Guatemala · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Guatemala
These are the places worth your time in Guatemala, from museums and markets in the capital and ruined convents in Antigua to the villages of Lake Atitlán, the temples around Flores, the pools of Semuc Champey and the hot springs near Xela. Classics sit beside lesser-known corners, so every kind of traveller finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Guatemala City
Arts and Culture
- Museo Popol Vuh (Zona 10)
One of the finest collections of Maya ceramics and pre-Columbian art in the country. - Museo Ixchel del Traje Indígena (Zona 10)
Beautiful displays of Maya textiles that explain what the patterns on huipiles mean. - Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología (Zona 13)
Carved stelae, jade masks and treasures from Tikal and other great Maya sites. - Casa MIMA (Zona 1)
A preserved early twentieth century family home full of period furniture. - Museo de los Niños (Zona 13)
A hands-on children's museum that keeps young travellers busy for hours. - Kaminaljuyú (Zona 7)
The remains of an ancient Maya city now surrounded by the modern capital.
Things to Do
- Palacio Nacional de la Cultura (Zona 1)
The green stone palace on the main square, with murals, courtyards and guided tours. - Catedral Metropolitana (Zona 1)
The grand cathedral facing the Plaza de la Constitución, with memorial columns outside. - Paseo de la Sexta (Zona 1)
A pedestrian avenue of restored shopfronts, street food and Sunday crowds. - Mapa en Relieve (Zona 2)
A huge outdoor relief map of the whole country built in 1905, best seen from the viewing towers. - Cuatro Grados Norte (Zona 4)
A walkable creative district of cafés, bars, street art and weekend events.
Shopping and Markets
- Mercado Central (Zona 1)
Underground stalls of textiles, baskets and cheap comedores right behind the cathedral. - Paseo Cayalá (Zona 16)
A pedestrian shopping and dining district built in a neo-colonial style.
Nature and Outdoors
- La Aurora Zoo (Zona 13)
A leafy, well-kept zoo that is a favourite family outing for Guatemalans. - Parque Nacional Volcán de Pacaya (San Vicente Pacaya)
An easier volcano hike with views of lava fields and steaming vents.
Restaurants
- Pollo Campero (Zona 1)
The national fried chicken chain that every Guatemalan abroad misses. - Kacao (Zona 10)
Guatemalan classics such as pepián and kak'ik served under a big thatched roof. - Hacienda Real (Zona 10)
A long-standing steakhouse for churrasco and Guatemalan grills.
Cafés
- Café Barista (Zona 10)
The local coffee chain where Guatemalans grab a cup on the go.
Bars and Nightlife
- Zona Viva bars (Zona 10)
The capital's main nightlife strip of bars and clubs, best reached by Uber.
Stays
- Westin Camino Real (Zona 10)
A long-established business hotel in the safest part of the city. - Hotel Barceló Guatemala City (Zona 9)
A large, practical hotel near Zona 10 with a pool for families.
Places to Visit in Antigua
Things to Do
- Arco de Santa Catalina (Calle del Arco)
The yellow arch framing Volcán de Agua, the most famous view in Guatemala. - Parque Central (Centro)
The leafy main square, perfect for people watching beneath the fountain of the mermaids. - Finca Filadelfia (San Felipe de Jesús)
A coffee estate with farm tours, tastings and canopy activities. - De la Gente coffee tours (San Miguel Escobar)
Coffee tours led by small farmers in a nearby village. - ChocoMuseo Antigua (Centro)
Hands-on workshops where you make your own chocolate from the bean. - San Antonio Aguas Calientes weaving village (San Antonio Aguas Calientes)
Weavers demonstrate backstrap looms and sell textiles in a village near Antigua.
Arts and Culture
- Catedral de San José (Centro)
The restored front of the cathedral with walkable ruins behind it. - Convento de las Capuchinas (Centro)
A ruined convent with a striking circular cloister of nuns' cells. - Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande (Centro)
A working church with the tomb of Santo Hermano Pedro and atmospheric ruins. - Ruinas de La Recolección (Centro)
Huge toppled arches from a convent destroyed by earthquakes, rarely crowded. - Iglesia de La Merced (Centro)
A wedding cake of yellow and white stucco and the town's busiest church on feast days. - Museo del Libro Antiguo (Parque Central)
A small museum on printing in the colonial era, inside the town hall.
Stays
- Casa Santo Domingo (Centro)
A hotel inside a ruined monastery, with candlelit corridors and small museums. - Porta Hotel Antigua (Centro)
A classic colonial hotel with gardens and a pool, a short walk from the square. - Hotel Casa Encantada (Centro)
A small boutique hotel with a rooftop view of the volcanoes.
Nature and Outdoors
- Cerro de la Cruz (Northern edge of town)
A short climb to a big cross with the whole town and Volcán de Agua spread below. - Acatenango Volcano (Near Antigua)
The overnight hike to watch Fuego erupt, the adventure most visitors remember most. - Earth Lodge (El Hato)
A hillside lodge and avocado farm with treehouses and sweeping views.
