Incredible Things to do in Guatemala (2024)

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Welcome to Guatemala

The wonderful variety of things to do in Guatemala has made it one of the most visited countries in Central America! We love Guatemala because there are really only five locations you need to base yourself in to explore all of the amazing nature Guatemala offers. Flores, Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Semuc Champey, and El Paredon are the most popular tourist destinations in Guatemala. These are marvelous destinations by themselves, but their proximity to various nature activities makes Guatemala a perfect travel destination.

This travel blog will cover everything from summiting volcanoes to relaxing on beaches to discovering ancient ruins tucked away in the Guatemalan rainforest. We include the absolute best things to do in Guatemala that are sure to impress travelers of all tastes. Whether you’re traveling with kids, solo, or as a couple, you are sure to love Guatemala.

If you want to take the stress out of planning, check out our 2 Week Guatemala Itinerary! If you’d like to pick and choose from the below things to do in Guatemala, continue reading to plan your trip!

Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase.

The 20 Best Things to do in Guatemala

1. Hike an Active Volcano and See it Erupt

Summiting 1200 meters for this 2-day volcano hike is an amazing experience that for many, is the highlight of Guatemala. While this is no easy feat, you will be heavily rewarded for your efforts with breathtaking views. You’ll hike Acatenango Volcano, and either witness Volcán de Fuego erupt from afar, or actually hike up Volcán de Fuego for a front-row seat to its eruptions.

Check out our complete guide to the Acatenango Volcano Hike

2. Marvel at Crystalline Pools

Semuc Champey National Park has a natural limestone bridge where a river flows both below and over it. The river flowing over the bridge creates these amazing crystalline pools, which look absolutely unreal from above. You can hike to a viewpoint as well as swim, cliff jump, and slide through the different levels of pools. We highly recommend going with a guide as it’s very cheap and they can show you all the hidden gems!

Check out our ultimate guide to Semuc Champey!

3. Wander the Ancient Mayan Ruins of Tikal

Tikal is one of the most interesting sets of ancient ruins we’ve been to, mostly because they are nestled in the vast Guatemalan rainforest. You won’t just get a tour of the impressive ancient city, you’ll also spot a variety of wildlife. This requires waking up extremely early for the tour to Tikal, but it is absolutely worth it and definitely one of the best things to do in Guatemala.

Make sure to read the ultimate guide to visiting Tikal in Guatemala!

4. Explore the Colonial Streets of Antigua

While the Spaniards stupidly built a city right next to an active volcano, you have to be impressed with their style. The traditional cobblestone streets are lined with colorful houses and restaurants with magnificent courtyards. The architecture and charming streets are just waiting to be explored and certainly contribute to the large number of ex-pats in Antigua!

5. Overcome the Indian Nose Hike

This is one of the most popular hikes in Guatemala, yielding stunning views of Lake Atitlan, the villages, and the surrounding volcanoes. This is usually done at sunrise, and you need a guide to go with you due to the robberies in recent years. Unfortunately we missed this hike which we deeply regret!

6. Roast Marshmallows with Lava

Embark on this bucket-list experience to Volcán Pacaya, where a tranquil 2-hour hike leads to spectacular views of Volcán de Agua, Volcán de Fuego, and Acatenango. Here you can make pizza or roast marshmallows using the heat from the volcanic rocks. This is an active volcano so you’ll see some volcanic smog, but you probably won’t actually see the lava!

7. Watch the Sunset in Flores

You can either do this from a rooftop bar or just hang out on the streets. Sky Bar is the most popular rooftop bar for watching the Flores Sunset, but it does get PACKED so you may want to head there early! During happy hour from 5-9 PM, you can enjoy 2 for 1 margs for just $4 USD.

8. Trek Through a Cave With Nothing But a Candle

This is one of the most unique and exciting adventures we’ve had during our travels. To take on the K’anba Caves in Semuc Champey, you’ll be armed with a candle and wade through the often neck-deep water, going 100 meters deep into the cave, climbing ladders, jumping off small cliffs into the “pools”, rock climbing through a pouring waterfall (optional), and hanging out with other travelers!

9. Sample Guatemalan Cuisine

Guatemala has a variety of meat stews and soups, like Kak’ik (turkey soup), Pepián (meat stew), and Jocón (creole chicken stew). Some Guatemalan dishes have been cooked for thousands of years, and have heavy (or total) Mayan influence. If you’re in Antigua, Saberico and Rincón Antigueño have great authentic Guatemalan food!

10. Find Your Zen on Lake Atitlan

San Marcos on Lake Atitlan is a very hippy town full of yogis, vegans, herbalists and people doing things like sound therapy. That being said, all of Lake Atitlan has a very laid-back vibe and you are sure to find your Zen here. We did a yoga class at a nice hotel in San Pedro overlooking the beautiful lake, and it was 100% worth it!

