Guatemala Things to Do

 
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Most Viewed Things to Do in Guatemala

151.

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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152.

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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153.

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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154.

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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155.

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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156.

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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157.

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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158.

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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159.

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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160.

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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161.

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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162.

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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Guatemala City: Avenida Reforma and the museums

by sachara

The Avenida Reforma is a wide avenue with lots of green and modern office buildings. At the 6th floor of one of these huge office buildings we found a small archaeological museum of the university, named Popul Vuh with splendid Maya artefacts. From the escalator we had a wonderful at an innercourt with palmtrees.From here we walked a few blocks to the west -about 750m- to the Aurora Park in zona 13, passing playgrounds for kids and a zoo with elephants, bears and tigers. In the green setting of the park is the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. I especially liked the huge maquettes of Tikal, the site we had just visited the day before, and of other archaeological sites. The huge collection of the museum has Mayan artifacts from all over the country, like statues, carvings, stelae and ceramics. Opposite to this museum is the museum of Modern Art, which we didn't visit. In the...

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Go to Antigua

by patricia_taft

While Guatemala City has some good restaurants and decent nightlife, go to Antigua...It is a gorgeous town highlighted by an active volcano that offers one hell of a hike. Most hotels in Guatemala City offer tours to Antigua and packaged hikes. Just be forewarned...although it is advertised as a beginner to medium hike in terms of difficulty, it is not. I am in pretty good shape and used to climbing and this is a very rugged climb through tropical brush and volcanic lava. Bring boots and something warm, temperatures drop into the 40s (F) at the top. But whatever you do...don't miss it!

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Climb Pacaya

by feva-feva

There are numerous travel agencies in Guatemala City & Antigua where you can book a day trip to the volcano Pacaya. You should not attmept to climb up the volcano on your own. I heard stories of people being robbed when they ventured off the path. Although there were numerous police officers around I felt safer with our local guide. The views from the top of the volcano are amazing and well worth the trek. You can walk to within a few feet of the lava. A must do in Guatemala.

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Study Spanish: Antigua vs. Xela

by melosh

I think Guatemalan Spanish as generally spoken is clean and the accent is not extreme. The cost of the schools and living is quite reasonable. This makes Guatemala a fairly good place to study Spanish. You may have security concerns, but these vary considerable depending on where you choose to study. Guatemala City, for example, might have good language schools, but for me at least, the large city dangers would weigh against this as a choice place to study. Antigua is probably the most popular place to study. Xela, in comparison, represents one of a number of places with many fewer schools that may be more attractive simply because they are less visited by travellers.Antigua is pictoresque, and certainly more tourist impacted than other cities in Guatemala. This means that there are more bars and other places cleaned up to serve visitors. There are also many many language schools, so the...

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Search for marimba

by melosh

The marimba is the national instrument and music of Guatemala, but it was not that easy to hear. The radios in buses had more Mexican music and no marimba I ever heard. I went in search of a marimba to purchase and enjoyed the process as much as my eventual success (See shopping tip). In Chichicastenango I heard an old gourd marimba being played at the fine hotel one block down from the plaza in the direction of the graveyard on the Sunday market day. In Antigua, at the Hotel Don Pedro there was a great marimba group. They played in the courtyard during lunch which seemed crazy because the restaurant is off the courtyard. I asked the restaurant if I could eat in the courtyard and they agreed. I felt like a king with my own personal live Marimba group.

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Buy local textiles

by trvlrtom

Guatemala is well known as a source of colorful textiles. Don't miss the opportunity to purchase fabric and/or finished products in the local markets in places like Chichcastenango and Quetzaltenango. It supports the local economy and sustains traditional skills. Bring it home and give it away for placemats, tablecloths and wall hangings. Ask around your network of friends and family to find out who sews; they will be most appreciative. You won't find this at home.

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Favorite Trips in Guatemala

by mgraham3

Assuming you are staying in Guatemala City:1. Antigua - 1 hour taxi ride - Artisan & historic area2. Pacaya - 1 hour ride - Hike this active volcano all the way to the rim3. Tikal - 1 hour flight - Mayan ruinsI would advise anyone to take these day trips. Pacaya and Tikal are physically demanding.

get schooled

by jenny_lu

guatemala is an excellent place to dive into spanish. there are tons of schools and its super affordable. most places hook you up with a host family, around 25 hours with a private teacher per week (all of my teachers totally knew what they were doing) and the weekly or so little extra, like a daytrip to another town, movie, or something special going on. in my experience, i paid about 110$ per week (of which the director of the school got 50%, the other half split between the family and the teacher). i highly reccommend the home stay, as you get a peek into the lives of the average family. my family had 2 younger kids who helped me before i got some confidence to speak spanish. the family was eager to learn about alaska and i had been advised before leaving to bring them a small gift about alaska. i decided on a picture book of the northern lights, which went over super. they were great...

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Along the lovely Rio Dulce

by jorgejuansanchez

This charming castle was built by the Spaniards to avoid the criminal attacks of the pirates, especially of the bloodthirsty buccaneer Morgan and other English pests. Today is a delightful place to visit, especially if you arrive there from the scenic boat journey through the Rio Dulce.The river journey from Livingston to Castillo de San Felipe is delightful, crossing high and narrow gorges and watching the exuberant jungle all the time, listening to animals, parrots, monkeys and others bizarre and unrecognizable sounds. You feel insignificant in the middle of this natural grandeur.After two hours of scenic and unforgettable travel you arrive to the Lago de Izabal (Lake). From Castillo de San Felipe you can continue your journey up to Tikal pyramids, or down to Chichicastenango and pleasing Lake Atitlan.

Where to begin???? How about Tikal?

by Suzie3

This is a must do for anyone who has even a tiny interest in the past. Even if you don't you probably will by the time you get through visiting.Do go out with a guide. It is about $50 for the tour but a lot of people were sharing the cost and many only ended up having to pay a couple of dollars each.

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Fun things to do 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
 
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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. Lago de Atitlán Things to Do
  5. Panajachel 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. Puerto Barrios Things to Do
  12. Santiago Atitlán Things to Do
  13. Tecpán Guatemala Things to Do
  14. San Antonio Aguas Calientes Things to Do
  15. San Antonio Palopó Things to Do
  16. Santa Cruz del Quiché Things to Do
  17. Río Dulce Things to Do
  18. Monterrico Things to Do
  19. El Remate Things to Do
  20. Tikal Things to Do
  21. Sierra los Cuchumatanes Things to Do
  22. Puerto Santo Tomás de Castilla Things to Do
  23. Lanquín Things to Do
  24. Lago de Amatitlán Things to Do
  25. Uspantán Things to Do
  26. Santiago Sacatepéquez Things to Do
  27. Todos Santos Cuchumatán Things to Do
  28. San Vicente Pacaya Things to Do
  29. San Marcos La Laguna Things to Do
  30. Sayaxché Things to Do
  31. Comalapa Things to Do
  32. Sumpango Things to Do
  33. San Miguel Dueñas Things to Do
  34. Esquipulas Things to Do
  35. San Francisco El Alto Things to Do
  36. Iximché Things to Do
  37. Huehuetenango Things to Do
  38. Quiriguá Things to Do
  39. Totonicapán Things to Do
  40. Lago de Izabal Things to Do
  41. Ciudad Vieja Things to Do
  42. Chajul Things to Do
  43. Laguna de Ipala Things to Do
  44. Lívingston Things to Do
  45. Todos Santos Things to Do

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Popular Regions in Guatemala

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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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