THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN GUATEMALA
If you are looking for the ultimate vacation destination, then consider a trip to Guatemala! This gorgeous Central American country is one of the best adventure destinations in the world, one of the most romantic getaways in the world, and an awesome destination to experience culture. Guatemala also happens to be one of the most budget-friendly family vacations. Lush green jungles, active volcanoes, sparkling blue lakes, and a vibrant Hispanic culture all add to the allure…and the signature dish, Pepian chicken, will have you dreaming of Guatemala long after your return home. Now that you are convinced, let’s take a deep dive into the best things to do in Guatemala. Where should you stay? What should you do? And most importantly, where should you eat?
The Best Places to Stay in Guatemala
For most tourists, there are two destinations that draw the bulk of the attention…the Spanish Colonial city of Antigua and the shores of Lake Atitlan. We recommend that you hang out in Antigua. This charming little city is just a twenty-minute Uber ride from the capital of Guatemala City where most international flights land.
Antigua is one of our favorite cities on the planet. It has fabulous open markets and tons of tourist attractions like traditional cooking classes, coffee and chocolate-making workshops, and outdoor adventure activities. The city exudes charm with its crumbling European-style churches and cobblestone streets. It boasts good nightlife, easily organized tours, a host of international grocery options and restaurants, and plenty of affordable accommodation options. You can also easily take a day trip to Lake Atitlan for some watersports or beach time.
Maya Papaya is consistently rated as one of the best hostels in North America by Hostelworld. Ryan and I actually stayed in a small guesthouse called Hotel Casa Rustica, which was lovely, but there are so many fabulous boutique hotels. Most are very small, with an inner courtyard and garden, a common area, a rooftop deck with a volcano view, and a hearty breakfast. The best part is that most of them have well-appointed rooms for less than $50/night, some way less than that. Even 4-star hotels, like the converted nunnery, El Convento, are less than $200 per night.
The best things to do in Guatemala
1. Hike Volcano Acatenango
Volcano de Fuego
Probably the most memorable activity we have ever done, in all our travel years, was climbing to the peak of Volcano Acatenango. The volcano hike is extraordinary because of the incredible landscape and number of active volcanoes in the area. Your journey begins with a short bus ride from Antigua where the professional guides will give you some background on the hike and outfit you with all the necessary gear. From there, you begin your ascent. You cross through four completely different microclimates, and the hike takes anywhere between 3.5-5 hours, depending on your fitness level. It is steep in the beginning, but most hikers were able to complete it.
Once at the peak, you will be treated to a cliffside campfire and settled into your tent for the evening. Once the skies get dark, the fireworks begin because Volcano Acatenango happens to be next door neighbor to one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Volcano de Fuego. It was the most magical feeling, standing there, in the freezing cold, the earth rumbling under your feet, then…boom!! The neighbor would spit out fireballs and puffs of steam into the night sky, and campers all over the surrounding mountains would shout. We shouted every time. It never got old.
In the early morning hours, you climb the rest of the way to the peak for sunrise, which was mind-blowing. From the peak of Acatenango, you can see three other volcanoes, including active Pacaya off in the distance towards Guatemala City. It was a night we will never forget and an adventure we recommend to everyone!
Booking the Tour
The booking for tours in Antigua can be a little strange. They have a big network, and they all work together, so don’t be surprised if you book through one agency, and a tour company by a different name picks you up. There are lots of booking agencies, but only a few companies that actually have a campsite on the mountain and outfit gear. We booked through Adonis at Agencia Tiquicia, but we stayed at Barco’s campsite.
Adonis was awesome! He will set you up with an English-speaking guide and all the information you need. If you can, request Lucas to be your guide. He is one of the veterans in the area, and he was phenomenal on every level! All the other guides were taking pointers and asking him questions, and he was wonderful to us and them.
Agencia Tiquicia- WhatsApp-50231438719.
2. Take a Traditional Cooking Class
On a whim, we decided to take a traditional cooking class with La Tortilla Cooking School, and it was so much fun. We had a private evening class, and our two ladies were just too wonderful. Our local chef Somara was a whizz in the kitchen, and we learned to make the national dish of Guatemala, Pepian Chicken. The course was private, but that was during the COVID time period, so if you book now, there will likely be other people in your class, which might make it even more fun!
