Guatemala was a surprise destination for us. Overshadowed by the more popular Central and South American countries like Peru, Colombia, and Costa Rica, we feel that Guatemala is truly a hidden gem. Known as the “lands of eternal spring,” Guatemala provides lush jungles, countless active volcanoes, incredible Mayan temples, some of the best fusions of South American cuisine, and a beautifully untouched indigenous culture.
When we first put Guatemala on our travel map, we didn’t know of any particular highlights or landmarks we had to visit. This is because Guatemala is still relatively unknown on the tourist trail. So, to help with your planning, we have come up with the top 22 special and exciting things to do when visiting Guatemala.
Rather than simply highlighting locations to visit, we wanted to pinpoint a unique experience you can have in each place. Having personally experienced most of them, we can confidently say these activities are unforgettable!
Quick Summary of our Favorite 5 Things to Do in Guatemala
If you are short on time, here are the top five things that we did in Guatemala:
- Hike Volcano Acatenango and witness the live volcanic eruptions
- Uncover the ancient Mayan city of Tikal
- Watch the sunset atop the temple in Yaxha
- Spend an evening in a wood-fire hot tub perched on a cliff at Casa Del Mundo Hotel
- Unwind in the lush beauty of Lake Atitlán
Why Visit Guatemala?
With so many incredible countries to visit in Central and South America, Guatemala may not be the obvious choice for travelers. What makes this country an excellent choice is that Guatemala is filled with such a huge variety of incredible experiences within a compact area:
- Those interested in ancient history will enjoy exploring the ancient Mayan civilization at Tikal and Yaxha, both UNESCO heritage sites.
- Nature lovers can climb the volcano Acatenango and witness a live volcanic eruption – an experience not available in many places in the world.
- Foodies will not be disappointed. We were blown away by the culinary scene of Antigua, which had a fusion of all the South American flavors.
- Travelers seeking relaxation will enjoy Lake Atitlán. It is surrounded by three volcanoes and has a mystical aura that is perfect to help you unwind.
The list of things goes on and on, but to see better what exciting things you can do, check out our list below!
22 Best Things to Do in Guatemala
Below is a list of the top 22 things to do in Guatemala, along with an explanation why each of them is unique and special.
Most of the activities are located in one of the three main regions: Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and Flores. These are the areas where you will find the most exciting activities.
Uncover the Lost Mayan Civilization in Tikal
One of the most exciting things to do in Guatemala is uncovering the ancient Mayan temples of Tikal. Located deep within the jungles of Northern Guatemala, Tikal is a UNESCO World Heritage site containing some of the most well-preserved ancient Mayan structures. Here, you will discover Temple IV, standing over 210 feet high, which is one of the tallest buildings in the entire Mayan world. Something that particularly stood out about Tikal, as compared to let’s say Chichén Itzá in Mexico, is how you truly feel immersed in the nature surrounding you. Tikal is deep within the lush forest that is perfectly preserved around the temples, whereas at Chichén Itzá, the entire area has been cleared out for tourism infrastructure. This to us elevated the immersive experience tenfold and truly made us feel like we were archeologists discovering a long-lost civilization. To add to the magic, make sure to visit Tikal either during the sunrise tour or sunset tour.
- Location: Tikal National Park
- Where you should base yourself: Flores
- Time required: 1 day
Witness a Mayan Jungle Sunset Atop the Temple of Yaxhá
Yaxhá is a lesser-known but equally impressive Mayan city also located in Northern Guatemala. Typically overshadowed by the more popular Tikal, Yaxhá has far fewer visitors and provides you with an even more off-the-beaten-path experience. We would recommend visiting both sites since Yaxhá has its own unique environment. Although the temples are not as high as those in Tikal, you can actually climb up most of the temples at Yaxhá. This was a very special experience as you can stand at the top of the structures and feel what it must’ve been like to be a Mayan king/queen at that time. Also, make sure to witness the sunset atop the temple where you can see the endless lush forest with the interspersed tops of temples peaking above the tree line. It will give you a sense of just host massive these Mayan cities used to be.
- Location: Yaxhá National Park
- Where you should base yourself: Flores
- Time required: 1 day
Discover the Cute Town of Flores
If you will be visiting Tikal or Yaxhá, you will likely base yourself in Flores. Although most overlook the town and use it as a base, Flores actually offers so much more! Flores is a small island you can walk around in about 30 minutes. But what makes it unique is the colonial architecture and the very colorfully painted homes. As it is also fully surrounded by water, you can enjoy the beautiful lake views from most points in the city.
