From Erupting Volcanoes to Sparkling Sapphire Lakes: The Ultimate Guide to Uncovering Guatemala's Rugged Beauty
Contrary to its tranquil nickname as the Land of Eternal Spring, Guatemala is, in fact, an unmatched high-adrenaline destination. Located within the Pacific Ring of Fire — yes, you heard that right! — Guatemala sits at the juncture of three major tectonic plates and is home to 30 volcanoes, some of which are still active! While large in comparison to some of its Central American neighbors, Guatemala is still a relatively small country. Despite its small size though, the country features several climate zones, each boasting unique ecosystems and wildlife and offering one-of-a-kind adventures for those brave enough to seek them. From ancient Mayan cities hidden in dense tropical jungle to secret underground waterfalls to volcanoes that erupt every 15 minutes, Guatemala is one high-octane adventure you won’t want to miss!
Getting to Guatemala
The main port of entry in Guatemala is Guatemala City. La Aurora International Airport (GUA) is the primary airport through which most travelers enter Guatemala. Having recently been modernized, the airport is small but orderly. Signage in the airport is in both Spanish and English but are scant and, interestingly, much of the staff do not speak English. Despite this, navigating La Aurora is still easy as the friendly staff posted at regular intervals are more than willing to assist clueless tourists like us in whatever way they can!
Getting to Guatemala from the USA is straightforward and often quick as there are daily nonstop flights to Guatemala City from most major airports -our flight from Atlanta was just over 3 hours! Customs and border control is standard and can take anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour. We should also mention that there is one other international airport in Guatemala: Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS). Located in Flores, Mundo Maya International Aiport is modern but very small, accommodates only two airlines (TAG and Avianca), and primarily serves as a hub for the short 45-minute flights between Guatemala City and Flores.
Visa are not required for visitors from the USA however a customs declaration FORM must be completed prior to departure for Guatemala. Also, Mundo Maya International Airport does not have any restaurants. Instead, there is one small kiosk selling snacks before security and one after security so eat before you travel or bring your food with you.
When to visit Guatemala
Guatemala has two main seasons: the wet season which extends from May to October and the dry season from November to April. While there’s not necessarily a “perfect” time to visit as both the wet and dry seasons offer different benefits, the least ideal time to vacation in Guatemala is during the months of September and October when the rain becomes relentless. May is also a less-than-ideal time to find yourself in some parts of Guatemala as well as the lack of rain during this time can lead to extreme heat and humidity.
Flores and the Petén region in general are excruciatingly hot and most restaurants, hotels and businesses do not have A/C hence relief is hard to come by. To avoid melting into a puddle, make sure to book hotels reviewed for having excellent air conditioning!
During the wet season, mosquitoes are more prevalent and heavy rains can impact outdoor activities which might lead you to think that this is a poor time to visit however there are definitely perks to traveling in Guatemala during the wet season. Firstly, the climate is often a little cooler during this time. Secondly, the rains are surprisingly predictable with the heaviest downpours happening in the evenings, which leaves plenty of dry mornings for exploring. And finally, some of the clearest days in Guatemala where volcanoes can be seen from miles away only occur in the wet season!
Pack layers and lightweight, waterproof outer shells for any extended outdoor activities if visiting Guatemala in the rainy season. A jacket like this Columbia Watertight II is packable, waterproof, and breathable and great for Kayaking or Fishing! It was a close second to the Outdoor Research Foray II we found on clearance!
The dry season in Guatemala is a great time to visit for those looking to do activities like extensive volcano hikes or anyone not interested in packing lots of rain gear. The weather during this time is often warm and humid and mosquitoes are less abundant. The primary drawback of the dry season though are the hazy days that can dramatically limit visibility to the point of entire volcanoes disappearing right before your eyes! Honestly speaking, Guatemala has such nice variation in climate from zone to zone that you’re likely to experience at least a few gorgeously clear and dry days on your travels no matter when you choose to visit.
