The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Guatemala

Posted on July 24, 2024 | Julie J. |

Planning a trip to Guatemala soon? Discover the best things to do on your Guatemala vacation with all these must-see destinations. I’ve included all the most iconic places you should visit as well as some lesser-known destinations that you can check out if you have extra time.

Guatemala is a beautiful country with a lot to offer. They managed to open up to tourism while still preserving their way of life. From visiting historical sights to seeing craftsmen at work, learning about and witnessing their culture is an incredible experience.

The country is also filled with stunning landscapes from beautiful beaches to lush jungles to blue lakes – you’re likely to be in awe most of your trip! Adventure seekers will love the many activities available throughout the country with many opportunities for hiking, diving, surfing, riding ATVs, and much more.

One important thing to keep in mind when planning a trip to Guatemala is that while the country is small, you’re likely to lose a day in transportation every time you go from one destination to another.

In this Guatemala travel guide, explore some of the best destinations in the country from ancient Mayan ruins to colonial towns to natural wonders.

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HELPFUL WEBSITES TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP

FLIGHT DEALS

HOTEL DEALS

CAR RENTAL

TRAVEL INSURANCE

ACTIVITIES

VACATION RENTALS

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Table of Contents show

Antigua

Surrounded by volcanoes, Antigua Guatemala is the most beautiful colonial town in the country. It’s one of the few places in the country where I could have stayed for weeks, just for the atmosphere.

The city has kept its paved streets and traditional houses and preserved its colonial architecture while tourism has allowed the city to prosper. There you’ll find cute cafés, flavorful restaurants, and charming guest houses, as well as a few luxury hotels for those who want to treat themselves.

I recommend spending at least 3 days in Antigua to have enough time to visit the city, explore a coffee plantation, and hike to one of the volcanoes

The easiest hike is the Pacaya Volcano one. It’s a half-day trip from Antigua and takes around 3 hours up and down. You can also climb Acatenango Volcano and Fuego Volcano, but it’s usually done with an overnight stay – if you’re fit and like adventure, this is a wonderful experience.

Monterrico

Monterrico is a small fisherman village on the Pacific coast known for its beautiful black-sand beach, bird-watching opportunities, and peaceful vibes.

The best thing I experienced there and that I highly recommend is to do a sunrise boat tour in the mangrove and lagoon. The colors were stunning and once the sun rises you get to see tons of birds.

Most people take a day trip from Antigua to visit Monterrico or other Pacific beaches in the area but I recommend spending at least one day just to be able to do the sunrise tour.

If you’re visiting between June and December, you can watch newborn turtles being released and even help out at the sanctuary.

If you want to surf, then head to El Paredon instead.

Atitlan Lake

Atitlan Lake is often considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Central America, and I have to agree. I loved my time there, taking the boat (an experience in itself, it feels like being in a water version of Fast And Furious) to reach beautiful villages and see how locals live.

The lake is surrounded by volcanoes, offering breathtaking sceneries and stunning landscapes.

People looking for authenticity won’t be disappointed either. A visit to some of the small traditional villages found around the lake will allow you to watch some traditional handicrafts being made.

The main villages for tourists to stay at around the lake are Panajachel (the most convenient), San Pedro La Laguna (a backpackers’ hub), and San Marcos La Laguna (a hippy paradise).

For a traditional stay experience and a Mayan culture immersion, check out Santa Catarina Palopo and San Antonio Palopo. San Juan La Laguna is also worth checking out for its textile industry and street art.

The main things to do while there are to visit the villages and all the workshops and go for hikes. I would recommend spending at least 2 days but you won’t get bored if you stay longer.

Can you swim in the lake? Yes, you can, but know that it’s very polluted (there’s almost no fish left) so I wouldn’t recommend it. If you want to swim anyway, don’t put your head underwater, and make sure to not get any water in your mouth or nose.

Chichicastenango Market

Every Thursday and Sunday, one of the most colorful markets in Latin America takes place and you shouldn’t miss it.

I guarantee it will be one of the highlights of your Guatemala itinerary. It’s huge, it’s authentic, and everything is just beautiful. I was afraid it would be some sort of tourist trap but it didn’t feel that way at all. Just make sure to bargain and to have an idea of how much things should cost.

Keep in mind that some of the clothing and fabrics take months to embroider.

Lanquin (Semuc Champey)

Semuc Champey is a stunning underground river with pools on top located deep into the mountains. Getting there is not easy but it’s definitely worth it. You won’t see many other places like this in the world, and the best is that it’s far from being crowded. It’s one of the best places to visit in Guatemala.

