay with welcoming host families in Sumpango, a traditional Guatemalan town just 30 minutes from Antigua. All homestays are located within walking distance (15–20 minutes) of the shelter, making it easy to get to your volunteer placement each day.

Rooms & Facilities
Volunteers are provided with either a private room or a shared room with another volunteer of the same gender (depending on availability and preference). Bathrooms with western-style toilets and hot showers are available in all homes. Families typically provide Wi-Fi access, and volunteers can do laundry either at home (by hand or with a washing machine, depending on the house) or at one of the local laundries in town.

Living with a family offers not only comfort and safety but also the opportunity for deep cultural immersion. You will practice your Spanish in daily life, join family routines, and gain a firsthand understanding of Guatemalan traditions. Families are warm, sociable, and eager to welcome international volunteers into their homes.

Alternative Options
For volunteers who prefer not to do a homestay, there are also hostels and small hotels available in town or in nearby Antigua. These can be arranged upon request, usually at an extra cost, though meals are not included in those options.

Staying in a homestay in Sumpango provides the perfect balance between the authenticity of a small local community and the convenience of being close to Antigua, one of Guatemala’s most vibrant and popular cultural destinations.

Volunteers staying in Sumpango are provided with breakfast and lunch as part of the program. Meals are typically simple, home-cooked dishes reflecting traditional Guatemalan cuisine, such as tortillas, beans, rice, vegetables, chicken or beef, and fresh fruit.

Depending on the accommodation setup, meals may be prepared by the host family or arranged within the local hosting network. Volunteers also have access to kitchen facilities in homes and may choose to prepare their own meals if preferred.

For lunch, volunteers have flexible options, including preparing food themselves or eating at one of the many affordable local restaurants and food stalls in Sumpango.

Clean drinking water is available in all homes.

If you choose to stay in a hostel or hotel instead of a homestay, meals are not included, but both Sumpango and nearby Antigua offer plenty of cafés, restaurants, and markets.