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San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango Guatemala

Sold Out

San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango Guatemala

Sold Out

San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango Guatemala

Sold Out

San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango Guatemala

Sold Out

San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango Guatemala

Sold Out

San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango Guatemala

Sold Out

San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango Guatemala

Sold Out

San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango Guatemala

VolunTour: Build a Bottle School

San Martin Jilotepeque, ChimaltenangoGuatemala

7 Days / 6 Nights
for Member Pricing

VolunTour: Build a Bottle School

Give a brighter educational future to Guatemalan village children by helping build a school from repurposed plastic bottles.

About Your Trip

For years, Guatemala has been a contrast of natural beauty and socioeconomic disparity. Its diverse population has a long history and rich culture, but poverty is prevalent in all regions of the country. Since it was founded, the WorldVentures Foundation has partnered with Hug It Forward to make a difference in Guatemala and improve the quality of life for children and families in need by building bottle schools.

Work side by side with the WorldVentures Foundation, the local community and Guatemalan village children as you build a much-needed school that could change their lives—as well as your own. Using plastic bottles filled with inorganic trash, you’ll form walls with chicken wire and cement, ultimately constructing classrooms where the children will be able to learn and expand their horizons. But, it won’t be all work and no play! You’ll also explore the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage City of Antigua, enjoy a community hike to learn more about the culture, visit ancient Mayan ruins and more.

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What's Included

  • 7 days and 6 nights on a Bottle School VolunTour to Guatemala.
  • Price is per person and based on 2 adults per room.
  • Stay in quaint, comfortable accommodations in Antigua and San Martin, which include a private bath and are situated on lush grounds. Sharing a room may be necessary; roommate requests are accepted. Single occupancy may be available for an additional US$100, but we cannot guarantee availability.
  • All meals, ground transportation, accommodations, attractions and bilingual guide.
  • Welcome ceremony and an icebreaker to get everyone acquainted with each other and the community.
  • Spend time working side by side with the village children to work on a bottle school.
  • A community hike will give you an opportunity to see farms, family homes and places of worship, and allow you to learn more about the people you’re supporting.
  • Visit the Mayan ruins in Chwa Nim Ab’äj.
  • Spend time at a school for children with special needs in San Martin, learn about the school and interact with the children there.
  • Sightsee and shop for souvenirs in the picturesque colonial town of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage City.
  • This VolunTour will be hosted and led by Hollie Hart.
  • Air transportation is not included. The closest commercial airport is La Aurora International Airport (GUA). Arrive before 4 p.m. on the first day of the VolunTour, if possible; and leave at any time on the last day of the VolunTour.


For any questions regarding this trip, contact the DreamTrips Specialist at DreamTrips@rovia.com.


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Additional Information

Terms and conditions and other pertinent information will be emailed to you after booking.

The minimum number of people required for this VolunTour is 15. If fewer than 15 people book this VolunTour, it will be cancelled. You will be notified if your trip is going to be cancelled.

Persons traveling should not have any serious health issues.

Members booking this VolunTour are required to purchase insurance from the vendor of their choice. Proof of insurance must be received 4 weeks prior to travel. Please click here for more information.

This VolunTour is run in collaboration with and sponsored by Serve the World Today LLC and Hug It Forward. Participation on this VolunTour is subject to your acceptance of Serve the World’s terms and conditions. Please click here for more information.

Hug It Forward is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports and empowers communities in Guatemala by building bottle schools with trash-stuffed plastic soda bottles. Visit Hug It Forward for more information.

If you are booking a bottle school VolunTour, you might also like to fundraise for Hug It Forward bottle schools. Fundraising for bottle schools is optional—it is not a requirement of participating in a bottle school trip.

Fundraising online is quick and easy when you use this link. If you choose to fundraise, we suggest a $250 fundraising goal, but some people choose to do more or less than this. It’s really up to you.

When accompanied by a legal guardian, children as young as 8 years old are permitted to come on the bottle school trip. If you would like to bring children on a bottle school trip and they are age 10 or younger, please contact adam@hugitforward.org to discuss further considerations. Accompanied minors are always welcome and will be charged the adult rate.

Single, double, triple and quadruple rooms are available at both hotels. Sharing a room may be necessary, but roommate requests are accepted. Families can also request to room together.

Food allergies of all types can be accommodated on the bottle school trip.

If you are traveling internationally to join this trip, please ensure that your passport is current and any required visa is obtained and valid. Many countries require passports and/or visas to be valid for a minimum of six months after the end date of this trip. It is your responsibility to obtain any required visas and other documentation prior to traveling. If you are unable to obtain a visa, the Cancellation Policy for this VolunTour will apply.

Airfare not included.

This VolunTour will be hosted and led by Hollie Hart.

This trip will close by May 17, 2016.

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Itinerary

Please note this is only a sample itinerary. The actual itinerary for your trip may vary slightly.

Day 1: June 16, 2016

Arrive in Antigua, Guatemala.
Be met at the airport by a Hug It Forward representative and then escorted into Antigua.
Lunch with the group.
Spend the afternoon exploring Antigua.
Orientation dinner.

Day 2: June 17, 2016

Welcome ceremony and begin work on the bottle school project.
Presentation from a community member about the Guatemalan Civil War.
Community hike.

Day 3: June 18, 2016

Work on the bottle school project.
Presentation by a community member about migration.

Day 4: June 19, 2016


Tour the Mayan ruins of Chwa Nim Ab’äj with a guide who practices Mayan spirituality.

Day 5: June 20, 2016

Work on the bottle school project.
Closing ceremony by the community.

Day 6: June 21, 2016

Visit the School for Children with Special Needs.
Afternoon at your leisure.

Day 7: June 22, 2016

Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the airport and returning home.

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Terms and Conditions

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel more than 4 weeks before departure, you will receive a 50 percent refund. If you cancel less than 4 weeks before departure, you will not receive a refund.

Disclaimer: If Hug It Forward determines that it is unsafe to go on this trip, for whatever reason, no refund will be offered, as all deposits in Guatemala would have already been paid. However, you will be given a credit and priority booking for another trip within 1 year. You will be responsible for any flight change fees if a VolunTour is postponed for safety reasons.

Additional Disclaimer: If, due to rain or other extreme conditions, it is impossible to work on a bottle school site, the trip will still go ahead as scheduled and you will instead visit a community where a bottle school has already been built. Once there, you will interact with children and the community. For full Terms & Conditions, please click here for more information.

Additional Disclaimer: The minimum number of people required for this VolunTour to travel is 15. If fewer than 15 people book this VolunTour, it will be cancelled. You will be notified if your trip is going to be cancelled.

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