Vibrant and volcanic Guatemala is a place you could easily spend months if you had the time. With one of the most varied landscapes in Central America, a rich cultural history, and some of the region’s most impressive Mayan ruins, it’s impossible to run out of things to do in Guatemala. The beaches are black-sand beautiful, the highlands are lush and rolling, and the cities are charming and full of life.
Wander Antigua’s cobbled streets
Start your Guatemala adventure in the Spanish-era capital of Antigua. The city has a certain charm from the moment you arrive: cobblestone streets and colourful buildings welcome you in, and the towering volcanoes that border the city wave hello on clear mornings, when Volcán de Agua towers over every building. Architecturally interesting, Antigua exists almost entirely on one level thanks to a series of earthquakes in 1773 that destroyed a large part of the town. See this history at Ruinas de la Catedral, a short stroll from Parque Central, a great spot to people-watch with a cup of Guatemalan-grown café (coffee) each morning.
The pace of Antigua is slow, but plenty of adventures can be found if you know where to look. Climb Cerro de la Cruz, a viewpoint to the north of the city, for sunset views, or spend an afternoon sampling the street food in Parque la Merced. Outside the city, volcanoes abound, whether you want a one-day jaunt or something more challenging. For a stunning sunset above the clouds and s’mores toasted in volcanic steam, Pacaya’s your pick. If you’re ready for a real adventure, maybe it's time to tackle Acatenango…
Experience it for yourself on: Basic Central America: Guatemala to Costa Rica
See lava on Acatenango
Acatenango has become famous for its challenging ascent, one of the best hikes in Central America with unbelievable views — in fact, it’s the reason a lot of folks visit Guatemala at all. A six-hour trek up steep volcanic scree, a hike up Acatenango isn’t for the faint of heart, but it rewards trekkers who persevere with a magical night spent gazing in wonder at Volcán de Fuego's orangey-red lava, which glows in the darkness.
These twin volcanoes overlook each other, and travellers who want to challenge themselves even further can opt to hike Fuego as well: a walk in the darkness gets you even closer to the eruptions. To top it off, on a clear night, it’s possible to see the Milky Way from Acatenango’s peak — it doesn’t get more magical than that. Until early 2025, Fuego had erupted roughly every 20 minutes since 2002. Fuego took a break, and though it's now erupting again, it’s a little more unpredictable than it used to be.
Find a jungle paradise at Semuc Champey
Nestled deep in the jungle, Semuc Champey, near the town of Lanquín, is one of Guatemala's unique sights. With serene natural pools that glow a shining turquoise in the sunshine and plenty of caves and nature to explore, it’s well worth the bumpy journey it takes to get here. Though you're in the middle of the jungle, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Climb to the mirador (viewpoint) to see the limestone wonder from above, swim in the pools, or take a caving tour, where you wade through chest-deep water by candlelight and jump into the pools.
Looking for something a little more low-key? Tubing down the river with a beer in hand makes for a relaxing afternoon, and two hostels, Zephyr Lodge and Greengo’s, offer tranquil pools and incredible views for relaxing after all your adventures.
Experience it for yourself on: Highlights of Guatemala
Hang 10 in El Paredón
Beach life doesn’t get much better than in El Paredón, where sandy streets give way to a long, tranquil stretch of black sand. Surfing is the name of the game here, with waves for all levels and boat trips out for those who truly know what they’re doing on the waves. Split your time between surf lessons, renting boards, and kicking back by a pool in the afternoons, a welcome change of pace from the adrenaline-fuelled activities in other parts of the country. If you want something a little more exciting, a sunset gallop along the beach on horseback should do the trick.
Admire Mayan ruins at Tikal
Arguably the most impressive Mayan ruins in Central America, Tikal is a must-visit for anyone interested in the rich history that underpins Guatemala’s modern culture. Only a small portion of Tikal’s 16 sq km (6 sq mi) has been excavated, with temple tops peeking over the overgrown jungle. Once with a population of almost 100,000, Tikal was abandoned like many Mayan cities at the end of the 9th century. It was discovered in the mid-1800s, lost to the towering trees that obscured almost all of this once-great city for centuries.
Today, five major temples have been excavated, and it's possible to climb several of them to gaze out over the jungle and imagine life here hundreds of years ago. From the top of Temple IV (used as a filming location in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope), the canopy is broken only by the tops of the temples, standing tall among the trees. Head up here for sunset to be treated to incredible views and a soundtrack of howler monkeys in the jungle beyond.
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Get off the backpacker trail in Xela
The fifth-most populated city in Guatemala, Quetzaltenango is often skipped by visitors for its more charming siblings. More commonly known by its Mayan name, Xela, this city is surrounded by volcanoes and is home to a buzzy café culture. It’s also a great spot to use as a base for learning Spanish.