Getting Around Guatemala
How to get around in Guatemala varies a good deal by city. Larger, more tourist friendly cities tend to offer more conveniences like app-based taxi services and rideshares while rural areas rely primarily on local taxis and buses. Public transport is available throughout the country via colorful, converted school buses known lovingly as “Chicken Buses.” Chicken Buses run regularly from stops in every city and offer the cheapest means of transportation in Guatemala. Although you can travel by these buses from one end of Guatemala to the next for a ridiculously cheap price, there is a hidden cost to traveling in this way. Not only are the buses open air and lack air conditioning, but they also often travel along winding, bumpy roads which can trigger devastating motion sickness for anyone prone to this.
Cash is required for fare on Chicken Buses and pre-treating with motion sickness medication ahead of lengthy travel is a great way to survive longer bus rides on those winding Guatemalan roads.
Taxis and Tuk Tuks
Not interested in bouncing around in a Chicken Bus for any period of time? Then Taxis and Tuk Tuks may be just the thing for you. No matter where you are in Guatemala, Taxis are ubiquitous making them the easiest means of inner-city travel in the country. Taxis can easily be hailed on any busy street in Guatemala by simply waving at a passing cab. More frequently than not, drivers will call out to pedestrians, offering rides whenever they’re available. If you’d like a more streamlined way to get a cab, then consider downloading the inDrive or Yango apps, both of which allow digital ride hailing with clear and transparent pricing. Keep in mind though that ride hailing apps are useful in larger cities like Antigua and Guatemala City but are unreliable in smaller towns.
Just as commonplace as taxis, Tuk Tuks are the next most popular form of inner-city travel in Guatemala. Typically painted flamboyantly red and perched atop just three wheels, these zippy little vehicles can seat 2-4 people and are a fantastic way to travel for short trips around any Guatemalan city. Tuk Tuk rides can only be paid for with cash however rides are cheap and, honestly, just getting into a Tuk Tuk is an adventure worth having!
Most taxis in Guatemala only accept cash so make sure to have some on hand and negotiate your fare before taking off.
Rideshares
At present, Uber is the only Rideshare App available in Guatemala. Uber rides are safe, fairly priced and currently only available in Guatemala City and Antigua. Although Uber is one of the more popular ways to travel between La Aurora International Airport and both Antigua and Guatemala City, Uber drivers are often banned from the arrivals area at the airport so booking a ride could mean having to arrange a pickup point away from the airport.
Driving in Guatemala
For anyone wanting to fully explore Guatemala, traveling by road is, unfortunately, necessary. Why so pessimistic? Well, we’ll tell you! Although the roads in Guatemala are fairly well maintained – not many potholes to speak of – they are incredibly serpentine mountain roads with gut-wrenching blind turns and insanely steep grades! Now, if we’re being completely truthful, not every road in Guatemala is like this — inner city roads are straighter — but the majority are! Because of the nature of the roads, traveling what may seem to be a short distance can take hours. For instance, the distance from Panajachel to Antigua is a mere 47 miles but the drive can take 3 hours or more!
There are lots of gas stations along main roads in Guatemala and they typically have shockingly clean bathroom facilities.
Traffic is another major factor to consider when planning a Guatemalan road trip. As most roads are single carriage roads in the country, you’re unlikely to ever find yourself alone on a route. This means having to contend with not only other passenger vehicles but semi-trailers, tons of motorcycles and, on occasion, animals and pedestrians on the road. And as if to further test your mettle, local drivers commonly stop and park their vehicles in the traveling lane without warning, even around blind curves! As you might imagine, accidents and fatalities on Guatemalan roads are frequent and, sadly, viewed as an unavoidable eventuality. For these reasons and many others, we opted to hire a private driver skilled in the ways of the Guatemalan roads for our adventures through the country. While it was definitely more expensive than simply renting a car, having someone who could maneuver the insane roads and traffic, find us food and bathroom stops, translate for us when our Spanish vocab ran dry and even tend to us when we got motion sick was priceless! Finding a private driver in Guatemala is not difficult as this is a primary profession in the country however finding a reliable and affordable driver can be a challenge. If you haven’t yet secured your ride, we highly recommend Guatemala Rides (reachable on WhatsApp at +502 3756 4698) both for their professionalism and their amazing customer support.
