Guatemala Off The Beaten Path

  Local girl, San Antonio Palopó
by toonsarah
 
  • Local girl, San Antonio Palopó
      Local girl, San Antonio Palopó
    by toonsarah
  • In the square, San Pedro Huertas
      In the square, San Pedro Huertas
    by toonsarah
  • Church, San Juan del Obispo
      Church, San Juan del Obispo
    by toonsarah
  • Church and musicians, San Pedro Huertas
      Church and musicians, San Pedro Huertas
    by toonsarah
  • Public laundry, San Pedro Huertas
      Public laundry, San Pedro Huertas
    by toonsarah
 

Most Viewed Off The Beaten Path in Guatemala

1.

Outskirts of Antigua   Antigua Guatemala

Outskirts of Antigua, Antigua Guatemala

 14 Reviews   From San Pedro we drove through the old (that is the second) capital of Guatemala, Ciudad Vieja to this, the final village on our route. It was interesting to see that the abandoned capital was still... 

 See All 46 Off The Beaten Path in Antigua Guatemala

2.

Valhalla Experimental Station   Antigua Guatemala

Valhalla Experimental Station, Antigua Guatemala

 6 Reviews  The Valhalla Macadamia Nut Plantation is an organic farm. The nuts fall to the ground when ripe, and they are harvested by hand. They have an outer husk as well as a hard shell. These guys built a... 

 See All 46 Off The Beaten Path in Antigua Guatemala

3.

Jocotenango   Antigua Guatemala

Jocotenango, Antigua Guatemala

 3 Reviews  the Casa de Azotea contains a coffee museum, a small costume museum,and Casa Kojom, a music museum. (Kojom means music in some Maya languages.) I especially liked the Music Museum. The woman working... 

 See All 46 Off The Beaten Path in Antigua Guatemala

Save money, Book now !
Booking.com Excellent choice, Low rates
Book now for big savings!
hotels.com Outstanding choice of hotels all over the world at fantastic prices.

Sponsored Links

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

GIANT HEADS IN LA DEMOCRACIA

by vaticanus

This is an imposing collection of massive stone heads- each one a stone portrait of a king or priest. The heads are now conveniently arranged around the town plaza (moved from the site of Monte Alto- an important city in the Late Formative Period that traded in southern Mexico and with Copan in Honduras). La Democracia is 40 KM from Esquintla off the Pacific Highway (CA-2.) Tour agencies in Guatemala, Antigua or Lago Atitlan have packages including El Baul in Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa and also the beach (Pacific Ocean). There is a very good museum in Democracia but other than dubious pensions no place for staying overnight.

Tip Photo
HIKE UP SAN PEDRO AT LAGO ATITLAN

by vaticanus

LOOKING across the lake from Panajachel (5200'), you will see San Pedro (9920') standing off to the right of Volcan Atitlan. You can cross, climb, descend and return in one day. The trees at the top sport numerous orchids and bromiliads. The views are panoramic (See photo).Parts of the ascent are steep and muddy; but there is only one short part that takes grit (or rather grip) to get up a slippery section. No need for ropes. The summit is broad, is divided into several flat areas and there is plenty of space for setting up a tent and spending the night. There is no water. You should bring water with you from the town of San Pedro. The road and path out of town are easy to find- although there is a fork in the fields so get clear directions.A guide isn't necessary but you will appreciate knowing where you are going and what to look for if you do hire a local. It is extraordinary how much...

