Guatemala Travel Guide

Updated May 24, 2023
About the Author: Denise Cruz has lived in 4 countries and visited 35+ others. After her second sabbatical, she began sharing travel advice at Wander Her Way.

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Guatemala has a rich culture and incredible natural beauty but it’s often overlooked by tourists. You can explore ancient ruins, shop in colorful markets, get up close and personal with an active volcano, and swim in a volcanic lake.

I put together this handy Guatemala travel guide to help you make the most of your trip to this lively little country in Central America.

¡Vamo!

guatemala travel guide

Best of Guatemala: Quick Links

Guatemala Travel Guide

Top Guatemala destinations

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Guatemala

  • Antigua Guatemala (1979)
  • Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua (1981)
  • Tikal National Park (1979)

Source: UNESCO

Things to Do in Guatemala

  • Climb volcanoes like Pacaya, Acatenango, and Chicabal.
  • Explore Mayan the ruins of Tikal.
  • Go swimming in Semuc Champey’s cascading waterfalls and pools.
  • Take Spanish lessons.
  • Relax in natural hot springs in Fuentes Georginas.
  • Explore the towns around Lake Atitlán.
  • Experience traditional Guatemalan dishes like pepian and kak’ik.
  • Shop for incredible arts, crafts, and jewelry made of Jade.
  • Go to a cacao ceremony.
  • Take a cooking class.

Know Before You Go: Guatemala Tips

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Guatemala is from November to April. It’s the dry season so temperatures are milder and it doesn’t rain as much. It’s also when most of the festivals happen.

Festivals and celebrations

  • February: Carnival
  • February: Coffee Harvest Festival
  • March/April: Semana Santa, Palm Sunday and Good Friday
  • May: Jueves de Ascencion
  • July: Fiesta de Santiago in Antigua
  • July: Festival Folklórico Nacional de Cobán
  • August: Fiesta de la Virgen de la Asunción
  • September: Dia de la Independencia
  • November: Skach Koyl Festival (Drunken Horse Racing)
  • November: Dia de los Santos
  • Nobember: National Day of the Garifuna
  • December: Fiesta de Santo Tomas (Chichicastenango Fair)
  • December: Noche Buena (Christmas Eve)
  • December: Vispera de Año Nuevo

How to get around

Local chicken buses and tuk-tuks are inexpensive ways to get around town. For going one city to another, private (and air-conditioned!) tourist shuttles are very inexpensive.

Where to stay

Guatemala has a lot of hotel, hostel, and private homes that you can rent for your stay. The best part is that they’re all very affordable—even the higher end hotels are relatively cheap, compared to other countries.

In Antigua there are a few places I recommend. For solid hotel options, stay at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo or Good Hotel Antigua. On the budget side, Maya Papaya or Selina Antigua, which is a cute hotel with a mix of private suites, rooms with shared bathrooms, and dorms. In Xela, I recommend Casa Seibel and Kasa Kiwi Hostel.

The best place to find great places to stay in Guatemala is Booking.com. Be sure to read the reviews and look at the map to see where the hotel is located in relation to the town’s points of interest, restaurants, etc.

Hotels are really cheap in Guatemala but if you’re planning to stay for an extended period of time, say to learn Spanish, you can rent some pretty awesome villas and apartments on VRBO.

Safety and crime

Don’t wear anything flashy, keep an eye on your valuables, and don’t walk alone at night seem like sensible advice to give anyone visiting anywhere. But whenever traveling to South and Central America as a solo female traveler, you should exercise more caution, particularly in the bigger cities.

While I did see pickpockets, I found that the popular tourist destinations such as Lake Atitlán, Semuc Champey, and Antigua were relatively safe.

Just stay alert. And always keep your safety in mind while exploring the country.

What to eat

  • Pepian de Indio
  • Kak’ik
  • Caldo de Res
  • Jocon de Pollo
  • Tostadas Guatemaltecas
  • Hilachas
  • Tamales
  • Mole de Plantano
  • Atol de Elote

Where to learn Spanish

Plan your trip to Guatemala

✈️ Find your flight with Skyscanner.
🛎 Get your hotel with Booking.com or hostel with Hostelworld.
🏠 Rent a unique home or apartment with Plum Guide and VRBO.
🚘 Rent a car with Discover Cars.
🏰 Book tours and excursions with Get Your Guide or Viator.
☂️ Get travel insurance from SafetyWing.
📱 Avoid roaming fees with eSIM card from Airalo.
🌋 Go on an adventure with G Adventures.