Working in partnership with the local community, we will set up a clinic in Ciudad Vieja, the former capital of Central America in the 1500s. Volunteers base out of Antigua and work for one week in nearby Ciudad Vieja. After the clinic, participants have two days to relax in a lush lakeside jungle lodge on the banks of beautiful, world-renowned Lake Atitlan.
Project Cost: $2,180 (based on double occupancy)
Clinic-Only: $1,850 (based on double occupancy)
Call our office for single-occupancy rates.
The project duration is 10 days, which includes: travel time to Guatemala, orientation, sightseeing in Antigua, five days working in the dental clinic and a two-day extension to Lake Atitlan.
Volunteers may opt out of the sightseeing portion of the project and head home after the clinic.
Project Dates
- March 14 – 23, 2025
- March 21 – 30, 2025
- November 21 – 30, 2025
What’s Included?
- 3-4 star hotels while in Antigua
- Breakfast each morning and lunch on clinic days
- Signature GDR T-shirt and water bottle
- All internal overland transportation within Guatemala
- Sightseeing as listed in the project itinerary
- Celebratory farewell dinner
Plus, you will get all this too:
- A small group of 14 to 18 international volunteers
- The chance to make connections and create lifelong memories with new friends from all over the world
- Two GDR designated trip leaders
- GDR Return Volunteer Discount on all future projects
- A GDR coordinator in the office to answer questions and ensure you are prepared for your trip
- All tips for guides and drivers (except arrival and departure airport transfers)
Sightseeing Itinerary
- Day 1 Fly from the US to Guatemala City — Antigua On arrival in Guatemala City, transfer from the airport to Antigua. Afternoon at leisure in Antigua. Overnight in Antigua. (—/—/—)
- Day 2 Antigua – Ciudad Vieja. The clinic, situated in the nearby town of Ciudad Vieja starts today. Full day working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/—)
- Day 3 Antigua. Morning walking tour of Antigua to view the Semana Santa processions and decorations. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Antigua. (B/-/—)
- Day 4 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/—)
- Day 5 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/—)
- Day 6 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/—)
- Day 7 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Evening farewell dinner. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/D)
- Day 8 Antigua — Lake Atitlán. Depart this morning for Lake Atitlán (3hr drive). Overnight in lodge on the lake. (B/L)
- Day 9 Lake Atitlán. Enjoy a full day to rest, go kayaking, swim in the lake, go for a hike and take in the natural wonder of your environs. Overnight in a lodge on Lake Atitlan. (B)
- Day 10 Lake Atitlán — Guatemala City. Early morning departure from Lake Atitlan to the airport in Guatemala City in time to catch your flight back home. *Volunteers cannot book flights leaving before 12pm on this day.
Clinic-Only Itinerary
- Day 1 Fly from the U.S. to Guatemala City — Antigua. On arrival in Guatemala City, transfer from the airport to Antigua. Afternoon clinic briefing in Antigua. Overnight in Antigua. (-/-/-)
- Day 2 Antigua. Morning walking tour of Antigua. Afternoon project briefing. Overnight in Antigua. (B/-/-)
- Day 3 Antigua — Ciudad Vieja. The clinic, situated in the nearby town of Ciudad Vieja starts today. Full day working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/-)
- Day 4 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/-)
- Day 5 Ciudad Vieja. Morning sightseeing tour of Ciudad Vieja and the schools that we serve in the community. Afternoon working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/-)
- Day 6 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/-)
- Day 7 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Evening farewell dinner. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/D)
- Day 8 Antigua — Guatemala City. Departure from Antigua to Guatemala City airport to catch your flight home.
Physical Demands
Volunteer dental clinics are fast paced and require a fair amount of physical activity each day. Volunteers attending our service trip clinics in Ciudad Vieja project should be able to:
- Walk at a steady pace during cultural tour, approximately four hours (including climbing stairs).
- Sleep with street noise (stray dogs, car horns, roosters, etc.)
- Be able to stand for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
- After orientation, be able to navigate and orient self around Antigua.
During Lake Atitlan extension:
- Be able to climb several flights of stairs each day when coming and going from your lakeside lodge.
- Be transferred by boat (15 to 20 minutes) to a lakeside lodge.
- Tolerate indoor spaces without air conditioning.
- Eat a diet primarily of local Guatemalan cuisine.