Where to stay in Guatemala
As traveling from place to place in Guatemala can take a substantial amount of time thanks to those tricky mountain roads, picking a place to stay that offers proximity to points of interest can be more challenging than you might expect. Additionally, safety, cleanliness, comfort and scenery are all major factors to be considered when making your selection. Thankfully, there are many unique and amazing lodgings to choose from in Guatemala and most of them are super affordable!
Guatemala City
One of the largest cities in Central America, Guatemala City is a sprawling metropolis that serves as the Capital of the nation. As the commercial center of the nation, the city is expectedly crowded and raucous with tons of businesses and terrible traffic to boot! Despite all it has to offer in regard to fun and good food though, Guatemala City is considered unsafe for tourists. The frequency of random and violent crime throughout the city makes it a less-than-desirable vacation spot and tourists within in the city are strongly encouraged to stay in established “Hotel Zones” that offer enhanced security. While we’re sure this is off-putting, not to worry, there are many much safer and dare we say, much lovelier towns in which to spend your time when you visit Guatemala.
Heavily armed Police, security guards and military officers are a common sight in Guatemala City and while this is definitely startling to see at first, keep in mind that these officers and security guards are there for the safety of all and are unlikely to interact with you.
Lanquín
Located about 8-10 hours away from Guatemala City in the heart of Guatemala, Lanquín is not a common stop for vacationers in Guatemala simply because of how difficult it can be to travel to. Lush and mountainous, Lanquín is moderately warm and most people find themselves in this incredibly small and rural village in pursuit of Semuc Champey, one of the most unique natural wonders of Guatemala. Accommodation in Lanquín run the gamut from nicer and more spacious resorts to smaller camp-style lodging. For our time in Lanquín, we chose Hotel El Recreo Lanquín-Champey which was located right off the main road. Pulling in, we were a little taken aback by the 20 or so motorcycles packed into the small front yard but a few warm welcomes later and we forgot all about that. The hotel featured a main building with an open-air dining area and reception while rooms were scattered across the grounds in various stand-alone buildings. Our room was located well away from the loud main hall and did have a small dining area and private bath. Although the room itself wasn’t much to write home about, it was clean and surprisingly bug-free. We must admit too that the shower had no pressure to speak of — you would probably stand a better chance of getting clean if someone spits water on you — we were still impressed by the ingenuity they showed in jerry-rigging the shower to somehow produce hot water! Given some of the horror stories regarding rats that we heard about other nearby hotels, we felt that our experience at Hotel Recreo Lanquín -Champey was truly luxurious in comparison. And did we mention that the hotel’s restaurant offers an awesome breakfast?
Lanquín is quite rural, so clean water is very hard to come by, and, in fact, most visitors face some GI illness or another after visiting. Use only bottled water to drink and brush your teeth and make sure to avoid all fresh, cut fruits and vegetables.
Flores Island
Nestled within stunning Lake Peten Itza, Flores Island is actually a small but charming city that draws tourists not just for its beauty and tropical vibes but also for its proximity to Guatemala’s jungle and the famous Tikal National Park. Getting to Flores Island is easy as there are daily flights to FRS airport from Guatemala City. Although Flores Island can also be reached via road, the drive can take 12 hours or longer from Guatemala City and involves crossing on a small and fairly unpredictable ferry making it a much less attractive option when compared to the readily available 45-minute flights.
Flores Airport is only a 5-minute drive away from the island and there is a free airport shuttle for residents residing on the island.
Because of its small size, traveling around Flores Island can be done via short taxi rides or on foot. Additionally, the island is connected via a short causeway to Flores itself, making commuting between the island and the mainland on foot a feasible option. Keep in mind though that Flores — and the Peten area in general— is one of the hottest parts of Guatemala. The weather in Flores is quite stunning with blue skies and fluffy white clouds being the norm but there’s a catch: temperatures in Flores often exceed 100 degrees F! Thanks to the extreme weather, choosing where to stay in Flores requires consideration of a single factor only and that is whether or not the property has air conditioning.
