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Things to do in Guatemala

Our most recommended things to do in Guatemala

From Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Trek

1. From Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Trek

Walk for 2 hours to the summit of Pacaya Volcano and enjoy stunning views. Leave from Antigua for a 1-hour bus journey to the volcano's base before immediately starting your 2-hour trek with your local guide. Hike through wonderful pine forests up to the trickier volcanic ash section and finally to the sulfur smoking cone. On occasion, you can even see small eruptions and lava flowing, depending on the activity of the volcano. From the summit, you can enjoy great views of the nearby volcanoes, Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango, the pacific lowlands, and all the way to El Salvador. To ensure your safety you won’t be able to visit the crater, but you will get an amazing view of red-hot lava flowing and steam baths created by the heat of Pacaya. Take a break and relax here as you take in more scenic views before hiking back to the base of the volcano, from where you will transfer back to your accommodation. 

Overnight Volcano Acatenango Hiking Adventure

2. Overnight Volcano Acatenango Hiking Adventure

Observe the sunset and the sunrise from Acatenango. Sleep overnight in the base camp located just in front of the Fuego volcano, facing it over an elevation of 3,700 meters above sea level. Begin with a shuttle from Antigua to La Soledad village in the morning. Begin your hike, and hike until the sun begins to set to catch the views from high above. Sleep in the base camp an overnight. On day two, rise early and take a quick hike to the summit. Take in an elevated view of the sunrise. Breakfast will be served back at base camp before the trek back toward the village. Finally, you'll reach the village before noon. Enjoy free time to look around before the transfer to Antigua, and enjoy the rest of your day in the city.

From Flores: Tikal Ruins Day Tour

3. From Flores: Tikal Ruins Day Tour

Tour the Tikal Mayan Ruins on a day trip from Flores. Enjoy a stunning sunrise before driving through the wild jungle and hiking through the breathtaking ruins with a local guide. Meet your driver at the meeting point by the entrance to Flores island. Drive out from the city towards the archaeoligical site and watch the sky burst into crimson color with the sunrise. Enter the jungle as you continue your adventure and be introduced to your guide at the start of the winding forest trails. Start hiking and admire the scenery as you trek, discovering the temples, pyramids, ruins, and palaces of the Mayans. Listen to the chirping birds and spot monkeys swinging through the trees. Learn about the history of Mayan culture and how these wonders of archaeology were built and used.

Tikal Day Tour From Flores With Lunch

4. Tikal Day Tour From Flores With Lunch

Discover the impressive splendor of Tikal, which means Place of Voices. The park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, spans an area of 576 square kilometers. During this 8-hour tour you’ll have the opportunity to walk through the jungle and admire the many species of local flora and fauna. In addition to the main temples and plazas, there are several other sites not to miss. See the Major Plaza surrounded by impressive buildings such as Temples I and II, or the North and Central Acropolis. See the altars that played a role in the dynamic history of Tikal’s Mayan civilization. At the end of the tour you’ll enjoy a traditional lunch.

From San Ignacio: Tikal Maya Site Day-Trip with Local Lunch

5. From San Ignacio: Tikal Maya Site Day-Trip with Local Lunch

Start with pickup from San Ignacio at 7:00 AM, and take a 15-minute drive to Guatemalan border. Be assisted at the border by your guide, and continue on the 2-hour long journey to Tikal. Discover the ancient Mayan site of Tikal which is considered to be one of the most spiritual locations on earth. Once at the national park, see the abundance of wildlife surrounding the temples. Discover how the Mayan civilization built inspiring temples and cities that formed a vast complex of religious, social and political power.  Enjoy a guided tour of the main sights of the complex, which is estimated to have over 3,000 structures including palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, plazas, causeways, and reservoirs. See several of the main temples including the tallest structure which measures 212 feet.  After visiting the main parts of Tikal, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then, drive back to San Ignacio you can stop at the local gift shops, with arrival back in San Ignacio at approximately 4:30 PM.

Guatemala City: Tikal Full-Day Tour by Air

6. Guatemala City: Tikal Full-Day Tour by Air

Travel from Guatemala City to Tikal on a full-day tour. Enjoy an early morning flight from Guatemala International Airport to Mundo Maya Airport in Flores, at which point you will then be transferred to Tikal archaeological site. While in Tikal National Park, you will have the opportunity to walk through the jungle and admire the many species of local flora and fauna. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes untamed nature, as well as many main temples, plazas, and altars. As you tour the site, your guide will share with you the history of the site and share insights about the Mayan culture. At the end of the tour a traditional lunch will be served. In the afternoon, return to the airport for your flight back to Guatemala City. Upon arrival in Guatemala City, you will then be transferred back to your hotel.

