Watch sunrise over Tikal's temple pyramids$20
Ancient Maya temples rising above unbroken rainforest canopy, with howler monkeys and toucans often audible before the day-trip crowds arrive.
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Central America
Things to do in Guatemala
Maya ruins rising above jungle canopy, a colonial city of pastel facades and cobblestones, and a living Indigenous culture that remains central to daily life rather than a museum piece.
Explore Guatemala on the map →Budget$
Best for10-12 days
CapitalGuatemala City
VisaVisa-free entry for up to 90 days for US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, part of the CA-4 border agreement shared with El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
CurrencyGuatemalan quetzal (GTQ)
LanguagesSpanish (official); over 20 Mayan languages also spoken
InternetGood in cities, more limited in rural highlands
Typical lodging$15–$40/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage120V / 60Hz (Type A/B plug)
Time zoneUTC-6
Emergency number911
Dialing code+502
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Photography
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or filtered water recommended. 10% at restaurants is common.
Guatemala holds the largest concentration of ancient Maya cities anywhere, including Tikal, whose temple pyramids still rise above unbroken rainforest canopy much as they would have appeared centuries ago. Over 40% of the population identifies as Indigenous Maya, and traditional dress, language, and weaving traditions remain genuinely woven into daily life across the highlands rather than performed only for visitors.
When to go
Dry seasonNovember–April
The most popular and reliable window nationally, with clearer skies for both ruins and highland travel.
Early wet seasonMay–July
Regular but often predictable afternoon rain, with lush green landscapes and fewer crowds.
Peak wet seasonAugust–October
The heaviest rains and highest risk of road disruption in rural areas, though still workable with flexible planning.
Transition periodOctober–November
Rains easing as the dry season approaches, a reasonable value window before peak season begins.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
11Wander Antigua's colonial streets and volcano views
A UNESCO-listed former capital of pastel-colored colonial buildings and cobblestone streets, ringed by three active volcanoes.
Boat between Maya villages on Lake Atitlán
A volcanic crater lake ringed by traditional Kaqchikel and Tz'utujil Maya villages, each with distinct textiles and market days.
Shop at Chichicastenango's Maya market
One of the largest and most colorful Indigenous markets in the Americas, held twice weekly and drawing traders from across the highlands.
Explore the ruins of Yaxhá at sunset
A less-visited Maya site than Tikal, with temple views over a lake that's grown popular for its quieter, uncrowded sunset atmosphere.
Learn traditional weaving in a highland village
Maya textile traditions vary distinctly by village, with workshops around Lake Atitlán offering hands-on introductions to backstrap loom weaving.
Explore the ruins of Quiriguá
A UNESCO-listed site holding the tallest carved stone monuments (stelae) in the entire Maya world, a quieter alternative to the larger sites.
Attend a traditional Maya ceremony (respectfully, where possible)
Sacred fire ceremonies led by Maya spiritual guides (ajq'ijab') remain practiced in the highlands, viewable respectfully through appropriate cultural channels.
Explore Guatemala City's National Museum of Archaeology
The country's largest collection of ancient Maya artifacts, offering context for the ruins seen elsewhere in a trip.
Visit San Juan La Laguna's natural dye cooperatives
A Lake Atitlán village known for organic weaving cooperatives using traditional plant-based dyes, with workshops open to visitors.
Explore the Iximché Maya ruins near Antigua
A former Kaqchikel Maya capital closer to Antigua than Tikal, offering an accessible introduction to Maya archaeology without the long journey north.
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Adventure & outdoors
4Hike Acatenango Volcano for a view of an erupting neighbor
An overnight climb rewarded with views of neighboring Fuego Volcano's frequent eruptions, one of Central America's most dramatic treks.
Climb Pacaya Volcano
One of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, with a moderate hike close enough to sometimes roast marshmallows over residual volcanic heat.
Kayak on Lake Atitlán beneath volcanic peaks
Calm morning waters (before afternoon winds pick up) make for scenic paddling with three volcanoes visible around the lake's edge.
Visit the ruins and museums of El Mirador (advanced trekkers)
A remote, jungle-swallowed Preclassic Maya city reachable only by a multi-day trek or helicopter, among the largest pyramids ever built in the ancient world.
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Food & drink
3Eat pepián, Guatemala's national stew
A rich, spiced meat and vegetable stew with pre-Hispanic roots, considered by many Guatemalans the country's defining dish.
Visit a coffee farm in the highlands around Antigua
Volcanic soil and altitude make this region one of the world's most respected coffee-growing areas, with farm tours explaining the full process.
Try tamales colorados at a local market stall
Corn dough steamed in banana leaves with a rich, mildly spiced sauce, a genuine Guatemalan comfort food found at markets nationwide.
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Nature & scenery
1Swim in the turquoise pools of Semuc Champey
A natural limestone bridge with stepped, jade-colored pools over a rushing underground river, reached via a rough but rewarding drive.
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Photography
1Explore Antigua's Santa Catalina Arch
A yellow colonial arch spanning a cobblestone street, framed perfectly by Volcán de Agua behind it, one of Guatemala's most photographed views.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Guatemala?
Most Western passport holders, including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days under the CA-4 agreement shared with El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
▾Is Guatemala safe for tourists?
The main tourist circuits, Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Tikal, and Guatemala City's Zone 10, see regular safe tourism with normal precautions; as with many Central American destinations, it's worth checking current advisories for specific regions and avoiding travel after dark in unfamiliar areas.
▾How many days does Guatemala need?
10-12 days lets you combine colonial Antigua, Lake Atitlán's Maya villages, and a trip to Tikal in the northern jungle, though the internal distances mean some flying or long drives are involved.
▾Is Tikal worth the trip to Guatemala's remote north?
Yes for most visitors, it's among the most significant and dramatic ancient Maya sites anywhere, with temple pyramids emerging directly from rainforest canopy, best experienced at dawn before the day-trip crowds arrive.
▾Is Guatemala affordable?
Yes, among the more budget-friendly destinations in Central America, with strong value for food, accommodation, and guided tours.
▾How much does it cost to visit Tikal?
The standard foreign entrance fee is about 150 GTQ (roughly $20), with sunrise or sunset access costing an extra 100 GTQ and requiring a licensed guide. Buying tickets online in advance is available and saves time at the gate, especially if you're arriving for the early sunrise entry.
