Preparing for your arrival

Getting Here:

The countdown to adventure is on! By now, you may have already organized your flight to Guatemala. If not, here's a quick guide:

The best way to get to Guatemala is by air. The closest airport to Antigua is La Aurora Airport in Guatemala City. Once you arrive, we will provide complimentary travel from La Aurora Airport to the Noma complex, El Antiguo Aserradero, which is about a 1 hour and 30-minute journey.

Arrival Process

If you are being collected from the International Airport La Aurora, Taxi drivers will be waiting with a NOMA COLLECTIVE sign to whisk you away to your destination.

If you opt to make your own way, please let us know.

Orientation

Now, once you've settled into your room, this is where the fun really begins. Our welcome/kick-off ceremony will provide you with all the necessary information about your stay and give you the chance to meet your unique Noma community. 

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Before You Go 

Weather:

Guatemala is known as the “land of the eternal spring” because of its year-round temperate climate. 

Guatemala’s dry season stretches from November to April, offering warm days and cooler evenings. Temperatures typically range between a comfortable 72°F (22°C) and a pleasant 90°F (32°C). The wet season arrives in May and lasts until October.  While rain is more frequent during this time, Guatemala still has generally pleasant weather.

Some helpful Spanish phrases for your trip to Guatemala include:

Gracias - Thank you

Por favor - Please

Buenos días - Good morning

¿Dónde está…? - Where is…?

La cuenta, por favor - The bill, please

¿Cuánto cuesta? - How much does it cost?

No entiendo - I don’t understand

¿Dónde está el baño? - Where is the bathroom?

Me gusta - I like

Packing List:

• Lightweight t-shirts 
• Poncho / Raincoat
• Sweater
• Long-sleeve shirts for sun protection or hiking
• Shorts and skirts
• Long pants
• Swimwear
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Hiking boots / Water shoes
• Hiking gear / Gym clothes
• Sandals / flip-flops
• A dry bag for water excursions (not a necessity, but useful) 
• Eye mask
• Earplugs 
• Toiletries
• Sunscreen 
• Bug repellent
• International credit/debit card 
• Cash - GTQ is accepted everywhere
• Water bottle (it’s not recommended to drink tap water in Guatemala)
• Laptop 
• Chargers
• Portable Charger
• Headphones
• Kindle or Books
• Medication / Supplements 

Communication

Important - all guest communication is on Slack. 

Please click on the below image to join our Noma Slack channel
Slack App is available on Web, Android and iOS. Please join Noma Collective on Slack clicking on the Slack logo above.

When you join Noma Collective, please DM @teamnoma letting them know the Edition & month you are attending. We will add you to the correct channels:

News And Events - For anything related to on-site events and activity sign-ups. @teamnoma uses this channel to let you know about the onsite event programme and daily announcements.

Onsite Chat - Think of this as your community conversation space, where you can share memes, have casual chats, see what people are up to and more!

#alumni - Once your trip is over you’ll get a VIP backstage pass to the entire Noma Collective Community. You’ll have access to exclusive perks, recommendations, advice, and alumni-only Editions.

You can also DM anyone by selecting their name in the bottom left which will enable you to discuss anything in private. 

Add a profile picture, pronouns and a short bio of current/previous job roles and any personal information of interest that you’d like to share in the ‘what I do’ section. This will help your fellow community members get to know you better!

If you have any questions for us, or any issues with anything on-site, please DM @TeamNoma. Also, if you’d like to flag anything in a general chat for our attention, simply add @TeamNoma to your post and we’ll pick it up.

Location

The Neighborhood - Antigua Guatemala

Sitting on an active tectonic zone, nestled near four volcanoes - Agua, Fuego, Acatenango and Pacaya - lies Antigua Guatemala, a city erupting with culture. The city's Baroque-style architecture is one of the main attractions, for many it’s what makes the place so special. Lots of the old city's monuments have been preserved as ruins and In 1979, Antigua Guatemala was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The main attraction is one of the world's most active volcanoes, the 3,768m-tall Volcan de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). The volcano has been erupting constantly since 2002 and shoots lava into the air every 15-30 minutes. It is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness, just another thing we’re helping you check off that bucket list!

Small but mighty, there's so much culture crammed into the city, as well as volcanoes to hike and beautiful lakes to visit. Antigua, Guatemala is a place that is perfect for adventurous wanderers or more chilled-out travellers who appreciate fine coffee, amazing architecture and tasty cuisine.

