Guatemala Things to Do

 
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Most Viewed Things to Do in Guatemala

1.

Pacaya Volcano   Antigua Guatemala

Pacaya Volcano, Antigua Guatemala

 27 Reviews  I found a great trip regarding a volcano hike and a thermal waters and spa bath, this was amazing and I truly recommend it for everyone!.. it was excellent. I found it on a website called... 

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2.

Antigua Ruins   Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Ruins, Antigua Guatemala

 40 Reviews  A collection of small museums housed in the 5-star hotel Casa Santo Domingo. The hotel, which is very upmarket, is built on and incorporates the ruins of the old Dominican church complex. Of the... 

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3.

Churches   Antigua Guatemala

Churches, Antigua Guatemala

 37 Reviews  Yes, I am lazy period end of report. Use your guide book/internet if you want the facts on them. I came here to take some pics....not a very religious person except when I travel as these seem to be... 

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4.

Parque Central   Antigua Guatemala

Parque Central, Antigua Guatemala

 16 Reviews  Central Park is a great place to get a quick feel for Antigua or if you get lost head here as it is a great reference point for to reorient yourself. Come here to relax, buy an ice cream off a local... 

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5.

Colonial Architecture   Antigua Guatemala

Colonial Architecture, Antigua Guatemala

 22 Reviews   This is perhaps the defining symbol of Antigua. It is a remnant of the once-enormous Convent of St. Catherine. This convent was founded in 1613 with only four nuns, but by 1693 its numbers had... 

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6.

Markets   Antigua Guatemala

Markets, Antigua Guatemala

 8 Reviews   Antigua might strike you at first, as it did me, as something of a museum piece, but you only have to walk a few blocks from the centre to discover that “real” life happens here too. The market on... 

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7.

Nuestra Señora de la Merced   Antigua Guatemala

Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Antigua Guatemala

 10 Reviews   The “Iglesia y Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Merced”, to give it its full name, is one of the loveliest in Antigua, and unlike many has been fully restored. On a sunny day its vibrant yellow paint... 

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8.

Language Schools   Antigua Guatemala

Language Schools, Antigua Guatemala

 12 Reviews  I chose this school on the advice of a friend and it is working out very well. It is relaxed with 1-on-1 tuition and happens at tables under awnings or in the garden. The individual tuition allows one... 

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9.

Chichicastenango   Antigua Guatemala

Chichicastenango, Antigua Guatemala

 5 Reviews  We drove 3 and a half hours from Antigua to "Chichi" on Thursday, although I heard that it is best to visit on Sundays. It seems as if time has stopped here. This village is very different than... 

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10.

Walking through the city   Antigua Guatemala

Walking through the city, Antigua Guatemala

 12 Reviews   While Parque Central is the undisputed hub of the city, Parque Union, lying a few blocks to the south-east, is also worth a visit. This is much more of a locals’ hang out than tourists’, although... 

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11.

Lago Atitlan   Antigua Guatemala

Lago Atitlan, Antigua Guatemala

 5 Reviews  WOW, I had read that Lago ("Lake" in Spanish) Atitlan is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and boy was my research correct. On Friday, our last day in Antigua, we traveled 2 and a half hours... 

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12.

Tikal   Antigua Guatemala

Tikal, Antigua Guatemala

 3 Reviews  Tikal is a definite must see. From Antigua or elsewhere. We took a weekend trip including flights and hotel, although you can do it by bus. Our hotel, Tikal Inn, was right next to the ruins and the... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Visit the villages around Atitlan

by flynboxes

Sorry too lazy to count but there are several villages along the shore or in the hillsides around Lake Atitlan. If I came back with Kim I might do in sans guide book and just take our packs in to villages and ask the locals. Spanish helps but many speak broken English along with some local dialects. But that is just my preference...as there are some secluded private retreats that you might be able to discover with a bit of research..possibly that perfect honeymoon spot (not that I have any intention of ever getting married) or just place to read a book by the lake and drink a Gallo as I had first envisioned when I got a bug up my butt to come back down here again for a couple of days