Another special thing to do is have dinner at Bistro Puertas del Cielo. It is a restaurant with no menu, where the chef sits down with you and discusses the flavors you enjoy, the type of meat, the type of vegetables, and the type of sauce, and then caters a meal to you. It is truly a unique experience!
- Location: Flores, Guatemala
- Time required: 3 days (so you can day trip to Tikal and Yaxhá too)
Experience the Turquoise Pools of Semuc Champey
Semuc Champey, located at about the mid-point between Guatemala City and Flores, is a unique series of stepped, turquoise pools formed by the Cahabón River. Surrounded by lush forests, visitors are drawn here to swim in the crystal clear waters, unwind in this remote region, or tubing down the river. For those wanting something more active, you can hike up to the Mirador or explore the limestone caves. Arriving at Semuc Champey is not the easiest, as it usually includes taking an 8-hour bus along windy roads from Guatemala City. Then, to continue your journey to Flores, it takes another 7 hours by bus.
- Location: Alta Verapaz Region, at the mid-point between Guatemala City and Flores
- Where you should base yourself: Lanquín or directly on the river Cahabón
- Time required: 1-2 days
Hike Acatenango Volcano to Witness a Live Volcanic Eruption
One of the main reasons to visit Guatemala is to witness a live volcanic eruption. In fact, Guatemala is one of the countries in the world with the most active volcanoes. The Acatenango hike is a 2-day, 1-night hike, where you will camp at the top of Acatenango and watch the live eruptions of the neighboring volcano Fuego. If you are more adventurous, you can even embark on the optional 4-hour hike up the slopes of Volcano Fuego, where you can get up close to the eruptions. The volcano erupts every few minutes so you will have plentiful opportunities to enjoy this demonstration of the power of Mother Nature. The Actanenango hike is quite challenging, and we would consider the Fuego hike difficult. Watching the glowing orange lava shooting out of the crater in the pitch-black night is something we will always remember.
- Location: Volcano Acatenango, located about 1 hour away from Antigua
- Where you should base yourself: Antigua (You will need to join a tour to do this hike)
- Time required: 2 days, 1 night
Hike, and then Roast Marshmallows on Pacaya Volcano
Another unique experience you can have from Antigua is climbing up the Pacaya Volcano. This hike is far less difficult than Acatenango and can easily be done as a day trip. You also have the option to ride a horse up if hiking sounds like too much effort. Once you reach the top, there is a lava field that heats up the magma rocks. This gives you the unique opportunity to roast some marshmallows with the heat of the lava. At times you may also get to see some flowing lava. Although we didn’t do it, we also found a tour where you can bake a pizza with the heat of the lava!
- Location: Pacaya volcano, located about 1h15 away from Antigua
- Where you should base yourself: Antigua (you will need to join a tour to do this hike)
- Time required: 1/2 a day
Explore the Collapsed Cathedral Ruins of Antigua
Once you arrive in Antigua, you will be amazed by the incredible Colonial architecture and cobbled streets. Spend some time wandering around to admire the buildings and plazas. For an even more unique experience, there are several ancient collapsed cathedral ruins you can explore. Some of the best ones include Convento Santa Clara and the Antigua Cathedral. What makes this experience special is that the ceilings of the cathedrals have collapsed but the walls still stand. It’s hard to explain the feeling but it is mesmerizing being there and has a very magical aura. It is also a perfect location for some stunning photos!
- Location: Antigua
- Where you should base yourself: Antigua
- Time required: 1-2 days
See the Famous Santa Catalina Arch with the Volcano Backdrop
If you look up Antigua, you will have undoubtedly seen online the photo of the yellow and white Santa Catalina Archway with the backdrop of a volcano. Located in the northern region of Antigua, this area attracts visitors, especially during sunset time to admire the iconic view. We recommend that you continue walking up 5a Avenida Norte until you almost reach the end of the street. If you then turn back to face the archway, you will get the best view and if the sky is clear, you will see all of the volcano.
- Location: Santa Catalina Arch, Antigua
- Where you should base yourself: Antigua
- Time required: just one hour
Do a Food Tour to Discover the Local Street Foods
Guatemala has an incredible food scene and includes several unique street foods. One of the best ways to discover the local foods is through a food tour! Here you will get to sample the likes of pupusas, tamales, antojitos, platanos and much more. What makes food tours special is that you will also learn a lot about the history of the country, and have the chance to interact with many of the locals. This provides you will a full cultural experience!