Tip Photo
IXIMCHE IS A PICNIC DAYTRIP FROM LAKE ATITLAN

by vaticanus

Iximche is a soon to be restored Quiche hill top fortress in the pine clad mountains surrounding Solola and Tecpan. It shows significant Mexican (Teotihuacan) influence. You'll find some more information and pictures as a travelogue on my GUATEMALA page.You can get here by bus (CA-1 Pan American Highway). The side road is signed and then a mile and a bit more walk. This is the Mayan site that President Bush visited in March of 2007. The Mayan priests were prevented from holding a scheduled ceremony (blessing seeds) at the site. Subsequently they held a cleansing ceremony to purify Iximche following the controversial presidential visit.PS: If you are interested in these pre-Hispanic era sites make sure to see Utatlan which is within walking distance from Santa Cruz del Quiche (capital of the Department of Quiche)

Tip Photo
Castillo de San Felipe

by iwys

El Castillo de San Felipe is a fortress built in 1652 to protect Izabal from pirate raids, but pirates actually overrran the fort and burned it 1686. It was later rebuilt and used as a prison.It stands on Lake Izabal, 3km west of Flores, and boat trips between Flores and Livingston take you past it. As you can see from the photos, it has a beautiful setting.

Tip Photo
Quiriguá

by iwys

Quirigua is one of the least visited of the Mayan sites. It is best known for its elaborately-carved stelae, which are the first things you will see as you enter the site (see photo 3). At the back is a partially-excavated temple complex, which looks as though it will eventually reveal a large pyramid.Quirigua was settled during the Mayan classic period from 200 to 850 AD. Its great rival was Copán and they seem to have vied for power throughout this period. Quiriguá reached its peak in the 700s when in 738 AD Quiriguá's King Cauac Sky scored a great military victory. Copán's King 18-Rabbit was defeated, captured and then sacrificed in the grand plaza at Quiriguá. Before this Quiriguá was probably a vassal state of Copán. Afterwards the situation was irrevocably reversed and Quiriguá was probably destroyed by the armies of Copán aound 850 AD.The site is 1.5 km east of Los Amates, on...

Tip Photo
HUGE HIGHLAND MARKET WITH NO TOURISTS

by vaticanus

The market day at San Francisco el Alto is huge and varied and visited by few tourists. It's easy to get to. It lies just off the Pan American Highway along the turnoff for Momostenango. There is a large sign at the Y shaped junction. - so it's not likely you'll miss the stop. The market starts early and gets crowded by 10 (see photo) and runs into mid afternoon. Livestock sales are a big part of this market. Also, fabrics, untensils, produce and all kinds of agricultural items- you'll be fascinated for hours. I've set up a page which will give you more directions to get there. See my Travel Page SAN FRANCISCO EL ALTOPASTE THIS INTO YOUR BROWSERhttp://members.virtualtourist.com/m/22fa8/1970f0/

Tip Photo
A Far Away Ruin

by HasTowelWillTravel

Most people when visiting Guatemala head straight to Tikal, the largest and most developed ruins of the region. And the splendor is not without warrant. But if you're looking to try something a bit different, I suggest heading a bit south, towards Sayaxche. There are a couple of ruins in the area which are beautiful and inviting, and not heavily touristed at all. One of these is Aguateca, a set of ruins along the Rio Sayaxche about 1.5 hours from the town of the same name. The water weaves through jungle, and you can see Ceiba trees and various cranes and waterfowl on the approach. Then you hike a bit uphill to reach the ruins.They are built along a great chasm, which was used to repel invaders. It is a collection of quaint ruins, but fascinating to see and interact with. The tour is not too expensive for a guide, who may or may not know the ruins (often it is just a boatman to get you...

Tip Photo
Puerto Barrios and the Garifuna

by Gaiatouring

No one stays in Puerto Barrios, and that's a shame. It is a rough and tumble port, yet if you're not inclined to rush off to the Rio Dulce, or you miss the last ferry service of the day, no worries, you are in for a real adventure. The Hotel Del Norte is a bygone relic of the days of the Banana moguls, and though it is a shambles, it's a romantic place to spend an evening on the wide set verandas looking across the water. The Garifuna cuisine is tasty (outside the hotel) and the people will be happy to talk to you in Spanish or English, most people have relatives in New York City though they have been speaking English since the time of the British presence in Central America. PB was one of the fondest memories I have from Guatemala.See the link below for more details.