Shopping and Markets
- Mercado Municipal de Antigua (West side of town)
The chaotic local market for fruit, flowers, cheap lunches and everyday goods. - Nim Po't (Near the Arco)
A huge hall of textiles, masks and crafts gathered from across the highlands. - Mercado de Artesanías (West side of town)
A handicraft market beside the main market, good for comparing prices. - Jade Maya (Centro)
A jade workshop and museum explaining the stone sacred to the Maya.
Restaurants
- Rincón Típico (Centro)
A simple grill for chicken, meat and potatoes cooked over coals. - Hector's Bistro (Near La Merced)
A tiny, much-loved bistro with French-leaning cooking. - Mesón Panza Verde (Southern Antigua)
Romantic dining in a garden hotel with candlelight. - Frida's (Near La Merced)
Lively Mexican food and drinks, a classic among visitors.
Cafés
- Café Sky (Centro)
A rooftop terrace with volcano views and sunset drinks. - Fernando's Kaffee (Northern Antigua)
Coffee roasted in house plus handmade chocolate. - Doña Luisa Xicotencatl (Centro)
A bakery and café famous for banana bread and courtyard breakfasts. - Café Condesa (Parque Central)
Breakfasts in an elegant courtyard right on the main square.
Bars and Nightlife
- Café No Sé (Centro)
A dim, famously quirky bar with a hidden mezcal room. - Antigua Brewing Company (Centro)
A brewery with a rooftop terrace looking at Volcán de Agua.
Events
- Semana Santa processions (Throughout town)
Carved floats and carpets of coloured sawdust fill the streets during Holy Week. - Day of the Dead kites at Sumpango (Sumpango)
Giant handmade kites rise above the cemetery on 1 November.
Places to Visit in Lake Atitlán
Things to Do
- San Juan La Laguna weaving cooperatives (San Juan La Laguna)
Women's cooperatives show how they spin, dye and weave with natural colours. - Santa Catarina Palopó painted houses (Santa Catarina Palopó)
A village repainted in bright Maya patterns, with views across the water. - Kayaking on Lake Atitlán (Santa Cruz La Laguna)
Calm morning paddles along the shore before the afternoon wind rises. - Las Pirámides Meditation Center (San Marcos La Laguna)
Long-running meditation and yoga courses in pyramid-shaped halls.
Nature and Outdoors
- Indian Nose (San Juan La Laguna)
A sunrise hike to one of the best views of the lake and its volcanoes. - Volcán San Pedro (San Pedro La Laguna)
A steep morning climb through coffee and cloud forest to a summit viewpoint. - Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve (San Marcos La Laguna)
A small reserve with trails, swimming spots and a jumping platform into the lake. - Reserva Natural Atitlán (Panajachel)
Butterfly gardens, hanging bridges and spider monkeys just outside town.
Arts and Culture
- Maximón shrine (Santiago Atitlán)
A visit to the folk saint honoured with cigars and liquor in a family house. - Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol (Santiago Atitlán)
A historic church with carved altars and a moving memorial to Father Stanley Rother.
Shopping and Markets
- Calle Santander (Panajachel)
Panajachel's main street of textile stalls, cafés and travel agencies. - Chichicastenango market (Chichicastenango)
The country's most famous market, on Thursdays and Sundays.
Stays
- Casa Palopó (Santa Catarina Palopó)
A boutique hotel with dramatic lake views and a calm terrace. - Hotel Atitlán (Panajachel)
A garden hotel on the shore with grand lake views. - La Casa del Mundo (Jaibalito)
A cliffside guesthouse reached only by boat, with family-style dinners. - Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort (Santa Cruz La Laguna area)
A quiet eco-lodge in a nature reserve on the lakeshore. - Lomas de Tzununa (Tzununá)
Hillside rooms with a pool and big views, good for families.
Cafés
- Café Loco (San Pedro La Laguna)
Excellent specialty coffee from a small café in San Pedro. - Crossroads Café (Panajachel)
A small roaster with the best coffee in Panajachel.
Restaurants
- Comedores in Santiago market (Santiago Atitlán)
Simple stalls for caldo, tortillas and local breakfasts.
Bars and Nightlife
- San Pedro bar strip (San Pedro La Laguna)
Backpacker bars and live music near the Panajachel dock.
Events
- Fiesta of Santiago (Santiago Atitlán)
The town's patron saint celebrations in late July, with processions and dances.
Places to Visit in Flores
Arts and Culture
- Tikal National Park (Tikal)
The greatest Maya city in Guatemala, with temples rising above the rainforest. - Yaxhá (Yaxhá Nakum Naranjo National Park)
A large, quiet Maya site between two lagoons, famous for sunsets. - Uaxactún (North of Tikal)
A remote village built around an early Maya site and astronomical complex.