Lake Atitlan Maya Kitchen: 3-Hour Cooking Class

7. Lake Atitlan Maya Kitchen: 3-Hour Cooking Class

Experience Guatemala in an authentic and personal way as you discover the flavors of Guatemala cooking at the Lake Atitlan Maya Kitchen. A 3-hour cooking class will help you understand how Mayan culture and Spanish colonial influences produced a variety of mouth-watering dishes. You’ll have lots of hands-on fun learning how to prepare up to 3 authentic Guatemalan dishes during this class. Learn how to prepare traditional recipes and come away with all the skills you need to prepare them in your own kitchen. If you like you can visit the market with your instructor to purchase the ingredients, or leave the chef do the shopping without you. After your lesson you’ll have a sufficient amount of the prepared food to feed your family or other group members. You’ll take home a printed copy of the recipes as well. The instructor will demonstrate the preparation of each recipe with explanations so you’ll have a complete understanding of the ingredients and the process. Private classes can be arranged for individuals, in addition to the shared classes for small groups. The Mayan cooks in the program are native to Lake Atitlan, and they carry on the rich traditions and culture that are expressed in the food. If you choose to include a market visit with your cooking program, you should plan on an additional 1-2 hours. Note that the instructors speak English or Spanish, or a little of both. All proceeds support the community of Santa Cruz La Laguna through the local nonprofit Amigos de Santa Cruz which runs education and economic empowerment programs (check out amigosdesantacruz.org or Amigos de Santa Cruz Foundation on Facebook for more information) Classes are taught by Claudia, a local graduate of Amigos' culinary program, and run for 3 hours with a plated 3-course lunch included on the patio overlooking Lake Atitlan. 

From Guatemala City or Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Day Tour

8. From Guatemala City or Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Day Tour

Come and see the Pacaya Volcano: the most active volcano in Guatemala at 2,500 meters (more than 8,000 feet). Witness spectacular views of the lagoon of Calderas and three other volcanoes: Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. The surrounding area is an experience unto itself, composed in large part of humid forest and rocks. After a walk through volcanic sand paths, with great views of the volcanoes and unique vegetation, you´ll arrive at the plateau where you can see the main crater of the volcano. Today, you can't visit the crater of the volcano for security reasons, but you will see the lava (if active) and some steam baths created by the heat of the Pacaya Volcano. At the volcano, you'll have the opportunity to get an up-close look at the volcano. After a thrilling day of exploration and dramatic views, you will arrive back at your hotel.

From Antigua Guatemala: Tikal Full-Day Tour by Air

9. From Antigua Guatemala: Tikal Full-Day Tour by Air

You will be picked up at your hotel in Antigua, Guatemala at approximately 4:00am and transferred to Guatemala International Airport - La Aurora, to take your flight to Flores*. Upon arrival at Mundo Maya Airport, you will then be transferred to Tikal archaeological site. During this tour you will have the opportunity to walk through the jungle and admire the many species of local flora and fauna. Here, discover the impressive splendor of Tikal, which means “place of voices”. The park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, spans 576km squared. In addition to the main temples and plazas, there are several sites not to miss. The Major Plaza is the Archaeological Park of Tikal, surrounded by impressive buildings such as Temples I and II, called the North and Central Acropolis. Also, there is a range of wakes and altars that play a part in the dynamic history of the Mayan Civilization in Tikal. At the end of the tour a traditional lunch will be served. In the afternoon, we´ll return to Airport Mundo Maya in Flores to take a flight back to Guatemala International Airport. Upon arrival, you will then be transferred back to your hotel in Antigua. * Please Note: This tour is on request until flights can be confirmed. Please contact Gray Line Guatemala to check availability before purchasing.

Lake Atitlan Boat Day Tour with Expert Guide

10. Lake Atitlan Boat Day Tour with Expert Guide

Cruise across Lake Atitlan and visit the villages of San Juan La Laguna on this full-day shared sightseeing tour. Ringed by 3 volcanoes on its southern flank, Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America. Departing from Panajachel, at the gateway to the lake, your private guide will take you on a scenic shared boat trip before exploring some local textile communities and the Mayan villages of San Juan La Laguna. Get amazing views of the Atitlan, Toliman and San Pedro volcanoes, as you experience for yourself why the area became such a Mecca for beatniks and bohemian writers such as Aldous Huxley. Capture the scent of coffee plantations, and then try some freshly ground coffee. Here, you can immerse yourself in the laid-back vibe of the Tz'utujil Mayans and turn the noisy dial of modern life down to zero.

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What people are saying about Guatemala

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 565 reviews

We had an amazing time! The hike isn’t difficult at all really (there were several kids in our group) but the views and experience was incredible. Well worth it and would highly recommend.

It was a really good experience and the price is the same, or even cheaper, than the prices you'll find in the local tourist agencies. Highly recommended.

Great driver Henry - so informative and kind! Our guide Luis up the mountain was fun and kind too. Great communication for everything!

Excellent tour! The guide was super attentive! Very good shipping! The tour exceeded my expectations! I highly recommend!

Excellent attention from the guides. Good service provided