Friends Vacation Exploring Mayan Ruins
We were visiting friends in Guatemala but turned to Anywhere to put together the rest of the trip. We ended up experiencing a lot of cultural activities, saw the great Tikal ruins, and had such a lovely time by the beautiful lakes of the country.
The beautiful lakes of Guatemala…
Lake Peten is a lovely clean lake for swimming, and the scenery of the countryside was simply wonderful. We stayed at the Nitun Boutique Hotel. It was a good experience and for a special kind of traveler. The location is in a private reserve, and you can tell there are a lot of eco-conscious efforts to be sustainable on the property. The food here was out of this world; the staff were very hospitable; and thank goodness for a lovely lake to cool off in.
Our favorite activities from this vacation…
Tikal is a sight that anyone traveling to Guatemala must not miss. Having a great guide makes a big difference too, as the stories and details about each ruin are as interesting as the view. Another tour we’d recommend is the Livingston Cultural Tour; it was really fun and informational. You’ll visit San Felipe Castle, Bird Island, and the hot waterfalls. Our guide Leonel was extremely knowledgeable about all the birds we saw on this walk! Bitty, our Anywhere trip planner, is the very best. We were so well taken care of every step of the way.
Places you'll stay
Lake Atitlan
Guatemala’s gorgeous Lake Atitlán has captivated people for centuries. Visiting the lake in 1934, Aldous Huxley called it “The most beautiful lake in the world” and compared it to Lake Cuomo in Italy. Surrounded by traditional Mayan villages and studded with three volcanoes on its southern shore, Lake Atitlan is indeed spectacular. To this day it remains one of Guatemala’s most popular destinations.
Destination
Copán Ruinas (Honduras)
The town of Copán Ruinas is located just 8 miles (13 km) across the border with Honduras. This pleasant town is set within a lush valley and abuts the Mayan site of Copán. Copán is an archeological site that houses some of the most exquisite Mayan structures known to date.
Destination
Rio Dulce
The Río Dulce flows from Lake Izabal to the Caribbean Sea, emptying its waters near the town of Lívingston. Dense jungle, some of which falls within the protection of the Río Dulce National Park, border this picturesque river. Several eco-lodges line the shores of tributaries that flow away from the Río Dulce. The town of Fronteras is set along the headwaters of the Río Dulce.
Destination
Lake Peten Itza
Lake Petén Itzá is a large lake in northern Petén. The lake has several pleasant towns scattered around its shoreline and is a popular stopping point while traveling to Tikal or more remote areas of Petén. Its beautiful setting and laid-back atmosphere are unquestionably appealing.
Destination
Lake Atitlan, Panajachel
Panajachel is Lake Atitlán’s most popular traveler town. Set along the northern shores of the lake, the setting is here is gorgeous—think blue water, forested mountains, and volcanoes. The town’s culture mixes North American, European and Central American influences.
Destination
Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango (Chichi, for short) is a rare mixture of authentic culture and unconcealed tourism. Set within the Western Highlands, Chichi is a small and traditional town that has grown into one of Guatemala’s most tourism-friendly places, largely because of its fascinating outdoor marketplace. While carousing the market, you’ll see Maya weavers right alongside photo-snapping tourists. It makes for an interesting site.
Destination
Lívingston
Lívingston is unlike anywhere else in Guatemala. For starters, it has a seriously interesting mix of Guatemalan and Caribbean cultures—it’s a hub for the Garífuna people and Q’eqchi’ Maya of the Río Dulce region. It’s also surrounded by water and is only accessible by boat.
Destination
Tikal
Tikal, with its towering Mayan ruins and vast primary forests, is one of Guatemala’s most awe-inspiring sites. The ruins are undoubtedly the country’s best—huge temples and limestone pyramids dominate the landscape. The structures are a part of the Tikal National Park, a huge protected area that helps conserve some of Guatemala’s most pristine outdoor areas. Visiting Tikal is an absolute must while in Guatemala.
Destination
Moments to look forward to
Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlán is heralded as one of the most mystical and memorable lakes on the planet. It is also the deepest lake in Central America. You can get experience the lake by kayaking or swimming at the beaches on the lakeshore. See the lake from above by hiking the San Pedro Volcano or by reaching the summit known locally as Indian’s Nose.
Attraction
Chichicastenango Market
The Chichicastenango market is one of the most colorful and exciting markets in Guatemala. It’s open on Sundays and Thursdays and is an interesting cultural experience for travelers.
Attraction
Copan Ruins
Set just across the border in Honduras, the Mayan site of Copán features some of the best ruins in the Mayan world. The hieroglyphic carvings here are magnificent, as are the well-restored pyramids, palaces, and stelae. The artistry at Copán is exquisite and without parallel.
Attraction
Quirigua
The Mayan site of Quiriguá has some of Guatemala’s best-preserved stelae. Set within the Caribbean Lowlands near Lake Izabal, Quiriguá is smaller but similar to the ruins of Copán, especially in regards to the architecture and carving style. It’s far less visited than Copán but nonetheless holds some fabulous Mayan structures.
Attraction
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is a pleasant, palm-fringed beach along Guatemala’s Caribbean coast. The beach is a 30-minute boat ride from Lívingston.
Attraction
Tikal National Park
Set within the northern reaches of Guatemala’s Petén department is the incredible Mayan site of Tikal. With its massive Mayan temples, steep limestone pyramids and thick green jungles, Tikal is undoubtedly one of the top attractions in Guatemala. The ruins and surrounding forest are located within the Tikal National Park.
Attraction
Maya Biosphere Reserve
The Maya Biosphere Reserve is the largest protected tropical forest in North America. Spreading across 4.3 million acres (1.7 million hectares) in Guatemala’s Petén department, this reserve protects huge expanses of forests and the Mayan ruins that lie within them.
Attraction
Panajachel
Lake Atitlán Villages Half-Day Tour
Tour
Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango Half-Day Tour
Tour
Copan Ruinas (Honduras)
Copán and Quiriguá Overnight
Tour
Livingston, Izabal
Lívingston Cultural Day Tour
Tour
Tikal
Tikal One Day
Tour
Incredible Stays
Hotel Recommendation #1
A hand-picked stay in Lake Atitlan.
Hotel Recommendation #2
A hand-picked stay in Copan Ruinas (Honduras).
Hotel Recommendation #3
A hand-picked stay in Rio Dulce Fronteras, Izabal.
Hotel Recommendation #4
A hand-picked stay in Lake Peten Itza.
Curated to you
Insider-led Guatemala Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