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Lake Atitlàn

by toonsarah

Lake Atitlàn was said by Aldous Huxley to be the most beautiful lake in the world. I doubt that he had seen all of them, any more than I have, but it certainly has to be in anyone’s Top Ten. Lying a mile above sea level and ringed by mountains and three perfect volcanoes (Atitlàn , San Pedro and Toliman), its silvery blue waters are a photographer’s dream, especially in the early morning when they are at their most reflective.The lake was formed in an immense volcanic explosion 85,000 years ago. As with Pompeii and Mount St. Helen, volcanic pressure built up and was released with devastating results. However the explosion here was much more destructive. The explosion at Mt. St. Helen released 2 cubic kilometres of rock and ash, Pompeii blew out 6 cubic kilometres. Atitlàn discharged over 180 cubic kilometres of hot ash and rock. An immense hole was left in the earth's crust, and...

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Parque Tikal

by toonsarah

Having spent our first week in Guatemala in the south west, in the highland areas around Antigua and Lake Atitlàn, we flew north to see Tikal, one of the greatest sites of the ancient Mayan World. It contains the the tallest pre-Columbian structure now standing in the Americas, Temple IV, and many others besides, all scattered across a wide area, and many still hidden by jungle growth and the accumulation of centuries of earth. Those that have been excavated and (in some cases) restored tower above the tree tops, giving rise to the nickname that was quoted to us several times by locals: the “New York of Guatemala”. Well, New York it isn’t, but it is all the more amazing for that. To consider that these massive structures were built so long ago (between the late 7th and early 9th centuries), and without the use of technology, is truly awesome.Like Antigua, this has been declared a UNESCO...

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Antigua

by toonsarah

Antigua was our base for the first few days in Guatemala, and although I loved everywhere that we visited in the country, it was probably my favourite. I imagine that must be true of many visitors to the country. Anyone with even a passing interest in history will be happy to spend a few days poking around its photogenic ruined churches, and photographers will also enjoy the colourful small houses (especially when lit by early morning or late afternoon sun), the views of distant volcanoes and the lively local market. When the sun goes down the air cools (we are quite high up in the Guatemalan Highlands here), and there are bars, cafés and restaurants to suit every budget – although this not a place to come for boisterous nightlife.Antigua, or Antigua Guatemala to give it its full name, was the country’s third capital. It was founded in 1543 when an eruption of the Vulcan Agua (Water...

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Guatemala City

by toonsarah

Place names in Guatemala can be confusing! The capital city is known by the same name as the country itself, and although it is most properly known as Guatemala de la Asunción, it is usually called simply “Guatemala City”, while many locals will refer to it just as “Guatemala”, "Guate", or even “The City”. In fact, Guatemala City is the country’s fourth capital, having been established after the 1773 earthquake drove the Spanish colonialists out of Antigua (the first was on the site of present-day Iximche, and the second in the valley of Almononga, known today as Ciudad Vieja, the Old City).Although the capital was not on our planned itinerary, we were very pleased to agree to the suggestion of our driver, Xavier, that he give us whistle stop tour en route to the airport. This is his home town and he was clearly very proud to show it to us, while not trying to hide its downsides. He took...

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Quirigua (The Other Mayan Ruin)

by vaticanus

(KEER e gwa)Pronounced KEER e gwa (say it quickly). Fantastic, fabulous and extravagant Maya stone stella are the largest ever made - over 10 meters- with exactingly carved figures and glyphs. Don't miss the zoomorphs (see photo). You can do this site in a day trip from Guatemala City or spend the night at the Hotel Royal (basic) in the nearby village of Quirigua. Park admission is about $3. There is a shortcut from the village along some railroad tracks but I would not recommend it - mud, insects etc. I saw the trail at it's termination outside the park and they looked unkempt and rough. The local people told me, however, they were passable.... By vehicle use any bus or van running the main Highway aka El ATLANTICO. They will drop you off at the entrance road and there are vans and pickups running to the ruins from the highway.

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Tikal

by cosmogypsy

You can take a day trip or over night trip to Tikal from Antigua. We did the over night trip.Basically, you leave Antigua around 4am and drive to Guatemala City. There you take a plane to Tikal. You get to the hotel very early and head straight into the jungle to see the pyramids. Then you go back to the hotel, have lunch and you leave the next afternoon. There isn't much to do there once you have seen the pyramids. You can go for a hike. If we had more time, I would have taken a bus so we could stop in some of the other cities. If I didn't have a lot of time, I would opt to fly back the same day. Also, the planes we flew up there on were very small.

