The 12 Best Places to Visit in Guatemala in 2023 - Hostelworld (2023)

Guatemala is oneBackpack in Central AmericaA gem of breathtaking scenery, fascinating culture, impressive ancient ruins and some of the prettiest small towns in the entire region. In the past it might have been overshadowed by Mexico or Costa Rica, but today every adventurous traveler knows this epic country should be on their bucket list. If you're dreaming of a trip here - which you definitely should - this list of the best places in Guatemala will make sure you don't miss a thing.

1. Vulcan Pacaya

📸:@zcrou

The hike to Pacaya Volcano was an incredible experience. Sure, you can climb volcanoes in other parts of the world, but there aren't many places where you can actually see hot lava cascading down the side of a volcano as you climb it—an adventure seeker's dream. And if you manage to find a great guide like me, you can toast marshmallows on the hot stones, which is quite unforgettable.

The trek only takes a few hours up and back so you can get back to your destinationHerberge in Antigua, showered and ready to hit the town that evening if you still have energy. I would recommend doing this hike early in the morning as you may not be able to see the red glow from the flowing lava at full sunrise.

Best travel time: There is no such thing as a bad time, but during the rainy season you are less likely to get a good view of the lava flow.

How to get there:It's only a 90-minute drive from Antigua, where you'll likely be based. Your hostel can arrange a bus so you and some new friends can easily get there.

Cost: $7 per person to enter the park, but you should be able to get a full package with transportation for $15-20.

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2. Semuc Champey

📸:@zcrou

Although Guatemala has a long list of beautiful places, Semuc Champey is the country's most prized natural gem. Imagine blue water cascading over dozens of tiers of limestone ridges and trickling back into the river. Hidden deep in the jungle and only accessible by a road that can be described as precarious at best, getting there is a breathtaking adventure in itself. But once you see this beauty you will be completely blown away! Be sure to bring something to swim because the jungle trek will make you sweat at the end. River tubing is a must there, as is the K'an Ba ​​caving tour, where you can climb a 10-foot waterfall!

Best travel time: Semuc Champey is amazing all year round. During the rainy season, the roads become a bit more difficult to navigate, but the main event is no less beautiful.

how long stay: You can easily spend a few days in this area, but if you are short on time, you can see the falls in a whole day.

how to get there: There are daily buses from Antigua that cost $15-20 per person and take around 8 hours.

Where to sleep:If you want to enjoy more of this amazing part of the world. The guest houseby gringoLocated in the middle of the forest, it features a huge swimming pool, jacuzzi and colorful villas. But be warned - you may never want to leave!

Cost:Admission to the park is $6.

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3. Antigua

📸:@twolatinosandastick

Antigua is a charming city with beautiful colonial style buildings surrounded on all sides by mountains and volcanoes. There's great nightlife, authentic restaurants and some of thatThe best hostels in Guatemala. It is also the starting point for a variety of different activities. Be sure to visit the local food market, where fruit and vegetables are incredibly cheap and the way the women dress gives you a little insight into the local culture. Antigua is such a small city that you can explore the highlights in a few hours.

Best travel time: All year round.

how long stay: 3 days to a week. It's a great place to base yourself and plan activities outside of the city.

Where to live:Maya-Papayais a beautiful guest house with an outdoor bar and patio that serves legendary (and cheap) mojitosCucuruchos Boutique HostelIt's an Instagram-worthy place with cozy dorms, private boogie boards, and a great central location.

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4. Atitlan-See

📸:@john_cameron

Lake Atitlan is a mysterious lake hidden deep in the mountains of Guatemala. Many travelers make the mistake of visiting it as a single destination, but in reality it's a cluster of small towns on the shores of the lake, surrounded by epic volcanoes and mountainous landscapes. You'll find that you'll want to spend at least a couple of days here to explore it all. The most amazing thing about visiting Lake Atitlan is the amazing mix of nature and the indigenous cultures that coexist in Guatemala.

If you only have one day here, you should visit Panajachel, the most developed city in the region. From here there are many opportunities for trips to other towns and parts of the lake, as well as local shops and restaurants, as well as fun places to stay such as the Super SocialDreamboat Hostel.

When to visit:Any time is ideal here, as the temperatures hardly fluctuate.

How long to stay:I would suggest at least 3 days, but you can use 4 or 5 days without any problem.

How to get there:Buses run to Lake Atitlan from almost anywhere in Guatemala – just ask your hostel and they will take care of it.

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5. Blue Krater

Azul Crater is one of the best places in Guatemala that you won't find in every guidebook. It's not the easiest place to get to, but the boat ride there offers an opportunity to spot turtles, rare birds, snakes, and other wildlife before finally landing in the most crystal clear waters imaginable. So yes, I think it's worth it! When you swim and snorkel in the pristine sea, you get an SD card full of amazing photos that will make your friends back home jealous.

When to go:December-March is best for this.

How long to stay:A day trip.

How to get there:Ask yoursHerberge in Floresabout a turn.

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6. Tikal

📸:@walkaboottravel

Say hello to Tikal, tucked away in the dense rainforests of northern Guatemala, teeming with unique wildlife and steeped in history. EveryTraveler in Central AmericaThey know that Tikal is one of the best places to visit in Guatemala. If you are looking for Mayan history and culture then look no further as this is the largest and most complex Mayan city ever excavated. The towering structures are massive masterpieces of ancient architecture, made even better by the surrounding rainforest, which is home to toucans, mantled monkeys, howler monkeys and giant tarantulas, among others.

When to go?: It's always a good time, but bring a waterproof jacket if it's wet.

How long to stay:A day is enough if you come early, but you can easily spend a few days. This place is huge.

Cost:150 GTQ (about $22) excluding shipping.

how to get there: The most popular option is a tour from Flores.

