Guatemala is a little slice of heaven. It’s quite rare to stumble on a place that is so rich in culture, adventure, and has something for absolutely everyone. Whether you want to bum around on the beach or hike an active volcano, you’ll be able to find exactly what you’re looking for.
It would take a lifetime to enjoy everything that this beautiful country has to offer, so we’ve narrowed it down to our top 5 favorite things to do in Guatemala.
1. Swim in Lake Atitlán
We might be a little biased, but diving into this beautifully massive lake surrounded by swooping hills, rugged mountains, and 3 towering volcanoes is pretty surreal. Better yet, grab a Paddleboard or kayak and spend the day floating around and taking in those views.
2. Release sea turtles in El Paredón
Nothing beats relaxing on those stunning volcanic black sand beaches on the pacific coast of Guatemala. The only thing that makes that even more magical is turtle season. In the second half of the year, you could get the opportunity to wake up at sunrise and for a small donation, release some freshly hatched sea turtles back into the ocean. It’s a truly special experience and your participation will help conservation organizations continue doing their amazing work.
3. Hike Acatenango
Are you an adventure seeker? Then hiking a giant volcano might tickle your fancy. Acatenango is almost 4000m tall and you can hike to the top and camp there overnight while watching Fuego, the active volcano next door spit out lava all night. If you’re really looking for a thrill, you can extend your hike and go over to Fuego for a little while and get close and personal with the explosions.
4. Go tubing in Semuc Champey
Go off the grid and head over to the untamed jungles of Guatemala to spend a few days in Semuc Champey. Tube down the river, float in the natural turquoise limestone pools and go explore some caves. We promise you’ll have a blast and get some epic photos too!
5. Explore the ancient ruins of Tikal
This is by far one of the most incredible structures you’ll see in your lifetime. Just a short shuttle ride from the island of Flores and deep in the jungle is the amazing ancient Mayan ruins of the city Tikal. Walk around this jaw-dropping UNESCO world heritage site and you may even see some structures that date back to the fourth century B.C.
Bonus: Fuentes Georginas
This spot is so cool we had to give it a mention! If you have a little extra time to go off the beaten path, head up to Xela and go visit Fuentes Georginas! It’s a beautiful volcanic hot spring nestled in the highlands and surrounded by lush greenery. We especially recommend heading this way after you hike any volcanoes – your muscles will thank you.
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