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Elizabeth Bell tour

by cosmogypsy

This is a tour of the city antigua by an American woman who loves Antigua. She gives a wonderful walking tour about the history of Antigua. I believe it is the best walking tour I have ever taken in a foreign country. Elizabeth created the tour and on most days she is the tour guide. She knows a lot of interesting facts about Antigua past and present. I learned so much on this tour and would definitely do it again.

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Climb a volcano!

by cosmogypsy

This is a must do when visiting Guatemala. When booking your trip, it is a good idea to meet with several tour guides to find the best deal. On our trip, we booked with one agency and everyone else on the bus booked with another agency. We paid a lot less, but I think it was just luck.

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Visit the Mayan Ruins of TIKAL!

by jumpingnorman

Tikal is considered as the largest pre-Columbian Mayan ruins and was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1979. I thought at first that it would be just a small area with a few temples, but my oh my…it’s a huge complex and it took about 3-4 hours of walking for us to see the major temples. The architecture dates back to the 4th century BC but it is said that the area was at its peak from 200-900 AD. And my guide said that the Mayans did not vanish – that they are still around us in many ways, himself being half-Mayan. There are many ways to see Tikal – by yourself, by small groups, big groups…I chose the travel agency TURANSA for my day tour and they arranged for my plane ride from Guatemala City to Flores which is the nearest airport to Tikal. DON'T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT!Then there is a van that brings the passengers divided into 2 groups of Spanish and English speaking teams --- My team...

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Fun things to do in Guatemala

Top 3 Hotels in Guatemala

Palacio de Dona Leonor  Antigua Guatemala

 6 Reviews and 42 Opinions  On a business trip we stayed at the Palace Hotel Dona Leonor. I really liked the decoration of the... 

 Hotels in Antigua Guatemala

Jungle Lodge  Parque Nacional Tikal

 4 Reviews and 154 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

Barcelo Premium Guatemala City  Guatemala City

 1 Review and 198 Opinions  Nice hotel in a comfortable safe neighborhood in Zone 9. An easy walk to the Los Procures Mall and... 

 Hotels in Guatemala City

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

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Things to Do: Cities in Guatemala
  1. Antigua Guatemala Things to Do
  2. Guatemala City Things to Do
  3. Parque Nacional Tikal Things to Do
  4. Panajachel Things to Do
  5. Lago de Atitlán Things to Do
  6. San Pedro La Laguna Things to Do
  7. Flores Things to Do
  8. Chichicastenango Things to Do
  9. Quetzaltenango Things to Do
  10. Cobán Things to Do
  11. Santiago Atitlán Things to Do
  12. Puerto Barrios Things to Do
  13. El Remate Things to Do
  14. Monterrico Things to Do
  15. Tecpán Guatemala Things to Do
  16. Río Dulce Things to Do
  17. Tikal Things to Do
  18. Lanquín Things to Do
  19. San Antonio Aguas Calientes Things to Do
  20. Comalapa Things to Do
  21. Esquipulas Things to Do
  22. Santa Cruz del Quiché Things to Do
  23. Sayaxché Things to Do
  24. Sierra los Cuchumatanes Things to Do
  25. San Marcos La Laguna Things to Do
  26. Todos Santos Cuchumatán Things to Do
  27. Quiriguá Things to Do
  28. San Antonio Palopó Things to Do
  29. Lago de Amatitlán Things to Do
  30. Puerto Santo Tomás de Castilla Things to Do
  31. Sumpango Things to Do
  32. San Francisco El Alto Things to Do
  33. Zunil Things to Do
  34. Uspantán Things to Do
  35. San Vicente Pacaya Things to Do
  36. Santiago Sacatepéquez Things to Do
  37. San Andrés Xecul Things to Do
  38. La Democracia Things to Do
  39. Chajul Things to Do
  40. Jocotenango Things to Do
  41. Iximché Things to Do
  42. San Miguel Dueñas Things to Do
  43. Lago de Izabal Things to Do

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Questions and Answers

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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... 

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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... 

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