It takes 15 minutes from the ticket office to reach the area where you can bathe to the river (15 minutes) and you can also hike to the viewpoint.

You can also go river tubing nearby and visit Lanquin Cave.

If you’re up for an adventure and have 2 days to spare, you can visit Laguna Lachua and Candelaria Caves from Coban (you’ll pass that city on your way to Lanquin). Both are national parks and offer incredible scenery. It’s not easy to reach these places on your own so I recommend taking a tour.

Flores

Flores is a cute little island located in the lush Peten region in Northern Guatemala. Most of the area is covered by a dense jungle where Maya pyramids, covered by vegetation, appear here and there.

There you’ll find colorful houses, cute cafés, nice restaurants, and a busy nightlife.

I honestly was a bit disappointed because there’s nothing authentic about it, everything was created with tourism in mind. But it’s a backpacker hub and a great place to socialize. It’s also a great location to visit Tikal National Park

If you want to experience something more local, you can stay at El Remate village, located mid-way between Tikal ruins and Flores.

Tikal National Park

Located, an hour away from Flores and not far from the border with Belize, Tikal Archaeological Park is the best-renovated Maya site in Peten and one of the most spectacular – it’s one of the best places to visit in Guatemala.

Tikal National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and you can’t visit the country without adding it to your Guatemala itinerary.

I recommend booking a guided tour, especially if it’s the first Maya site you visit, so you can learn all about the Mayas, their history and culture, and what each building was for.

More Places to Visit in Peten

If you have more time, the Peten region has a lot of places to discover, here are a few of its highlights:

Aguateca, El Ceibal, and Dos Pilas: three Mayan ruins located near Sayaxche, only accessible by boat, if you’re a group you can negotiate directly with a boat owner, otherwise, you can book a tour from Flores.
Crater Azul: a stunning lagoon (sometimes polluted though), again only accessible by boat. Some travel agencies in Flores offer a tour there.
El Mirador: spectacular Maya ruins near the border with Mexico and surrounded by dense tropical jungle. There’s no road to it, you’ll need to trek. The trip usually lasts five to six days back and forth. It’s a great adventure if you want to wake up the Lara Croft or Indiana Johns in you. If you can afford it, you can also take a helicopter tour to the ruins which will only take a day.

Livingston

Livingston is the heart of the Garifuna culture in Guatemala. This colorful town is only accessible by boat from Puerto Cortes (there’s also a “tourist”, aka expensive, boat leaving from Rio Dulce). There are tons of activities to do there that will keep you busy for a few days.

Take a tour of the Siete Alatares Waterfall and Playa Blanca and hike through the jungle to Tiger Cave featuring beautiful rock formations and a natural pool you can swim in.

Should you visit Guatemala City?

If you’re coming by plane, you’ll likely be landing in Guatemala City. Most people head straight to Antigua from the Guatemala City Airport.

My opinion is that if you have the time, you can spend a day visiting the city (stick to Zona 10 and 1 for safety reasons). I particularly loved the central market (mercado central) there and you’ll get to see many beautiful colonial buildings. However, it doesn’t compare to the places mentioned above and I don’t think you’ll miss on a lot if you decide to skip it.

Guatemala Travel Tips – What to Pack

Your trip to Guatemala will be much easier if you pack light and use a backpack. If you’re planning on traveling via public transportation, don’t even think about having a suitcase, most of the time you’ll have to put it on your lap, so the lighter the better.

Clothing: you’ll easily find same-day laundry services so you don’t need to overpack, one week of clothing is enough. Make sure to have long pants for when you go in the jungle to avoid mosquito bites. Keep in mind that it can be cold, especially at night, and hot during the day. If you’re going to go off-the-beaten-path, locals don’t wear revealing clothing, so if you wear shorts outside of touristy destinations you might get a few stares. Also, don’t forget to pack a swimsuit.
Shoes: I always recommend packing only two pairs, one pair of flip-flops or sandals, and one pair of sneakers you can use for trekking.
Toiletry: apart from the essentials, make sure to pack organic mosquito repellent, biodegradable sunscreen, and wet wipes.
Other: There are a lot of mosquito-borne diseases in Guatemala, apart from using covering clothes and repellent, you might want to pack an ultrasonic mosquito repellent (get it here), you can use it both indoors and outdoors, it works with a rechargeable battery. When traveling, having an action camera is always a good idea, especially in Guatemala, where there are tons of water activities. Plugs are the same as in the US, if you’re coming from Europe, pack a plug adapter.