What should I see in Guatemala?

Question

Hi. I'm going to Guatemala in May for a Habitat for Humanity build. We will also be doing a bit of sight seeing and wondered if anyone had some suggestions on things to see and do while i'm there?

Answer 1

I would have to agree with Jess W, Semuc Champey is a must. It takes a while to get there, but you won’t be disappointed. I’m planning on going down there this later this year for my 3rd visit. It gets more exciting and beautiful every time. Here are a few places you need to visit.

Lago Atitlan (a lake surrounded by 3 volcanoes. There are several villages around the lake, the main tourist spot is Panajachel. Another is San Lucas Toliman. En route to San Lucas Toliman, you can stop by a hill where the car or anything will roll UPHILL. http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~raman/images/pic11.jpg

Semuc Champey (a series of lagoons formed on a rock ledge over river that goes underground for 1/4 mile). http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Aurclyels/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/IMG_6173.JPG

Tikal (Mayan Ruins) http://mayaruins.com/tikal.html

Antigua (Colonial City) http://www.aroundantigua.com

Some other places you may want to go are Puerto Barrios, Rio Dulce, Flores, Peten, Chichicastenango, Lago Izabel, Coban, Monterrico, Quetzaltenango and various places throughout Guatemala City. If you visit the zoo (not much to see other than the tigers actually fighting, not like US zoo’s where they are well fed and just sleep all day) say hello to the howler monkey. If you mimic his howl he will absolutely go nuts. Enjoy the trip and the Guatemalans will really appreciate your help to their community.

While you are going around the country here’s a website for lesser known hotels that are nice cheap stays. http://www.guatemalastory.com/hotels/

Answer 2

Well.... you already have a lots of good answers.

You shouldn't miss Antigua Guatemala, close to Guatemala City, there is a lot to do there, beautiful streets, ruins, churches, museums, exotic shopping, try Guatemalan Food, study Spanish, etc.

Atitlan Lake, go to Panajachel, it's a lake sorrounded by 3 volcanoes, the sunset is great, you can see it drinking coffee or a beer at the Susent Cafe........ I recommend it.

Volcanoes, there are a lot of volcanoes you can hike..... Volcan de Agua if you are in Antigua Guatemala, you always see the volcano from everywhere in Antigua. Volcanoes San Lucas, San Pedro and Atitlan if you go to Atitlan Lake, Panajachel or any other town around the lake.

You shouldn't miss Tikal, there are Mayan Ruins, a lot of things to see there.....

You can also go to Xelaju (Quetzaltenango), Livingston in the Caribbean with white sand beaches, visit Monterrico, a beach in the Pacific Ocean, you probably can see turtles there......

Well there is a lot to do in Guatemala, it depends on your interests.

If you need further information, maybe I can help you.

Have a nice trip.....

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Answer 3

It seems like two people that are not from here gave you better recomendations than me, but anyway, from a Guatemalan, things that you should see in my country:

1. Antigua Guatemala. Beautifull city, close to the capital and with great monuments, history and night life.
2. Tikal. The center of the mayan culture, with a lot of wild life and panoramic scenes.
3. Panajachel and Atitlan. One of the prettiest lakes in the world, i have been in Como, Italy and have to tell you that nothing can compare to that lake, until you come to Guatemala and see Atitlan.
4. Puerto Barrios y el Castillo de San Felipe. Is a great Atlantic scenario, with manatis and a lot of food near by, good weather and pretty girls.
5. Semuc Champey. Altrough i haven´t been there, i want to go this year.
6. Quetzaltenango. I don´t like that city, but if you are looking for natives and comodity, that´s the place.
7. Volcanos. Someone gave you the names of the most riskier volcanos, so i have to add Volcan de Agua to that list, is near Antigua Guatemala and is a pretty scenario too.

Recomendations: Be carefull, extremely carefull because delinquency is bad here, pickpockets not just take your money, they injury you for nothing and the police is not reliable. Take excursions to enjoy the places.