11. Surf El Paredon

El Paredon is a stark contrast to the majority of Guatemala as it is a hot, beachy location. This small surf town is the perfect place to brush up on your surfing, or learn to surf from scratch! It’s only a 2 hour and 15 minute drive from Antigua, so why not opt for something new?

12. Go to the Best Speakeasy in Central America

Ulew Cocktail Bar in Antigua is not only a hip bar with a semi-hidden entrance tucked away inside a brewery. It is also the most interesting bar we’ve ever been to. There is no menu, you just tell the cocktail waiters and waitresses what you are in the mood for. Maddie asked for “something flowery with gin” and I asked for “something mango-flavored with rum” and we were extremely happy with what they made us!

13. Shop for Artwork in San Juan

San Juan on Lake Atitlan is an artisanal hub for Guatemalans looking to showcase and sell their art. The main street of the town is incredibly artsy, so it’s only right that it be lined with art galleries. Guatemalan art has vibrant colors and makes for the perfect home décor!

14. Sample Craft Beer at Antigua Cerveza

While you don’t have to like beer to enjoy Antigua Cerveza :: El Bosque, it is definitely a huge plus! Antigua Cerveza :: El Bosque is a huge park with a couple small restaurants, gift shops, art galleries, and a bar area. The brewery also has bocce ball courts, a fire pit, corn hole, walking paths, and both secluded and in-the-action seating. There’s even live music and trivia depending on the night!

15. Get Brunch at Caoba Farms

Caoba Farms in Antigua is a 100% organic farm-to-table restaurant with amazing food and large portions. The best part of Caoba Farms is the restaurant is actually at the farm! You can tour the farm to see the various fruits, vegetables, livestock, and they even have a butterfly garden. If that isn’t interesting enough, they also have acrobatic yoga, which we were too intimidated to try!

16. Unleash Your Inner Nerd at Hobbitenango

Hobbitenango is a Lord of the Rings-inspired amusement park located atop a mountain just outside of Antigua. Stroll through charming Hobbit homes, enjoy the many scenic viewpoints, live music, and activities such as archery, mini-golf, and a rope-swing. You can even stay overnight in a hobbit home, but make sure to book these far in advance as there are only 3 on the property!

17. Catch a Glimpse of Guatemala’s National Bird

Guatemala’s national bird is the Quetzal, and birdwatching enthusiasts come from all over the world to see this majestic creature. Guatemala has loads of other birds and other wildlife that you are sure to see if you do a birdwatching tour!

18. Take a Chocolate-Making Class

If you don’t care about how chocolate is made, at least make sure to try it! The chocolate factories and museums in Guatemala will teach you how the Mayans discovered and made chocolate. Try to take this class with a local Mayan family if possible!

19. Take Spanish Lessons

Guatemala – particularly Antigua and Lake Atitlan – is an amazing place to take Spanish classes. The reputable schools here attract visitors from all over the world! We’ve met a couple backpackers who have done homestays in Guatemala that focus on immersing the learned in Spanish.

20. Ride a Chicken Bus

Did you even go to Guatemala if you didn’t ride a Chicken Bus?! These souped-up former American school buses is how the locals travel from city to city. They are extremely cheap, and the name “Chicken Bus” is due to the drivers trying to fit as many people as possible in these buses. They can be uncomfortable but it’s definitely a fun experience. However, make sure to watch out for pickpockets on chicken buses!

How to Get to Guatemala

Most people fly into Guatemala City and take a bus to their next destination from there.

If you’re coming from El Salvador, do the reverse of this post detailing how to get from Antigua, Guatemala to Santa Ana, El Salvador by public bus.

From Belize, check out our post about this guide which includes information on how to get from San Ignacio, Belize to Flores, Guatemala by public bus.

If you’re coming from Mexico, we recommend going as part of a shuttle, as the Mexico/Guatemala border area is not the safest.

Shared shuttles are pricier but much more comfortable than the chicken buses!

Book Cheap Flights to Guatemala

Is Guatemala Safe?

The touristy parts of Guatemala are relatively safe, although pickpocketing is certainly common. If you are taking chicken buses, you run an even higher risk of stolen items. Trust us, this happened to us! The US State Department recommends avoiding certain areas of Guatemala, which you can see here.

What is Guatemala Best Known For?

Guatemala is best known for its volcanoes, it’s beautiful nature, Mayan and post-Spanish history, and cool architecture. It’s a popular tourist destination and rightfully so!

Keep Exploring Guatemala…

Our Favorite Travel Resources

Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.

Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.

Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.

Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.

International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.

eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.

Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!

20 Incredible Things to do in Guatemala: Everything You Need to Know When Planning Your Trip