- Location: Antigua, Guatemala city, Flores, Lake Atitlan
- Time required: usually 2-4 hours
Attend a Cooking Class and Learn How to Make Tortillas
If just eating the food is not enough, try to join a cooking class. Here, you will learn to how make traditional dishes including Pepian, Tamales, Ceviche, and even tortillas from scratch! Each cooking class will provide different dishes so make sure to pick the ones that interest you the most! Most of these tours also include a visit to the local market where you can see and learn about the many fresh fruits, vegetables, and ingredients endemic to Guatemala.
- Location: Antigua, Guatemala city, Flores, Lake Atitlán
- Time required: usually 2-4 hours
Feel like Lord of the Rings at Hobbitenango
Ever want to feel like you’ve traveled to the Shire in Lord of the Rings? Hobbitenango is located about a 1-hour drive from Antigua and as the name suggests, is a village on the mountain featuring hobbit-style houses, themed restaurants and cafes, and some incredibly scenic views. It is also here where you will find the giant hand that you can stand on and is an ideal spot to take photos with the backdrop of the lush Guatemalan landscape. Hobbitenango is an amazing spot to spend half a day but if you want to spend the night, you can actually book a night to sleep in the hobbit-style houses. To reach it, you can hire a taxi from Antigua.
- Location: Hobbitenango, located about 1 hour drive away from Antigua.
- Where to base yourself: Antigua or you can sleep in one of the hobbit-houses in Hobbitenango
- Time required: 1/2 to 1 day
Find the Hidden Speakeasy Cocktail Bar in Antigua
One of the things that surprised us about Guatemala was that they not only have delicious food but also one of the most creative cocktail scenes we’ve experienced. At several of the restaurants we visited, the cocktails they crafted were not only tasty but had so many levels of complexity. They combined herbs, spices, spritz of agrumes, and play with illumination and decoration to enhance the drink.
To level up your experience even more, try to find the hidden speakeasy cocktail bar in Antigua. It is located within the Antigua Brewing Company, and then you need to walk through a red phone booth through some hidden curtains to access the cocktail bar. Here, the mixologists ask you about your taste preferences and then whip up a unique drink just for you! The environment is lively and makes for a perfect evening out!
- Location: U’Lew cocktail bar, Antigua
- Time required: a few hours
Have One of the Best Steaks at Casa Escobar
Do you love steaks? If you do, then you HAVE to try a cut of steak called Pullazo which is unique to Guatemala. We tried it out at a restaurant called Casa Escobar and we dream of that steak till today. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, romantic, and through their huge doorway windows, you get to admire the lit-up facade of one of the ancient cathedrals. But back to the food! We ordered the Pullazo steak, some pulled-pork Arancini-like balls, a tuna crudo in a delicious ponzu sauce, and finished off with a homemade flan with pistachio ice cream. Every dish was to die for!
- Location: Casa Escobar, Antigua
- Time required: one meal, but you may want to go back for more!
Take Spanish Lessons
Guatemala is known as one of the best places for people to learn Spanish due to their very neutral accents. Another reason is that the language schools are both high quality and very affordable. Imagine spending your time in the colonial city of Antigua, or sitting by the volcanic waters of Lake Atitlan, while you learn your conjugation of the word COMER. Travelers come from all around the world to learn Spanish here and can typically spend between one week to several months. If you are short on time, you can also do just a couple of days or private lessons. Either way, nothing allows you to better integrate into the culture than by learning their language!
- Location: the best spots are in Antigua and San Pedro
- Time required: a few days up to a few months!
Stay at One of the Most Beautiful Hotels at Casa Del Mundo
Casa Del Mundo Hotel is by far one of the most beautiful hotels we’ve stayed in. It is not the most fanciest hotel, but it combines the most beautiful elements of Guatemala, its lush vegetation, incredible views of Lake Atitlan, which can be admired from the several terraces perched on the remote cliffs. It is here you will find the wood-fired hot tub perched on the cliff that will be described below. Due to its remote location far from the main cities of Lake Atitlan, you will be delighted by the tranquility and calm. The food at the restaurant is delicious and the staff really treat you like family. The hotel’s site is quite large and every staircase and terrace has its own unique purpose and views. This hotel also offers a bunch of guided tours to the nearby attractions in Lake Atitlan. Of all the places we stayed in Guatemala, this was definitely our favorite!