Answer 4

I recently spent 6months there and although I still didnt see everything (there is so much to reccomend!), I did try :). What city are you based out of?

If you like to hike, I highly reccomend Volcan Tajumulco, the highest point in Central Am with amazing views. Also, a midnight hike of Volcan Santa Maria (you leave Quetzaltenango (Xela) around midnight and reach the top for the sunrise). Its one tough steep hike, but very worth it. Plus you get to see Volcan Santiaguito off to the side errupt approx every 30 min! Volcan Pacaya is also very active and you can get about 3ft away from lava rivers!

Of course Tikal is a must see. ChiChicastenango is a very popular tourist market and although its worth a visit for the colors and flowers sellers etc, I reccomend going to SanFrancisco el Alto - its the largest market in all of Guatemala. It may be a little less organized but you get the livestock market and fruits/veggies etc too - more real. Clim to the roof of the church there if you can.

One of the most beautiful places I have ever been is Semuc Chamey near Coban. Amazing. The view is unsurpassable. Cascading waterfalls teal waters, lush greens, golden rock floors... incredibly serene. Try the deep fried Masapan in Coban - only sold there and delicious! :)

Lago Atitlan is beautiful surrounded by 3 Volcanos - a very nice relaxing destination.

I lived in Xela for 5 of the 6 months and its a vibrant city, 50% indigenous and surrounded by vocanos and other great nature/hiking ops and an excellent place to learn spanish and how to dance salsa!

Hope this helps - I love and miss the country so much! Please send any other questions you might have my way. I am happy to help :)

Answer 5

Ive been to Tikal, crossed the border through Belize for the day. We took a guide to the ruins. Unfortunatley we had a minor car accident on the Belize side with a Guatmalan border patorl man. He passed us on our RIGHT while we were turning into a parking spot on our right, of course it was our fault (according to him) we had 3 choices, and two of them included jail time (because it was Easter holiday weekend). He also offered the fact that he would take direct cash payment and call it even. He let us pass to Guatamala for the day, and upon our return to Belize he was waiting for us and our cash. We had no choice. I tell you this because the government is not honest. It cost us about $450 US which is huge to him. The damage was perhaps half that in the states. Anyway, we felt safe but had the guide with us except when we entered the temples he went off with his buddies and we hiked around by ourselves. We were told that we must be back at the border at 5:00 by our friends in Belize who had been robbed on the desolate highway. I felt relativley safe but a little nervous about the men on the side of the road with guns who were (as we found out) hunting for their meal. We did hear many stories about tourist being robbed, so do not wear jewlery and do not carry fancy cameras or carry flashy items. It is a very poor country but very, very beautiful. I am going back next April. Also, if you get a chance to go to Tikal on Easter Sunday it is an absoulte must see! The Guatamalan people have a huge ceromony in the center of the holy land. It was breathtaking. I have never experienced anything like that before. I strongly suggest not being out after dark and if you have a travel agent here in the States, see if they can hook you up with a reputiable guide/host. The country depends on tourists so the majority of people are warm and welcoming. I would not go blindly though. Do not travel at night and map your destination. You will have a wonderful time.

Answer 6

This is easy, I've studied in Guatemala. There is a lot of things to do there, but I reccomend to hike volcanoes if possible, go to zoos, and go on tram rides around Guatemala City. Shopping for exotic things are also good, so do that too.
XOXO,
Miss Rachel

Answer 7

Make sure you spend at least two full days at Tikal, and another three or four days at Lake Atitlan. Antigua is worth it, too, and it is good place to catch the van service that takes you to Atitlan.

Answer 8

cool i'm going to Guatemala this summer with my Church! i'm personally looking forward to seeing the city of Antigua.

Answer 9

Go to TIKAL and after drop by in Belize for crazy beaches.

Answer 10

Tikal for sure.