You might be thinking that surely any place with this kind of heat would have to have air conditioning everywhere and, sadly, you would be wrong! Most businesses, restaurants and hotels do not, in fact, have air conditioning, which was as shocking to us as it was devastating. Honestly, the only real respite we found from the heat during our time in Flores was at chain restaurants like Pollo Campero!
Flores Island is partially underwater due to the rising lake. Currently, there are plans to close the causeway between the island and mainland to vehicles while the city works on a solution. This means that tourists will need to walk to residences on the island. Make sure to check status of the project with your hotel before arrival as you may find yourself having to walk a good 15 minutes in the heat while pulling all your luggage!
We chose Hotel Villa del Lago as our base in Flores both for its spectacular lakefront location and its air conditioning. Our room, albeit a little small, was well appointed and the views were unbeatable. We also loved that breakfast was included and that we were conveniently located next to a small dock. Tragically, the air conditioning in our room could only cool the 5-foot area directly below it, making us ever-grateful that we had decided to spend less than 2 days in the Flores!
Panajachel
Perched on the shores of spectacular Lake Atitlan, Panajachel was our favorite stop in Guatemala. One of several villages surrounding the lake, Panajachel, with its vibrant markets and colorful street art, was a captivating blend of local culture and astounding natural beauty. Arriving to Panajachel from Flores, we nearly cried — so relieved were we to find perfectly cool and temperate weather! Rather than stay in the bustling heart of Panajachel, we settled on Jenna’s River Bed and Breakfast, located less than a mile away from the city. Set on a hillside above Panajachel, Jenna’s was uniquely laid out with villas arranged around a central staircase leading down the hill towards the lakeshore. Walking through the gates to the property, we were immediately awed by panoramic views of Lake Atitlan.
We were assigned the Armadillo villa, located towards the top of the property and loved everything about it. Not only was the villa designed to allow indoor-outdoor living and was comfortably furnished, but attention was also paid to maximizing the vista, ultimately leading to us having spectacular views of Lake Atitlan from the balcony to the bed and even the toilet! We particularly loved that breakfast was included in our stay and that the owners thoughtfully installed water filters on all the sinks at the resort.
Antigua
Perhaps the most visited of Guatemala’s cities, Antigua is considered to be the ideal place to stay by most visitors for several reasons. Firstly, it is located just 45-minutes away from Guatemala City, making it one of the most accessible cities from La Aurora International Airport. Secondly, Antigua is one of the safest places in Guatemala for visitors and offers more conveniences overall. Thirdly, the city is truly lovely with its cobblestone streets and brightly painted buildings set against the temperamental Agua Volcano. And finally, Antigua is situated near many popular points of interest making it a fantastic base for tours and day trips.
Antigua is a fantastic place to shop for souvenirs as there is a large central market in the heart of the city. Just make sure to have cash on hand!
Befitting such a large and tourist-friendly city, accommodation is aplenty and quite affordable in Antigua. After much deliberation, we decided on Casa Bansley for its location away from the hustle and bustle while still being within walking distance of the heart of downtown. Since we were leaving our stunning Lake Atitlan hotel for Antigua, we expected much less appealing vistas once checked into Hotel Casa Bansley and were understandably shocked when we walked through the bland, street-facing metal security gate to find a luxuriously furnished reception hall attached to a lush courtyard overlooking Agua Volcano! Located just off the indoor dining area, our room was large, beautifully appointed and equipped with everything from fans to filtered water. The included breakfast served at the hotel’s restaurant was also literally some of the best food we ate in Guatemala!
Currency of Guatemala
The Quetzal is the official currency of Guatemala. Although foreign currencies are not generally accepted in Guatemala, some businesses will, on occasion, accept American Dollars if the bills are in pristine condition. Having Quetzales is a must when traveling through the country as many smaller eateries, businesses and even tourist attractions often require payment in cash. Credit cards are also widely accepted throughout Guatemala by many retailers, restaurants and hotels so having a card with no international transaction fee is also a great idea!
