The Best Places to Visit in Guatemala
Guatemala is one of the top backpacker destinations in Central America, and that is thanks to a lot of things. For one, you’ve got colorful colonial towns all over the place, and then you can also just venture out into nature and see stunning volcanoes and lakes. Infrastructure wise, it isn’t the easiest to travel around (nothing like Europe), but as it gets more popular, more stuff catered for tourists grows in. It’s so lively and beautiful and just an incredible experience if you choose to backpack through here.
Capital: Guatemala City
Currency: Guatemalan Quetzal
Language: Spanish
When to visit: November to April
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1) Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala, AKA Antigua, is a small colonial city found just outside the country’s capital, and it such a pretty place to visit thanks to the pastel colored buildings and church ruins everywhere. It’s especially great for backpackers because the atmosphere here is just great and meeting people is a breeze. It’s also one of the main launch points for things like Acatenango hikes, so a lot of people end up basing themselves here.
Things to do:
The best thing to do in Antigua is honestly just walk. The whole city is made for wandering. The cobblestone streets passing through the gorgeous old houses is an amazing sight. You’ll naturally end up around the main square, Parque Central, and from there you can wander a bit further and find the iconic Santa Catalina Arch. Around there is more old buildings, including the ruins of La Merced Church. A big highlight is heading up to Cerro de la Cruz, a viewpoint just above town that gives you a full look over Antigua with the volcanoes sitting right behind it. Outside the hikes nearby, this is the best view you can get here.
How to get there:
You’ll usually fly into the airport of Guatemala City (GUA), and then take a shuttle from the airport or a bus from the city if there now.
2) Acatenango Volcano
To the southwest of Antigua, you can find Acatenango Volcano, which is a giant volcano almost 4,000m high. It is probably the most spectacular hike in Guatemala, and does take several days to complete.
Hike details:
The hike is a 2 day/1 night hike, and you start after your bus to the trailhead (usually Lo Soledad). The first day is the biggest grind, being usually 5–7 hours of uphill walking to reach the base camp area around 3,600m. On day two, you wake up early (often for sunrise) and can either relax at camp or do a short optional push higher for panoramic views over the surrounding volcanoes and clouds before hiking all the way back down, which takes around 3–4 hours (definitely do this). It is pretty challenging, but the view is iconic and I’m sure you’ve seen pictures from the top all over social media where the volcano is steaming above the clouds.
How to get there:
From Antigua, you take a morning shuttle (or tour transport) to the small village starting points like La Soledad or San José Calderas.
3) Lake Atitlán
Lake Atitlán is a big volcanic lake west of Antigua, and it’s surrounded by steep green mountains and multiple small villages, each with its own personality. It’s the opposite of the volcano, as it is basically just a place to relax by the water and in the lovely little towns.
Things to do:
The main base is usually a mix of towns like San Pedro, San Marcos, and Panajachel, depending on the vibe you want. San Pedro is more social and backpacker-heavy, San Marcos is super chilled with yoga and wellness spots, and Panajachel is the main arrival point with easy transport connections. They’re all really nice, it just depends on what you like. From any of the towns, the best way to experience the lake is just moving between villages by boat, which is basically the local transport system. Lake swims and waterfront walks are the way to go. If you crave a little hike, head up the Indian Nose Viewpoint which is amazing at sunset or sunrise.
How to get there:
From Antigua or Guatemala City, take a shared tourist shuttle to one of the lake towns.
4) Tikal National Park
Tikal National Park is one of the most impressive ancient sites in the world, sitting deep in the jungle of northern Guatemala, pretty close to the borders of Mexico and Belize. Tikal is a massive ancient Maya city that was once one of the most powerful civilizations in the region, yet is now slowly being reclaimed by dense rainforest.
Things to do:
Explore all the ruins by walking round Tikal, stopping at all the temples which are numbered making it convenient. There is no need for me to list every amazing spot out, but just walk to where Templo del Gran Jaguar is and you’ll see all the other temples, palaces, and Mayan complexes in the area. If you get a guide they will show you everything in detail. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see loads of wildlife including spider monkeys.
How to get there:
Most people visit from Flores, so the whole experience is usually a day trip reached via shuttle.
5) Flores
Flores is a small island town in northern Guatemala, and it’s a really easy place to like thanks to the colorful buildings, and atmosphere which comes from being sat on Lago Peten Itza. The part which is actually on the island (looking a bit like Venice) is walkable in under half an hour, and it’s a very cool stop before heading up to Tikal.
Things to do:
The two parts of Flores are the part on the mainland, and the small island on the lake. Obviously, Flores Island is the complete highlight, and has gorgeous streets filled with cafes and little shops. You can just walk around it and take it all in. For a recommendation, I’d say get up on a rooftop bar for sunset.
How to get there:
From Guatemala City, take a quick flight to Mundo Maya International Airport, or a long distance bus.
6) Guatemala City
You’re probably going to find yourself in the country’s capital of Guatemala City at some point, which has a different vibe to some of the serene spots you might love about Guatemala. As expected, it can get somewhat busy, but it does have some nice architecture and markets to shop at too. Although it is just gonna be a transport stop for you, it’s worth a look round.
Things to do:
Check out the historic center around Guatemala City’s Zona 1, especially Plaza de la Constitución, which is the political and cultural heart of the city. Right around here you’ve got the National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral, and it’s a pretty busy, old-school central area with markets, street life, and a very local feel. One of the more interesting spots is the Mercado Central, where you can get lost in underground levels of stalls selling everything from food to clothes to random everyday goods. A bit further out, you’ve also got zones like Zona 10 and Zona 4, which are much more modern. If you’ve got time, a popular day trip just outside the city is Pacaya Volcano, where you can hike an active volcano taking about 5 hours return, a great experience no doubt.
How to get there:
Fly into La Aurora International Airport (GUA), the country’s main airport.
From there, you have bus connections all around Guatemala.
7) Semuc Champey
Over in central Guatemala deep in the forest, you can find Semuc Champey, a natural limestone bridge with a series of bright turquoise pools sitting on top of it, while a raging river runs underneath and disappears into caves. It’s not particularly easy to reach, and something a lot of people leave out their itinerary, but it will be one of the most gorgeous places you’ve ever swum.
Things to do:
The base town is Lanquin, a small, remote jungle town that exists mostly as a stopover for Semuc Champey. Once you get here and get your shuttle up to the pools, where you gotta just get in and start swimming. You can move between different levels and just relax in the water. Once you’ve done that, hike up to the viewpoint so you can get that classic postcard view looking straight down over the full turquoise “staircase” of water cutting through dense jungle.
How to get there:
To get to Lanquin, you’ll need a long bus from Antigua or Guatemala City. From there, take a shuttle bus to Semuc Champey.
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