THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN GUATEMALA

Home to volcanos, lakes, rainforests, colorful architecture, and ancient ruins, there’s an unbelievable amount to see in Guatemala.  From the colorful city of Antigua and the awe-inspiring Tikal to the beauty of Semuc Champey and the adrenaline rush that comes from hiking up an active volcano, Guatemala truly has something for everyone. Here are just some of the best things to do in Guatemala.

Tikal

Antigua

There is no denying Antigua’s beauty. Its colorful buildings and cobblestone streets will transport you back to colonial times. Some of the country’s best restaurants and shopping are found in Guatemala´s ex-capital. What makes Antigua even more special are the surrounding volcanic peaks and coffee-covered slopes that are not only a remarkable sight, but provide plenty of awesome activities to do around Antigua. You could spend months in Antigua, and many travelers do by accident. Between Spanish classes, exploring the culinary and nightlife scene, hiking, and shopping opportunities, you’ll never run out of things to do in Antigua.

Antigua

Visit The Stunning Lake Atitlan

There is a reason many travelers consider Lake Atitlan one of the best places to visit in Guatemala. The lake is poetically awe-inspiring: an 80 square km blue lake surrounded by 3 volcanos and dozens of villages, each with its own unique atmosphere. Because each village offers a completely different experience, exploring multiple villages around Lake Atitlan is one of the best things to do in Guatemala. The three most popular villages are Panajachel, San Pedro, and San Marcos. Be careful that you don’t stay longer than planned around this truly magnificent lake.

Lake Atitlan

Visit the women weavers of San Juan La Laguna

Guatemalan textiles are some of the most beautiful in the world, and if you spend any amount of time in Guatemala, you’re bound to wonder how these colorful patterns are made. The lakeside village of San Juan La Laguna is the perfect place to take a deep dive into the world of weaving while indulging in some socially responsible shopping at the same time. The narrow streets of San Juan La Laguna are lined with dozens of women’s cooperatives, where Mayan weavers use backstrap looms to create gorgeous, intricate textiles.  Visit one of these co-ops and learn how the weavers use local organic cotton and natural dyes made from fruits, vegetables, plants, and herbs to create the fabrics. A visit to the weaver's cooperative is an excellent way to learn about Guatemalan culture, support local people, and find some ethical souvenirs to bring back home.

San Juan La Laguna

Climb a Volcano and Roast Marshmallows

Lava Flow, Pacaya Volcano

Do a Coffee Tour

Guatemala grows some of the best coffee in the world! You will be spoilt for choice throughout Guatemala! Coffee grows much better at higher elevations, so a visit to farms in San Juan, the Ixil or Huehue region, or near Cóban is an excellent option for a coffee tour.  Support fair-trade and organic coffee whenever you can and help promote the local Guatemalan economy. It’s also more fun to see how these farms are operating, as they actually pay their employees fairly and are much more inclined to farm regeneratively and diversify their crops which is better for the planet.

Guatemala Coffee Farm

Chichicastenango Market

Nestled in the green mountains of the western highlands, the village of Chichicastenango hosts a famous artisans’ market every Sunday and Thursday, and it should be on every serious shopper's list of things to do in Guatemala. The historic market was once the main trading center for the Quiché region before the conquistadors arrived, and the tradition of people coming from surrounding villages to sell goods continues to this day. Expect to find a labyrinth of stalls piled high with gorgeous textiles and other crafts that can be found at the market including wood carvings, masks, leather goods, pottery, jade, silver, and gold jewelry. A visit to the market is an easy day trip from Quetzaltenango or Lago de Atitlán.

Chichi

Visit Nebaj and Ixil

Ixil has its own culture that you can experience through regional dishes like Boxbol, hiking to villages only reachable by foot, and shopping for food and textiles in the local markets. Look out for the women’s red skirts! This is a style very specific to Nebaj and the Ixil region! Most women learn to weave their own colorful clothing when they are quite young. The style of weave is called a huipil; skirts and dresses made out of cotton and natural dyes are often woven with intricate designs native that represent their villages. As well as a remarkable culture, the nature and mountains around Ixil are breathtakingly beautiful. There are many hikes you can do in this area that take you through forests and up to mountains around 4,000 meters, stopping in Maya villages along the way.

Villagers from Uxil

Visit the jungle ruins of Tikal

The ruins of Tikal are buried deep in the jungle in El Petén, surrounded by lush vegetation and stalked by screaming howler monkeys and colorful toucans. Once the most important city in the Maya world, this impressive ancient site is home to more than 200 structures, some of which are still completely or partially swallowed by the jungle. The most spectacular building is Templo IV, a pyramid rising 65m (213ft) above the grassy courtyard below, making it the perfect place to watch the sunrise. Exploring the ruins takes a full day, and it’s a standout experience, not only for its archaeological wonders but also for its exceptional biodiversity. The surrounding jungle shelters hundreds of species of tropical birds, crocodiles, snakes, coatis, monkeys, and even the occasional jaguar.

Tikal

Soak in the pools of Semuc Champey

The tiered turquoise pools and natural limestone bridge at Semuc Champey make the perfect destination for water lovers looking for epic photo opportunities. This national monument is a natural paradise, reached via a moderate hike that snakes through lush vegetation and ends at a breathtaking viewpoint looking out over the striking pools and the green gorge beyond. The nearby cavesare a popular add-on to the hike, and local tour agencies offer candle-lit swims through the underground river cave system.

Semuc Champey

If you are interested in any of these sights in Guatemala or want to discover even more of the best things to do in Guatemala, contact us here!