Best Things To Do in Guatemala for an Unforgettable Trip

1. Hiking Acatenango

If you only have one chance to visit Guatemala then the Acatenango hike is one of the best things to do in Guatemala. This is the chance to see one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Volcán de Fuego. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I did this hike with the agency Lava Trails and recommend them, as the guides made this an unforgettable experience.

This is a challenging hike that reaches about 3.8 thousand meters above sea level. I would expect a 4–6 hour ascent depending on the the trail conditions and the breaks along the way. The hike down takes an additional 2–3 hours, but the views along the way are truly breathtaking and make it all worth it. I highly recommend doing the hike with the overnight stay since you can see the lava much better at night, and the volcano erupts every 10–15 minutes.

After hiking Acatenango, you have the option to continue on to Volcán de Fuego hike, where you add another 3–4 hours of hiking after reaching base camp. This hike gives you the chance to see the volcano erupt from extremely close up. I personally chose not to do this hike because I didn’t have the energy after walking for 6 hours straight. Instead, I did the shorter 20-minute sunset hike where the guide took us to a beautiful viewpoint above the clouds to watch the sun set. I recommend this hike as an alternative, especially if you are like me and want to have time to enjoy base camp, but still experience surreal views of Fuego.

2. Explore Antigua’s Cobblestone Streets and Architecture

Antigua Guatemala is a charming colonial city in the highlands of Guatemala. It is known for its colorful streets, Spanish Baroque architecture, and rich cultural history. Once the country’s capital, it is now famous for its preserved churches, cobblestone roads, and vibrant markets. This city is truly a magical town with views of Volcán de Agua and charming colonial-style streets. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in Guatemala’s coffee culture, with an endless number of cute little cafes and the best town to stay in Guatemala if you are going to do the Acatenango hike.

3. Kayaking in Lake Atitlán

Lake Atitlán is a stunning volcanic lake in the highlands of Guatemala surrounded by mountains, three volcanoes, and Indigenous Mayan villages. I personally recommend staying 3–4 days to fully enjoy the lake. This will give you a chance to explore most of the surrounding Mayan villages. If you are short on time, you can visit Lake Atitlán as a day trip from Antigua Guatemala.

The communities around Lake Atitlán are home to several Indigenous Maya groups, mainly the Tz’utujil, Kaqchikel, and K’iche’ Maya peoples. In fact, many of the towns around the lake still preserve their own distinct languages, clothing styles, and traditions dating back centuries. Although Antigua also has a large Mayan population as well, Lake Atitlán truly feels like a whole different world.

Kayaking Lake Atitlán is one of the best things to do in Guatemala and was one of the best experiences I had during my trip. When else will you have the chance to take in the serene views of three beautiful volcanoes while out on the water? Since all the villages are connected by the lake, kayaking is also an amazing way to explore different towns. I did this experience with Los Elementos Adventure Center because I wanted a guide, but you can also check with your hotel or hostel, as many of them provide kayaks so you can casually explore the lake on your own.

4. Immerse Yourself in the Mayan Culture

One of the best things to do in Guatemala is to immerse yourself in the Mayan culture. The Mayan population here is one of the largest preserved Indigenous populations in the world. In many towns, locals speak their own Mayan language, and Spanish is often not their first language. There is truly an endless number of experiences you can have, from taking a class on Mayan textiles to learning about chocolate production and exploring the vibrant Mayan street markets.

Mayan Textiles and Weaving Workshop

The Maya communities, especially around Lake Atitlán, are known for their vibrant handwoven textiles. Each village has its own unique designs and patterns that represent its culture and heritage. You can take a Mayan textile weaving class, explore local textile stores, and admire all the beautiful colorful designs. All of these textiles are woven by talented local Maya artisans.

I definitely splurged here and bought a lot of headscarves. If you wear hijab like me, I can’t recommend these scarves enough. Not only are they are breathable cotton, but they have unique designs you would not find anywhere else. I especially loved San Juan La Laguna and it is the perfect village to learn more about Maya textile history.

Mayan Street Market

My personal favorite villages along the lake are San Juan La Laguna and Santiago Atitlán to really experience some of the Mayan traditions. I am a firm believer that one of the best things to do in Guatemala, and while traveling in general, is trying the cultural foods of the country. It unlocks a door to understanding a place in a deeper way, from everyday life to how communities have evolved over time, giving you a more grounded perspective on the people and the land.

You cannot miss out on exploring the street markets and indulging in some traditional street food. The street markets are filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, like corn, the Mayan staple food. Corn holds a very significant meaning in Mayan culture, as they believe people were made from corn. Corn is not just food but the source of life itself, central to their creation story and identity.

As a Muslim traveler, it is always a struggle to find halal food, so I would be wary here and make sure they do not use lard in the tortilla. That said, getting freshly baked tortillas along with fried local vegetables like pacaya and tomato sauce was a true foodie experience.