Avoid currency exchange counters in Guatemala as the exchange rates can be very unfavorable. Instead, use an international debit card with no withdrawal fees to obtain funds from a local ATM. ATMs can be found before customs and border control in the arrival terminal at La Aurora Airport or at various gas stations and convenience stores in most major cities.
Language of Guatemala
The official language of Guatemala is Spanish. English is not commonly spoken outside of Guatemala City or Antigua. In fact, even airport staff speak minimal to no English in many cases. That being said, Guatemalans are friendly and willing to assist despite language barriers so bring your patience and either your best Spanglish or a good translator and you’ll be just fine!
Staying Connected in Guatemala
The main cellular service in Guatemala is Claro which is readily available in even the most rural parts of the country. Using T-mobile, we were able to stay connected via T-mobile and Claro throughout all our travels in Guatemala. There was no public WiFi in any of the cities we visited, however all of our hotels offered free and reliable WiFi. Sim cards are available for purchase at La Aurora airport as well for those in need.
Surprising Conveniences in Guatemala
Being a developing nation, we expected a certain level of rustic living in Guatemala and while this is certainly true of the more rural areas, we were swept away by the many modern conveniences we could actually find in the bigger cities! As we’ve mentioned before, Uber is available in many Guatemalan cities and is very reliable and safe. Additionally, Guatemala also has a variety of delivery services that can be very handy in a pinch. The delivery services vary by city and are nonexistent in rural areas. In Antigua, we tried out PedidosYa, a local delivery app that works much like DoorDash. After downloading the app, we were able to select local groceries, restaurants, and pharmacies to shop. Payment was securely made using credit cards via the App and deliveries were easy to track. We found PedidosYa to be user-friendly and reliable overall. The main downside to the App was the lack of an English version however, despite this, we were able to use it successfully with our minimal Spanish and maximum confidence!
Some delivery Apps like PedidosYa will not allow you to add items to your cart if it is after hours and the business is closed.
In Panajachel, there was no App-based delivery service however we discovered Lucas Delivery, a personal shopper service operated via WhatsApp that was somewhat similar to InstaCart. To use Lucas Delivery, customers simply send a message to +502 3003 8113 on WhatsApp detailing what they would like to order. A Lucas Delivery employee then confirms the order and delivery time by text. Once shopping begins, the employee maintains constant contact with the customer, delivering updates on available items and the final price once they’re checked out. On delivery, the Lucas Delivery employee presents a receipt, and payment is accepted in Quetzales only. The service charge for Lucas Delivery is 25 Quetzales at present. Given that we were in the throes of some Guatemalan GI bug or another while in Panajachel, we used Lucas Delivery for food and medicine delivery several times and found them to be friendly, responsive and reliable.
Is it safe to travel to Guatemala?
Guatemala has a reputation for being a crime-ridden country however this has changed over the years with roads and cities becoming safer. While certain remote jungle and border areas remain too dangerous for travelers, these areas are far removed from popular tourist destinations in the country. Additionally, Guatemala City itself is also considered to be very dangerous for tourists as gun violence and robberies are prevalent in some areas of the city. Heavily armed military and security personnel are a common sight throughout Guatemala City as well and serve as a deterrent to criminals. Anyone traveling through these areas should do so with extreme caution and follow the advisory from the US Department of State. That being said, Antigua, Lake Atitlan and many other popular destinations within Guatemala are safe for tourists and have significantly lower crime rates. Practice vigilance and safeguard your belongings and you’ll have nothing to worry about as you travel through Guatemala.
Getting Sick in Guatemala
Sadly, an adventure through Guatemala can often involve picking up a souvenir or two that you didn’t plan on and definitely won’t enjoy! The lack of proper sanitation and availability of clean water in certain areas of the country almost guarantee that many travelers will contract gastrointestinal illness at some point in their travels! Thankfully, there are many well-equipped clinics and hospitals ready to assist in all major Guatemalan cities so there’s no need to suffer more than necessary. Vitalmed in Antigua in particular is a modern, clean and welcoming urgent care that offers English speaking staff as well as 24/7 testing and treatment and that is easily reachable by WhatsApp.
