Discover the beauty and adventure of Central America on your journey to Guatemala.
Traveling through Guatemala is like stepping into a kaleidoscope.
No matter where you turn, richness of color, variations of beauty, and nearly endless combinations of experiences will delight you. Whether you’re in search of things to do in Guatemala with kids, planning a romantic getaway, or embarking upon a solo adventure, Guatemala is filled with activities, culture, and experiences for everyone.
With its towering volcanoes, serene lakes, and colorful Mayan heritage around every turn, Guatemala manages to touch the soul of every visitor who sets foot on its majestic soil.
Set in the Central Highlands and flanked by three volcanoes, Antigua boasts an outstanding display of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century architecture.
You’ll find long cobblestone streets, colorful stucco houses, pastel facades, central window niches, and low bell towers. Antigua’s architecture is evident in the notable religious masterpiece Las Capuchinas and the church of La Merced, whose facade is one of Antigua’s most beautiful.
An hour’s drive east of Antigua, in the southern part of the country, Guatemala City has something for everyone. Whether you’re on a family trip to Guatemala or traveling with your partner, Guatemala City delights.
You can experience outdoor activities, shopping, museums, and cultural tours. In addition, as you explore the capital city’s top attractions, you can immerse yourself in the local culture, traditions, and cuisine. The diverse nature of the bustling transit system, thoroughfares, and peaceful squares tucked throughout the city provide both excitement and relaxation along your journey.
On the other hand, about three hours west of Antigua lies the heart of the Western Highlands. Lake Atitlán is a crater lake surrounded by verdant hills, three towering volcanoes, and more than a dozen small villages. And each village has its own personality!
It’s easy to see why Brave New World author Aldous Huxley considered Lake Atitlán “too much of a good thing,” even going so far as to compare it to Italy’s Lake Como. Lake Atitlán is a natural and cultural sight to behold.
Northern Guatemala’s Petén Province holds one of the major sites of Mayan civilization.
Tikal National Park is home to diverse flora, jaguars, bird species, and more. In addition, Tikal houses innumerable architectural and artistic remains from its days as a political and military center. In the park’s Great Plaza—a vast expanse ringed by terraces, palaces, and ball courts—the imposing Temple of the Grand Jaguar and the Temple of the Masks stand in eternal face-off on opposing ends.
Where you go in Guatemala depends on the kind of adventure you crave. Would you rather hike to the summit of a volcano, swim through the turquoise waters of naturally occurring pools, or paddleboard atop a serene crystal lake?
Perhaps you’d like to do it all! Whatever strikes your fancy, Alluring Americas is here to custom design your trip.
Antigua is a colonial town where you can walk along cobblestone streets, relax in cozy cafés, and marvel at volcanos looming in the distance. Despite a massive earthquake that shook the city in 1773, Antigua has preserved ruins you can still see today. Once you have explored the old, you can turn your attention to the new with handicraft shopping, chocolate making, and touring a working coffee farm.
Guatemala City is rich in cultural heritage and modern attractions. Join the audience at the Guatemalan National Theater, also known as the Miguel Ángel Asturias Cultural Centre. Or visit museums dedicated to indigenous art and ancient Mayan artifacts. Then you can become a main player as you immerse yourself in the daily culture of the city. First, walk across the plaza that stretches outside the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura. Then stroll through the stacks at the Biblioteca Nacional.
Lake Atitlán is a sprawling body of water in a massive volcanic crater in the southwestern highlands. The lake attracts both nature lovers and travelers who want to dive into the culture of the Guatemalan people. There are opportunities not only to swim, hike, and canoe but also to visit any number of the small villages that line the lake. Each village boasts its own personality and has its own story to tell.
Tikal is a stunning archeological site and urban center that dates back to the fourth century BC. Tikal is in northeast Guatemala and boasts one of the largest Mayan pyramid sites in Central America. Alluring Americas will help you craft your itinerary to explore Tikal when you visit Guatemala, making sure you get the most out of your time there.
Whether you prefer to relax in a canoe as you float atop Lake Atitlán or can’t wait to lace up your hiking boots as you prepare to climb the side of a volcano, Alluring Americas will customize your luxury trip to Guatemala!
Antigua is vibrant with color and rich with culture: you might as well keep your camera in your hands because the dynamic textures and unique displays of architecture are beautifully picturesque!