7. Flowers

📸:@michielton

Flores is a city on a small island in the middle of Lake Petén Itzá. It's small but nice, takes about 20 minutes on foot, but it's full of charming, colorful buildings and has a great view of the lake. Spend a relaxing day or two before setting off to explore Tikal and Uaxactun. Some travelers think this is just a one-stop town, but it's worth taking the time to explore the colorful colonial streets, visit the churches, or watch the sun set over the water.

When to go?: All year round.

How long to stay:1-2 Take.

how to get there: Buses run daily from Antigua and Guatemala City.

Where to live:Casa Ula guest houseIt has a deck over the water to watch the sunrise from and a great staff to help you plan your trips.

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8. Acatenango

📸:@emotivfotografi

Acatenango is the iconic volcano featured in almost every picture of Antigua. Its summit looms over the city, crossing an otherwise empty horizon. Hiking in Acatenango is an experience that is both challenging and rewarding. Not to be outdone, but with views from the top of Lake Atitlan and neighboring Fuego volcano, it should be high on your list of top things to do in Guatemala. Fuego Volcano is an *extremely* active volcano that has seen some major eruptions in recent years. So if you're sitting on top of Acatenango, there's a good chance you'll see its sister volcano blowing right in front of you.

When to go?: December to March is the dry season, but trekking is possible all year round.

How long to stay:The trek takes 2 days and you stay overnight at the volcano.

how to get there: Tours are organized from Antigua. If you are brave enough to drive without a driver, you can also take the bus right there.

Where to sleep:Camping on the volcano!

things to consider: From an altitude of about 3000 meters above sea level it starts to get cold. So make sure you have warm clothes with you.

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9. Uaxactun

After a seemingly endless and very bumpy road stretching 24 kilometers north of the ancient city of Tikal, you come across Uaxactun. Welcome to one of the oldest Mayan cities in Guatemala! As you enter Uaxactun, you'll be greeted by a gentle nod of people with hammocks in the shade. Locals live among ancient temples and are restoring the area using the same methods that have been used for hundreds of years. The best ruins to visit are Group E, three structures built side by side from north to south that serve as an astronomical observatory, all perfectly aligned with the sun. Free horses roam the temples.

Take away food as there are no supermarkets or restaurants, but a couple of times a week you can buy bread baked the traditional way in a wood-fired oven. Uaxactun has the same crazy wildlife as Tikal, but far fewer visitors.

Best travel time: November to March for ideal weather.

how long stay: One to two days. There is a lot to discover and hardly anyone else around!

how to get there: You can take the bus from Parque National Tikal for 10 quetzales, which takes just over an hour. A bus leaves from Santa Elena at 3pm, costs 40 quetzales and takes about 3 hours.

Cost:If you are only visiting Uaxactun, you can purchase a ticket for 50 quetzales or a combined ticket to Tikal for 150 quetzales at the park entrance.

10. Quetzaltenango (Xela)

📸:@diego_angel

Quetzaltenango (or Xela) is Guatemala's second largest city, but not very crowdedTravellerbecause most of us go straight into nature. This allows visitors to get to know the local culture a little better without the impact that tourism has on so many Central American cities. Xela is also the perfect place to plan multi-day trips and adventures. If you want to improve your Spanish, there are plenty of affordable lessons available.

Xela has many different markets, all worth a stroll, from Minerva Terminal Market to Democracy Market to Chichicastenango, the largest outdoor market in Central America. In true Latin American style, there are of course many beautiful churches and cemeteries to explore.

When to go:all year round

How long do you need:Excluding day trips, 2 days is a good amount of time to explore.

how to get there: There are buses to Xela in every major city.

Where to live:Sibel houseIdeally located next to the city's Central Park, in an old colonial house full of rustic charm.

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11. The water volcano Tajumulco

Tajumulco Volcano is the highest volcano in Central America. So if you're looking for some serious adventure, you've come to the right place. At an altitude of 4220 meters, this hike is not to be taken lightly. The wind transforms a normally leisurely stroll into a literally exhilarating experience that is not for the faint of heart.

The trek can be completed in a single day, but it's best to do it over two days and camp about 45 minutes from the summit so you can complete the rest of the trek at sunrise. Sleeping at this altitude is not easy and you need warm clothes and something comfortable to sleep on, but the view from the top is so crazy that a little nighttime discomfort is quickly forgotten.

For a full review ofHiking on Tajumulco Volcano;, check out my guide!

When to go:December to March is the best time but you can hike all year round.

How much time should be spent: 2 Take.

how to get there: Stay in Xela and plan a trip from there, or take a bus from Xela with some friends and do the trek on your own.

Where to sleep:Camping am Berg!

12. Gorgin-Brunnen

Fuentes Gorginas is another fun day trip from Xela. Expect a series of hot springs hidden in the mountains and surrounded by dense rainforest. The springs consist of several pools with different heat levels that invite you to relax. Outside of the hot springs, I saw some incredible wildlife on the trip there, and the mountain and farmland trip also gives a good insight into local farming practices.

When to go:all year round

How much time should be spent: 1 Tag.

how to get there: Take a day trip from Xela.

Did my list of the best places in Guatemala inspire you for a Central American adventure? I hope so! If you have any other recommendations, let us know in the comments below.

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Continue reading:

🌟The ultimate guide to backpacking Guatemala

🌟18 Best Hostels in Guatemala

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About the author:

Dane Faurschou is a photographer, surfer and climber from Byron Bay, Australia who spends his time between the sea and the mountains. He currently rides from Canada to Patagonia in search of as many waves and mountains as possible and everything in between. Follow his adventures in hisBlog,Instagram,FacebookAndYoutube.