Guatemala was interesting, we spent a couple of days here mostly doing activities. We went horseback riding through coffee plantations and got to see life in the day of a local. Also we did a challenging bike ride from Ixmche to Panajachel. I used the following tour company which I'd totally recommend - it's reasonably priced and the tour guides were great: http://guatemalaventures.com/.
As for the rest of Guatemala, I loved the colorful outfits, the head basket balancing act and the architecture. A friend had been here earlier in the year and was able to recommend some great places to stay and see, which helped immensely. Be sure to check out Casa Santo Domingo - it's beautiful!!! The rooms are super quaint and there's a museum on the property: http://www.casasantodomingo.com.gt/
People: I thought the folks were pretty nice for the most part. In Panajachel, the largest of 12 cities that surround beautiful Lake Atitlan, the vendors (and oh were there vendors) were a little too aggressive for my taste. Other than that, everyone was really nice and open to making conversation. Compared to El Salvador, I felt like more folks spoke English -- many very fluent. There were also a lot of tourists and students studying spanish here.
Culture: First off, I'm a BIG fan of Antigua's cobblestone streets - it adds so much character. Also, I like the simplicity of a small walking towns - both Antigua and Panajachel are perfect. Finally, I love colorful things and my, was Guatemala colorful. The detail of their textiles and the intricate patterns make them really one of a kind. The culture seemed very family-centric and simple - ah, so different from NY!
Food: I didn't get a chance to experience the food here since we were here for only a short amount of time.
Safety: Overall I felt like it was safe for me and my friend to travel - just the two of us. We encountered shady people every once in a while, but they were harmless. I probably wouldn't stay anywhere that didn't seem very secure since there are so many people in these cities. Things are way cheaper here so I'd put in a couple of extra dollars in lodging and stay somewhere semi-nice
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