Walk along the cobblestone streets to breathe in the culture and daily life of the city. And keep an eye out for views of Volcán de Agua between the pillars of the Arco de Santa Catalina. This arco, or arch, was built as a pathway through which nuns living in isolation could travel from their convent on one side of the street to the other.
Once you’ve walked up and down the streets of Antigua, you can schedule tours and classes led by locals happy to introduce you to their way of life. Get your hands dirty in a Guatemalan cooking class, chocolate-making workshop, or street-food tour! Then, hop on an ATV and head to the outskirts of the city to explore rural Guatemala, including the surrounding mountains, Mayan villages, and organic markets.
Guatemala City, the country’s capital, will lure you into as many adventures as you wish to pursue. Whether you choose to schedule a guided tour or acquire a map that will aid you in exploring the city on your own, this marriage of past and the present tells inspirational stories of Guatemala City’s culture.
Between your explorations, you can refuel with a cup of coffee made with Guatemalan beans and a delicious bowl of Pepián, often considered to be Guatemala’s national dish.
Lake Atitlán is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. You can view the villages and volcanoes that surround the lake from the comfort of a canoe or paddleboard. Furthermore, you can stroll through the villages and hike through lavish forests to the peaks of those volcanoes.
Alluring Americas will customize your trip to Lake Atitlán according to your travel desires. There is so much to do around the lake that having a plan will help you fit as much into your schedule as possible. Whether you want to shop at Central America’s largest handicraft market in Chichicastenango or hike up to La Nariz (the “Indian Nose”) at sunrise to take in a spectacular view over the water, we can help you plan the perfect adventure.
Tikal National Park is home to Tikal, one of the largest Mayan cities ever uncovered. To explore the entirety of this ancient masterpiece, you will probably want to plan on spending more than one day there. Prepare to be amazed by the gravitas of the views and the depth of history.
As you can imagine, Tikal is at the center of Guatemala adventure travel. Alluring Americas will custom design your adventure into the past.
Guatemala offers a wide variety of places to stay. From hotels, bed and breakfasts, and campsites to homestays and ecolodges, there’s a place for everyone!
Antigua offers several boutique hotels complete with rooms beautifully decorated with traditional Guatemalan furniture and vista views of the surrounding city. Also within the city limits are upscale hotels featuring spas and outdoor pools. Staying in Antigua means that comfort, excellent hospitality, and the beautiful details of the Guatemalan culture will surround you.
One of the best places for travelers to stay in Guatemala City is Zone 10, which offers access to many restaurants, museums, and cultural destinations. You can schedule a guided day trip to explore Guatemala City and Antigua all from the comfort of your hotel.
Lake Atitlán offers diverse experiences to enjoy and places to stay. Where you stay depends on what you want to do. For example, Panajachel offers you the culture of the people who live there: you can shop the markets by day and hang out with the locals at night. Santiago Atitlán has more of a traditional vibe, with activities focusing mostly on family and community.
Tikal National Park is one of the most impressive historical sites to visit during the day. However, at night, the gates to the park are closed, leaving avid travelers with less to do. For that reason, visitors to the site enjoy staying in surrounding towns and villages, such as Flores or El Remate. Whether you seek an upscale hotel or prefer more rustic accommodations, Alluring Americas will design your stay accordingly.
Travel to Guatemala is generally safe.
We advise that you take the same kind of precautions while traveling in Guatemala as you would in any other Central American country. These include not drawing attention to wealth, safeguarding your hotel room, being aware of your surroundings, and being cautious when using public Wi-Fi.
The country known as the Heart of the Mayan World offers impressive Mayan temples in steamy jungles, a crater lake surrounded by towering volcanoes, and brightly colored markets contrasted with authentic highland culture and delightful colonial architecture.
We suggest beginning in the capital city, Guatemala City, for a fascinating cultural experience. After that, you can dive into outdoor adventures and exploration in and around Lake Atitlán, Antigua, and the Tikal area. When you travel with Alluring Americas, your Guatemala travel tour will be as unique as you are!
This is our Alluring Guatemala, which rewards even the most jaded of travelers. Because we handcraft private, culturally immersive experiences, your Guatemala travel tours are perfectly curated to reflect your curiosity and passions. Whether you need a romantic getaway or an unforgettable family adventure, Alluring Americas is the luxury travel company that will lead you on the journey of a lifetime.