Additionally, pharmacies throughout the country are well-stocked and offer a wide selection of medications such as anti-nausea, antibiotic and anti-parasitic medication over the counter. As we ourselves fell victim to a Guatemalan bug during our travels, we made use of Vitalmed which we found to be efficient and on par with most USA urgent cares. We also visited several pharmacies during our stay and found Farmacia Batra to be one of the better stocked and more affordable pharmacies in Guatemala. We should also mention that some pharmacies even have small clinics and can offer quick and cheap consultations if your illness is not too severe. Hopefully, your travels through Guatemala will be less eventful than ours however if you do find yourself sick and in need of care, don’t hesitate to take advantage of the many resources available to you!
Travel insurance is a good idea when visiting Guatemala as illness and injury occur often and can really impact your trip. Check out Faye Insurance for your travel insurance needs as they provide comprehensive coverage at affordable prices and have a very user-friendly claims process. Thankfully, we purchased a plan from Faye and were refunded for missed portions of our trip without any hassles!
Food and Water in Guatemala
In case we haven’t said it enough times so far: do not drink the tap water anywhere in Guatemala. Ingesting only filtered or bottled water is the best way to avoid an unpleasant brush with a Guatemalan parasite!
Make sure to brush your teeth with bottled water and definitely take extra care to not open your mouth in the shower!
As for the food in Guatemala, where do we start? Being so close to Mexico, we expected Guatemalan food to carry similarly bright and flavorful notes however this was entirely not the case. Rather than the spicy and tangy flavors common to Mexican food, Guatemalan cuisine favored more earthy notes. Traditional Guatemalan cuisine leans heavily on stews and soups and often features beans and potatoes. Must-try local dishes include Pepián de Pollo — a tomato-based chicken stew that is considered the national dish, Kak’ik – a Mayan turkey soup, Jocón – a chicken stew made with cilantro, tomatillos, and green peppers and Hilachas – a tomato-based shredded beef stew.
Street food and fast-food are also common in Guatemala. One of the most popular street foods is Shucos: a Guatemalan hotdog on steroids! In addition to an enormous sausage, Shucos often include a huge array of toppings that turn a large hotdog into a messy monstrosity. Other popular street foods include Chuchitos – meat filled tamales, and Garnachas- fried tortillas topped with meat, cheese and sauces.
Although Guatemalan Street foods are enticing, consume with extreme caution as they are known to be a leading cause of GI illness in tourists.
Fast food chains are surprisingly pervasive in Guatemala as well. Everything from KFC to McDonald’s to Wendy’s is available in major cities. Local Guatemalan chains such as Pollo Campero are also very popular and definitely worth a visit if you find yourself near one. While we’re not big on fast food ourselves, we do enjoy browsing typical American fast-food chains in overseas locations to see what special items may be on offer. To this end, we found ourselves at a McDonald’s in Antigua, Guatemala. Unassuming on the outside, we walked into what can only be described as the most luxurious McDonald’s in the world. Featuring multiple dining rooms, a separate café, two fountains, live music and views of both ruins and a volcano, we were more than a little impressed. The food, for the most part, was the same as McDonald’s in the USA, however the fried chicken was a nice and well-done addition to the menu.
Looking for good food in Central America? Then check out THESE Costa Rican favorites!
Top Things to do in Guatemala
Spend a day at Semuc Champey
One of the most striking natural phenomena in Guatemala, Semuc Champey is a natural limestone bridge that is 980 feet long and beneath which the hidden Cahabon River flows. Atop the limestone bridge are a series of stunning, tiered, turquoise pools that are the perfect way to cool down on a hot Guatemalan day. As it is situated a good 8-10 hours away from most major cities and there are no nearby airports, getting to Semuc Champey is challenging since it involves extended travel via serpentine, mountain roads. Because we did not want to tackle a lengthy road trip plus a full-day tour in just one day, we decided to base ourselves in Lanquín from which daily tours depart to Semuc Champey. Now, although Semuc Champey can be visited without taking a tour, certain activities within the park cannot be done unless guided. Additionally, the tours are usually cheap, costing on average 20-30 USD per person and include transportation to the park, access to Kanba Caves and a tubing session down the Cahabon River.