Tip Photo
the ruins at Iximche

by jake22

The ruins were on a mountain top between Antigua and Pana. The structures were fairly low and the park was being expanded. We were treated to a Mayan ceremony of purification I think. The whole family and a priest started a small fire with lots of smoke and performed a ritual waving of the smoke to each member of the family. We stayed away and watched from a distance. The ceremony concluded and as we were leaving we saw the family leaving.

Tip Photo
Panajachel, Guatemala

by melosh

After finding a place to sleep in Panajachel,Guatemala, I decided to take a stroll down the main street to try to get a feel for the place. I was enjoying casual conversations with several merchants of the town when I noticed three Europeans walking down the middle of the street. The girl in the middle took our her cell phone and loudly said, "I bet you can not guess where I am?" She went on to explain to family, friends and those of us within ear shot, that she was in this 'out of the way place' in Guatemala. So, I guess that being in the middle of a street in Panajachel is 'off the beaten path' for some people. I am sure for others all of Guatemala qualifies. If can depend not just where you are, but when you are there. Perhaps it also depends on how easy it is to contact home. My first thought when I heard the lady call home on her cell phone, was that her activity was contradicting...

Tip Photo
Unique Places in Guatemala

Top 3 Hotels in Guatemala

Casa Santo Domingo  Antigua Guatemala

 19 Reviews and 205 Opinions  An incredible atmosphere transports you to the colonial era, we provide everything that needs... 

 Hotels in Antigua Guatemala

Jungle Lodge  Parque Nacional Tikal

 4 Reviews and 149 Opinions  We stayed two nights here, choosing it because of its nearness to the ruins. The plan was to be able... 

 Hotels in Parque Nacional Tikal

Posada Belen Museo Inn  Guatemala City

 2 Reviews and 119 Opinions  I chose Posada de Belen as my accomodation for my first night in Guatemala City because of the the... 

 Hotels in Guatemala City

166 Hotels in Guatemala
 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
Travel Highlights

The Place

Reviews and photos of Guatemala attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Guatemala sightseeing.

Experience Guatemala
Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Guatemala
  1. Antigua Guatemala Off The Beaten Path
  2. Guatemala City Off The Beaten Path
  3. Parque Nacional Tikal Off The Beaten Path
  4. Lago de Atitlán Off The Beaten Path
  5. Panajachel Off The Beaten Path
  6. San Pedro La Laguna Off The Beaten Path
  7. Flores Off The Beaten Path
  8. Chichicastenango Off The Beaten Path
  9. Quetzaltenango Off The Beaten Path
  10. Puerto Barrios Off The Beaten Path
  11. Santiago Atitlán Off The Beaten Path
  12. Tecpán Guatemala Off The Beaten Path
  13. Santa Cruz del Quiché Off The Beaten Path
  14. El Remate Off The Beaten Path
  15. San Francisco El Alto Off The Beaten Path

More Cities in Guatemala

 

Popular Regions in Guatemala

Departamento de Sacatepéquez Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Sololá Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Guatemala Off The Beaten Path  Departamento del Petén Off The Beaten Path  Departamento del Quiché Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Izabal Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Alta Verapaz Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Quetzaltenango Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Chimaltenango Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Huehuetenango Off The Beaten Path  Departamento de Escuintla Off The Beaten Path 

More Regions in Guatemala

Questions and Answers

escapetolife profile photo

Q:  My husband and I want to go to Guatemala for 5 weeks starting the last week of March 2012. We had planned to travel all over and... 

Agraichen profile photo

A: I have two good friends that travel to Guatemala frequently. One supports an orphanage, the other does general social work with kids in the area. Both find the... 

Read 10 Replies

postQuestion_button

Click here for best deals for Guatemala

Save up to 50% off Hotels Everyday
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
Save money, Book now !
Booking.com Excellent choice, Low rates
Book now for big savings!
hotels.com Outstanding choice of hotels all over the world at fantastic prices.
Save up to 50% off Hotels Everyday
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices

Sponsored Links