El Antiguo Aserradero - Our Noma Home

With Noma, you'll be staying in El Antiguo Aserrader, a group of incredible apartments, just a 10-minute walk from the main square. Each apartment opens up to a central courtyard and has easy access to a beautiful terrace with a co-working space. The villas are equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, a private workspace and fully equipped kitchens. We've got everything you need to make your remote work trip as comfortable as possible. After the work day is over expect family dinners, cooking classes, and salsa nights. On the weekends you can hike volcanoes, lounge at El Paredon Beach or visit Lake Atitlan.

Guests will also enjoy access to the common areas of the complex, including a lush garden patio and a communal terrace with stunning views of the volcanoes Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango. 

Our Community Manager, Mariela, will be your first point of call for any queries about your room, the complex, or requirements. You can contact her via Slack chat, between 8am-8pm daily. 

Anything that is urgent outside of these hours, you can contact her directly on her Whatsapp number which will be provided the week before you arrive. 

Reach out to Mariela for: 

• All room issues
• Maintenance requests
• Internet/WiFi
• Airport transfers
• Contacting Housekeeping
• Any security issues

Address:

El Antiguo Aserradero

4 Avenida Norte 19E - Antigua

Guatemala

Food & Beverage 

Each apartment in our complex has its fully equipped kitchen and its own dining table for you to enjoy cooking from home. There are also a number of incredible local restaurants within walking distance of the property.

When Going Offsite 

We're thrilled to provide you with a tailored Google Map showcasing our handpicked local hot spots. This map will be your ultimate guide for discovering hidden gems, must-see attractions, and our personal favorites. Get ready for effortless access to insider recommendations that will elevate your Guatemala adventure! 🗺️🌟

Check out some of the Team Noma favorite restaurants, bars, and cafe's in the local area:

• Rincon Tipico
•  La Cuevita de Los Urquizú
• Caoba Farms
•  Samsara
•  Once Once
•  Toku Baru
• Patio La Primera
•  Por Qué No? Cafe
•  Maxan
• Angie Angie
•  Pitaya
• Sabe Rico
• Aqua
• Hector's Bistro
• Las Fridas
•  La Bruja
• Hector's Bistro
• Pappy ́s Bbq
• Luna de Miel
• El local
• 12 Onzas
• Quesos y Vino
• Wachuma
• Union Cafe
• Fermento
• Los Tres Tiempos
• El Comalote
• El Tenedor
• Kombu
• San Martin
• Antojito Salvadoreño Pupuseria
• Santo Spirito
• Amanecer Juice Bar & Coffee
• Saul
• Casa Escobar
• Pollo Campero
• Cerveceria 14
• A Saber Café
• Cactus Taco
• La Casa de las Sopas
• Vice Pizerria
• Como Como!

We recommend eating from the local grills and "mercaditos" (markets) that you encounter on your journeys around the city.

We can recommend personal chefs if there is a night to create a meal for you and your new friends at an incredibly reasonable price.

Bars

• Ulew, is a hidden bar known to be one of the perfect spots to have a fancy, mysterious, and delicious drink.
• Las Vibras is considered to be one of the most fun bars in Antigua. You will hear all types of music, hip hop, reggeaton, Afro beats, and electronic house music. It also has an exquisite pizza restaurant.
• Las Palmas! is the perfect spot to enjoy the Latino flavor. From Thursday to Sunday, you will be able to enjoy live Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia y Merengue music.
• El Barrio is a multi-bar complex where you will be able to sing karaoke on Wednesdays! Definitely try their Fish Bowl drinks.
• Doce, is considered to be the best reggeaton bar.
• Fridas! Food, tequila, and mezcal cocktails! Fun place with a buzz. Located right on the iconic street "Calle Del Arco" Founded by Mexican and Guatemalan owners in 1995.

Swimming Pool

If you wanted to take a dip, a swimming pool is located inside Aqua, directly opposite the Noma complex. You can opt for a membership for the duration of your trip which allows you to use the pool and jacuzzi whenever you want! The perfect atmosphere with music, and a great place to relax with new friends. Also, the food here is amazing and it offers an alternative spot to work from. 

Fincas & Trails

Finca el Pilar has an amazing trail surrounded by Nature. Located in the heart of the Central Volcanic Chain just a few minutes away from the center of Antigua. Perfect place to go birding, hiking, and mountain biking. Visitors can take a refreshing dip in three swimming pools fed with pure mountain water. It opens at 7am and closes at 4pm during the week. On weekends it is open from 7am to 5pm (Entrance to trails Q 65.00 per person).

