25th Anniversary Event

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Event Details and FAQs

(Please fill out by October 6)

Main Event Itinerary​

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

Time: 9:30 am to 12:00 pm Central

Parking: Drop off: 13 Calle 2-99, Zona 7, Guatemala City, next to the Municipal Landfill entrance. (please take Uber or be dropped off as parking is very limited)

*Shuttles will run from the Parking Lot to the Middle School Building starting at 8:30 am

SP Point of Contact: Maria Jose Herdez Lemus; mj.herdez@safepassage.org

 

9:30 am -11:00 am –  Special Remarks, Music, and Reflections by Safe Passage’s Leadership and Students
*Speaking program will be Bilingual

11:00 am – Ribbon Cutting Inaugurating Safe Passage’s Middle School

11:20 am to 12:00 pm – Tours of Middle School (in small groups)/ Reception with Refreshments

12:00 pm – 12:30 pm – Shuttle to Parking for departures

***

1:20 pm to 2:45 pm – Full Tours of Safe Passage 

2:50 pm to 3:50 pm – Special coffee time with former child sponsors, alumni, and families

*Please fill out the travel form to confirm for tours and special activities.

Planned Activities – Wednesday, Oct 8th through Sunday, Oct 12th

Wednesday, October 8th, 2025

5:00 pm – Happy Hour— Join Safe Passage board members, emeriti, staff, and friends for a welcoming meet-up at Courtyard Marriott Centro Bar.

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

*See details under Transportation section for special transport.

9:30 am – 12:00 pm – Main 25th Celebration and Inauguration of Middle School

1:20 pm – 2:45 pm – Tours of Safe Passage sites (please reserve your spot)

2:50 pm – 3:50 pm – Coffee and Visit with students, community members, and alumni.

4:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Happy Hour and Supper
Happy Hour is confirmed at: El Principe Gris

8:00 pm – A number of out-of-town guests will depart for Antigua. 

Please see Transportation and Accommodation suggestions below.

Friday, October 10th, 2025

•  Free day in Antigua with Afternoon recommendations

6:00 pm Dinner meet-up in Antigua at Hector’s Bistro 

Antigua Classic Cultural Walking Tour
9:30 am – 12:30 pm Meet your expert guide at the Antigua Tours Park Office (inside Café Condesa/Central Park) $32 per person antiguatours.net/tour

Saturday, October 11th, 2025

8:00 am Breakfast meet-up at Casa Santa Domingo Hotel

10:30 am – 3:30 pm Cultural Day Activity

•  Option 1: Visit to Rancho Pacaya (limited spaces – pre-registration necessary)

•  Option 1: Visit to Rancho Pacaya (limited spaces – pre-registration necessary via Travel Form) Departure expected around 10:00 am *Safe Passage’s Partner – a regenerative Farm that provides produce to SP for lunches and is building a comprehensive expedition experience to connect to science, land, nature, and farming for students. The day includes a short 15 min uphill hike with views and rest stops. Ffor those with frisky knees, a horse can be arranged tocan take you up, lunch, and an extraordinary lesson on the farm.

•  Option 2: Antigua Classic Cultural Walking Tour
9:30 am – 12:30 pm Meet your expert guide at the Antigua Tours Park Office (inside Café Condesa/Central Park) $32 per person antiguatours.net/tour  

Elizabeth Bell tour guides

4:30 pm Happy Hour & Despedida at Cervezeria Catorce

*Safe Passage will provide appetizers for everyone to enjoy. Alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase on an individual basis. Cash and Cards are accepted.

Sunday, October 12th, 2025

• Depart for Guatemala City for Flights home

*Travelers will need to arrange their own transportation for airport service.

 

*The majority of out-of-town guests will be staying at the Courtyard Marriott in Zone 10 on Wednesday, October 8th and following the Happy Hour on the 9th will be transported to Antigua by shuttle. Additional information is shared below regarding recommendations for accommodations and transportation in Antigua. 

If you’d like to be included in a directory along with other confirmed travelers to easily see who else is traveling and coordinate amongst one another, please fill out this form

Out of Town Guest Information

Please make sure to note in your Travel Form any transportation needs or email Rachel@safepassage.org prior to Oct 6th to confirm your spots on shuttles.

Your transportation cost can be paid directly in cash to Melissa Paredes of Safe Passage

From Antigua on Oct 9th: 

  • There is a shuttle #1 leaving at 7:00am from Pollo Campero Calle Calzada with capacity of 15 passengers. This shuttle will take the same passengers from SP sites to Happy Hour and to Antigua following the Happy Hour at @ 8:00pm: Estimate cost is Q180 all inclusive

From Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Guatemala City

  • There is a shuttle #2 leaving at 8:30am from Courtyard Marriott. Capacity 15 passengers. Estimate cost is: Q80-100

From Safe Passage sites to Happy Hour on Oct 9th:

  • There will be two shuttles leaving Safe Passage at 3:45pm: Capacity is 30 passengers. Estimated cost is: Q50

Shuttle Service after Happy Hour to Antigua: 

-There is a shuttle #3 leaving El Principe Gris at approx 8:00pm. Please share with the driver your Hotel destination in Antigua. Estimated cost is: Q100

Shuttle on October 10th to Antigua:

-There is a shuttle #4 leaving Safe Passage at 10am to Antigua from the Courtyard Marriot, and stopping by the Good Hotel: Estimated cost  is: Q100 /person

Guatemala City (Wednesday, Oct. 8) 

In general guests will be staying in Guatemala City on October 8th and going to Antigua on Thursday evening following the Happy Hour. Some guests will stay in the City on the 9th as well.

*To secure a room and discount please send an email or a WhatsApp message to Diana Oliva, our contact at the Courtyard Marriott who is managing reservations for our event. 

– Diana Oliva: WhattsApp 502-2225 -2500 or email doliva@courtyardguatemala.com.Mention you are attending Safe Passage’s 25th Anniversary event, and which dates you will need (Oct 7, 8, 9, 10 are all eligible for discount), and she can confirm the reservation. A 22% discount will be applied (@$118 for a single room) Payment can be made upon arrival.

––––––––

Antigua (Oct 9th, 10th & 11th)

  • Hotel Casa Antigua ($52/night +/-)
  • Las Camelias Inn ($75/night +/-)
  • Good Hotel Antigua ( $150/night+/-)
  • Hotel Casa Santo Domingo* ($250/night +/-)
  • Dress: 
    • Events and Activities are business casual
      • Please wear comfortable shoes for the main event, there will be stairs to climb and walking through our campuses.
    • Please bring layers as evenings can cool down and there is some possibility for rain showers.
  • Luggage Storage: If checking out of your hotel on Thursday morning prior to the event; please bring your luggage with you to Safe Passage and we can store it in a safe location during the day. When you depart from campus to the Happy Hour we can retrieve your luggage for you.
  • Transportation: If taking shuttle transportation please carry Quetzales to pay the Driver directly. We have provided estimates for expected amounts for shuttle costs.
  • Payments: Happy Hour gatherings will provide food and beverages for guests, however, please plan to purchase alcoholic drinks and any additional meals individually. Carrying Quetales is recommended for quicker check out, however credit cards will be accepted for individual bills as well.
    • Elizabeth Bell tour cost will be paid directly to the walking agency upon registering for the walk.

Communications: In-country – WhatsApp is the best way to communicate if you have questions, last minute travel changes, etc. We will provide direct contact info to team members upon your arrival that can be contacted during your stay.