Exploring the Best of Guatemala: From Mayan temples to Volcano Treks

In July and August of 2022, we went on a 6 week trip exploring Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico, and it was quite the adventure. In this blog post we'll share our Guatemala highlights and our top recommendations of what to see and do while you’re there.

Nestled in the heart of Central America, Guatemala is one of our favourite countries we have visited. With an up and coming backpacker scene we would recommend visiting now more than ever!

Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua

Explore the Charming Antigua

Antigua is the perfect place to start your travels in Guatemala. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this colonial gem is known for its cobblestone streets, vibrant architecture, and charming atmosphere. Wander through the city's colourful markets, explore historic churches, and enjoy local cuisine and Guatemalan coffee at quaint cafes and restaurants. There are plenty of top rated hostels to call home. While visiting Antigua we stayed in a small family run hostel with just a few rooms. This was one of our favourite accommodations of our trip with friendly welcoming owners who cooked us a lovely breakfast every morning.

We visited Antigua during ‘fiestas real de santiago’, which takes place every year at the end of July. If this timeline works out for you we would definitely recommend coming to Antigua for this festival! With marching bands, dancers, parades and live music in the evening with locals dancing in the street, it’s a great experience to be part of.

View's from Acatenango volcano base camp as Fuego volcano erupts

Hike a Volcano

For the adventurous travellers, hiking one of Guatemala's volcanoes is something you don’t want to miss! Acatenango, one of the highest volcanoes in Central America, offers a challenging trek and overnight stay that rewards climbers with amazing views of the neighbouring Fuego volcano's eruptions. Pacaya, on the other hand, offers a relatively easier hike with the chance to roast marshmallows over the hot lava fields.

It is important to acclimatise to the altitude in Guatemala before doing the volcano hike, we spent a handful of days in Antigua and Lake Atitlan (see below) before our Acatengo hike. This may not work with everyone's itineraries, but it is something to keep in mind as some members of our hiking group really struggled with altitude sickness.

You can read more about our Acatenango volcano hike and our top tips of everything you need to know here.

Imogen on the boat dock at San Juan

Lake Atitlán's Serenity

Known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlán is surrounded by picturesque villages and three towering volcanoes. Take a boat ride across the lake, explore the villages of Panajachel, San Pedro La Laguna, and San Marcos, and immerse yourself in the local Maya culture. Lake Atitlan is perfect for backpackers and digital nomads. With a community of travellers, diving courses, Spanish lessons, hostels and spiritual wellbeing you can spend weeks exploring the areas, trying new things and making new friends. While on the lake we stayed at Las Iguana Perdida, another one of our favourite stays on our Central America trip.

Imogen at Tikal Temple 1

Discover Ancient Mayan Ruins

Guatemala's history is deeply intertwined with the ancient Mayan civilization, and exploring its well-preserved ruins is a must. Tikal, one of the largest archaeological sites in the Mayan world, stands as a testament to the grandeur of this civilization. Wander through the jungle-clad ruins and marvel at the towering temples that once served as ceremonial and administrative centres. For Star Wars fans, climb Temple IV to recreate the scene from Yavin IV. We visited Tikal on a day trip back into Guatemala from Belize and found this to be a good route for our itinerary compared to travelling through inland Guatemala. This route also allowed us to visit the coastal town of Livingston.

Livingston village

Experience Garifuna Culture in Livingston

Tucked away on the Caribbean coast, Livingston stands out for its unique Garifuna culture, which is a fusion of African and indigenous Caribbean influences. Explore the vibrant streets, try Garifuna cuisine, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of this coastal town. While exploring Livingston we met Philip who showed us around the Garifuna neighbourhood, we stopped for food at a restaurant within the village to try some local cuisine.

Rob walking through the streets of San Juan

Whether you're exploring the ancient Mayan ruins, hiking volcanoes, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Guatemala will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. With its diverse landscapes and warm-hearted people, Guatemala is truly a treasure trove for intrepid travellers.