Lake Atitlan, Photo: Murray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Guatemala
Guatemala, made simple: volcanoes, lakes and living Maya culture, without the worry
Guatemala is the heart of the Maya world. Cobbled Antigua sits under three volcanoes, Lake Atitlán is ringed by villages where traditional dress is everyday wear, and the temples of Tikal rise above the Petén rainforest. This guide takes the guesswork out of entry, money, safety, shuttles and costs, so you can plan with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, money, health and seasons, answered
- LandingLa Aurora airport and your first hours, explained
- Your days in GuatemalaAntigua, the lake, Tikal and the highlands, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain what costs more and what costs less, so your budget holds.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Guatemala should feel like a welcome, not a worry. We answer the questions before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
First trip to Central America, or coming home to see family in Guatemala City, Xela or a village in the highlands? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your GuatemalaColonial Antigua, the villages of Lake Atitlán, the jungle temples of Tikal or the turquoise pools of Semuc Champey: start with the destinations.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, money, insurance and the right season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for cafés, markets, volcano hikes, ruins and stays in each area.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to balance highland days, jungle days and the long drives between them.
Everything your Guatemala trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Guatemala City, Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Flores and Tikal, Semuc Champey and Quetzaltenango, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred cafés, markets, hikes, ruins and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Guatemala City and Flores and stays in each area.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Guatemala trip
Antigua, the lake, then the jungle
Most first trips follow a loop. Start in Antigua for cobbled streets, coffee farms and a night hike on Acatenango, move on to Lake Atitlán to hop between villages by boat, then fly or bus north to Flores for sunrise at Tikal. With more time, add the river pools of Semuc Champey or the Sunday market at Chichicastenango.
- Volcán de Fuego erupting at night from Acatenango
- Boat hops between San Juan, San Pedro and Santa Cruz
- Tikal's Temple IV above the rainforest canopy
- The Thursday and Sunday market in Chichicastenango
Start with the destinations
See how the highlands, the lake and the Petén fit together.
Guatemala destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Distances look short on the map, but mountain roads are slow and shuttles keep their own hours. Our free planner helps you build a realistic route, so you spend your days in markets and on volcanoes rather than in traffic.
- Realistic transfer times
- The right season for your plans
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Guatemala
From colonial streets and volcano lakes to rainforest temples, linked by scenic mountain roads.
Guatemala Department
Guatemala City
The country's sprawling capital and main gateway, with strong museums, a lively food scene and a historic centre.
Read the guidePhoto: Carlosmanuel232, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Sacatepéquez
Antigua
The colonial former capital under three volcanoes, with ruined churches, coffee farms and the country's best food.
Read the guidePhoto: Chad Davis, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Sololá
Lake Atitlán
A volcanic lake ringed by Maya villages, each with its own character, linked by boats and quiet trails.
Read the guidePhoto: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Petén
Flores and Tikal
A colourful island town on Lake Petén Itzá and the greatest Maya city in Guatemala, deep in protected rainforest.
Read the guidePhoto: Gary Todd, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alta Verapaz
Semuc Champey
A limestone bridge over the Cahabón River topped by stepped turquoise pools, deep in the green hills of Alta Verapaz.
Read the guidePhoto: Mario Bollini, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango
Guatemala's second city, a cool highland base for Spanish study, volcano hikes, hot springs and Maya markets.
Read the guidePhoto: Rodrigobaaz, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Guatemala safe for visitors?
Most visits to the main tourist areas, Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Flores and Tikal, pass without trouble, but crime is a real issue in parts of Guatemala City and on some roads. Use tourist shuttles or registered transport, avoid travelling at night, hike with licensed guides and read your government's current travel advice before you go.
Do I need a visa for Guatemala?
Many passport holders, including citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, can usually visit without a visa for a limited stay, which is shared with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua under the CA-4 agreement. Rules vary by passport, so check the Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración before you book.
What language is spoken in Guatemala?
Spanish is the official language and the one you will use most. More than twenty Maya languages are also spoken, including K'iche', Kaqchikel, Q'eqchi' and Mam, and many highland families speak a Maya language at home. English is common in Antigua and tourist businesses but limited elsewhere.
What currency does Guatemala use?
The quetzal, named after the national bird. US dollars are sometimes accepted in tourist businesses, but you will get better value and fewer problems paying in quetzales. Cash matters for markets, buses and small towns, so carry some in small notes.
When is the best time to visit Guatemala?
The dry season, roughly November to April, brings clear volcano views and easier roads. May to October is the rainy season, with sunny mornings and afternoon storms, greener hills and fewer visitors. Semana Santa in Antigua is spectacular but busy, so book early.
How many days do I need in Guatemala?
Ten days covers Antigua, Lake Atitlán and Tikal at a comfortable pace, with a domestic flight to Flores. Two weeks or more lets you add Semuc Champey, Chichicastenango, Quetzaltenango or the Caribbean town of Livingston.
Ready to find your Bliss in Guatemala?
Use the free trip planner to shape your route, or send us a question through the contact page.