Guatemala trip planner

Guatemala Holiday Planning Guide

Offering a chance to discover a rich history, remarkable landscapes, and a vibrant culture, a holiday in Guatemala remains a great choice for a wide range of travelers. The heart of the Maya civilization, Guatemala boasts stunning ancient ruins and traditional villages that blend with the Spanish heritage of the colonial era and its stately cathedrals and town halls. While the cities boast splendid architecture and cultural heritage, they make up a small percentage of the mountainous Guatemalan landscape. Adventurous travelers and nature lovers will have plenty of things to do in Guatemala, from boating on the rushing rivers and scenic lakes, to exploring caves, picturesque beaches, and lush national parks.

Places to Visit in Guatemala

Regions of Guatemala

Western Highlands: Ragged peaks, lush rainforests, and dormant volcanoes create the diverse region of Western Highlands, where isolated habitats thrive and traditional communities thrive.

Peten: Peten's harsh rainforest environment stymied European colonization, preserving many traces of Mayan heritage. Today, its ancient ruined cities rank among the top attractions in Guatemala.

Izabal: Caribbean-influenced towns and popular beaches surround the country's greatest lake, and natural habitats, colonial forts, and archaeological sites make it one of the most popular stops on a Guatemala itinerary.

Alta Verapaz Department: An outdoor enthusiast's paradise, Alta Verapaz contains a mountainous landscape dotted with forests and rivers, where you can raft in the rapids, swim in limestone pools, and tour the spectacular natural scenery.

Sacatepequez Department: A rocky region of volcanoes and mountain peaks with winding rivers, Sacatepequez offers ample hiking and camping opportunities in a tranquil natural setting.

Cities in Guatemala

Antigua: Baroque architecture and Spanish colonial influence mark the buildings of World Heritage-listed Antigua; its abundance of fountains, ruins, and monuments make it one of the most popular places to visit in Guatemala.

Guatemala City: The largest city in Central America represents a cross between a shantytown and a wealthy, bustling megalopolis, with plenty of quaint markets, historical museums, and colorful town squares.

Panajachel: With its lake backed by volcanoes, Panajachel tops many nature enthusiasts' Guatemala itineraries.

Lanquin: Beside the lush and diverse natural landscape, Lanquin has a fascinating subterranean world of cave systems, drawing thrill-seeking explorers for spelunking tours.

Quetzaltenango: Alternating layers of Spanish and German architectural influence give the town of Quetzaltenango a specific appeal, where a range of late 19th-century buildings and hikes to the highest point of Central America attract flocks of tourists.

Popular Guatemala Tourist Attractions

Volcán Pacaya: One of the most active volcanoes in the region, Pacaya represents a perennial favorite among Guatemala attractions. Take a guided hiking or horseback tour and roast food over hot spots of lava.

ChocoMuseo: Tourists with a taste for chocolate will find all their cravings sated here as they learn about the production process, sample products, and create their own variants of this cocoa delicacy.

Monumento Natural Semuc Champey: This forested area includes secluded, turquoise pools for swimming and diving. Active tourists can spelunk through the subterranean cave that serves as the water's source.

The Plaza Central Park: Historic monuments and a grand cathedral dominate this bustling square, while numerous fountains and sculptures make it one of the prettiest places to see in Guatemala.

Casa Santo Domingo: A museum-hotel complex at the base of a 16th-century convent, the Baroque Casa Santo Domingo traces the history of the colonial era and boasts a collection of art pieces from several periods and regions of Central America.

Arco de Santa Catalina: Once used by nuns to conceal them from prying eyes on the street, today these passageways represent all that is left of the iconic Convent of St. Catherine.

La Aurora Zoo: A convenient respite from the urban bustle, this zoo is home to a plethora of animal species from all over the world--a perfect family attraction in Guatemala.

Iglesia de la Merced: Representing Spanish colonial architecture modified to withstand the tremors that demolished its previous versions, this Baroque church contains a fountain claimed to be the largest in Central America.

Dining and Shopping on Holiday in Guatemala

Cuisine of Guatemala

Spanish and Mayan cultures combine to form the basis of Guatemalan cuisine, with staple ingredients that include corn, chilies, and beans. Tamales represent the most widespread dish: corn, potato, or rice dough with fillings of meat, fruit, or nuts. Another dish you'll probably encounter on your Guatemala vacation is chuchitos--something like smaller, firmer tamales made of corn and wrapped in dry corn husks. A salsa tomato dip accompanies them, and hard, salty white cheese from Zacapa gets sprinkled on top. Desserts in Guatemalan cuisine include banana bread and "chancletas de güisquil" (fried sweet chayote with whipped egg whites), and don't forget to try the chocolate in its land of origins.

Some dishes are served on a certain day or a special occasion, such as "paches" (a potato tamale steamed in a corn husk or banana leaves) eaten on Thursdays and "fiambre" (a mixed salad that can incorporate over 50 ingredients, including sausages, chicken, corn, and onions) on All Saints Day and Day of the Dead.