Head through a beautiful trail full of nature towards Caboa Farm. You can enjoy the exquisite organic food of Caoba Farms. Psst! they have a butterfly garden... and if you volunteer with them you get free lettuce!

Finca La Azotea, is a beautiful place to spend the day. You will be able to go horseback riding, enter a coffee museum/tour, find chocolate workshops, and enjoy a beautiful and peaceful walk through nature.

Everyone needs a place to rest when they are tired. Finca Philadelphia is a magnificent choice to rest. Known for its environment surrounded by nature and outdoor spaces. Here you can learn about Guatemalan coffee.

Visit Hobbitenango, a village inspired by the books of the Lord of the Rings. Its architecture copies the village of the hobbits. Great place to visit if you are a fanatic! (Q50 per adult) And if you ever wonder how it must feel to live in a tiny house, you have a chance to book a small hobbit house, where you will enjoy the amazing view of Antigua City from above as well as a nice Guatemalan restaurant.

 Transportation 

The easiest way to get around Antigua is by tuk-tuk or Uber. Most fares around Antigua in tuk-tuk should be between Q18 - Q25 and on an Uber between Q18 - Q30

Work 

Your Digital Nomad Guide 

As digital nomads ourselves, we know how important it is to our community to change their working environments.

This is why we have multiple spaces to work from around the property, including the rooftop with volcano views. Be prepared to make your co-workers jealous of the Zoom backdrops!

The apartments also have table areas outside in case you needed some privacy on a work call.

Of course, all of these areas have great Wi-Fi however if there are any drops, you will be able to use the Mi-Fi provided to you for a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Places to work offsite

Ojala Hostel

Fat Cat

Artista de café

Adra Hostel

12 Onzas

Saul

Cafe Boheme

Selina

Community

Our community, events and code of conduct

Events Schedule

Stay tuned for your personalized Google Calendar detailing all our exciting events during the two-week trip, ensuring you won't miss any activities you wish to join.

We announce the weekly events schedule on Slack every Monday morning which includes at least one event a day, offering something for everyone.

The events consist of 4 categories:

Wellbeing: Yoga, hiking, dance classes.

Adventure: Weekly group excursions ranging from surfings, boat trips and wakeboarding to hikes, scavanger hunts and more!

Community: We host various community events including a weekly family dinner and group game nights

Professional Growth: Noma community members have the chance to host workshops that focus on their professional background or personal interest/skill. We usually have one a week. If this is something you're interested in, please let us know!

Code of Conduct 

We are a diverse and inclusive community, committed to supporting one another in our shared journey. Please extend your support to those organizing events and don't hesitate to ask questions; there are no such things as 'stupid questions' or 'boring events.'

At Noma, the safety and comfort of every member are paramount. We have solo travelers and staggered arrivals, so let's make every newcomer feel genuinely welcome and supported in their experience.

Understanding and Consideration

Noma attracts individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and ideologies. It's essential to be mindful of this diversity. Avoid making comments or jokes related to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, divisive political figures, or national stereotypes. Let's practice empathy and understanding at all times.

Respectful Communication:

In our community, respectful communication is paramount. We have zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior such as sexual references, innuendos and passes that could make others uncomfortable. Let's foster an atmosphere of professionalism and mutual respect, ensuring everyone feels secure and valued.

Ensuring Safety:

1. Consent Matters: Never touch someone without their clear and enthusiastic consent.

2. Respect Personal Space: Everyone deserves their privacy and personal space; please respect their boundaries.

3. Reporting Concerns: If you witness any unsavory, criminal, or unwelcome behavior, please report it to a member of the resort staff immediately. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation and are unsure how to handle it, Team Noma is always available to assist.

Maintaining Confidentiality:

We value discretion and will handle issues with utmost sensitivity unless you specify otherwise. Reach out to us in person or DM on Slack if you have concerns or need assistance.

Accountability and Support:

If you wish to report something related to your Community Manager or escalate any issues, please feel free to email the Head of Community Operations at [email protected] or DM her on Slack. Your safety and comfort are our top priority.

Thank you for making Noma a safe, respectful, and supportive community for everyone.

Leaving Process

Leaving Ceremony 

We will have a space to share how it was to spend a month in this wonderful city! Drinks, food, and games will be in order. 

Transfers to the Airport 

We are happy to help arrange taxis to the Airport La Aurora when you leave. If you prefer to make your own way, please let us know so that we can make necessary arrangements.

Finally, sit back, relax and start counting down the days until you arrive in Guatemala! We can't wait to see you and show you around one of our favorite places - it's going to be an incredible adventure.