- Location: Jaibalito, Lake Atitlan. This is a short 10-minute taxi boat ride from Panajachel.
- Time required: 1-3 days
Enjoy a Hot Tub Perched on the Cliff of Lake Atitlan
Soaking in a wood-fired heated hot tub perched on a remote cliff overlooking Lake Atitlan, life couldn’t be any better. This hot tub is located at Casa Del Mundo hotel and you can book the entire hot tub for a couple of hours. When we went, this was after hiking volcano Acatenango, so our legs were incredibly sore. After soaking in the water for a couple of hours, when I got back out, my body felt 100x better. This is also the perfect spot where you have an unobstructed and elevated view of the entire Lake Atitlan as well as the surrounding volcanos. We were there during sunset time and it was unforgettable. In terms of relaxation, this was definitely one of the most unique experiences we’ve ever had.
- Location: Casa Del Mundo Hotel, Jaibalito
- Time required: a few hours
Paddleboarding/Kayaking Lake Atitlan
Kayaking or paddle boarding is one of the best activities to do in Lake Atitlan. This can be done from the main town of Panajachel, directly from Casa Del Mundo Hotel, or from the towns of San Pedro and San Juan. This is one of the best ways to view the beautiful landscape of Lake Atitlan from the water. However, if you do try this, make sure to go early in the morning as the water is calmer. By the afternoon, the winds pick up and the commuting taxi boats will create a lot of waves. Casa Del Mundo also offers Kayak rentals and is an ideal location as they are situated inside a small protected cove.
- Location: Panajachel, San Pedro, San Juan, or Casa Del Mundo hotel
- Time required: 1-3 hours
Find your Healing with Yoga or Meditation in San Marco
The small city of San Marco in Lake Atitlan is a hub for all things healing. Here, you will find multiple retreats that practice yoga, meditation, and even the practice of energy healing. Some visitors go and spend a day there, whereas others may spend several weeks working on themselves. One of the best spots to practice yoga is the Eagle’s Nest Atitlan. Here, they practice yoga and dance and have one of the most incredible studio platforms overlooking Lake Atitlan and the volcanoes. Since they are located at the top of the mountain, you will get some of the best views of the area. They have a restaurant and hotel on site so you can make this a prolonged stay as well!
- Location: San Marco, Lake Atitlan
- Time required: a few hours for a class up to several days for a retreat
Discover the Art Galleries and Street Art of San Juan
San Juan is known as the artistic district of Lake Atitlan. Here you will not only find beautiful art galleries, but also the neighbourhoods are filled with stunning street art. Spend an afternoon wandering around and admiring the paintings. Each seems to tell a story of their culture or their history and reveal so much about what is important in Guatemala.
If you have time, hike up to Cerro de la Cruz which is a beautifully painted platform high up on the hill overlooking the entire city. The wooden walkways leading up to the viewpoint are all painted with mosaics depicting the Guatemalan harvests, flowers, coffees, temples, and people.
After heading down, we would recommend stopping off at Comedor Elenita for one of the best local cuisines. You will likely be the only tourist there but that adds to the experience!
- Location: San Juan, Lake Atitlan
- Time required: 1/2 to 1 day
Go Salsa Dancing with Live Music at Las Palmas
After eating so much of the delicious Guatemalan food, why not burn off some calories dancing the night away? Las Palmas located in Antigua, features a live Latin band every night and is perfect for dancing salsa. It is a popular spot among both locals and tourists and gets quite lively at night. The music usually starts around 9pm and lasts till midnight. Las Palmas is also a restaurant and bar which have some great affordable options! Since Las Palmas is located right in the downtown area of Antigua, you can easily walk home after a fun night out!
- Location: Las Palmas, Antigua
- Time required: One evening
Learn to Make a Scarf with the Traditional Methods in Santa Cruz
Guatemala is home to some beautiful textiles, including clothing and scarves. Much of it is made with the ancient and traditional weaving methods passed down through generations. Instead of a sewing machine, they have hundreds of threads organized together with several wooden sticks to help weave them. Then, you have a strap that ties the end of all the strings together, which is wrapped around your waist for leverage. By crisscrossing the wooden sticks through the threads and pulling them down with a specific pattern, you will get to weave out a beautiful design.
