Backpacking Guatemala?

Question

I will be going to Guatemala in about a month. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do, see, and where to stay?

Thanks

Answer 1

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://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/Norte/Semuc-Champey/blog-63.html

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. Enjoy the trip.

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

Antigua is a great place to start out. It is a small colonial city a half an hour outside of Guatemala city. I don't know what your budget is, but the Hotel Casa Santa Domingo is about $50-75 US per night and is amazing, it is a mission and has amazing views of an active volcano.

Panajachel and Lake Atitlan is another fantastic tourist destination. Also many tourists like the market in Chichiastenago, however if you want a better market that is less touristy go up to Nebaj in the Ixchil triangle. It is 3 hours past Chichi on a long dusty road, but really worth it. That is where much of the war took place and where Rigoberta Menchu is from.

Definetly go to Flores and Tikal. I would also go to Coban and make side trips to Semuc Champey and I would also recommend Chisec (its my old Peace Corps site).

Have fun!

Answer 3

Most of the beautiful places have been mentioned already.
I am going to recommend a place to eat on your way to Pana...it is called CHICHOY, if you are interested in home made cooking and a taste from Guatemala this is the place to eat....In antigua try Doña Maria.

In Antigua contact a local or tourist office about backpaking to "El Volcan De Agua" usually you will go up after 6pm and wake up to a beautiful morning at the crate....the view is amazing...if you have time, don't miss the opportunity to back pack there...

Answer 4

I am of Guatemala, alive in the city of Guatemala the unique thing that I can do is recomedarte a Web site because nonhandling very well the English Site Web: www.visitguatemala.com I hope that it serves to you, I hope that your estadia is the best one in this country.

Answer 5

i went to guatemala and is amazing, is such a small country with a lot of beautiful and magnificent places. semuc champey, la antigua, coban, atitlan(panajachel), lago de izabal, Tikal, and the mountains(AMAZING!!!). Guatemala is the most beautiful country in Latinamerica, so small but with a lot of beautiful things; not like mexico that is big and has some few interesting things, guatemala is like 1/5 of mexico and has like the same amount of interesting things.

Answer 6

If you are on a tight budget, don't plan on staying in Antigua for long. It is expensive. The Lake Atitlan area is incredibly beautiful. Panajachel has lots of $5USD per night hotels. San Pedro and San Marcos (across the lake) are popular with backpackers. Traveling with a backpack is the best way to go, since it makes chicken bus travel easier with minimal luggage. Check out http://www.atitlan.net for information about Lake Atitlan and Antigua.