That said, visiting for the first time can be a daunting experience. Embassy warnings, economic hardships and a bewildering range of things to see and do can be off-putting. Should you be worried? A gorgeous colonial masterpiece, Antigua is a highlight for most travelers to Guatemala. The town has jaw-dropping streetscapes at every turn, an excellent selection of restaurants and a small but varied nightlife.
Tip: Antigua is a party town for Guatemala City dwellers on the weekends. The lake is ringed by villages both quaint and bustling, with plenty of interesting options for places to stay. Another fascinating aspect of the town is the merging of religion that can be witnessed — here Maya religion and Catholicism blend seamlessly. The Santo Tomas church is only really Catholic by name — Mayan priests use it for traditional rituals, and even the 18 steps leading up to the church symbolize the number of months in the Maya calendar.
Tip: Avoid the whirlwind day trip on offer from travel agencies and stay in town the night before the market. One section of the market is dedicated to the sale of live animals, so vegan travelers or other travellers concerned about animal welfare may want to skip that bit.
Just a forty-mind drive from the beautiful colonial city of Antigua Guatemala lies Santo Domingo Xenacoj, a small town of mostly indigenous inhabitants and just one of the sustainable tourism projects opening their doors to tourists in Guatemala. Its main attractions include its buzzing traditional market where you encounter local foods or just spend the absorbing the chaos of a busy rural market. The women who started this collective a few years back are working together to both revive ancient Maya textile patterns and ensure that the art of weaving using laborious, traditional back-strap looms is not lost.
Local operator Guate4You lead English-language tours both to Santo Domingo Xenacoj and other sustainable tourism projects in the Guatemala. Guatemala has been one of the best places in Latin America to learn Spanish for more than 30 years now! There are a number of reasons for this. Lessons in Guatemala are also traditionally one on one, or for couples or friends travelling together, one teacher per two people. This greatly increases the learning potential.
Plus our school provided Spanish language activities six days a week! There are schools throughout the country — from Antigua Guatemala to Lake Atitlan and our favourite, Quetzaltenango, where we recommend the school Sol Latino for great teaching and a superb social program.
But after about five or 10 minutes of severe wobbling, I finally started to get my balance and relax. After that, it was so much fun! It was wonderful paddling further and further away from the shore until it was just me and the peaceful beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains.
But do be careful, as there are ferries that pass by occasionally. To make the most of paddle boarding here, it is a good idea to stay at a hotel or resort that has its own private dock. Better yet, ask the guys running it to show you the ropes as getting your balance can be surprisingly tricky at first! Much like the rest of Central America, Guatemala is scattered with volcanoes and one of the most adrenaline filled things to do here is going on a volcano hike. One of the best ones is Volcano Pacaya , which is within easy reach from Antigua Guatemala.
The hike has to be a guided one, as the volcano is highly active and regularly throws smoke and lava into the air. It is not a strenuous hike, but the terrain is very sandy so you may find it difficult. It gets windy at the top, and chilly, so make sure to bring a wind proof jacket and an extra layer. The hike can take anything between four and six hours, depending on how fast you walk. A guide can be hired at the information centre at the entrance to the park, or else you can join one of the main guided tours leaving every day from Antigua Guatemala, which usually include transportation.
Climbing to the summit of Acatenango Volcano is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Guatemala. Two words of advice: DO IT. It was without a doubt the best and most rewarding thing I did during my time in Guatemala. Tours leave from Antigua; they are bookable from hostels, hotels or agencies. They include a tour guide, food, transportation and camping gear.
In this natural park, turquoise water tumbles down a series of natural pools hidden in the middle of the jungle, creating a surreal destination that is as hard to get to as it is beautiful! Once you have reached Lanquin the closest town to Semuc Champey most people choose to take a tour to visit Semuc Champey, which also includes a visit to some nearby caves, tubing down the river and the chance to try a huge swing over the river, as well as entrance to the natural park and pools.