We did the Basic Class, which is $45 pp. It was overall a very good deal! The class lasts a couple of hours, and you get to eat the meal afterward. Plus, you get unlimited wine during your cooking and meal. The ladies also email you the recipe after your class so you can continue to make it at home. We love these kinds of experiences because we get to spend quality time with a local, learn a new skill, and it’s always exciting when someone is getting to teach you the special parts of their culture. It’s just a beautiful bonding and learning experience.
3. Climb the Hill of the Cross
For an easy hike in the evening, and a beautiful view of the city. Take the winding path up to Mirador del Cerro de la Cruz. This is a busy little hilltop park with a giant cross sculpture and large promenade for viewing the city and the surrounding mountainous landscape. It’s a pretty short, 15-minute walk from the center of town.
4. Go Church Hopping
Being in such an active tectonic zone means Guatemala gets some awesome volcano shows, but it also means earthquakes are possible. Antigua has had its fair share in the past, and several of the massive Colonial Cathedrals and Spanish Convents now lie in partial ruin, but there is something quite beautiful and romantic about them. We love that the city hasn’t demolished them. They clean them up, and make them safe to tour, but they leave them to be enjoyed, which is nice.
There are seemingly hundreds around town, but a few standouts are The Antigua Guatemala Cathedral from 1540, which sits prominently on the Main Square, the giant, banana-colored Iglesia de la Merced, and Convento Capuchinas. Most of the churches are free to visit. Just make sure you are dressed modestly and are respectful of service times and worshippers.
5. Make Your Own Chocolate at Choco Museo
Choco Museo is not unique to Antigua. There are actually several of them around the world, but it is fun for a romantic evening or a day activity for the whole family. While there is a chocolate museum and gift shop onsite, if you book the workshop, that’s where the real fun starts. The exceptional guides will walk you through the process of making your very own chocolate, from raw beans to tasty bars!
Bonus: Since Choco Museo is conveniently located on the city’s Main Square, you can enjoy your newly made chocolate bar with a fresh cup of coffee at one of the cafes and enjoy the view of the stunning Antigua Cathedral.
6. Take a Guided Tour to Lake Atitlan
While you could split your time between Antigua and Lake Atitlan, if you prefer ease of travel, you can book a fairly economical day trip to the famous lake. Guided tours include pickup from the city center, a tour and free time in the lakeside town of Panajachel, and a boat tour of the lake, including a stop at a traditional Tzutujil village. Lake Atitlan is stunning, and the little towns encircling the lake have a vibe all their own, each with a distinct flavor. It’s worth taking a day to explore!
7. Eat the quesadillas at Restaurante y Taquería El Faro
This one won’t show up on most “best of Antigua” lists, but we stumbled on this little restaurant when Abby was hangry one day, and it fast became our favorite. The quesadillas and fresh horchata are the best we have ever tasted! It’s not a fancy place, just filled with locals eating a fast lunch, but it is soo tasty!
8. Wander the City in the Morning Hours
The sun peaking through the surrounding volcanoes in the early morning hours, before the city awakes, is something pretty marvelous to behold. The soft glow peering through Santa Catalina Arch and bouncing off all the brightly colored houses is simply magical. Now, I (Abby) do not do mornings. There are two places on Earth where I have gotten up early to wander. Antigua is one, and the sunrise view over San Cristobal de las Casas was the other. So, just know if I say roaming the streets of Antigua before the world awakes is worth getting out of bed, it is.
9. Shop Your Heart Out at Mercato Centrale
Antigua’s giant central market is a world unto its own, a loud, bustling, and vibrant world. The innumerable stalls of fresh fruits and veggies are beautifully laid out like a magazine. The live animal market is bustling with chicken and goat salesmen. There are textile stores, clothing stores, food stalls, and gaming areas. Even if you don’t buy a single thing, the Saturday market is something you should experience.
Be prepared to barter. You will likely not be offered local prices at first ask. Agree to pay what you think is fair. As always with bartering in a foreign nation, remember that the goal is to get a fair price, not to get something for an incredibly low deal. Vendors need to make a living and take care of their families. Don’t get scammed, but don’t be the scammer either.
