Volcanoes, Lakes, and Hot Springs
The rich history and beautiful sights blew us away! We got more than we expected from this Guatemala trip.
Places you'll stay
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.
Lanquín, Alta Verapaz
Set within a lush valley in Guatemala’s Central Highlands, the small town of Lanquín is becoming well known for two attractions—the Lanquín caves and the Semuc Champey limestone pools.
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.
Monterrico
Monterrico is a tranquil town along Guatemala’s Pacific coast. This formerly sleeping fishing village is becoming increasingly popular with travelers, many of whom come here to see nesting sea turtles.
Guatemala City
Guatemala City is often a traveler’s first glimpse of Guatemala. As your plane descends over the capital, you witness the largest city in Central America unfold—a sprawling, colorful metropolis that spreads into a valley ringed by forested mountains and volcanoes. It’s a big and powerful place that is home to around four million people.
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.
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.
Moments to look forward to
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.
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.
Semuc Champey
The limestone pools at the Semuc Champey Natural Monument have quickly grown into one of the area’s most popular attractions. Set just outside the small town of Lanquín, Semuc Champey is composed of a series of beautiful pools and waterfalls. It’s a fantastic place to swim and relax.
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.
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.
Santa Maria Volcano
The Santa María Volcano is a large stratovolcano in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. The Santa María Volcano is one of the most popular hikes in the area around Quetzaltenango. Hiking this volcano is an enjoyable and rewarding way to experience the Guatemalan landscape.
Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs
These gorgeous springs offer thermally heated pools just outside of the Zuníl Volcano. Two journalists happened upon this spot in 1902, and it’s gradually grown into one of Guatemala’s top destinations for relaxation. The water here isn't too hot, but pleasantly warm and rich with minerals. Besides the pools, visitors can also explore an ecological park and a cave used by the Maya for religious rituals.
Tortugario Monterrico
The Tortugario Monterrico is a turtle hatchery in Monterrico, Guatemala. The hatchery helps raise endangered sea turtles, as well as caimans, iguanas and crocodiles.
Special Tour Services-GNT
Tikal One Day
Semuc Champey Collective Tour
Hiking San Pedro Volcano
Chichicastenango Half-Day Tour
Hot Springs and Indigenous Villages
Mangrove Forest & Tule Boat Tour
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
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 behind you every step of the way.
