Travelogues Guatemala
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Vacation in Guatemala : Highlights & Travel Tips
Guatemala is a compact but remarkably diverse destination where travelers can experience ancient Maya history, dramatic volcanic landscapes, colorful highland culture, and lush rainforests in one trip. What makes the country especially compelling is how much variety it offers over relatively short distances: you can wander the cobbled streets of Antigua beneath volcano views, cruise across the villages of Lake Atitlán, explore the great Maya ruins of Tikal, and browse vibrant Indigenous markets such as Chichicastenango. For travelers seeking authenticity, Guatemala stands out for its living Maya traditions, distinctive textiles, and rich local cuisine, from pepián to fresh tortillas and coffee grown on volcanic slopes.
Key experiences include climbing or viewing active volcanoes like Pacaya and Fuego, watching sunrise over Lake Atitlán’s volcano-ringed shores, and venturing into the Petén jungle to discover Tikal’s towering temples above the canopy. Antigua is ideal for architecture, food, and an easy cultural base, while the highlands offer village visits, weaving cooperatives, and market culture. Practical tips: Spanish is widely spoken, though many communities also speak Indigenous languages; shuttle networks make tourist routes manageable, but road travel can be slow, so build in extra time. Pack layers for cool highland mornings and warmer lowland afternoons, carry cash for markets and small towns, and use common-sense safety precautions, especially at night and in major transit areas.
Best time to travel Guatemala
Based on the popularity data, the best time to visit Guatemala is from February through March, with March being the strongest month and February close behind. These months likely offer the best balance of favorable travel conditions and traveler interest, while December is also a good option for a lively but slightly less busy trip.
Best travel reports from Guatemala
Guatemala #5 - Lake Atitlán
As soon as you step onto the bus, the accelerator is pressed to the metal, and the laws of physics and all traffic rules seem to be suspended.
Guatemala #3 - Antigua
Antigua Antigua Guatemala or shortly 'Antigua' is the former capital of Guatemala, founded by the Spanish colonizers. In the Highlands of Guatemala, the small town is...
Guatemala #1 - Flores & Tikal
From this mystical panorama, the peaks of the surrounding temples rose, like sleeping giants watching over the jungle...
In the jungle of Guatemala
Semuc Champey from the viewpoint I started my stay in Guatemala in Antigua Guatemala, a beautiful old town that I reached from the capital Guatemala City. In Antigua...
What's up - the first week in Guatemala!
After our canoe adventure, we "rested" in the breathtaking Maya city of Tikal. We started at 5:00 in the morning, which may seem very difficult, but due to the temperatures from...
Good morning! Mexico
After my 6-hour flight to Cancun, it feels like I'm hitting a wall. From cold Canada to 35 degrees and 80 percent humidity 🙈. After a shuttle to the hotel in Playa del Carmen,...
Quetzaltrekker
HI dear ones, There's a lot to tell again, because we participated in a 3-day hike. But everything in due time, let me start from the beginning. Since Guatemala is perfect for...
Night hike, campfire, camping, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
We were promised a unique adventure for 40 euros, a two-day tour to an active volcano, including three meals. A bargain experience trip!! Other providers charged twice as much....
San Pedro #2 - Daily Life
After more than 3 weeks with my host family in San Pedro on Lake Atitlan, I have learned a lot about the culture, food, living together, the village, the indigenous language,...
Guatemala #2 - Semuc Champey
natural adventure pool in the middle of nowhere
Magical Tikal
At 3 a.m. our tour to Tikal, the most significant Maya city in the world, starts. With many other Europeans, we sit in the minibus on the way to Tikal. Tikal is located about 60...
Maya Tradition by the lake
During the second break from my work in the hostel, I took a multi-day trip to Lake Atitlan. It is located in the center of Guatemala and can be reached by car or shuttle from...
La Antigua Guatemala
It was clear that I would stay in Antigua a little longer, because my bank had to send me a new debit card since the old one was blocked due to skimming (which I didn't know...
Guatemala Day 20 - The Last Concert
After breakfast, everyone gathered in the lobby with their packed suitcases. As a farewell gift, the 'ambi' gave each of us a small bag with a bracelet and a pin. We walked...
Guatemala Day 19 - Even More Ashes
This morning started off quite relaxed due to the current situation. It wasn't until late morning that we split into two groups and set off on a city tour of Antigua with our...
Mexico/Guatemala Day 17 - Volcanic Eruption
At 7 o'clock in the morning, we loaded the buses again. Half an hour later, we headed to the Mexico City airport. Each of us was provided with a breakfast lunch package, which...
Flores - Coban
Hi guys, long long time since the last entry, but now the wait is over and the storytelling continues. From San Ignacio (Belize) we traveled to Santa Elena (Guatemala) using...
Visiting Central America (Part 2) Semuc Champey and Tikal
After this adventure we continued inland to the Semuc Champey. Once again the bad roads cost us a lot of time. This time there was also a Christmas market, which brought almost...
Acatenango & Fuego Vulkan (Guatemala)
We took the 'Chickenbus' (typical means of transportation in Guatemala) to Antigua. The bus ride itself was already an adventure. You simply hop on the nearest bus and hope you...
Lake Atitlan 🇬🇹
Italian idyll in Guatemala
"Practising non-activity" - my first yoga class
Selina Hostel was a chain with more than 50 hostels worldwide and professionally managed with a lot of Chichi. As more and more backpackers arrived in Guatemala, supply and...
Breakfast with a view of the smoking volcano and new rules (Day 201 + 202 of the world trip)
23.03. + 24.03.2020 Yesterday morning we enjoyed our oatmeal, muesli, bananas, almond milk breakfast on the rooftop terrace and could see the Fuego volcano smoking three times....
San Pedro / Lake Atitlán
Fr, 6.3 - Sun, 15.3 On Friday, it was a long travel day for me: From Livingston at 5:30 am, I took a boat to Puerto Barrios, then a bus to Guatemala City, and 3 more buses to...
Blumeninsel, Sonnenuntergänge und Ruinen
Weitere zehn Stunden mit dem Shuttle nördlich von Semuk Champey liegt Flores. Die Stadt ist vor allem für die Altstadt mit bunten Häuschen auf der Insel "Isla de Flores" im See...
Blue water and dark caves - Semuk Champey
A nine-hour shuttle ride north of Antigua, near the town of Coban, lies an area where rivers carve their way through sandstone. This has resulted in not only huge cave systems...