10. Day Trip to Tikal
The Mayan complex at Tikal is one of the foremost ancient ruins in Central America. The complex is massive, well-preserved, and impressive! However, it is too far from Antigua to do a one-day road trip, unless you book a guided tour that includes a round-trip flight. Most of these tours currently (2023) will run you about $400 pp, but if you are a history lover, then it’s worth it to visit Tikal.
11. Journey to Semuc Champey Natural Pools
Semuc Champey is quite possibly one of the most beautiful natural wonders we have laid eyes on. It sits deep in the Guatemalan jungle, and it can be a bit of a journey to get to, but it’s a fabulous journey. If you choose to go visit. You will probably need to take the bus to the city of Coban. Stay the night. Then, the next morning, hop the local bus, or collectivo, to Semuc Champey. The bus will take you to the small mountain town of Lanquin. From there, the local transporters will be waiting with specially adapted trucks to take you deeper into the mountains. Just hop on in and get ready for a curvy, but jaw-dropping, ride. You will land in a tiny town just outside the national park, where we highly recommend you stay at Hostal Portal de Champey. For $20 a night, you get a private room, on a lush property, with huge shared cabana, outdoor swimming pool, and a stunning river view. It’s a gorgeous property, and the national park is just steps down the road.
Give yourself a full day at the Semuc Champey to explore. We enjoyed a meal in our hostel overlooking the river and partook in some dancing in the cabana, then went early the next morning. Start your day with a short but steep hike to the viewing platform over the star of the show, the series of natural limestone pools that the park is famous for. Once you are nice and sweaty and have snagged a few iconic pics, head down for a dip in the refreshingly cold waters with the locals.
Once you have finished hanging in the pools, leave the national park and cross the giant, yellow metal bridge to the private property on the other side. Here you will hop on the wildest adventure yet…
12. Join the Water Cave Tour
The private land just outside Semuc Champey National Park has been turned into an adventure playground, and it is a blast! The adventure begins with turning in all your valuables and following your guide into the jungle where he or she will educate you on traditional Mayan plant medicine, or use floral pigments to paint your face like a cat, which is what happened to us. Our guide found it hilarious, and we found his belly laugh intoxicating, so it was a win-win.
After the quick walk, your guide will light a plain white candlestick for you, and you enter the cave system. Now, this is no normal adventure tour with harnesses, helmets, waivers, and life jackets. Nah… this was actually an adventure. We entered the cave with nothing but ourselves and a quick verbal survey to make sure we could swim and weren’t afraid of the dark.
Inside the cave system, we crossed a series of water channels by rope bridge. In some places, we were wading, as the water was above our heads. It progressed in intensity to rappelling up a waterfall, sliding down an internal natural waterslide, and then the finale… Our guide led us to a deep cavern where we were told there were three jumping platforms.
Remember, this whole tour was done by the light of one candle, so you couldn’t see past the end of your nose. You have to trust that you will jump in the right spot, not jump too high and hit your head, or any other manner of disaster. We jumped from the highest spot, but you do you. We can assure you, however, that the ceiling is high, the water below is deep, and there are no scary fish… or bats…or cave monsters.
Book That Ticket
Alright, guys, there you have it, the top 12 things to do in Guatemala. If you are on the fence about Guatemala, get off! We didn’t plan to go. We kind of just landed in Guatemala City because of a ministry opportunity, but we stayed for a month after our job was done because it was just that lovely. If you are concerned about safety, know that while Guatemala City does have rough areas, the tourist regions are very safe, and the locals are dedicated to ensuring that you have a safe and enjoyable journey.
Wondering what this budget-friendly vacation destination will cost you? Take a look at “How Much Does One Week in Guatemala Cost to see our trip budget and get some cost-saving travel tips for the region.
Now…GET LOST!
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Hiking Volcano Acatenango overnight is consistently ranked as the most unforgettable experience in Guatemala. You camp at the summit and watch neighboring Volcano de Fuego erupt into the night sky.
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Absolutely — Guatemala is one of the best adventure destinations in Central America. From overnight volcano hikes and jungle cave tours to natural limestone pools at Semuc Champey, there's no shortage of epic experiences.
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One week is enough to hit the major highlights — Antigua, Semuc Champey, and a Lake Atitlan day trip. Two weeks gives you time to also visit Tikal and soak up more of Antigua at a relaxed pace.