Practically every resort in Lanquin offers tours to Semuc Champey and these tours all follow the same itinerary so you can choose your tour on arrival if you don’t want to book ahead.
We booked our Semuc Champey Tour through GetYourGuide with pickup from a nearby resort. Arriving to the resort, we were loaded into a “safety truck” — a pickup truck with metal bars to grab onto— which — if we’re being honest — was anything but safe! Once our small tour group was loaded into the back of the pickup truck, we embarked on a 40-minute, very scenic drive to another resort within the Semuc Champey area. From there, we embarked on a 30-minute, strenuous hike up to an overlook from which we could capture incredible pictures of the famous tiered pools. After several minutes of well-earned rest, we began the descent down to the pools themselves. Once there, we changed into swimwear and plunged into the cool, turquoise waters for a welcome respite from the heat. We were given the option to dive from pool to pool for a more thrilling adventure but opted to simply lounge and enjoy the pristine water and unique ecosystem surrounding us— not to mention the free pedicures from the fish!
There are wooden cubbies — not true lockers— at the pools where belongings can be left and which are monitored by the staff. Note that these cubbies do have doors but are typically not locked hence there is no real security here. We found having our own dry bag to be invaluable.
After about an hour at the pools, we paused briefly for lunch then proceeded to the next stop just a short walk away: Kanba Caves. Renowned within the park as a high-adrenaline adventure, the Kanba Caves are underground river caves that were once used for human sacrifices. Exploring the caves requires a guide and, as the caves are rudimentary and unlit— it’s done via candlelight. To traverse the cave, a guide leads the way and participants follow along, swimming or using an assist rope to pull themselves through bone-chilling water while holding candles overhead. The cave tour also involves walking through a rushing, underground waterfalls followed by sliding down a very narrow, dark chute before finally exiting. The entire tour is approximately an hour. In all honesty, we opted out of the cave tour as it appeared both uncomfortable and as though we would not be seeing much in the darkness and chose instead to admire the beautiful forest, natural pools and waterfalls of the Cahabon River. The members of our group that did do the cave tour seemed neither wowed nor disappointed but were freezing when they rejoined us! We wrapped up our day in Semuc Champey with a wonderfully peaceful float down the Cahabon River before once again risking our lives aboard another safety bus to return to Lanquin.
Good water shoes are a must both for the Kamba Caves and for the Semuc Champey pools.
Explore Lake Atitlan
Situated approximately 3 hours away from Antigua, Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America and one of Guatemala’s most scenic crater lakes. Several volcanoes surround the deep blue waters of Lake Atitlan creating an unmatched waterscape. There are several excellent ways to explore Lake Atitlan including ATV tours along its shores and, of course, via water activities like paddle boarding and kayaking. Because Lake Atitlan is often subjected to strong winds in the afternoons, kayaking is best done in the early mornings. If you’re looking for a less strenuous way to explore the lake, then a boat tour across the dazzling waters may be just what you need!
Unfortunately, Lake Atitlan’s water contains some industrial run-off and other parasites and pollutants so avoid ingesting any water from the lake.
Of course, exploring Lake Atitlan is not only about adventures on the lake alone! There are at least 12 unique villages and towns scattered around the lake, each offering its own unique culture, textiles and food that you simply shouldn’t miss! ATV tours from village to village are very common and is one of the more popular ways to explore Lake Atitlan’s towns. Tuk Tuk and boat tours are also available if ATVs are not your cup of tea!
