Okay let's be real – most "things to do in Guatemala" lists feel like they're written by people who never left their hotel pool. I made that mistake first time too. After three extended trips here, I've learned Guatemala's magic hides in steamy jungles where howler monkeys wake you at dawn, in cramped chicken buses blasting cumbia, and in steaming street tamales sold by ladies who've perfected their recipe for 40 years.
Ancient Sites That Actually Make You Feel Time Travel is Real
Tikal National Park (The Crowd-Pleaser)
Yeah it's touristy. Still blows your mind every time. When mist rises through temples at sunrise and toucans start screeching? Pure magic.
Woke up at 3:30am for the sunrise tour. Worth every second of sleep deprivation – watching Temple V emerge from fog felt spiritual. Bring mosquito repellent though, those jungle bugs don't care about your magical moment.
| Info Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Petén Department (Google Maps shows it clearly) |
| Hours | 6am-6pm daily (sunrise tours start at 4am) |
| Entrance Fee | 150 GTQ ($20 USD) foreigners |
| Guide Cost | 300 GTQ ($40 USD) for sunrise tour (mandatory) |
| Getting There | Flights from Guatemala City (45 mins) or brutal 8hr bus ride |
Secret tip: Skip the main gate crowds. Ask about the "Backdoor Trail" to Temple VI – saw zero people there mid-morning.
Yaxha (For Indiana Jones Wannabes)
This is where you go when Tikal feels too Disney. Overgrown pyramids barely excavated, crocodile-filled lagoons, and spider monkeys throwing fruit at you.
| Info Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Petén, near Belize border |
| Hours | 8am-5pm daily |
| Entrance Fee | 80 GTQ ($10 USD) |
| Unique Perk | Sunset viewing from Temple 216 (unreal panorama) |
Iximché (The Underdog)
Nobody talks about this Kaqchikel Maya capital near Antigua. Mistake. Standing on sacrificial platforms overlooking volcanoes hits different. Plus you'll have it 90% to yourself.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings before tour buses arrive from Antigua (usually around 11am)
Weekday mornings before tour buses arrive from Antigua (usually around 11am)
Local Transport
Chicken bus from Antigua: Take "Los Volcanes" route to Tecpán (1hr, 15 GTQ)
Chicken bus from Antigua: Take "Los Volcanes" route to Tecpán (1hr, 15 GTQ)
Honestly? Some parts are crumbling. Restoration money clearly went to Tikal. Adds character though.
Nature Stuff That Doesn't Look Real
Lake Atitlán (The Showoff)
Three volcanoes reflected in cobalt water sounds like a cliché until you see it. But listen – skip Panajachel unless you love tourist traps.
- San Marcos: Yoga retreat central (great massages, annoying vibe)
- San Pedro: Backpacker parties (cheap beers, terrible hangovers)
- Santa Cruz: My favorite – quiet hikes, family-run guesthouses
Lake Boat Reality Check: Public "lanchas" are cramped and sometimes sketchy (life jackets optional...). Private boats cost 400 GTQ+ but worth it for groups. Timetables? Hah. Boats leave "when full".
Semuc Champey (Worth the Brutal Journey)
That 8-hour bumpy ride in a van with broken AC? Suffering. Then you see those turquoise pools stacked like nature's infinity pools...
| Activity | Cost | Insider Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Park Entrance | 50 GTQ ($6.50 USD) | Go at 7am before crowds ruin the vibe |
| Tubing Adventure | 125 GTQ ($16 USD) | Don't wear shoes you care about – river rocks destroy them |
| Candlelight Cave Tour | 175 GTQ ($22 USD) | Skip if claustrophobic – involves swimming through pitch-black tunnels |
Did I feel ancient scraping through those caves? Sure. Also nearly drowned twice. Adventure!
Pacaya Volcano (Lava Lite Edition)
They say "see lava!" but really you see orange glows under rocks. Still cool roasting marshmallows over volcanic heat vents.
My guide José casually pulled tortillas from his backpack and grilled them on a hot rock. Best damn snack ever. Cost me extra 20 GTQ though – worth it.
| Tour Aspect | Reality Check |
|---|---|
| Hike Difficulty | Moderate (steep gravel sections) |
| Tour Prices | Antigua agencies: $20-35 USD. Local guides at trailhead: 150 GTQ ($20 USD) |
| Horse Rental | 200 GTQ ($25 USD) – lifesaver if you hate steep hikes |
Cities and Towns Where You Actually Want to Wander
Antigua Guatemala (Pretty But Pricey)
Yes it's charming. Also feels like Disneyland sometimes with all the Instagrammers. Still...
