What To Do In Guatemala - 50 Experiences For Your Bucketlist

Guatemala is a land of surprise, where soaring volcanoes mingle with welcoming local culture and no shortage of charm. This is destined to be one of the world's next big travel destinations - it's ridiculously pretty, feels like an adventure, and there's a wonderful variety of what you can do in Guatemala. Think safely glamping alongside an erupting volcano, Antigua's cultural enchantment, stunning Mayan ruins at Tikal and a beautiful coastline. And that's just the start. Guatemala is opening up to tourism and you can still explore while it's off the beaten path.

Sunrise Over the Valley, Tikal

Tikal Sunrise Tour (Before the Park Opens)

Guatemala
Guatemala desde las alturas

Guatemala Volcanos Helicopter Scenic Flight

Guatemala
Quetzal in Tree, Guatemala

El Quetzal Biotope Visit

Guatemala
Mayan Ceremony, Iximche

Maya Ritual at Iximche

Guatemala
Mayan Ruin El Mirador

El Mirador Tour by Helicopter

Guatemala
White House, San Juan la Laguna

Lake Atitlan Villages Exploration

Guatemala
Beautiful turquoise pools and limestone bridges surrounded by the jungle in Semuc Champey, in Alta Verapaz region, GuatemalaBeautiful turquoise pools and limestone bridges surrounded by the jungle in Semuc Champey, in Alta Verapaz region, GuatemalaBeautiful turquoise pools and limestone bridges surrounded by the jungle in Semuc Champey, in Alta Verapaz region, Guatemala

Semuc Champey Helicopter Tour and Day Trip

Guatemala
Close up of a horse in the sunny jungle of Peten near El Remate, Guatemala, Central America

Explore the Pacific Coast on Horseback

Guatemala
Aerial view on the coast and village of Santa Cruz in the mountains vertical at Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala

Helicopter Flight from Lake Atitlan to Maya Lowlands

Guatemala

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Immersed in Local Culture - Ruins, Traditions, Mayans and More

Guatemala evokes a living history and you can feel local culture at almost every turn. Redolent Mayan ancestry continues to influence modern-day culture. Epic ruins speak of the treasures from yesteryear. Colorful markets and lively cuisine can enhance any experience. From big city backstreets to traditional villages, Guatemala has a culture that will invite all your senses.

Santa Catelina Arch, Antigua

Sights of Antigua Tour

Guatemala
Iximche Mayan Ruins, Tecpán

Iximche Guided Trip

Guatemala
El Gran Jaguar, Tikal

Tikal Daytime Tour

Guatemala
Colourful Alley, Comalapa

Comalapa Market Experience

Guatemala
Church Facade, San Pedro las Huertas

Antigua Countryside Villages Tour

Guatemala
Guatemalan, Mayan woman weaving with hand loom, Antigua, Guatemala

Guatemala Traditional Weaving Class

Guatemala
Metropolitan Cathedral, Guatemala City

Guatemala City Sightseeing Tour

Guatemala
Vegetable quinoa soup, stew with avocado, corn, beans. South American traditional dish. Top view

Local Guatemala Culinary Class

Guatemala
Boats in late afternoon light on Rio Dulce, Livingston, Guatemala

Experience Livingston

Guatemala
Waterfalls of siete altares on the forest at Livingston on Guatemala

Discover 7Altares

Guatemala
Coffee Plantation Tour, Finca Filadelfia

Coffee Plantation Tour at Finca Filadelfia

Guatemala
Colonial Buildings, Antigua

Ride a Vespa Around Antigua

Guatemala

Guatemala Accommodation Experiences

Guatemala is the next big Central American destination. As Costa Rica evolved from backwater to major international destination, Guatemala is destined to do the same. A handful of exceptional accommodations are the starting point for luxury experiences, as the country evolves from backpacker hub into something more. Ten years from now the country will have a lot more tourism and tourists. But for now, you can enjoy real authenticity away from the crowds, as showcased by some of this accommodation.

Las Lagunas Hotel

Las Lagunas Hotel

Guatemala
Luxury Room, La Lancha Lodge

La Lancha Lodge

Guatemala
Las Cruces Boutique Hotel, King master suite front

Las Cruces Boutique Hotel

Guatemala
Grand Suite, El Convent Antigua

El Convento Antigua

Guatemala
San-Francisco Superior Suite, Casa Palopo

Casa Palopó

Guatemala

Active Things To Do in Guatemala

Guatemala always feels like an adventure, whether you're wandering Mayan ruins or face to face with lava flows. Like elsewhere in Central America, this is a destination for adventure. There's so much to consider for your bucketlist, from the coast to the volcanoes and all the national parks in between.

Canopy Ride, Antigua

Antigua Canopy Ride

Guatemala
Vulcano Pacaya, Antigua

Hike Volcan Pacaya

Guatemala
Yaxha National Park, Peten

Yaxha National Park Guided Trip

Guatemala
Woman Walking, Almolonga Valley

Antigua Valley Bike-Walking Tour

Guatemala
Suspension Bridge, Atitlan Nature Reserve

Hiking in Atitlan Nature Reserve

Guatemala
12 years old kid doing a zip-line Tour Guatemala, zip lines between two hills (he is doing a backward maneuver after getting stock at the end of the line_

Ziplining at Atitlan Nature Reserve

Guatemala
Acatenango, Antigua, Guatemala

Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hike

Guatemala
Indian Nose Viewpoint, San Pedro Volcano

Hiking San Pedro Volcano

Guatemala
Paraglider in the Sky, Lake Atitlan

Paragliding over Lake Atitlán

Guatemala
ATV Adventure, Antigua Countryside

Off-Road Antigua ATV Tour

Guatemala
Laguna Lachúa, Alta Verapaz

Laguna Lachúa Walking Tour

Guatemala
View on Fuego Erupting, Acatenango

One-Day Acatenango Volcano Expedition

Guatemala

What To Do In Guatemala - Experiences on the Water

Lake Atitlan stretches blissfully beneath three volcanoes. Pacific waves are perfect for surfing away from crowds. You can scuba dive to a sunken Mayan city, an adventure as surreal as any Indiana Jones movie. Or you can raft and kayak beneath a forest canopy. Whatever you dream for your Guatemala bucketlist, a local travel designer can make it reality.

Village Farm, San Juan la Laguna

Lake Atitlan Boat Tour

Guatemala
Local Boatsman, Lake Atitlan

Kayak on Lake Atitlan

Guatemala
Indo-Pacific Sailfish, Pacific Coast

Pacific Coast Fishing Experience

Guatemala
Scenic view of dock with mountains in background

Scuba Dive Samabaj Archaeological Site in Lake Atitlán

Guatemala
Landscape in Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Guatemala, Central America

White Water Rafting in Lanquín

Guatemala
Pier on the shore of the so-called Río Dulce in izabal.

Explore Río Dulce by Boat

Guatemala
Scenic mangrove view with reflections and blue cloudy sky pacific ocean

Chiquimulilla Mangrove Forest Boat Tour

Guatemala
Young with a longboard during surfing session on the beach at sunset time

Monterrico Pacific Coast Surfing

Guatemala
Guatemala Itineraries

Inspirational itineraries created by leading travel designers. Save favourites to your bucketlist with the heart. Make a trip request and we will connect you to a local travel designer to plan your trip.

Early morning light on Toliman volcano (Atitlan volcano behind) & San Pedro volcano on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Photo taken from Santa Cruz la Laguna.

Best of Guatemala

Guatemala
Arco de Santa Catelina, Antigua

Guatemala has Reopened for Travel

Guatemala