You can also visit independently if you prefer, but the price of the tours is excellent value for what you get. For sheer beauty, Semuc Champey is hard to beat!
I was doing a homestay and taking Spanish classes in one of these pueblos, San Pedro, when a fellow traveller recommended I take a short but choppy ferry ride over to neighbouring Panajachel. To be honest, I was a bit nervous. But after researching the company my friend recommended, Real World Paragliding, I found only positive reviews. But let me tell you — it was worth every penny. If so, all you have to do is visit the Real World Paragliding website to make a reservation.
And remember, even though the flight usually only lasts between minutes, make sure you have an entire day dedicated to paragliding.
Since flights depend on weather conditions, you might have to wait a few hours that you can spend exploring the Panajachel markets.
Live in the moment. Soak up and enjoy every second. Taking public transport when in a different country can always be an adventure. Budging up to the Mexican border, Sierra Del Lacandon National Park is protected land that covers an astonishing 2, square kilometers.
There are several towns to visit in this area, many of which can be hiked in-between. Nebaj is generally the starting off point. One of the best hikes also starts here: Nebaj to Todos Santos. Some of my favorites include Acul known for its cheese , Chajul for its coffee and nearby waterfalls, and more remote towns like Chortiz, which you have to hike to in beautiful natural surroundings.
Nestled on an island surrounded by Lake Peten Itza, Flores is a good jump off point to visit the Tikal ruins. Flores still attracts a variety of visitors thanks to its well-preserved architecture and historic buildings.
The town itself is so compact that you can actually walk the entire thing in only minutes, but Flores can be reached by a small highway that connects the island to the mainland. Hostel: Hostel Yaxha. Hotel: Ciao Cacao. Snaking through narrow, limestone gorges and riverbank homes, Rio Dulce is the perfect place to relax and let time slip by you.
While it was once a seedy, run-down area south of Zone 1, it has since seen a wild transformation making it one of the coolest places in the entire city. Remember, when you are traveling you may need insurance! World Nomads are our go-to Travel Insurer; we have used them ourselves for years now.
Now that you know a little more about Guatemala, you can see how this stunning country is rich in history and overflowing with some of the most abundant landscapes in the world.
With tons of outdoor activities and iconic attractions, we hope you feel inspired to visit this often overlooked destination! But we do it because we love it — we love providing epic and free content.
We love the knowledge that our content keeps you adventuring. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Again, thank you! I agree that Guatemala is a great place, but Rio Dulce is not a half of day, you can travel from the lake to the ocean and make stops pretty much every day..
Rio dulce is at least 2 days to enjoy the beauty. Realizada en la Antigua Guatemala , lugar donde descansan los restos de el y de Pedro de Alvarado.. Hay que conocer y apreciar como algo de un valor universal. We are planning a trip to Guatemala and want to visit all the wonderful places you listed. But how did you travel to each place? Did you rent a car or take busses? Your email address will not be published.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. More information. Secret waterfalls in Guatemala.
Source: Ana Pereira. Table of Contents Show. Add Laguna Lachua to your itinerary! Calcite and sulfur lake;.
High biodiversity of native plants and flowers. The ever impressive Tikal is one of the best places to visit in Guatemala Ana Pereira. Only a small percentage has been excavated. Traditional markets and shopping. Hiking, swimming and exploring. Go With a Guide. High altitude at 2,meters;. Also known as Xela. Learn More Now!
Watching the sunrise over Volcano Fuego after summitting Volcano Acatenango. One of my favorite experiences! Photo by Ana Pereira. Beautiful Sunrise over Volcan Fuego.
Erupted 23 times in years;. See flowing, orange lava. Hike with a Guide. Underdeveloped black sand beach; Surfing Paradise;. Monterrico in the middle of a mangrove swamp. Lake Atitlan at Sunrise from one of the best hikes in Guatemala!
Ana Pereira. The deepest lake in Central America;. Many unique and small villages to explore, lakeside. Majority of the population is ethnically Garifuna;.
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