Shopping in Guatemala

A trip to Guatemala gives you the chance to buy highly sought-after traditional crafts from a culture that predates European colonization. These "artesanías" represent Mayan practices that have remained virtually unchanged for more than a millennium. Weaving takes pride of place among them, as it's integrated into the lives of local women. Bright and vivid colors of cotton (or sometimes wool) threads create authentic patterns in clothes and bags. The best way to buy them is directly from the highland village locals, but street hawkers in Antigua and Panajachel also sell them.

For general shopping you can always visit local markets (like those in San Juan Atitán and Chajul), which occur once a week and are a focal point for the social lives of the communities.

Know Before You Go on a Trip to Guatemala

Interesting Facts About Guatemala

● Mayans in the territory of Guatemala were the people who invented chocolate bars.

● Guatemalan currency--the quetzal--borrows its name from a beautiful bird whose feathers the Mayans used as currency.

● Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America, at a depth of around 340 m (1,115.5 ft). Many also consider it the most beautiful lake in the world.

● Coffee export ranks as the country's largest business, and nearly 50 percent of Guatemalans work in agricultural activities.

Things You Should NOT Do in Guatemala

Guatemalans tend to be friendly and open people, and following a few of rules of thumb should help ensure a smooth Guatemala vacation. Always ask before taking pictures of the Maya people, especially young children: stories of foreigners stealing kids are widespread in the country, and several tourists have been attacked as they were thought to be kidnappers. If you find a wastebasket in a restroom, throw toilet paper there instead of the bowl, since plumbing might be an issue. Finally, Guatemalans appreciate formal and polite conduct--avoid engaging in loud and intrusive behavior.

Holidays & Festivals in Guatemala

Guatemala has earned a reputation as a festive country with lots of holidays dotting its calendar. The entire country observes All Saints Day (Dia de Todos los Santos) on November 1. Todos Santos hosts one of the most popular celebrations, as local men hold a rowdy, alcohol-fueled horse race. Immediately after comes Day of the Dead, when families mark the graves of their relatives with flowers and candles. On the Burning of the Devil (December 7), people take flammable household items (newspaper and trash) and burn them on the street, symbolically purifying the household in preparation for the holy week before Christmas.

Useful Guatemala Travel Tips

Common Greetings in Guatemala

With Spanish the sole official language of Guatemala, knowing several phrases could prove to be quite useful on your Guatemala holiday. Introduce yourself with a cordial greeting of "buenos días/tardes/noches" (good morning/afternoon/evening), a universal phrase you can use in both business meetings and informal conversations. When in the countryside you should greet everyone, usually with "hola" (hello), as per the local custom. Though it sounds rather formal, Guatemalans use the phrase "a sus órdenes" ("at your orders") quite frequently as they offer you help. A handshake and "con mucho gusto" ("very pleased [to meet you]") is adequate when meeting someone.

Climate of Guatemala

In spite of Guatemala's position in a tropical region of Central America, the varying altitude and mountainous landscape shift the climate entirely, resulting in temperatures below freezing in some areas of the country and steamy weather in others. Tropical zones of Guatemala experience temperatures as high as 38 C (100 F) degrees, and as low as 21 C (70 F), while the cold zones range from 21 C (70 F) during the day to below 0 C (32 F) at night. In its temperate zone, including Antigua and Guatemala City, the climate remains more comfortable, with highs up to 29 C (85 F) and cooler nights that never dip below freezing. While seasons have little effect on temperature, they do affect precipitation: the dry season (March to early May) sees little to no rain, and the rainy season (May to October) brings frequent short afternoon showers, particularly in the latter two months. Tourism in Guatemala peaks from December through March, and in July and August. Though the weather is relatively pleasant year-round, these periods seem most amenable to travel.

Transportation in Guatemala

Getting around on your Guatemala holiday should be fairly easy for all. Bus transportation tends to be the main means of transport, with conventional buses used by the general population, plus more touristy shuttle minibuses offering services like meal and bathroom breaks and door-to-door service. The crowded, so-called chicken buses transport domestic animals as cargo and accompany most passengers; they cover nearly every destination thinkable, and will stop for anyone, anywhere--hail one from the roadside by extending your arm out visibly. Although the ticket prices are nominal, safety tends to be an issue sometimes. In cities, you can hail a tuk-tuk, and taxi service exists in most of the cities and larger towns. Car rental services exist, although you should carefully consider the logistics of your itinerary before doing so; some places are best accessed on foot, some by boat, etc. Avoid hitchhiking, as it is not safe in Guatemala.

Tipping in Guatemala

Tipping is not considered obligatory in Guatemala, but rather as a reward for exceptionally good service. Restaurant bills in general don't include tips, so 10 percent on the original bill stands as a general custom. Room service in hotels expect tips only in the most expensive establishments. You can add a small tip to guides or guards who accompany you on tours, and round up taxi fares to show your appreciation if you wish.

Do leave a tip to marimba street performers, who play the national instrument of Guatemala. Only a dozen people play marimba in the whole country, and tips represent the musicians' only pay.