If you like to hike, a trip to Xela needs to be on your list. The most popular hike around these parts is the three-day Xela to Lake Atitlán hike, which takes you through the lush Guatemalan highlands and villages, and involves staying with local families along the way. Looking for something a little shorter? Tackle Volcan Santa Maria and Santiaguito, or if you’re up for a bigger adventure, the five-day trek from Nebaj to Todos Santos goes through the remote Cuchumatanes Mountains.
Shop in Chichicastenango
Accessible on a day trip from Lake Atitlán, Chichicastenango is a treasure of Mayan culture, one of the places in Guatemala where the Indigenous ways are most alive. It’s home to the Quiché (K’iche) people, one of the largest Mayan groups, and was at one time one of the largest trading centres in the Maya world. It was also here that Popol Vuh, the most important preserved Mayan text, was discovered, a book likened to the Greek Iliad or Hindu Ramayana. The biggest draw for most visitors is the market, a hub of trade, souvenirs, food, and artisan crafts. You could spend an entire day wandering the alleys and admiring the woodworkings, pottery, and traditional wares used in Quiché religious ceremonies.
Experience it for yourself on: Highlights of Guatemala
Explore Guatemala City
The largest urban area in Central America, Guatemala City is often overlooked by visitors because of its less-than-stellar reputation. However, with a little caution, a trip to this bustling metropolis can reveal a side of this country you might not otherwise see. After almost being completely destroyed in earthquakes in 1917 and 1918, the rebuilt Guatemala City is a blend of modern and classic architecture, and if you’re interested in delving deep into the country’s history, there are few better places to do it. Archaeology buffs should visit the Popol Vuh Museum, and the Museo Ixchel is a fantastic place to learn about traditional dress of the country’s Indigenous groups. We’d also recommend a walking tour to dive deeper into the country’s recent history.
Experience it for yourself on: Basic Central America: Mexico & Guatemala
Travel by boat around Lake Atitlán
As you round the curve of mountain passes and begin the switchback roads down to Lake Atitlán, it’s hard not to be impressed. Shimmering blue in the sunlight and surrounded by more volcanoes, this lake makes the perfect spot to relax, swim, party, or hike. Make your base in Panajachel or San Pedro la Laguna, the most popular of the towns. Hop on a lancha (a small motorboat) and cruise across to San Marcos, known for its hippie vibes and cliff jumping, or San Juan, the most colourful and authentic of the lake’s towns, and climb up to Mirador Kasakawan for unparalleled views over the area.
Santa Cruz is the most relaxed spot, while Santiago is well-known for its weekend market. The Indian Nose hike is a popular sunrise spot (go with a guide because there have been reports of tourists being robbed), and the San Pedro Volcano is a challenge for those with a little get-up-and-go left in their legs.
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Live the slow life in Rio Dulce
Though the pace of life is slow in Guatemala, few places are more relaxing than Rio Dulce, a small town on the Caribbean coast near Honduras and Belize. The jungle-clad waterways give way to the Caribbean Sea, and myriad offshoots of the river can be explored by kayak or paddleboard.
Paddling and watching out for wildlife is a great way to spend a day, but you can also head up to Livingston, which sits on the mouth of the river and is populated by the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna people. This town feels more like Belize than Guatemala, and travellers should try several traditional local foods, including tapado (a coconut seafood soup) and pan de coco (coconut bread). Leave time to visit Castillo San Felipe and the hot springs nestled into the banks of the river.
Experience it for yourself on: Basic Central America: Mexico to Costa Rica
See the sinking island of Flores
Located in the Petén Department, charming Flores and its tiny island peninsula are natural stopping points between Belize and the rest of Guatemala and serve as a base for visiting Tikal, but that’s not all you’ll find here. Precariously perched on Lago Petén Itzá, the island of Flores is packed with cute cafés overlooking the water, and lots of delicious local street food. Outside of visiting Mayan ruins, you can easily pass a day cruising the lake on a lancha or visiting the backpacker-famous rope swing to fly through the air into the water with a cerveza waiting for you when you’re done.
Experience it for yourself on: Classic Belize & Tikal
Trek into the past at El Mirador
If you love Mayan ruins and are excited by the idea of trekking through the remote jungle for six days to discover a hidden, unexcavated city, the trek to El Mirador should be at the top of your list. Occupied 1,000 years before Tikal, El Mirador is considered the most important complex of cities of the Preclassic period. Its location, buried deep in what is now the Maya Biosphere Reserve, has meant that it has so far resisted the pull of tourism. Its biggest temple, La Danta, is larger than both Temple IV at Tikal and the Temple of the Sun at Teotihuacán in Mexico with a total volume larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The journey from Flores isn't easy, but at the end of it, you're rewarded by feeling like Indiana Jones.