Must-Eat: Street tamales at Parque Central (6 GTQ each). Find María near fountain – hers have extra chipotle.
Secret Viewpoint: Cerro de la Cruz hike is basic. Instead, climb rooftop of Hotel Santo Domingo (free if you buy $4 coffee).
Best Coffee Shop (Fight me)
Fat Cat Coffee House. Their Guatemalan Geisha pour-over? Liquid gold. 25 GTQ.
Fat Cat Coffee House. Their Guatemalan Geisha pour-over? Liquid gold. 25 GTQ.
Overrated Tourist Trap
Arch Street photos. You'll wait 20 mins for a clear shot of a... yellow arch. Pass.
Arch Street photos. You'll wait 20 mins for a clear shot of a... yellow arch. Pass.
Chichicastenango Market (Thursday/Sunday Only)
Chaotic. Overwhelming. Smells like incense and fried pork. Pure Guatemala.
- Haggle Rule: Start at 50% of asking price. Smile. Walk away if needed.
- Must-Buy: Handwoven "Huipiles" (blouses) – authentic ones cost 250-600 GTQ
- Weird Find: Live chickens sold beside iPhone cases (only in Guatemala!)
Livingston (Caribbean Vibes)
Reachable only by boat. Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture, reggae beats, coconut bread everywhere.
Eat This Now: Tapado soup at Restaurante Buga Mama (fresh seafood in coconut broth). Costs 90 GTQ – feeds two.
Got hustled buying water bottles near docks. Kids charged me triple. Learn from my fail – buy supplies before boarding in Puerto Barrios.
Offbeat Things to Do in Guatemala That Guidebooks Ignore
Seriously – skip these and you're missing the soul:
- Ride a "Chicken Bus": Old US school buses painted wild colors. Loud, fast, terrifying. 10 GTQ anywhere in town.
- Coffee Farm Tour Near Cobán: Finca Santa Margarita lets you pick beans. Roast your own batch. Costs 120 GTQ.
- Xocomil Water Park (Retalhuleu): Random? Yes. Insanely fun waterslides? Also yes. Entry 180 GTQ.
Practical Stuff You Actually Need to Know
Google Maps works poorly outside cities. Download Maps.Me app – offline trails saved me constantly.
Money Reality: "Cards accepted everywhere" is a lie beyond hotels. Carry cash – especially small bills. ATMs charge $5-8 USD per withdrawal.
| Region | Best Travel Style | Avg Daily Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antigua/Lake Atitlán | Mid-range hotels, tours | $65-90 USD |
| Petén (Tikal area) | Jungle lodges, guided tours | $85-120 USD |
| Eastern Guatemala | Hostels, local transport | $35-50 USD |
Real Talk About Safety
Guatemala City? Uber only after dark. Petén jungles? Stick to trails – people get lost. Lake Atitlán? Watch bags on crowded boats.
But honestly? Felt safer walking Antigua at midnight than downtown LA. Common sense goes far.
Your Top Things to Do in Guatemala Questions Answered
Is Guatemala cheap?
Cheaper than Costa Rica, pricier than Honduras. Street food meals: 25-40 GTQ ($3-5 USD). Decent hotel room: 300-600 GTQ ($40-80 USD). Tours are the budget killer – negotiate group rates!
How many days for things to do in Guatemala?
Two weeks minimum. Three ideal. Distances are deceptive – that "4 hour drive" becomes 7 with mountain roads and breakdowns.
Rainy season dealbreaker?
May-Oct brings afternoon downpours. Mornings are clear though. Plus – everything's greener and fewer tourists. My favorite time actually.
Can I drink tap water?
Absolutely not. Bottled water everywhere. Budget tip: Big 5-gallon jugs ("garrafones") cost 10 GTQ refills.
Is Antigua overrated?
Parts are. Push beyond Parque Central. Find family-run comedores in backstreets. That's where magic happens.
Look, someone else's top things to do in Guatemala might be different. After my last trip? I'd trade another temple for more time learning to make Pepián stew from that abuela in Chimaltenango. That's the real stuff.
Final thought: Stop planning so much. Guatemala rewards those who ditch itineraries. Missed bus? Perfect chance to try mysterious street meat skewers. Detour leads to a village fiesta. That's where you find things to do in Guatemala they don't put on brochures.