Active Couple Mayan Culture Explorer
We loved GUATEMALA. This was our first visit to Central America and we found the country intriguing, complex, and exciting. We would definitely recommend traveling to Guatemala to friends and family.
Adventure-packed activities and mesmerizing views…
The Pacaya Volcano hike was one of my favorite excursions! I really enjoyed the experience since I have always wanted to be on a volcano. It just so happens that Pacaya had a great, recently added to lava flow too! I also loved Yaxha. We liked the 'remoteness' and feel of the site. The fact that the site was not totally excavated, but was rising out of the jungle with tree canopies and howler monkeys above us was appealing, as was the absence of crowds.
I’ll always remember this trip because...
The market tour at Chichicastenango pleased me more than I expected. Our guide was very good; he added to the experience. He took us to the vegetable market, the cemetery (where Mayan religious activities were going on), and there was a religious procession going through the market. The whole experience was like being in the midst of a live Mayan culture; much more than just a 'shopping experience'.
The highlight of this trip…
All the transportation during the trip was wonderful. We absolutely loved the boat ride down the Rio Dulce. It was one of the highlights of the entire trip. The trip down the main river, and especially some of the side trips into tributaries to drop off/pick up travelers, was great. A particular boutique hotel, Finca Tatin, looked very interesting for future trip possibility. Bitty provided excellent advice and service throughout the whole planning process. I appreciated her meeting us at the airport when we arrived in Guatemala. In all my contacts with her, she was very professional and responsive.
Places you'll stay
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.
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.
Antigua
The charming city of La Antigua is situated in a lush highland valley and surrounded by the cones of three volcanoes. As its name implies (Antigua means old in Spanish), this is a historic city. It was the former capital of Guatemala until an earthquake destroyed it in 1773. Following this disaster, the capital was moved to its current site at Guatemala City, but the ruins (and some of the people) of Antigua stayed put. These days, Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s foremost tourist destinations.
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.
Flores and Santa Elena
The twin towns of Flores and Santa Elena, which are often collectively referred to simply as “Flores,” are set within the heart of Petén. Flores is actually a small island in Lake Petén Itzá that’s connected to Santa Elena, on the mainland, by a causeway. With its pastel houses and genteel atmosphere, Flores is very pleasant.
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.
Escuintla
The bustling and sweltering city of Escuintla is located at the junction of the two main coastal roads from Guatemala City. It will interest travelers mainly as a place to eat or refuel while heading to or from the Pacific coast.
Quetzaltenango
Guatemala’s second largest city, Quetzaltenango (pop. 300,000), is a world apart from Guatemala City. It’s a cosmopolitan place set at an altitude of 8,000 feet (2,400 m) and is the main population center for Guatemala’s K’iche’ Mayans. Despite being a fairly big city, its residents are friendly and approachable. Quetzaltenango’s original K’iche’ name of "Xelajú" is still widely used in an abbreviated form, Xela, today.
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.
Moments to look forward to
Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo
The Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo Natural Monument includes the Mayan sites of Yaxhá, Nakum, Topoxté, and El Naranjo. The largest site is Yaxhá, which sits between two lovely lakes. Yaxhá gained widespread fame in 2005 when Survivor Guatemala was filmed here.
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.
Topoxte Archaeological Site
Topoxté is a Mayan site in Petén. Set on an island near the shores of the Yaxhá Lagoon, Topoxté has structures that date back to the Late Postclassic period.
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.
Pacaya Volcano
The Pacaya Volcano is one of Guatemala’s most active volcanoes. Rising to a height of 8,373-feet (2,552-m), the Pacaya Volcano makes for a convenient day trip from Guatemala City or Antigua. The volcano was granted national park status in 2001.
Iximche
The Mayan site of Iximché was originally used as a Kaqchikel capital during the fifteenth century. It’s notable for its strong Mexican influences, which differentiate it from other Mayan sites in the area.
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.
San Pedro Volcano
The San Pedro Volcano is set along the western shores of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. The village of San Pedro La Laguna lies at the base of this 9,908-foot (3,020-m) stratovolcano.
Yaxhá One Day
Tikal One Day
Antigua Walking Tour Half Day
Pacaya Volcano Hike
Iximche Mayan Cosmology and Archaeology Tour
Market Tour to Chichicastenango
Hiking San Pedro Volcano
Incredible Stays
Hotel Recommendation #1
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Hotel Recommendation #2
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Hotel Recommendation #3
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Hotel Recommendation #4
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Seamless Connections
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.
Get StartedPrivate drivers; English-speaking available.
Avoid the crowds in private day tours.
Better stays, better pacing, better reservations.
Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.
24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.
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.
Real Voices, Real Benefits
We believe travel is more than ticking destinations off a list – it's about discovering new places deeply, feeling connected wherever you go, and knowing you have a trusted team of local experts behind you every step of the way.
