Maya ruins, volcanoes and colonial towns
Guatemala is the heartland of the Maya world, with jungle temples at Tikal, volcano ringed Lake Atitlan and the cobbled colonial town of Antigua. Indigenous Maya culture is very much alive in its markets, textiles and festivals. Volcano hikes, Spanish schools and coffee farms round out the experience. It suits adventurous travellers, culture lovers and budget backpackers.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
A vast Maya city deep in the rainforest, with temples rising above the canopy. Howler monkeys and toucans add to the atmosphere.
A colonial town with baroque churches and ruined convents set beneath three volcanoes. It is the most popular base in the country.
A deep volcanic lake ringed by volcanoes and Maya villages. Boats link towns such as San Pedro, San Marcos and Santiago.
An overnight hike to camp near the summit of Acatenango with views of erupting Volcán de Fuego. It is one of Central America's best hikes.
An active volcano with an easier hike over lava fields. It is a good alternative to Acatenango.
A natural limestone bridge with turquoise pools above a river. Nearby caves can be explored by candlelight.
One of the largest markets in Central America, held on set market days each week. Textiles, masks and food fill the streets.
A small island town on Lake Petén Itzá with colourful houses. It is the main base for Tikal.
A large Maya site between two lagoons, with fewer visitors than Tikal. Sunset from Temple 216 is a highlight.
A river running through a jungle gorge to the Caribbean, best seen on a boat trip. Castillo de San Felipe guards its upper end.
A Caribbean town reachable only by boat, home to the Afro Caribbean Garifuna people. It has a very different feel from the highlands.
A Maya site known for its giant carved stelae, among the tallest in the Maya world. It sits in banana plantations.
Antigua is surrounded by coffee farms that run tours from plant to cup. Some focus on community and small growers.
Villages like San Juan La Laguna have weaving cooperatives, art and murals. Visits show daily life around the lake.
A hilltop eco park with hobbit style houses and views over Antigua's volcanoes. It is a fun family half day.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Colonial base for volcanoes and coffee.
history, hiking, gateway · Open the city guideTransport hub for Lake Atitlan.
lake, gateway · Guide comingLakeside village with Spanish schools.
budget, culture · Guide comingBase for Tikal and Yaxhá.
ruins · Guide comingBase for Semuc Champey.
nature · Guide comingAirport city with museums.
gateway · Guide comingHighland city for language schools, hot springs and treks.
culture, hiking, learning · Guide comingFamed Thursday and Sunday market town.
markets, culture · Guide comingJungle river town on the route to the Caribbean coast.
river, Caribbean · Guide comingColonial towns, volcanoes and markets.
Antigua, Acatenango, Chichicastenango
Volcanic lake with Maya villages.
Panajachel, San Juan La Laguna, San Pedro
Rainforest and Maya ruins in the north.
Tikal, Yaxhá, Flores
Cloud forest and caves.
Semuc Champey, Lanquín Caves
River gorges and Garifuna coast.
Rio Dulce, Livingston, Quirigua
Maya villages, markets and volcanoes.
Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, Quetzaltenango
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: November to April. The dry season has clear skies for volcano hikes and dry trails at Tikal.
May to October brings afternoon rains, and the lowland Petén around Tikal is hot and humid all year, while the highlands are cooler.
January. Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
78°F daily high, 67°F average, 0.2 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates Guatemala Level 3 (reconsider travel) because of crime and terrorism, with some areas at Level 4, so visitors should stick to main tourist routes and follow current advice.
Tourist shuttles connect the main destinations, but roads are winding and travel is slow.
Food, lodging, Spanish lessons and tours are very good value.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Check visa and entry rules on the Guatemalan Institute of Migration website (https://igm.gob.gt/) and on your own government's travel advice before you go, as rules can change. |
| Plugs | Type A, B; 120 V |
| Tap water | not safe |
| Tipping | Around 10 percent is customary in restaurants, often added to the bill. |
| Payments | Cards are accepted in Antigua and larger hotels, but carry quetzales in cash for markets, shuttles and villages. |
| Emergency | 110 police, 122 or 123 fire and ambulance, 1500 PROATUR tourist assistance |
| Etiquette | Ask before photographing Maya people, especially in villages and churches. Greet with buenos días and be patient. Bargaining is normal in markets but stay respectful. |
| What to wear | Dress modestly in churches and indigenous villages. |
| Driving | On the right |
| Between cities | Tourist shuttles link Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Lanquín and Flores, and short flights connect Guatemala City with Flores. Avoid local chicken buses for safety reasons. Uber works in Guatemala City and Antigua. |
| Main airports | GUA, FRS |
| Ride apps | Uber, inDrive |
The Maya built great cities here, with Tikal flourishing from about 200 to 900 AD. Spain conquered the region in the 1520s, and Antigua was the colonial capital until earthquakes in 1773. Guatemala became independent in 1821. A long civil war ended with peace accords in 1996, and the country still faces challenges with poverty and crime.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.