Hike a Volcano
Perhaps the most popular thing to do in Guatemala, a visit to the country would not be complete without an attempt at climbing at least one volcano! Currently, the most sought-after volcano hike for daredevils in Guatemala takes place on Volcan Acatenango. A strenuous overnight hike with exposure to changeable and frigid weather as well as intense altitude (Acantenango’s summit is >13000 ft), hikers brave this mountain for one particular payoff: views of Volcan Fuego. Located within the same mountain range as Acatenango, Volcan Fuego is an active volcano that erupts every 15 minutes rewarding hikers who endure the arduous climb with a magnificent lava show. As magical as the payoff of this hike can be, there are many challenges along the way aside from just the altitude. For instance, ash and scree often make the climb slippery and much more difficult as the slope becomes steeper. Additionally, sudden rains have been known to flood the trail making the hike unpleasant while persistent cloudiness can completely obscure views of Volcan Fuego. To succeed on this once-in-a-lifetime climb, make sure to choose a good company or guide to climb with. We came across several great tour operators offering Acatenango Hikes and recommend either OX Expeditions or CA Travelers.
Want to explore Acatenango but find yourself intimidated by the climb? Check out one of the 4×4 tours of Acatenango. The 4×4 tours cut out a significant portion of the trail, leaving only a short hike to base camp then to the summit if you desire. We strongly recommend Tikal Go, a well-reviewed tour operator in Antigua, for this particular tour.
If a butt-kicking hike up Acatenango is not your thing, then Pacaya Volcano is a very respectable and much more fun alternative. A short 45-minute drive away from Antigua, Pacaya is an active volcano that is well known for its immense lava fields. While there isn’t a lava show similar to that of Acatenango, the dramatic plumes of gas coupled with the black of the lava fields give Pacaya a stunning and ethereal beauty unlike any other in Guatemala. The hike up Pacaya Volcano is moderately strenuous, involves a fair bit of incline initially and can be done in 2-3 hours. Although the trail itself is not hard to follow to the summit and back, exploration of the lava fields requires a guide as the misty conditions significantly reduce visibility making it remarkably easy to get lost. For those who want to enjoy the views without dealing with the hike, horses are available for rental at the entrance of the park and typically include an experienced rider who leads the way on a separate horse.
Good hiking boots are handy on Pacaya as the gravel path can be slippery and as snakes are often found on and along the trail.
Explore Tikal National Park
Located in the tropical rainforests of northern Guatemala, Tikal National Park is an extensive Mayan ceremonial center complete with elaborate temples and palaces. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is renowned for its striking architecture and remarkable biodiversity. Visiting Tikal National Park is best done from the city of Flores which is situated just over an hour away from the park. As it is the most popular reason that visitors flock to the Peten region, there are daily tours to Tikal from every town in the region. Most tours depart for Tikal at the ungodly hour of 3 AM with the aim of reaching the park and hiking to the top of one of the Mayan temples to view the sunrise and hear the howls of the waking monkeys. As we were not particularly excited about such a lengthy day and as mornings in the area are often too cloudy to actually see the sunrise, we booked a private tour with arrival to the park at 9am. Making our way through the park, we were surprised that we did not need to hike very far before arriving at the main ceremonial square and temples. We were even more surprised to learn that the park offered shuttles to the main square for anyone in need. While we didn’t experience the howling of the monkeys as we visited later in the day, we were thrilled by the sheer quantity of colorful birds flitting about us as well as the white-nosed Coatis scurrying by and the spider monkeys swinging high above us. From climbing the ancient palaces to chasing after the incredible wildlife, Tikal National Park was one of our most memorable Guatemalan adventures!
Being in the heart of the Mayan Jungle means Tikal National Park is incredibly hot and humid. Make sure to bring sunscreen and a good hat. Having some Quetzales on hand here is also a good idea as there are vendors selling cold beverages and snacks throughout the park.
Explore Antigua
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua is perhaps the most charming of Guatemala’s cities and is known for its cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, top-notch restaurants and its imposing volcanoes. As we’ve mentioned before, Antigua is a tourist favorite both for its beauty as well as its proximity to many must-dos in Guatemala, but the city is more than just a pretty home-base as it has much of its own culture and attractions to offer. Top things to do in Antigua include shopping the vibrant local markets, taking pictures of Volcan Agua through the Santa Catalina Arch, exploring the ruins of the 18th Century Convents, going to mass at the Iglesia de la Merced and seeking out the many hidden restaurants and bars scattered throughout the city.