Nature and Outdoors
- El Mirador (Mirador Basin)
A multi-day jungle trek to some of the largest pyramids ever built. - Mirador del Rey Canek (Across the lake from Flores)
A short boat ride and climb to a lookout tower over the island. - Jorge's rope swing (San Miguel, across from Flores)
A wooden platform and rope swing into Lake Petén Itzá. - ARCAS wildlife rescue centre (Near Flores)
A rescue centre caring for animals taken from the illegal wildlife trade.
Things to Do
- Flores malecón (Isla de Flores)
A walk around the island at sunset with swimming docks along the way.
Restaurants
- Raices (Isla de Flores)
A lakeside grill with sunset tables and fresh fish. - Cool Beans (Isla de Flores)
A relaxed garden café with a lake view and breakfasts.
Stays
- Hotel Isla de Flores (Isla de Flores)
A comfortable hotel in the heart of the island. - Jungle Lodge Tikal (Tikal)
Bungalows inside the park, so you can walk the ruins at dawn. - La Lancha (Lake Petén Itzá)
A lodge with thatched bungalows overlooking the lake. - Los Amigos Hostel (Isla de Flores)
A long-running, friendly hostel in a jungle garden.
Shopping and Markets
- Santa Elena market (Santa Elena)
The busy local market on the mainland side of the causeway.
Places to Visit in Semuc Champey
Nature and Outdoors
- Semuc Champey Natural Monument (Lanquín)
Stepped turquoise pools on a limestone bridge over the river. - El Mirador viewpoint (Semuc Champey)
A steep climb to the classic view down onto the pools. - Grutas de Lanquín (Lanquín)
A cave system where thousands of bats fly out at dusk. - Biotopo del Quetzal (Baja Verapaz)
A cloud forest reserve on the way north where the resplendent quetzal lives. - Orquigonia (Near Cobán)
An orchid reserve showcasing the region's remarkable plants.
Things to Do
- Kan'ba Cave (Semuc Champey road)
Candlelit swimming and climbing through an underground river. - Tubing on the Cahabón River (Semuc Champey road)
A lazy float down the river through the green valley.
Stays
- Utopia Eco Hotel (Semuc Champey road)
A riverside eco-lodge with cabins and family-style meals. - Zephyr Lodge (Lanquín)
A hillside lodge with big valley views and an infinity pool.
Cafés
- Coffee farms around Cobán (Cobán)
Visit plantations in the green hills of the cardamom and coffee heartland.
Places to Visit in Quetzaltenango
Things to Do
- Parque Centroamérica (Centro)
The grand central square ringed by coffee-boom era buildings.
Nature and Outdoors
- Fuentes Georginas (Zunil)
Steaming hot pools in a misty, fern-filled valley. - Volcán Santa María (Llanos del Pinal)
A predawn climb to watch Santiaguito puff ash below. - Laguna Chicabal (San Martín Sacatepéquez)
A sacred crater lake in the cloud forest, still used for Maya ceremonies. - Volcán Tajumulco (San Marcos)
The highest peak in Central America, a tough overnight climb.
Shopping and Markets
- San Francisco El Alto market (San Francisco El Alto)
A huge Friday market with a livestock section and rooftop views. - Almolonga market (Almolonga)
Mountains of giant vegetables in a famously fertile valley.
Arts and Culture
- Cementerio General de Quetzaltenango (Zona 3)
Grand family tombs and mausoleums from the coffee boom. - Pasaje Enríquez (Centro)
An elegant arcade of cafés and bars on the main square.
Cafés
- Café El Cuartito (Centro)
A friendly café and meeting point for students and travellers.
Restaurants
- Xela market comedores (La Democracia)
Local breakfasts and lunches in the city's busiest market.
Bars and Nightlife
- Salón Tecún (Pasaje Enríquez)
A historic bar that has served students and locals for decades.
Events
- Feria de Xela (Throughout the city)
September's independence fair with parades, music and rides.
Stays
- Pensión Bonifaz (Parque Centroamérica)
A grand historic hotel on the main square.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Artista de Café (Centro, Antigua)
A cosy café with good espresso in a colonial room. - Free Cerveza (San Marcos La Laguna area, Lake Atitlán)
Glamping tents by the lake with communal dinners. - Eagle's Nest (San Marcos La Laguna, Lake Atitlán)
A yoga retreat with a hilltop platform above the lake. - Museo Mundo Maya (Near Flores, Flores)
A modern museum on Maya history in the Petén. - Comedores on the Santa Elena waterfront (Santa Elena, Flores)
Simple plates of fish and local dishes facing the island. - Sky Bar (Isla de Flores, Flores)
A rooftop bar where travellers gather for the sunset. - Hotel Bolontiku (El Remate area, Flores)
A calm lakeside hotel closer to Tikal. - Greengos Hotel (Lanquín, Semuc Champey)
A busy, sociable lodge with a pool and tours. - El Portal de Champey (Semuc Champey entrance, Semuc Champey)
Simple riverside cabins right by the park entrance. - Café La Luna (Centro, Quetzaltenango)
A beloved old café known for hot chocolate. - Hotel Casa Mañen (Centro, Quetzaltenango)
A small, warm hotel with highland decor and a rooftop terrace.