Country guides
South & Central America
Things to do in Guatemala
Guatemala seamlessly blends together ancient, colonial, and modern eras, from the classical Spanish-Baroque architecture in Antigua, exemplified by such pieces as the famous fountain, Fuente de Pescado, to the legendary structural wonders of the Mayan temple complex Tikal.
Each step along Guatemala's quaint cobbled streets and jungle trails leads further into the distant past. As with many of its Central American neighbours, Guatemala has held onto local customs and cultures while developing its urban hubs to meet modern tourist standards.
Travellers can party in Guatemala City's business district during warm evenings, then spend a Sunday at the markets in Chichicastenango, a meeting place for traditional artisans and hub for local produce. Chichicastenango is bound to entice all travellers with the sensory delicacies of Guatemala's verdant forests, farms, and plantations.
Adventurous travellers can hike up Volcan San Pedro, just behind the famous picturesque resort village of San Pedro La Laguna. Visitors should note that a local guide is considered essential to conquering the dormant volcano's peak.
While the adrenaline junkies are relishing Guatemala's many summits, other travellers can enjoy a spate of urban sightseeing. The country is also home to a wealth of ancient artefacts and numerous historical sites so history buffs will be in their element.
The country has a strong tourism industry and travellers looking for an in-depth and immersive experience into authentic Central American culture should lace up their boots and pack their bags, for they need look no further than Guatemala.
Las Capuchinas
The ruins of Las Capuchinas, the biggest and most remarkable of Antigua's convents, are the best preserved and most beautiful in the city. The convent was founded in 1736 by Spanis…
Las Capuchinas
The ruins of Las Capuchinas, the biggest and most remarkable of Antigua's convents, are the best preserved and most beautiful in the city. The convent was founded in 1736 by Spanish nuns and is now a museum dedicated to religious life in colonial times. The nuns who lived here followed a strict daily routine that revolved around fasting and praying. Their tiny cells can be found in the walls of the round tower, which has good views from the top. There are also fountains, gardens, and several lovely courtyards within the compound.
Tikal
Set deep in the jungle of the Parque Nacional, Tikal is home to one of the most important remnants of Mayan culture: the City of Voices. Declared both a Cultural and Natural Herita…
Tikal
Set deep in the jungle of the Parque Nacional, Tikal is home to one of the most important remnants of Mayan culture: the City of Voices. Declared both a Cultural and Natural Heritage to Humanity by UNESCO, it was first occupied around 800 BC and became one of the Mayan political hubs. Its most striking features are the steep-sided towering temples rising up to heights of 230ft (70m). Scattered around the area are countless other structures, many still partially buried in the ground or engulfed by the verdant rainforest. The Great Plaza with its five temples served as the heart of religious and ceremonial activity.
Website www.tikalnationalpark.org/
Volcan San Pedro
The Volcan San Pedro is located behind San Pedro La Laguna and offers one of the most spectacular views in the world. The hike is strenuous and is around six hours round trip, depe…
Volcan San Pedro
The Volcan San Pedro is located behind San Pedro La Laguna and offers one of the most spectacular views in the world. The hike is strenuous and is around six hours round trip, depending on fitness levels. The rewards are well worth the effort, though. The starting sections include a rough trail, after which it is all jungle trekking. It is advisable to hire a local guide, as there is no signage and this is one of the wildest areas in the country, and a truly adventurous hiking experience.
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Chichicastenango
A quaint traditional hill village with cobbled streets and red-tiled roofs, Chichicastenango has been one of the largest centres of Mayan trade since pre-Hispanic times and thousan…
Chichicastenango
A quaint traditional hill village with cobbled streets and red-tiled roofs, Chichicastenango has been one of the largest centres of Mayan trade since pre-Hispanic times and thousands of people gather in a spectacle of colour and festivity every week. Chichi, as it is called, is renowned mainly for its Sunday and Thursday markets, Sunday being the busiest. The markets attract tourists, commercial traders and Mayan weavers from all over the highland area. It is also an important centre of culture and religion, and the locals have combined traditional Mayan religious rites with Catholicism.
Lake Atitlan
Santiago Atitlan is a quiet but strong community surrounded by forested slopes and three distinctive volcanoes at what many people have dubbed the most beautiful lake in the world:…
Lake Atitlan
Santiago Atitlan is a quiet but strong community surrounded by forested slopes and three distinctive volcanoes at what many people have dubbed the most beautiful lake in the world: Lake Atitlan. Not only is Lake Atitlan scenically spectacular, the lake and hillside settlements are also rich in Mayan culture. Some of the villages in the area are the only ones in the country where people still wear traditional clothing in day-to-day life, with each village sporting its own distinctive style and colour of densely embroidered dress. Around the lake are the main tourism centres of Panajachel and San Pedro La Laguna, which have lots of accommodation, small restaurants, and craft shops.
Antigua
Antigua is reminiscent of an old colonial city in Latin America, with the Spanish-Baroque buildings set in a valley between three volcanoes. Plazas, inner courtyards and fountains …
Antigua
Antigua is reminiscent of an old colonial city in Latin America, with the Spanish-Baroque buildings set in a valley between three volcanoes. Plazas, inner courtyards and fountains are well-preserved remnants of the Spanish legacy in the Americas, and the town is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buildings of interest include the Iglesia de San Francisco, La Merced, and the Las Capuchinas ruins. Adventurous travellers should visit the nearby volcano peaks, which offer superb hiking opportunities and views. Villages such as San Antonio Aguascalientes offer visitors a closer look at indigenous life and are centres for beautiful hand-woven textiles.
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Panajachel
The holiday resort town of Panajachel in the highlands has a large population of long-term hippie expats and a distinctly Western character. The relaxed ambience accompanies breath…
Panajachel
The holiday resort town of Panajachel in the highlands has a large population of long-term hippie expats and a distinctly Western character. The relaxed ambience accompanies breathtaking views of three volcanoes that sit near the lake. There are many hotels, small restaurants, and lively nightspots, with a mosaic of sensory delights awaiting tourists. Travellers can visit the photo museum in the Casa Cakchiquel, a historic hotel that has housed legends such as Che Guevara and Ingrid Bergman. The Church of St Francis, built in the 16th century, has survived several earthquakes, and still provides sanctuary to the locals.
San Pedro La Laguna
The holiday destination of San Pedro La Laguna has a relaxed bohemian feel and it comes as no surprise that it is one of the most popular places for a summer holiday in Guatemala. …
San Pedro La Laguna
The holiday destination of San Pedro La Laguna has a relaxed bohemian feel and it comes as no surprise that it is one of the most popular places for a summer holiday in Guatemala. The village revolves around the Catholic Church and the market place, with narrow cobbled streets leading up the hill, away from the ferry docks. Coffee plantations surround San Pedro La Laguna, and picturesque paths lead to the lake, where boulders and small stretches of beach provide peaceful sunbathing and swimming spots. There are also thermal pools in the village offering superb views of the nearby volcanoes.