If you want to try this out, we highly recommend contacting CECAP in Santa Cruz. CECAP is an organization whose focus is to help the local community in Lake Atitlan develop the skills necessary to find work. They have programs to help provide them with essential education, which gives them better life opportunities. So, in addition to experiencing their authentic weaving culture, you will also be putting your money to a good cause!
- Location: CECAP, Santa Cruz
- Time required: 4 hours
Do a Multi-day Trek to El Mirador in Northern Guatemala
If you are interested in discovering even more remote Mayan ruins and are willing to partake in a multi-day hike, then El Mirador will be perfect for you! Located in the Northern region of Guatemala, visiting El Mirador requires a 5-day, 4-night trek through the dense forest. You will be camping every night, and get to experience the most remote and raw version of the forest. It is also one of the rare regions where you can actually see a Jaguar in the wild.
Visiting El Mirador allows you to uncover the temples of the Mayan culture all to yourself. Unlike Tikal, there are very few people who visit El Mirador due to the challenge of hiking there. But this is what makes it so special! The pinnacle of this experience is seeing the pyramid of La Danta, at an impressive height of 72 metres and a volume of 2,800,000 cubic metres. Archeologists consider La Danta to be one of the largest ancient structures in the world, even rivalling the pyramids of Giza!
- Location: Northern Guatemala rainforest
- Where to base yourself: Flores
- Time required: 5 days, 4 nights hike
Ideal Guatemala Itinerary
To fully explore most of the best things to do in Guatemala, we would recommend a 10-14 day itinerary. You can spend 3-4 days in Flores, 3-4 days in Antigua, 2 days hiking Acatenango, and 3 days unwinding in Lake Atitlan. If you have extra time, you can make the stop at Semuc Champey, or do the 5-day El Mirador Trek.
For more details on how to plan your Guatemala trip, we’ve come up with the optimal itineraries for each of the main cities:
- How to Plan an Amazing Five Days in Lake Atitlan and Stay at Casa Del Mundo
- 3-5 Day Antigua Itinerary, including Hiking Volcano Acatenango
- Perfect Flores Guatemala itinerary for a 3, 4, or 5-Day visit, including Tikal and Yaxhá
We go into all the details about what to do, where to stay, and all the important logistics of doing the best activities there!
Is Guatemala Safe?
Yes, Guatemala is safe to travel to as long as you stay in the main tourist areas. The only area deemed less safe is Guatemala City, but you will likely only be landing and departing from there for your international flight. Once we reached Antigua, Flores, or Lake Atitlan, we felt 100% safe. We even walked on the streets late at night in Antigua after the night out dancing at Las Palmas and felt fully safe. When taking the shuttle from Guatemala International Airport through Guatemala City, we did notice that several districts seemed sketchy, so we preferred not to spend time there.
Best Time to Visit Guatemala?
The best time to visit Guatemala is during the months between November and April. Generally, the wettest months are May to September during the rainy season. However, given that Guatemala is known as the “Land of Eternal Spring”, you can go visit year-round and generally the temperatures remain at a comfortable 24-27 degrees celsius (12-16 Fahrenheit).
Is Guatemala Expensive?
Guatemala is a pretty affordable country to travel to. Although not as cheap as Peru, your money still goes a long way. For around 20-30$ per night, you can find yourself a comfortable and simple accommodation. If you are willing to spend 70-100$/night, you will get to stay in some incredibly historic or beautiful hotels such as Casa Del Mundo. Food-wise, a basic local Guatemalan meal will cost 5-10$. A fancier meal will cost around 30$ per person but includes some fancy cocktails and expensive cuts of meat. The most expensive items in the Guatemala trip were hiking Acatenango (100USD per person), and going to Tikal/Yaxha (50 USD per person). As compared to European standards, these tours are very affordable.
Recap: 22 Best Things to Do in Guatemala in 2024
So there you have it! The 22 best things to do in Guatemala in 2024! Guatemala was one of the most memorable trips we’ve done! Notably, standing on top of volcano Acatenango, watching the lava eruptions, as well as standing a top of the temples in Yaxha/Tikal, watching the sunset, are experiences we will never forget. Whether you are interested in culture, ancient history, nature, or food, Guatemala is sure to have something perfect for you!
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Ryan & Nan are two curious travel storytellers and adventure photographers who started WaylessTravelers to share their passion for travel with the world. Having explored over 25 countries across the globe, they seek to share their passion for travel planning and photography to help others organize their next adventure.
Ryan & Nan seek authentic culture, adventure, hiking, and venturing off-the-beaten paths to uncover the true marvels of the world.
