Guatemala's Top 15
Tikal
The remarkably restored temples that stand in this partially cleared corner of the jungle astonish for both their monumental size and architectural brilliance – as an early morning arrival at the Gran Plaza proves. Occupied for some 16 centuries, it's an amazing testament to the cultural and artistic heights scaled by this jungle civilization. A highlight is the helicopter-like vantage from towering Temple IV on the west edge of the precinct. Equally compelling is the abundance of wildlife, which can be appreciated as you stroll ancient causeways between ceremonial centers.
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Antigua
With mammoth volcanic peaks and coffee-covered slopes as a backdrop for the scattered remnants of Spanish occupation, the former capital of Guatemala makes an appealing setting for learning Spanish, and a globally varied population come here to study at such quality institutes as Escuela de Español San José el Viejo. Nowhere else in the country packs in such a great culinary and nightlife scene, along with fabulous souvenir shopping in the markets, a sweet little central plaza replete with bubbling fountain, and picture-postcard vistas around every corner.
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Lago de Atitlán
Possibly the single worthiest destination in Guatemala, Atitlán elicits poetic outbursts from even the most seasoned traveler. Of volcanic origin, the alternately placid and turbulent lake is ringed by volcanoes and its shores are studded with villages such as Santiago Atitlán, with its thriving indigenous culture, and San Marcos, a haven for seekers who plug into the lake’s cosmic energy. Plus there are enough activities – paragliding from Santa Catarina Palopó, kayaking around Santa Cruz La Laguna or hiking the glorious lakeshore trails – to make a longer stay viable.
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Chichicastenango
More than just a place to shop, 'Chichi' is a vivid window on indigenous tradition, an ancient crossroads for the area's K’iche’ Maya–speaking inhabitants, and a spiritually charged site. At Santo Tomás church in the center of town and the hill of Pascual Abaj on its southern edge, Maya rituals blend with Christian iconography to the point where it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. The twice-weekly market is a good place for souvenir hunting, though – particularly if you’re after finely woven textiles or carved wooden masks.
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Volcanoes
Sacred to the Maya and integral to the country’s history, Guatemala’s volcanoes dominate the skylines of the country’s west, and are one of its emblematic features. You can gaze upon their domed beauty from the comfort of a cafe in Antigua or on Lago de Atitlán, or get up close and personal by climbing (at least) one. Favorites include the lava-spewing Pacaya, Tajumulco, which forms Central America’s highest point, and San Pedro, with its sweeping views over picturesque Lago de Atitlán.
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Sweet River
The Río Dulce (literally, 'sweet river') connects Guatemala’s largest lake with the Caribbean coast, and winding along it, through a steep-walled valley, surrounded by lush vegetation, bird calls and the (very occasional) manatee is Guatemala’s classic, don’t-miss-it boat ride. This is no tourist cruise – the river is a way of life and a means of transportation around here – but you get to stop at a couple of places to visit river-dwelling communities and natural hot springs, making for a magical, unforgettable experience.
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Handicrafts & Textiles
Inextricably woven into the country’s heritage, Guatemalan fabrics are much more than just tourist tat. The designs tell the stories of the wearer’s community and beliefs. Likewise, handicraft production has always been a part of local life. Fine examples of craftwork and weaving can be seen on the streets all over the country, but if you’re looking to take some home (or even to just get some priceless pics), you’ll find the best selections in the markets in Guatemala City, Antigua, Panajachel and Chichicastenango.
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Guatemala City
Vibrant and raw, often confronting and occasionally surprising, the nation’s capital is very much a love it or leave it proposition. Many choose the latter – and as fast as they can – but those who hang around and look behind the drab architecture and scruffy edges find a city teeming with life. For culture vultures, fine diners, mall rats, live-music lovers and city people in general, the capital has a buzz that’s unmatched in the rest of the country.
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Semuc Champey
Guatemala doesn't have all that many freshwater swimming holes that you'd really want to dive into, but the jungle-shrouded oasis of Semuc Champey is most definitely an exception. Turquoise-colored water cascades down a series of limestone pools, creating an idyllic setting that many call the most beautiful place in the country. You can make it out here on a rushed day tour, but you'd be mad to – Semuc and its surrounds are rural Guatemala at its finest.
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Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango – ‘Xela’ to most everyone – is a kinder, gentler urban experience than the capital, and its blend of mountain scenery, highlands indigenous life, handsome architecture and urban sophistication attracts outsiders after an authentic slice of city life in Guatemala. Come here to study Spanish at the numerous language institutes, such as the well-regarded Celas Maya, or make it a base for excursions to such excellent high-altitude destinations as Laguna Chicabal, a crater lake/Maya pilgrimage site, or the Fuentes Georginas, a natural hot-springs resort ensconced in a verdant valley.
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El Mirador
For true adventurers, the trek to El Mirador is a thrilling chance to explore the origins of Maya history; it is still being uncovered by archaeologists whom you’re likely to meet at the site. Among the hundreds of vegetation-shrouded temples is the tallest pyramid in the Maya world, La Danta, which can be climbed for panoramic views of the jungle canopy. It’s at least a six-day hike there and back through the mud and mosquitoes, unless you hop a chopper to the site.
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Nebaj & the Ixil Triangle
A pocket of indigenous culture in a remote (though easily accessed) alpine setting, Nebaj is little visited, yet it is essential Guatemala. Homeland of the resilient Ixil Maya people, whose language and vivid culture survived the harshest persecutions during the civil war era, it’s also a starting point for hikes through the spectacular Cuchumatanes mountain range, with dozens of intensely traditional villages, such as Cocop and Chajul, where community-run lodgings offer locals much-needed extra income and visitors a glimpse into this fascinating corner of the world.
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Wildlife-Watching
While Guatemala’s jungles, rivers, oceans and mountains don’t exactly teem with life, there are several species that are worth keeping an eye out for. The Pacific coast is popular for whale-watching and turtle-spotting and there are manatees around the Río Dulce region. The Verapaces are a popular birding destination – you might even spot an endangered Quetzal – as are the jungles of the Petén region, where you also stand a chance of spotting jaguars, howler monkeys, armadillos and agoutis, among others.
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Flores
An isle of calm at the threshold of a vast jungle reserve, Flores is both a base for exploring El Petén and a stunning spot to recharge your rambling batteries. Unwinding at the numerous dining and drinking terraces that look across Lago de Petén Ixtá, or cruising in a weathered long boat to even smaller islets, you’re likely to find companions for forays to Tikal or more remote places. But the picturesqueness of the town, with its captivating tableau of distant villages, is reason enough to head here.
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Garifuna Culture in Lívingston
Descended from Carib, Arawak and West African people, the Garifuna are probably the most strikingly different of Guatemala’s 23 indigenous language groups. They have their own religion, (delicious) cuisine, (funky) dance and music styles, and a strong cultural identity that has survived despite direct and indirect attempts to quash it. The Garifuna are historically coastal dwellers – their heritage is strongly linked to the Caribbean – and the best place in Guatemala to immerse yourself in Garifuna culture is in the accessible-by-boat-only enclave of Lívingston.
